I Will Buy You A New Life

Album: So Much For The Afterglow (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a personal song written by lead singer Art Alexakis. When his daughter Anna was a baby, he and his ex-wife would go to a wealthy neighborhood in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon. They would look at the fancy houses, drive around and fantasize about living there. One day, after the success of Everclear, Art bought one of those houses and moved into the neighborhood.
  • Alexakis: "It wasn't about the money, it was about a different kind of life, giving all of yourself to another person. It's the ultimate romantic song to me." (Check out our interview with Art Alexakis.)

Comments: 10

  • Steph from GeorgiaI’ve loved this song since it’s debut, a lyrical masterpiece. However, I really thought there was a little different meaning to it, like, it was sarcasm at its best because u can’t really “buy” a new life….none the less, it’s great.
  • Erica from Texarkana kyle from boston-- i have been wondering the same thing since 1997 when i first heard this song... any ideas?
  • Allard Wood from Spartanburg , Scthe girl in the video now plays Victoria Newman on Young and the Restless.
  • Charlie from Philadelphia Area, PaI kind of took the song as him singing to his ex wife more than a current wife " here is the money that i owe you"
  • Kyle from Boston, MaWhat does the line "I moved in with the strangest guy
    Can you believe he actually thinks that I am really alive" mean?
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrLike the entire CD, a great artwork.
  • Guess from Somewhere, Moroccoi absolutely love this song.and yeah it was written by art about him wanting to give his family a better life. if you guys havent already seen the video too, go check it out! i loved the way art looks like he's about to burst out laughing throughout the song as he's singing along. and the girl in the vid is gorgeous..looks a little like denise richards.
  • Anonymousthis was the first song i ever heard by them. I LOVE IT
  • Elly from Columbus, Ohi love this song & it shows that art is a great father
  • Tyler from Buffalo, Nyits about Alexakis,like most fathers wanting the best in life for his wife and kid(s)and striving to give them the best
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.