Eloise

Album: Say Anything (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Singer Max Bemis told Alternative Press that he penned this song at the tail-end of the relationship that was chronicled on In Defense Of the Genre. "This is the only song on this record that really references that time as the relationship was over and I began writing for this record," he explained. "I was going through the stage with this person where you're trying to be cordial and be friends, but it's too weird and you both eventually just have to cut it off - or one person has to. In this particular instance, this relationship was really unhealthy and had a really negative effect on me and my self-worth. Cutting off this relationship was a spiritual act of self-empowerment."

    "When you listen to In Defense Of the Genre, you can tell that there was more to it than just being someone's fault," Bemis continued. "It had to do with me placing myself in a situation because I felt bad about myself or felt bad about things in society. I wanted to solve the world's problems by trying to help this one person and help them overcome certain things that they just never would.

    "The cool thing about 'Eloise' is that it's not just a break-up song," he added, "but a getting-over-a-girl song. It talks a lot about why we even get into these types of relationships and why letting go of them is such a good idea in terms of the biggest scope of spirituality and society. This is kind of a running theme on the record. While most songs on the record can be explained simply, there's more to each song, and they talk about the grander issues in life. This was definitely my closure song as well as my new-beginning song. Because there has to be closure to the relationship before there can be a new beginning with someone else."

Comments: 1

  • Shreya from Somewhere, Njthis should be in the "songs written about a girl" category
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.