Fitzsimmons was raised in the outskirts of the steel city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of two blind parents. Due to the family's inability to communicate through normal visual means, Fitzsimmons' childhood home was filled with a myriad of sounds to replace what eyes could not see. The house was suffused with pianos, guitars, trombones, talking birds, classical records, family sing-a-longs, bedtime stories, and the bellowing of a pipe organ, which his father built into the house with his own hands.
When his father's orchestral records were not resonating through the walls, his mother would educate him on the folk stylings of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel. By the completion of his youth and schooling, Fitzsimmons had become well-versed at a variety of instruments, at the minor expense of social standing, interactional skills, and a knowledge of proper shaving technique.
Fitzsimmons' path into music was likewise unusual, forsaking the hobby for many years to work with the mentally ill and pursue an education in the field of mental health. It was during his last semester of graduate school that William pooled money from past birthdays, holidays, and snow shoveling outings, and bought cheap home recording equipment to begin creating songs again (the first collection of which eventually became his debut album).
After finally achieving his goal of becoming a practicing therapist, William left, and returned again to his love of crafting and playing songs. He felt that is where he most belonged. Somewhere between a singing therapist, and a counselor who writes songs, is where Fitzsimmons endeavors to be. Using songs to address matters that he believes need to be addressed.
William draws from those early folks stylings of his mother's music, and the embellished instrumentation of his father's. He is often compared to contemporaries Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and the late Elliott Smith, not only for his unique style and skill in writing and proclivity to deal with substantive and evocative subject matter, but also for his use of organic and colorful melodies and arrangements.
His first two records were completely self-produced, Until When We Are Ghosts and Goodnight. Fitzsimmons' friend Ingrid Michaelson joined him with vocals on Goodnight.
The Sparrow And The Crow, was his first studio recorded work, released in September 2008. The album debuted extremely well at #56 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, and #1 on the iTunes Folk Chart.
While his lyricism deals often with darker undertones (The Sparrow and The Crow album was written following his divorce), a measure of hopefulness is always carefully blended in.
William candidly expresses the process of making The Sparrow And The Crow as follows: “I wrote it first and foremost as a confession and apology to my former wife. It was a way to say things that I needed her to hear that I didn't know how else to say. Second, as a way to exercise the pain from what I'd easily call the worst year of my life. And third, as a way to let others in pain have a way to express and deal with their trouble, and perhaps find some hope at the end of it. It's not a divorce record, or even a “break up" record in the traditional sense, although certainly it contains elements of both. Instead, it's a record about messing up everything, and trying to find a way back home." - AllAboutJazz.com 9/2008His latest album, Derivatives, a novel remix of The Sparrow and The Crow, was released in May 2010 through Mercer Street Records to strong reviews. Pink Ganter's remix of the song So This Is Goodbye is a critic favorite. Also of note, Fitzsimmons covers Kate Perry's I Kissed A Girl, called "a brave move, but a move that completely pays off." by TheFourOhFive.com's Leah Henson. More from Henson's review:
Before a second of music is played, Derivatives is already a fascinating album. The very idea of the delicate, heartfelt and evocative melodies of the previous album from William Fitzsimmons, The Sparrow and the Crow, being re-imagined and remixed to give them a positive spin is an idea that could possibly have terrible repercussions. Fortunately, the remixes are tastefully done and don’t squeeze every bit of essence from the original songs. Instead of unrecognisable songs being created, as so often is the way with remixes, Derivatives is an assembly of songs developed beautifully, creating a continuation from the songs on The Sparrow and the Crow. Electro blips, synths and heavy basslines now accompany Fitzsimmons’ mournful voice, adding to the songs rather than removing key elements from them. ... The intriguing thing about this album is the fact that the songs can be enjoyed on various levels. For a William Fitzsimmons fan who has listened to The Sparrow and the Crow and knows every little nuance of each song, Derivatives is a continuation, welcomed with open arms. - TheFourOhFive.com 5/2010With his expanding tenure as a songwriter, William has received mentions in noted publications such as Billboard, Paste Magazine, Pitchfork, Performing Songwriter Magazine, AllAboutJazz.com, among others. Fitzsimmons' music has been featured on several television programs such as Grey's Anatomy and Army Wives.
Fitzsimmons' music is available on iTunes and from his web store and myspace page.
Even Now
William Fitzsimmons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before I let you go?
How long should I decide?
Whose side should I take
When both of us were wrong?
When we both share the blame
Even though we fell apart, even still, even now
But I hope we'll meet again
Whose eyes will you look in
When love is in your heart?
Whose hand will hold your ring?
Whose voice will serenade
To help your baby sleep?
To make it all okay
Oh, but I love you, even still, even now
Even though we fell apart, even still, even now
And I hope we'll meet again
Even still, even now
Even though we fell apart, even still, even now
And I hope you'll be okay
The lyrics to William Fitzsimmons's song "Even Now" delve deep into the emotions of a person who is in the throes of a break-up. The lyrics start with the singer questioning how long they should wait before moving on and letting go of the relationship. It is clear that they are torn about what decision to make and are hesitant about letting go of the love they once had. The lyrics then move on to an introspection of the relationship, wherein the singer admits that both of them were at fault and that they both share the blame.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant and shows the depth of emotions that the singer is feeling. They profess their love for the other person, even though they have fallen apart. The singer hopes to meet the person again someday, indicating that they still hold some hope for the relationship. The second verse has the singer contemplating the future, and wondering who will take their place. However, despite all these questions, they state that they still love the other person, and hope that they will be okay.
Overall, the song speaks of an emotionally complex situation, and how it can be difficult to let go of a relationship even when it's clear that it has run its course. The desire to hold on to something that was once beautiful can be overwhelming, and it's not always easy to make the right decision.
Line by Line Meaning
How long should I wait
I am uncertain of how long I should continue to hold on before I finally let you go
Before I let you go?
I am not sure whether or not I should let you go and move on with my life
How long should I decide?
I am trying to figure out how much time I should take to make a decision about our relationship
Whose side should I take
I am conflicted about which person to support when both of us played a role in what has happened
When both of us were wrong?
We are both at fault for the issues we have had in our relationship
When we both share the blame
We are equally responsible for the way our relationship has turned out
Oh, but I love you, even still, even now
Despite everything that has happened, I still have love for you even in this very moment
Even though we fell apart, even still, even now
Even though we are no longer together, I still have love for you and am willing to work towards a resolution
But I hope we'll meet again
I am optimistic that we will cross paths again in the future
Whose eyes will you look in
I wonder what person you will share loving looks with
When love is in your heart?
This is in reference to the notion of finding love again
Whose hand will hold your ring?
This is in reference to the prospect of a future wedding or engagement
Whose voice will serenade
I wonder who will sing sweet and gentle songs to you
To help your baby sleep?
This is in reference to the idea of being a caregiver, perhaps for a child
To make it all okay
This is in reference to the idea of being a supportive figure in someone's life during difficult times
And I hope you'll be okay
I am wishing for your wellbeing moving forward
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spike Son
How long should I wait before I let you go?
How long should I decide whose side I should take when both of us are wrong?
When both of us share the blame.
Oh that I love you, even still. Even now. Even though we fell apart.
Even still, even now. But I hope we'll meet again.
Whose eyes will you look at when love is in your heart?
Whose hand will hold your ring?
Whose voice will serenade to help your baby sleep?
To make it all okay?
Oh that I love you, even still. Even now. Even though we fell apart.
Even still, even now. And I hope we'll meet again.
Even still, even now. Even though we fell apart.
Even still, even now. And I hope you'll be okay
SP3ARRUL3R
i just love this song... but i wish it had some drums. this guy is genius when it comes to song writing. its a shame hes underrated.
MrCurtycurt
THIS IS GREATEST LOVE SONG OF ALL TIME!
punkfilipina88
Even now my heart still longs for him. Even still my heart lays broken over him<3
Bannanyowe Banzz
I LOVE THIS SONG I GO TO SLEEP WITH THIS SONG EVERY NIGHT
Gräfin Hummi
Nicht nur dieses... er macht unglaublich schöne Musik. Seine Stimme ist einfach einzigartig und wundertollig :p Top
Amanda Victoria
Does anyone want a piano tutorial on this incredibly beautiful song?
Nicolas Lopez
YES PLEASE OML
Spike Son
How long should I wait before I let you go?
How long should I decide whose side I should take when both of us are wrong?
When both of us share the blame.
Oh that I love you, even still. Even now. Even though we fell apart.
Even still, even now. But I hope we'll meet again.
Whose eyes will you look at when love is in your heart?
Whose hand will hold your ring?
Whose voice will serenade to help your baby sleep?
To make it all okay?
Oh that I love you, even still. Even now. Even though we fell apart.
Even still, even now. And I hope we'll meet again.
Even still, even now. Even though we fell apart.
Even still, even now. And I hope you'll be okay
N8Brams
Sometimes you have to give up, even when you want to keep fighting for someone. It's miserable.
lu joyce
How long should I wait before I let you go? How long should I decide? Whose side should I take When both of us were wrong? When we both share the blame Oh but I love you even still even now Even though we fell apart Even still even now