She is best known for her Christmas song "No Christmas for me", which became a YouTube success in 2007. Zee Avi on this song: “This song was inspired by everything i’ve experienced/read/watched/heard of from movies or stories, about one’s lover being far away for Christmas, be it serving in the army, college, another country, peace corps etc… In a way, it’s also about not losing hope. (…) The words in this one are simple and direct. (…) I stayed with the ‘silent movie feel’ as i think it suits the song.”
Zee Avi's debut album 'Zee Avi' was released May 19, 2009.
The Book Of Morris Johnson
Zee Avi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The flamingo walks with elegant grace, she knows she's one of a kind
If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by
If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by
Sometimes, you just gotta know how to feel
The happy crab danced on the beach to a calypso beat
If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by
If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by
Sometimes, you just gotta know how to feel
The gator grinned as he dreamed of his next meal
Every good fisherman has a pelican watching over him
If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by
If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by
Sometimes, you just gotta know how to feel
"The Book of Morris Johnson" by Zee Avi is a song that is full of simple yet meaningful lyrics describing animals and their behavior in their natural habitat. Each verse provides a snapshot of different creatures and their distinct qualities, such as the turtle's slow and contented pace, the flamingo's elegant movements, the happy crab's beach dance, and the gator's fierce grin as it dreams of its next meal.
The repetition of the phrase "If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by" gives the impression that the song is a reflection on how humans can learn from these animals' behaviors and attitudes. It is a reminder to appreciate the simple things in life and to take pleasure in the present moment. The line "Sometimes, you just gotta know how to feel" encapsulates the idea that emotions are an integral part of our existence, and we should learn to embrace them, just like the animals' instinctual behaviors.
Overall, "The Book of Morris Johnson" is a beautiful and poetic song that encourages the listener to take a step back and reflect on the importance of slowing down, appreciating nature, and being present in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
The turtle moves slowly and is happy with his pace of life
Contentment in life can be achieved by moving at a slower pace like a turtle
The flamingo walks with elegant grace, she knows she's one of a kind
Knowing and embracing one's uniqueness makes one walk with grace, like a flamingo
If you can't stop in, least smile as you go by
Even if you cannot stay long, leaving a positive impact through a smile can go a long way
Sometimes, you just gotta know how to feel
At times, it's important to recognize and understand one's emotions in order to navigate through life
The happy crab danced on the beach to a calypso beat
Finding joy in the small things in life can make one as happy as a dancing crab
The happy mullet jumps for the pure joy of being alive
The purest form of happiness can be found in simply being alive and embracing it, like a jumping mullet
The gator grinned as he dreamed of his next meal
Sometimes, being happy can mean having simple aspirations and being content with what's next
Every good fisherman has a pelican watching over him
In order to succeed, it's important to have someone or something looking out for us, like a pelican watching over a fisherman
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Izyan Binti Alirahman, Morris Johnson, Rex Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PIC121220
2019! Shout out to the good song ever existed!
@SamanthaTang
2020 and playing this :)
@SYAZWANisHERE
This song still keep playing in my head from 2011 till now
@sivaguru4373
Fuck, same shit bro. Fresh since 2011~
@manofsnow147
listening to this gem in 2021 :) still love Zee Avi!
@jockysu7099
I was working at CD store in 2011 and couldn't stop to play this song all day long haha, now listen to it again and feel nostalgic, I always love this song, such a positive energy in it ❤
@eidznl1160
what I love about Zee's, she's never forget about her Malaysian and Sarawakian identity. You go girl!
@matsentol6282
2023- underrated song & singer
@itmustbednesh
I remember playing this song in my car while driving to college. The car window down and the breeze flowed like the music and the dance. Such nostalgic feeling. Wish to see more of this from you Zee.
@n108k
2021 and i decided to listen to this. Such nostalgia and i still grooving to this. Its such a happy song that it made me dance💓