Feeding on a diet of The Pogues, Paul Kelly, and whatever else was playing, Joy cut his teeth performing at open mic nights in Melbourne. His style is folk music with pop influences. His songs capture the familiar pulse of everyday experiences in a unique and celebratory manner. His lyrics reach out to you and hold on for a moment.
Lay It On Me
Vance Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anyone could see that I'm wasted
You cut through
And I just wanna know what's in your head
Write it on a piece of paper, honey
Put it in my coat before I go
Hidden in a place you know I'll find it, oh
Let me in
Everything starts at your skin, so new
Your love's always finding me out
Who am I kidding?
If all my defenses come down, oh baby
Will you lay it all on me now?
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
Snow comes down, everything is new and different
I found you hidden in plain sight, why'd I take so long?
Write it on a piece of paper, honey
Put it in my coat before I go
Let me in
Everything starts at your skin, so new
Your love's always finding me out
Who am I kidding?
If all my defenses come down, oh baby
Will you lay it all on me now?
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
Your love's always finding me out
Who am I kidding?
If all my defenses come down, oh baby, baby
Will you lay it all on me now?
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
Lay it all on me now
In "Lay It On Me," Vance Joy sings about being completely taken by someone and wanting to know their inner thoughts and feelings. The singer is lost in his attraction to this person and acknowledges that he is "wasted." He wants to know what's in their head and asks them to write it down on a piece of paper and hide it in his coat so he can read it later. He's captured by this person's "love" and wants them to open up to him and lay it all on him.
The snow imagery in the second verse could possibly represent a new beginning, as everything is "new and different." The singer seems to be surprised that it took him so long to find this person who was "hidden in plain sight." However, there's still a bit of hesitation as he wonders if he can let his defenses down and if this person will be willing to "lay it all on me now."
Overall, "Lay It On Me" appears to be a plea for vulnerability and an affirmation of love. The singer is willing to be completely open and accepting of this person, but he needs them to reciprocate and lay it all on him.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so gone
I am heavily intoxicated
Anyone could see that I'm wasted
My drunken state is evident
You cut through
You caught my attention
And I just wanna know what's in your head
I am curious about your thoughts and feelings
Write it on a piece of paper, honey
Jot down your emotions on paper, my dear
Put it in my coat before I go
Slip the note in my coat pocket when I leave
Hidden in a place you know I'll find it, oh
Conceal it in a spot you know I'll discover it eventually
Later when I'm sitting all alone
In the future, when I am by myself
Let me in
Allow me to enter your heart
Everything starts at your skin, so new
My attraction to you begins with the surface, so innocent and pure
Your love's always finding me out
Your affection for me reveals my true self
Who am I kidding?
I am deceiving myself
If all my defenses come down, oh baby
If I let my guard down completely
Will you lay it all on me now?
Will you reveal your emotions to me completely?
Snow comes down, everything is new and different
The falling snow signifies a sense of newness and change
I found you hidden in plain sight, why'd I take so long?
I discovered you despite you being right in front of me, why did it take me so much time?
Your love's always finding me out
Your affection for me reveals my true self
Who am I kidding?
I am deceiving myself
If all my defenses come down, oh baby, baby
If I let my guard down completely
Will you lay it all on me now?
Will you reveal your emotions to me completely?
Lay it all on me now
Be completely honest with me now
Lay it all on me now
Reveal everything to me now
Lay it all on me now
Don't hold back anything, let me know everything now
Lay it all on me now
Be unreserved and straightforward with me now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dave Richard Bassett, James Keogh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MD Harris
What makes this song so awesome is the fact that it builds momentum, it has a catchy, retro feel, and it is very classy. Love the vocals, guitar, beat, horns/brass, and everything about it surpasses much of the so-called music of the day.
Mike Baldwin
MD Harris very well said,and i agree 100%!
QKvox
Vance Joy and brass is a golden combo, I saw him live with his band and stuff in 2018 (at fairgrounds, berry) and it is one of the best things ive ever been to even 3 years later
Mr. Coury
Plus, he fit in "meow" and "kitten" into the lyrics in his bridge and I love it.
"You're loves always finding meow-t, who am I kitten? 😸
Ariel Ovalles
@Mr. Coury XD
I Am Father
Still here in 2020. Everyone needs some Vance Joy in their lives
Jennifer allen
So true. You dident have a good life if you haven't listened to him
z Ed
Yep yep
Alitzah Roy
True dat
Irma Rivera Alas
🤗🤗🤗 Delightful!!