His vocal - sounding very much like the legendary Janis Joplin - is unmatched; and he sings primarily in English. "A genius... A new Messiah" (Rolling Stone Mexico) and "The most interesting voice in the Israeli music scene" are some of the accolades he has received.
Born in Jerusalem, Israel, to diplomats for the Israeli Foreign Office, Avidan spent four years of his childhood in Jamaica and also grew up in New York. In 2006, after breaking up with his long-time girlfriend, he moved back to Jerusalem desiring to pursue a music career. From 2006–2011 he featured in Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
In 2012, Avidan released the single "Different Pulses", followed by the premiere of his debut solo studio album of the same name. The singer's follow-up record Gold Shadow (2015) was similarly successful in Europe, reaching Gold status in France. The Study on Falling followed in 2017.
Earth Odyssey
Asaf Avidan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breath and let it all out
Tear away your dreams by the seams
And throw them about
Fall back to your corner, it′s over
The game was rigged from the start
Hold your body, embrace it, and taste it
As it's falling apart
Something out of nothing
Still amounts to nothing - at all
Oh no, you′re not that strong
Something out of nothing
Still amounts to nothing - at all
Let's run and run and run and run
Get down from your feet take a seat
And watch it go by
Spend away your years through your fears
And let it all fly
Something out of nothing
Still amounts to nothing - at all
Oh no, you're not that strong
Something out of nothing
Still amounts to nothing - at all
(Nothing of us is ever going to last)
Let′s run and run and run and run
Emancipated and sedated
Can′t you tell?
Dilapidated, consecrated
To the art of singing –
(Nahnah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
The world is spinning under
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
And everybody's singing to their graves
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
And the world keeps spinning on
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
We′re all racing to a point of no return
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
Keep singing like there's no tomorrow
The song Earth Odyssey by Asaf Avidan is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The song urges the listener to wake up from their slumber, breathe in deeply, and let go of their dreams. It encourages them to embrace the present moment and accept that life is fleeting. The lyrics suggest that the game of life is rigged from the start and that despite our efforts to create something meaningful, it all amounts to nothing in the end.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Something out of nothing, still amounts to nothing – at all" several times, emphasizing the futility of our endeavors. However, despite this pessimistic outlook, the song ends on a positive note, urging us to keep singing like there's no tomorrow, to keep moving forward despite the inevitable end.
Overall, Earth Odyssey is a powerful anthem that speaks to the human experience, reminding us of the importance of seizing the moment and living life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up from your sleep, take a deep
Breath and let it all out
Rise up from unconsciousness, inhale deeply and exhale everything that's holding you down
Tear away your dreams by the seams
And throw them about
Rip apart unrealistic expectations and let them go
Fall back to your corner, it′s over
The game was rigged from the start
Retreat and accept defeat, realizing that life isn't always fair
Hold your body, embrace it, and taste it
As it's falling apart
Cherish every moment of life, even as it's crumbling down
Something out of nothing
Still amounts to nothing - at all
Oh no, you′re not that strong
Something out of nothing
Still amounts to nothing - at all
Let's run and run and run and run
No matter how hard you try, nothing comes out of nothing. Don't give up though, keep striving tirelessly
Get down from your feet take a seat
And watch it go by
Take a break from constant motion and observe life in motion
Spend away your years through your fears
And let it all fly
Don't waste your life in fear, spend it freely and don't hold back
Emancipated and sedated
Can′t you tell?
Dilapidated, consecrated
To the art of singing –
Free and at peace, can't you notice? Damaged, yet committed to singing artistry
(Nahnah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
The world is spinning under
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
And everybody's singing to their graves
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
And the world keeps spinning on
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
We′re all racing to a point of no return
(Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah)
Keep singing like there's no tomorrow
The world keeps turning even after we're gone, and everyone is speeding towards oblivion. Make the most of today and sing your heart out.
Writer(s): Asaf Avidan
Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.