"The Day After Everything Changed" Musings Part 4

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Hello All,
Welcome to the next installment of the inner thoughts I have about the songs on the new album. The response has been really encouraging so far.  I am open to hearing your thoughts about the songs. I love the feedback and look forward to hear how the songs/lyrics hit you.

In "The Lights of Vegas" a person leaves his life and family to put it all in a slot machine. Theres a pilgrimage of an empty kind. "When you're on your last dollar, you still got a chance/ before the sun rises you get one last dance/ so close your eyes, you're a good luck charm/ feel the weight pull the arm those who leave us don't believe us/ if the they could see us now..."

"Hurricane Angel" is about a hurricane Katrina victim looking for God and a reason to believe. All of these far away characters- the president in air force one, an insurance guy in Delaware, and a credit card worker in India seem to be in control of his fate. He looks for an angel for some hopefulness.  Hurricane Angel could be the best narrative song I've ever written. Its sad desperate hopeful in equal parts. I was having all these issues with debt and bills and I heard about Katrina victims being kicked out of their trailers because the trailers were poisonous. It was like a reality sandwich. There's always someone hurting more than the next person out there. I applied some of my problems to a fictitious character- always looking out to someone controlling his fate from a distance- a credit card guy in India-an insurance guy in Delaware, the president flying over in Airforce one. No one right there-right now. He ends up asking God for help- heavens even far away, but we pull hope out of it somehow. I'm proud of that song but I don't find myself feeling entirely responsible for writing it-it kind of wrote itself. A lot of these songs were pulled from the ether like they'd been there all along. I can't explain it better than that. There was a news cast that talked about all the people being kicked out of the FEMA trailers, and they were sleeping 16 to a trailer. "I took a flat bed Ford up to Baton Rouge/ with four worn souls and one old cork screw/ You can drown New Orleans, but you can't drown the blues/ so bartender, pour away... "

"Heaven's Wherever You Are" is a song about recognizing the beauty in your life, both internally (who you are) and externally (what's around you). The song is playful, but was written for people who are chronically sad.  "I know this 'bout the blues/ it only prints the bad news/ while ignoring the miracle/ so I stand and applaud/ with Buddha, Krishna, and God/ cause all this beauty's hysterical."

You can download the song "The Day After Everything Changed" for free here at my website ellispaul.com/index.php?page=blog&category=&display=4413

Please help spread the word by passing on the link! Thanks!

updated 10 months ago

ADD COMMENT

Lennie MolinaThursday, January 14th 2010 2:58PM

We LOVE LOVE LOVE the new CD.  So surprised to know a few of the songs from hearing them at "The Gravity Lounge"  I get goosebumps when you sing of LeRoi and Millers

AliciaSaturday, January 9th 2010 2:18PM

I heard Ellis Paul for the first time at Uncle Calvin's (Dallas, TX) when I was about 12.  My parents took us there regularly and I instantly fell in love with it.  We started going to the Kerrville Folk Festival because of that.  I had my first crushes with the musicians onstage - Ellis Paul, Michael McNevin, Kevin So....I'm living in Taiwan now listening to the All Songs Considered podcast while bicycling to work.  I found Ellis Paul's recent concert and the All Songs Considered website and instantly felt a wave of nostalgia.  I emailed my family so that they could tune in.  I loved hearing Carnival of Voices again.  I was surprised that my boyfriend had heard the song as well.  Anyhoo, I am so pleased that people like Ellis Paul who I listened to growing up are still making music, doing what they love.

Front Porch music ConcertFriday, January 8th 2010 12:21AM

I first heard your music in a movie called me myself and irene
The world aint slowin down. Great melody and lyrics.
I immediatly went out and found 3 of your cds.
translucent soul,stories ands ay something.
I found them at Front Porch mucic a local store.
I probably would not have found them if i tryed.
I love your music Mr Paul
I can't wait to see you live on the 17th in Valparaiso In. at Front Porch music.

Fan Ro

COMMENT ON THIS

John D. Laskowski, the MothmanSaturday, December 26th 2009 3:06PM

I saw Ellis Paul following my friend Adam Ezra's opening for Ellis at the Midtown Scholar's Bookstore in Harrisburg, PA . What a tremendous evening ! It was great to hear Adam Ezra live again and see him play with Ellis's duo. I love ..Paul's ..the day after ...album and am about to order ALL the past  Ellis Paul albums I have so unfortunately missed knowing about over the past years ! Keep those great songs coming !

Paul  A. LibbySaturday, December 19th 2009 11:53AM

I might get to see a concert of yours in Portland, Maine soon.
My wife has seen you a few times in the Boston area.

It took me a year to realize that you & I have had some great running sessions in Aroostook. Are you still running?

I'm looking forward to hearing your music.
Paul
St. Francis, Maine

TIn AngelWednesday, December 16th 2009 8:27AM

Can't wait to see yo on the 8th in Philly!  
Your Favorite mother of triplets!

COMMENT ON THIS

St. Louis ShowTuesday, December 15th 2009 10:09AM

Mt wife has been a long time fan and although I had listened to some of the songs and liked them, seeing you in concert was the clincher.  Great show, we had a great time and can't wait for you to make it back this way.   I snapped a few pics at the show, and the link is below, enjoy.  Thanks again for a great show!!

DragonflyMonday, December 14th 2009 2:21PM

I have to say that I really love Dragonfly. It has quickly became a favorite! Can't wait to see you in the next couple of months!

HURRICANE ANGELMonday, November 30th 2009 5:30PM

STILL reacting to your show in Kennett Square Friday night... :) Sadly..this was only my 2ND Ellis Paul EXPERIENCE....but..my comment goes to my FIRST one...ALSO at the Kennett Flash...you OPENED the set with "Hurricane Angel" though I thought it had a different title...being NEW to Ellis Paul...and all that... you & your keyboard & yes a BEAUTIFULLY penned song left me SPEECHLESS with tears in my eyes...and so I turned to my friends and said only this....WOW!! I bought your DVD that night, which you kindly autographed & CANT LOOK BACK!! You are TRULY gifted...the show FRIDAY night was SUCH a TREAT ....picked up the new CD & am enjoying it DAILY! What can I say except this..I will FOREVER be a "fan" & look FORWARD to January 8th at the TIN ANGEL...where you just MAY include Rollaway Bed in the set list... :)  

too much ???
Loraine

COMMENT ON THIS

thank youThursday, November 26th 2009 4:08PM

the concert in Albuquerque was captivating, exquisite and rewarding. Look forward to Ellis Paul coming bak in the near future. Thank you for reqarding us with your soul.

Ellis Pond and Ellis PaulWednesday, November 25th 2009 8:28PM

My future wife and I are planning a summer wedding at Ellis Pond, ME with nothing but Ellis Paul playing during our ceremony.  Take All the Sky You Need is appropriate for us, since this will be a second marriage for each of us.  We saw Ellis in concert at LL Bean and have been in love with his music ever since.