Lost on You

It’s been nearly three years since I posted a song by the American alternative rock singer, songwriter and musician LP (b. 1981 as Laura Pergolizzi), “Other People.” That song is one of a trio of favourites for one of my siblings (along with “Heaven” and “Everything Now”), and after us talking about it last weekend, I finally watched the official music video again today. It’s a terrific song, and the video production is equally impressive.

Similar to “Other People,” in “Lost on You,” LP is lamenting a failing relationship. In a 2021 feature by Songfacts, LP said, “I felt like my lover was drifting away – slowly leaving the building – and there was nothing that I could do.” She continues, “It’s a breakup song, but it happened almost a year before we broke up, and it was kind of like, ‘Hey, do you see what’s happening? Is it lost on you that this is going to die?’ And then it did.” And, as I was discussing the other day about song meanings, LP has this to say about misconceptions people had about the song: “People would make it that it was romantic, like, I’m lost on you…Like it’s about being lost being in love with you, and that’s not really what ‘Lost On You’ is about. That’s the beauty of songs.”

“When you get older, plainer, saner
Will you remember all the danger
We came from?
Burning like embers, falling, tender
Longing for the days of no surrender
Years ago
And will you know

So smoke ’em if you got ’em
’Cause it’s going down
All I ever wanted was you
I’ll never get to heaven
’Cause I don’t know how

Let’s raise a glass or two
To all the things I’ve lost on you
Oh-oh
Tell me are they lost on you?
Oh-oh
Just that you could cut me loose
Oh-oh
After everything I’ve lost on you
Is that lost on you?

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Is that lost on you?
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Baby, is that lost on you?
Is that lost on you?

Wish that I could see the machinations
Understand the toil of expectations
In your mind
Hold me like you never lost your patience
Tell me that you love me more than hate me
All the time
And you’re still mine

So smoke ’em if you got ’em
’Cause it’s going down
All I ever wanted was you
Let’s take a drink of heaven
This can turn around

Let’s raise a glass or two
To all the things I’ve lost on you
Oh-oh
Tell me are they lost on you?
Oh-oh
Just that you could cut me loose
Oh-oh
After everything I’ve lost on you
Is that lost on you?

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Is that lost on you?
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Baby, is that lost on you?
Is that lost on you?

Let’s raise a glass or two
To all the things I’ve lost on you
Oh-oh
Tell me are they lost on you?
Oh-oh
Just that you could cut me loose
Oh-oh
After everything I’ve lost on you
Is that lost on you?
Is that lost on you?”

“Lost on You,” by Laura Pergolizzi, Nate Campany, Del Rio.
Lyrics retrieved from AZLyrics.com.

On “Lost on You,” LP’s signature whistling is reminiscent of Sergio Leone’s (1929-1989) Spaghetti Western style of filmmaking and the accompanying music scores by Ennio Morricone (1928-2020). The song has a strong outlaw country vibe, and LP’s voice is remarkable as she takes it through her vocal range. I was glad of the recent reminder about this extraordinary artist, as I have enjoyed listening to her music again while writing this post.

“Lost on You” is one of LP’s best-known songs. It appeared as the second single from her third EP, Death Valley (2015), and is the title track of her fourth studio album (2016, the album “Other People” appears on).

Now you know a little about why this is my Song of the Day for Today. Thanks for joining me here. Please enjoy the official music video on the LP YouTube channel:

I was divided about which video to feature; I like the production of the studio recording, but there’s also a live session version that is beautifully raw, with some terrific vocal runs and instrumentation (and it has 1.1 billion views!).

Did you watch both videos? Did you like one more than the other? Please tell me about it in the comments.

With my best wishes,

Steve