About
“The Philosopher” was one of those songs that builds on several experiences instead of just one. It’s a song about a part of me and my way to see it. One of the things that inspired it were the deep conversations I had about the meaning of life with a dear friend. Another one is my obsession with “Sophies World” which made me a fan of philosophy from a young age. But the main story behind this comes from a concept I have been working with to understand myself better - which is assigning the different voices in my heads to characters that I can acknowledge and communicate with. This might sound a little out there, but it has really helped me label and declutter what’s going on in my mind.
One of those characters is a bearded philosopher from ancient Greece that thinks so much that his forehead has become very wrinkly. He is the voice that doubts, that wants to think through every scenario and hyper focuses so much on making sense of things that he’s never really present or commits to anything. I think we all have an over thinker in our heads sometimes and through this song I brought my personal metaphor into an artistic form to describe him.
The song is filled with references to the big questions many of us face in our lifetimes: Is there an absolute truth? Is there a god? Why are we here? How can we define good and evil? Ultimately I don’t think there ist a defined answer to these questions, but that means we get to define and choose our own meaning. I am finding it in the people I love, in my art, in kindness and connection. And even if my philosopher will always be there to make me doubt and question things, I have learned to see him as a reminder that keeps me aware of my focus and my path. We might have a lot on our mind, but I’ll make sure to always keep him in my heart as well.
Lyrics
The philosopher
Stands on the edge looking down
And he asks himself
Am I at the top or bottom now?
The philosopher
Lets his beard grow to the ground
And he asks himself
Am I through he worst or am I missing out?
How can he love you
When nothing is true?
How can you see him
When he can’t see you?
You are the answer
He cannot accept
He’s always looking
For questions instead
Always on his mind
Never in his heart
The philosopher
Has a lot of doubts
He can’t calm himself
With the words of a man in the clouds
The philosopher
Finds it hard to tell
If he belongs in heaven or hell
How can he love you
When nothing is true?
How can you see him
When he can’t see you?
You are the answer
He cannot accept
He’s always looking
For questions instead
Always on his mind
Never in his heart
He’ll let you know
When he finds the answer
He’ll let you know
When his bones are clean
He’ll tell you stories of all the wonders
He has never seen
How can he love you
When nothing is true?
How can you see him
When he can’t see you?
You are the answer
He cannot accept
He’s always looking
For questions instead
The philosopher
Is counting grains of rice
Playing chess with the passing of time
The philosopher
Lets his life go by
Always on his mind
Never in his heart
Always on his mind
Never in his heart
What the press says:
Keller’s voice is angelic, swooping over the melody as agile as a crane over a nearby reed-speckled lagoon. It’s a wondrous, magical performance that should provoke the listener to find their own answers, without overthinking, of course.
B-Sides & Ballads
Make sure to add ‘The Philosopher’ to your playlist and enjoy its soulful melodies and poignant lyrics. Luna Keller is definitely one to watch in the indie-folk scene.
Couch Mag
Another jewel full of surprise, melancholy, and an invitation to reflection that grabs your guts and does not let go, even after the tenth listening, you will continue to reflect.
Indie Music Center
Keller’s voice never fails to take my breath away. She’s gifted, both vocally and as a songwriter. On this latest tune, she’s gone an extra mile.
Find No Enemy
Auch bei ihrer neuste Single ‘The Philosopher’ handelt es sich um einen exzellenten Indie Folk Titel, der mit tiefgründigem Songwriting überzeugt und den man auf alle Fälle gehört haben muss.
Berlin On Air
Quaint, carefully crafted and lightly tendered, ‘The Philosopher’ is an utterly charming, simply stunning offering by the talented young artist – one we certainly won’t forget in a hurry.
Purple Melon
Luna traz uma nova forma de expressar seus pensamentos através dessa faixa com calma e tranquilidade. O que é novo para alguém ansioso, como eu, em que esses pensamentos são sempre agitados e barulhentos, como um trash metal. Assim ela consegue entregar paz e tranquilidade para quem ouve e manter as indagações que dominam a mente de todas as pessoas.
Music for all
The Philosopher is yet another outstanding offering from one of the hardest working artists I know.
York Calling
With her broad and soaring vocal performance layered across a sombre yet heartfelt production throughout, she is continuing to cement herself as one of the more shimmering names on the rise right now.
Mystic Sons
Setting the lyrical content to the side, there is a fantastic moment where the production winds down just enough to let Keller’s vocal work shine for a moment in a cappella. And it is this moment that will likely cause you to hit play, over and over again, until you’ve memorized this contemplative tale.
Up to hear music
The Philosopher is a timeless, acoustic number with uncompromising lyrics from Luna Keller. It's defined by the soft vocals of the singer-songwriter, that opens up vulnerably.
Sinusoidal Music
‘The Philosopher’ is a show-stopping piece of heart-rending folk, beautifully written, warmly delivered, and lovingly sung.
Sistra
With its poignant lyrics and stunning harmonies, it is a track that will linger in the listener’s mind long after the song has ended. Luna Keller is undoubtedly one of the best upcoming acts in the German indie folk scene.
Indiemusicflix
Discover the details!
Available as high quality WAV download
If you are listening through a great audio system, then this is for you! My music is recorded and mastered to the highest level to please the ears of HiFi enthusiasts.
For a HiFi experience you will find an uncompressed version in CD quality on Bandcamp as part of my compilation 'The Singles'.
Credits
Lyrics and music by Luna Keller
Vocals - Luna Keller
Guitars - Roger Keller, Alden Heckel
Mandoline - Alden Heckel
Bass - Roger Keller
Bouzouki, Produced, Mixed and Mastered by - Dominic Romano
Cover by - Lucila Frugoli