Blending the sound of the orchestra with modern elements and ethnic instrumentation, there is a definite intensity in his music. He is perhaps most renowned for his signature sound as the composer / lyricist in the hip-hop collective Nine Leaves.
After releasing two albums under Nine Leaves, his first solo work, entitled "Empty Room," releases May 2010.
Musically, "Empty Room" is a mix of film score, world instrumentation, and hip-hop; while lyrically a blend of storytelling and self-reflection; the album carves for itself a sonically unique identity. Exposing the listener to tragedy and the artist’s own vulnerabilities, this is by far the most emotional album yet from Zack Hemsey.
Changeling
Zack Hemsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feelings overflow
And I'm not letting go
Though in my heart I know
I know
Chorus:
Don't wanna be over you (3 x)
Verse 2:
She said this wasn't easy for her
Deciding to walk away wasn't easy for her
And she said, she felt the world was just something
That she observed
That she was inadequate
That her place hadn't been earned
She said, she wasn't happy with how her life had turned
Feeling the real her was something she had to learn
I said, this isn't easy but I support unnerved
Believing that in time she'd wake up and return
But hope would fade as those few days had turned to
Weeks
And those weeks created something of which I couldn't
Speak
Except to say it spoke as if I wasn't me
As if we now hadn't been together since we were teens
As if these nine years were from a convincing dream
And the woman I thought I loved never loved me, I can't
Conceive
This had to be a thing
Sort of like a changeling
It acted and spoke the part
But her essence it couldn't sing
Chorus:
Don't wanna be over you (3 x)
But I'll just have to make it through
Cuz you are not you
Verse 3:
When you've gone astray
And the world just won't obey
When you fall away
Well we all must find our own way
Verse 4:
It's quite amusing how being apart can yield
Levels of clarity on confusion once thought surreal
And what amazement to come to find you can heal
That one's future isn't ill-fated but slated for high
Appeal
Well solace gives opportunity to reveal
And time sheds perspective on why one feels
To see success even in division's the test
Well every day we had wasn't anything short of blessed
So changeling, change brings
More than deranged things
Strange things
I've near persevered in an upswing
So cling to new hope
More than a good show
So do sing, do glow
And to this new you
Let us remove ado
Let us now greet renewed and just start from a
Different view
I'll introduce myself
Now you introduce yourself
We'll smile and live in health as two friends who have
Never dwelt
Chorus:
Don't wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
Don't wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
You are not you (5x)
The lyrics of Zack Hemsey’s song Changeling reflect a heartfelt message about the pain and confusion experienced during a difficult breakup. In the first verse, the singer expresses that they are unable to let go of their feelings, despite knowing in their heart that it is time to move on. In the chorus, they express their reluctance to let go of their former partner, even though they have changed and are no longer the person they once knew.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on a conversation they had with their former partner about their decision to end the relationship. The singer tries to support their partner, who expressed feeling inadequate and unhappy with the way their life had turned out. As time passes, the singer begins to feel as though they are not themselves and that their former partner had been replaced by someone who is unable to express their true self. The singer reflects on the pain of accepting that their former partner has changed and is no longer the same person they fell in love with.
In the final two verses, the singer reflects on the power of time and introspection in helping them move on from the past relationship. They realize that being apart has given them clarity, and they express hope that their former partner has found a new sense of self. The chorus is repeated once again, with the singer acknowledging that their former partner has changed and it is time to move on.
Overall, Changeling is a poignant reflection on the difficulty of letting go of someone who has changed and drifted away, interwoven with hope for the future and the promise of healing.
Line by Line Meaning
Feelings overflow
My emotions are overwhelming me
And I'm not letting go
I am refusing to give up on my feelings
Though in my heart I know
Despite knowing deep down that this may not work
I know
I am aware of the reality of the situation
Don't wanna be over you (3 x)
I am in denial that our relationship has ended
But you are not you
I am realizing that you have changed and are not the person I fell in love with
She said this wasn't easy for her
My ex-partner told me that the decision to end things was hard for her
Deciding to walk away wasn't easy for her
Leaving me behind was a difficult choice for her to make
And she said, she felt the world was just something
My ex struggled with feeling insignificant in the world
That she observed
She felt like an outsider looking in
That she was inadequate
She believed that she was not good enough
That her place hadn't been earned
She felt like she didn't deserve to be where she was in life
She said, she wasn't happy with how her life had turned
My ex-partner was unhappy with where her life was headed
Feeling the real her was something she had to learn
She wanted to find her true identity and purpose in life
I said, this isn't easy but I support unnerved
I reassured my ex that even though it was hard, I still supported her
Believing that in time she'd wake up and return
I had hope that my ex would come back to me once she sorted out her life
But hope would fade as those few days had turned to weeks
As time went on, I began to lose hope that we could reconcile
And those weeks created something of which I couldn't speak
The long period of separation created a distance between us that was hard to explain
Except to say it spoke as if I wasn't me
The situation made me feel like I was a different person
As if we now hadn't been together since we were teens
It was as if we had never been together in the first place, despite being together for so long
As if these nine years were from a convincing dream
My relationship up until now felt like a dream that was too good to be true
And the woman I thought I loved never loved me, I can't conceive
The idea that my ex didn't love me anymore was hard to imagine
This had to be a thing
This had to be some kind of explanation for the distance between us
Sort of like a changeling
Like my ex had been replaced with someone else
It acted and spoke the part
The new version of my ex tried to fit the role that she had before, but it felt forced
But her essence it couldn't sing
The new version of my ex couldn't capture the essence that made her who she was before
When you've gone astray
When you've lost your way and drifted apart
And the world just won't obey
When your life seems to be out of control
When you fall away
When you withdraw from the world
Well we all must find our own way
Everyone has to find their own path
It's quite amusing how being apart can yield
It's ironic how separation can bring clarity and understanding
Levels of clarity on confusion once thought surreal
Being apart can help you see things more clearly, even if they were once confusing or hard to believe
And what amazement to come to find you can heal
It's surprising to discover that you can heal from heartbreak
That one's future isn't ill-fated but slated for high appeal
There is hope for a positive future
Well solace gives opportunity to reveal
Finding peace can help you discover things about yourself
And time sheds perspective on why one feels
Time can help you understand your emotions and why you feel the way you do
To see success even in division's the test
The challenge is to find success and happiness even in times of separation
Well every day we had wasn't anything short of blessed
Even though our relationship didn't work out, we had many good memories together
So changeling, change brings
Change can bring about a transformation in a person
More than deranged things
It's not just about going crazy or becoming unhinged
Strange things
Change can be strange and unfamiliar
I've near persevered in an upswing
I am almost on an upswing and starting to feel better
So cling to new hope
Hold on to the hope of a better future
More than a good show
It's not just for show; it's something to believe in
So do sing, do glow
Celebrate the positive changes in your life
And to this new you
To the person you have become
Let us remove ado
Let's move forward without hesitation
Let us now greet renewed and just start from a different view
Let's start anew and see things from a fresh perspective
I'll introduce myself
Let me reintroduce myself to you
Now you introduce yourself
Now it's your turn to tell me about the person you have become
We'll smile and live in health as two friends who have never dwelt
Let's be happy and healthy as two people who are starting fresh together
You are not you (5x)
You have changed and are not the person I once knew
Contributed by Isabella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@g-me2504
Feelings overflow
And I’m not letting go
Though in my heart I know
I know
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
Verse 2:
She said this wasn’t easy for her
Deciding to walk away wasn’t easy to her
And she said, she felt the world was just something that she observed
That she was inadequate
That her place hadn’t been earned
She said, she wasn’t happy with how her life had turned
Feeling the real her was something she had to learn
I said, this isn’t easy but I support unnerved
Believing that in time she’d wake up and return
But hope would fade as those few days had turned to weeks
And those weeks created something of which I couldn’t speak
Except to say it spoke as if I wasn’t me
As if we now hadn’t been together since we were teens
As if these nine years were from a convincing dream
And the woman I thought I loved never loved me, I can’t conceive
This had to be a thing
Sort of like a changeling
It acted and spoke the part
But her essence it couldn’t sing
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But I’ll just have to make it through
Cuz you are not you
Verse 3:
When you’ve gone astray
And the world just won’t obey
When you fall away
Well we all must find our own way
Verse 4:
It’s quite amusing how being apart can yield
Levels of clarity on confusion once thought surreal
And what amazement to come to find you can heal
That one’s future isn’t ill-fated but slated for high appeal
Well solace gives opportunity to reveal
And time sheds perspective on why one feels
To see success even in division’s the test
Well every day we had wasn’t anything short of blessed
So changeling, change brings
More than deranged things
Strange things
I’ve near persevered in an upswing
So cling to new hope
More than a good show
So do sing, do glow
And to this new you
Let us remove ado
Let us now greet renewed and just start from a different view
I’ll introduce myself
Now you introduce yourself
We’ll smile and live in health as two friends who have never dwelt
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
You are not you (5x)
@seeking_the_sun
Feelings overflow
And I’m not letting go
Though in my heart I know
I know
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
Verse 2:
She said this wasn’t easy for her
Deciding to walk away wasn’t easy to her
And she said, she felt the world was just something that she observed
That she was inadequate
That her place hadn’t been earned
She said, she wasn’t happy with how her life had turned
Feeling the real her was something she had to learn
I said, this isn’t easy but I support unnerved
Believing that in time she’d wake up and return
But hope would fade as those few days had turned to weeks
And those weeks created something of which I couldn’t speak
Except to say it spoke as if I wasn’t me
As if we now hadn’t been together since we were teens
As if these nine years were from a convincing dream
And the woman I thought I loved never loved me, I can’t conceive
This had to be a thing
Sort of like a changeling
It acted and spoke the part
But her essence it couldn’t sing
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But I’ll just have to make it through
Cuz you are not you
Verse 3:
When you’ve gone astray
And the world just won’t obey
When you fall away
Well we all must find our own way
Verse 4:
It’s quite amusing how being apart can yield
Levels of clarity on confusion once thought surreal
And what amazement to come to find you can heal
That one’s future isn’t ill-fated but slated for high appeal
Well solace gives opportunity to reveal
And time sheds perspective on why one feels
To see success even in division’s the test
Well every day we had wasn’t anything short of blessed
So changeling, change brings
More than deranged things
Strange things
I’ve near persevered in an upswing
So cling to new hope
More than a good show
So do sing, do glow
And to this new you
Let us remove ado
Let us now greet renewed and just start from a different view
I’ll introduce myself
Now you introduce yourself
We’ll smile and live in health as two friends who have never dwelt
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
You are not you (5x)
@ZackHemsey
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ER-Spotify
Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/ER-Apple
Bandcamp: https://tinyurl.com/ER-Bandcamp
Deezer: https://tinyurl.com/ER-Deezer
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/album/249977917
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ER-Amazon
@lavaboy24
For those who've suffered the fate this song elicits...know that you're not alone. I'm grateful Zack Hemsey understood that notion to translate it into this impeccable piece of art.
@g-me2504
Feelings overflow
And I’m not letting go
Though in my heart I know
I know
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
Verse 2:
She said this wasn’t easy for her
Deciding to walk away wasn’t easy to her
And she said, she felt the world was just something that she observed
That she was inadequate
That her place hadn’t been earned
She said, she wasn’t happy with how her life had turned
Feeling the real her was something she had to learn
I said, this isn’t easy but I support unnerved
Believing that in time she’d wake up and return
But hope would fade as those few days had turned to weeks
And those weeks created something of which I couldn’t speak
Except to say it spoke as if I wasn’t me
As if we now hadn’t been together since we were teens
As if these nine years were from a convincing dream
And the woman I thought I loved never loved me, I can’t conceive
This had to be a thing
Sort of like a changeling
It acted and spoke the part
But her essence it couldn’t sing
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But I’ll just have to make it through
Cuz you are not you
Verse 3:
When you’ve gone astray
And the world just won’t obey
When you fall away
Well we all must find our own way
Verse 4:
It’s quite amusing how being apart can yield
Levels of clarity on confusion once thought surreal
And what amazement to come to find you can heal
That one’s future isn’t ill-fated but slated for high appeal
Well solace gives opportunity to reveal
And time sheds perspective on why one feels
To see success even in division’s the test
Well every day we had wasn’t anything short of blessed
So changeling, change brings
More than deranged things
Strange things
I’ve near persevered in an upswing
So cling to new hope
More than a good show
So do sing, do glow
And to this new you
Let us remove ado
Let us now greet renewed and just start from a different view
I’ll introduce myself
Now you introduce yourself
We’ll smile and live in health as two friends who have never dwelt
Chorus:
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
Don’t wanna be over you (3 x)
But you are not you
You are not you (5x)
@old_kitsune2811
Zacks words are a story. If you remove them you loose the soul of the song. If people would take a second to listen rather than judge they would see. Zack doesn't do unnecessary things as we have seen from all of his songs with no lyrics at all. Just pay attention and be quiet for a moment. Feel the words. Let them tell you the story of love, loss, and despair. The story of an empty room
@ElLyribe
+vincent cooper Exactly! Zack's lyrics are so deep, so beautiful. Even I also like the instrumental versions, I find more amazing the songs with lyrics for the exactly same reason you are pointing out. Thank you!
@DarthAlliance
/clap bro
@kevim987
In this case, its because the melody is just as good as the lyrics, at first i would only listen to the intrumental versions, them i found the ones with lyrics, and god it was just as awesome as the melody itself.
@MrBartek98
WTF? What's your point mate? If you would listen to his "no-lyrics" music you can hear a lot, for example what emotions artist is trying to express. Music is not only lyrics. They are the easiest to understand but there is always some music you can understand though. You said that Zack doesnt did any unnecessary things as he supposed to do in other no-lyrics songs and i cant fuckin understand what the hack are you talking about cuz he's music, in my opininion, is awesome, fuckin kickin it.
@Madara-Uchiha
No his songs are like books, everyone can read the same text but everyone has other imagination when reading it.
Like I listen to the intrumentals and let my imagination create a fitting scene.
I personally think that his lyrics or the vocal part in general does not fit to the music 87% of the time
@old_kitsune2811
I always liked this song, but only this month did I really understand it. Being in love with a person that disappears, and another takes their place. You don't want to fall out of love with them, but they aren't who you loved anymore. It's heartbreaking