After the three founding members originally met in high school, a bassist and a drummer were found, and they all moved to a house in Silver Lake in 2008 to record their album. Their debut album as Local Natives, "Gorilla Manor", was released in the UK on November 2nd, 2009, and saw a US release date of February 16th, 2010. The band's sound has been described as "afropop-influenced guitars with hyperactive drumming and hooky three-part harmonies". They started to attract the attention of the music press after playing nine shows at the 2009 SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Initial reviews of Local Natives have drawn favourable comparisons to Arcade Fire, Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend.
Utilizing lots of vocal harmonies and drifting, dreamlike melodies, Local Natives have an intricate sound based around the delicate interconnectedness of all of their parts. This gives the band a sound that is able to be orchestral while still feeling understated, evoking the carefully assembled pop of Grizzly Bear. Their debut, Gorilla Manor, arrived in 2009 through U.K. label Infectious Records (with a domestic release coming by way of Frenchkiss in 2010). In 2011, Andy Hamm left Local Natives, leaving them to continue on as a quartet. In 2013, the band returned with its sophomore album, Hummingbird, featuring the single "Breakers".
Official website: http://www.localnatives.com
Vogue
Local Natives Lyrics
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I sent them to a church for the hymn
I don't know what I'm looking for
What are they looking for?
You were first in a man's brains
I have a 4-track mind
Write me a letter on a humming machine
The pull through the ice age, singing a song
I have different areas
I sit around and wait
Messed up by God, through a bunch of pines
What if I could only get to you?
In "Vogue" by Local Natives, the lyrics convey a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The line "The smartest we got, but you know the year" suggests that despite having intelligence and knowledge, the singer is still unsure about their purpose or meaning in life. They express their struggle to understand what they are searching for and what others may be seeking as well.
The line "You were first in a man's brains, I have a 4-track mind" implies a comparison between the singer and another person. It suggests that while the other person may have a clear focus and direction in their thoughts, the singer's mind is more scattered and fragmented. This may contribute to their struggle in finding answers and connecting with others.
Later in the song, the line "Messed up by God, through a bunch of pines, what if I could only get to you?" presents a sense of longing and desire to reach someone or something beyond their current state. The reference to being "messed up by God" suggests that external factors or circumstances have affected their ability to fulfill their yearnings. The mention of "a bunch of pines" could symbolize obstacles or challenges that stand in the way.
Overall, the lyrics of "Vogue" seem to depict a person grappling with existential questions, feeling limited by their own thoughts, and yearning for a deeper connection or understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
The smartest we got, but you know the year
We may consider ourselves intelligent, but we are aware of the passing time and its impact
I sent them to a church for the hymn
I directed my thoughts or questions towards a religious institution, seeking guidance
I don't know what I'm looking for
I am uncertain about my desires or aspirations
What are they looking for?
I question the motives or objectives of others
You were first in a man's brains
You held a prominent place in someone's thoughts or imagination
I have a 4-track mind
My mind is filled with multiple thoughts or ideas simultaneously
Write me a letter on a humming machine
Send me a message through modern technology, expressing your thoughts or emotions
The pull through the ice age, singing a song
Enduring a difficult period while finding solace in music
I have different areas
I possess diverse aspects or facets of my personality
I sit around and wait
I spend idle time, expecting something to happen
Messed up by God, through a bunch of pines
Feeling disarrayed or troubled by divine intervention, symbolized by a group of pine trees
What if I could only get to you?
Imagine the possibilities if I could solely reach or connect with you
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Taylor Rice, Ryan Hahn, Nik Ewing, Matt Frazier, Kelcey Ayer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jut
on Shape Shifter
Just my opinion, but i think "the king" might be his ego and what he's singing are his internal thoughts.