I Will Buy You A New Life by Everclear

Album: So Much For The Afterglow (1997)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

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

More Songfacts:

Heart Of GlassBlondie

"Heart of Glass" was Blondie's first foray into disco, which turned off some fans. Debbie Harry said they did it because they "wanted to be uncool."

I Got You BabeSonny & Cher

"I Got You Babe" made Sonny Bono the only person to perform on a #1 hit and also get elected to congress.

All of the LightsKanye West

Alicia Keys, Elton John, Fergie, and Rihanna all sang on "All of the Lights" by Kanye West.

Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)The Stranglers

"Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)" by The Stranglers was written about the then Premier of Queensland, Joh Bjelke-Petersen. His political shenanigans were observed by the band during their first tour of Australia.

MotherDanzig

"Mother" by Danzig is about censorship, specifically the Parents Music Resource Center, which pushed record labels to put warning stickers on albums with explicit lyrics.

Paradise By The Dashboard LightMeat Loaf

Baseball Hall-of-Famer Phil Rizzuto is the announcer on Meat Loaf's "Paradise By the Dashboard Light." Rizzuto used to broadcast games for his former team, the Yankees.