The band released their third full length album, Mountains Beaches Cities, via BMG on September 10th, 2013. The project was self-produced by Moon Taxi’s own guitarist Spencer Thomson with the help of keyboardist Wes Bailey and was mixed by Vance Powell (Jack White, The Dead Weather) and mastered by Greg Calbi (Talking Heads, Paul Simon, Fleet Foxes). Extensive touring with their raucous live show helped to land them debut performances on the Late Show With David Letterman and CONAN, plus major music festivals appearances at: Bonnaroo, Shaky Knees, Hangout, FireFly, Lollapalooza, Forecastle and more. Moon Taxi has previously toured with Matisyahu, and White Denim. The band’s songs have been featured in a number of TV shows and films including: ABC’s Nashville, MLB Network’s World Series 2013 show Path to the Championship, an HBO fight promo, plus the independent film Zero to 100.
Mercury
Moon Taxi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lone horizon
You’re taking me home
Nightfall
and nothing to lose
Sweet sensation
that you can’t refuse
Take it inside
and play the song
Could you be loved
my number one
And we’re in and out lost in mercury
Slow down if you want it last
We’re quick like silver
always coming too fast
Won’t you tell me wherever we are
Are we moving or getting far
After midnight
you’re fading away
I’m heading home now
unless you want me to stay
And we’re in and out lost in mercury
(repeats)
The lyrics of Moon Taxi's song Mercury talks about life's uncertainties and the feeling of being lost in a fast-moving world. The song begins with the reference to strangers passing along on a lone horizon, which is symbolic of the great unknown that lies ahead in life. However, amidst this uncertainty, there is a sense of belonging with someone who is taking the singer home. The nightfall represents the passage of time, which seems to be slipping away leaving the singer with nothing to lose.
As the night progresses, the singer experiences a sweet sensation, which is too irresistible to refuse. The phrase "take it inside and play the song" represents the need to embrace the moment and live life to its fullest. The lyrics, "Could you be loved my number one" talks about finding love or companionship in a world that feels lonely and lost.
In the second stanza, the song talks about how life is fleeting and how things move too fast. The singer urges the listener to slow down and savour the moment if they want it to last. The lyrics "quick like silver always coming too fast" refers to how everything in life feels temporary and fleeting, just like mercury.
The song concludes with the singer feeling lost again, not knowing whether they are moving forward or getting further away. The lyrics "After midnight you're fading away, I'm heading home now unless you want me to stay," talks about leaving everything behind and going back to the safety of home, unless someone makes an effort to keep the connection going.
Line by Line Meaning
Strangers just passing along
We are two strangers who are passing by each other on our way to somewhere else.
Lone horizon
We're gazing at the distant horizon, which is devoid of anyone else.
You’re taking me home
I am entrusting my safety and well-being to you as you guide me towards my destination.
Nightfall
The sky is darkening as the evening sets in, signaling the beginning of the night.
and nothing to lose
We have nothing to hold us back or keep us from taking risks, as we embrace the unknown.
Sweet sensation
Our interaction together is a delightful and addictive feeling, that we both find hard to resist.
that you can’t refuse
The intensity of emotion between us is hard to ignore, as we succumb to the moment's pleasure.
Take it inside
Let us acknowledge and explore the depth of our feelings towards each other.
and play the song
Let the music be the background to our shared experience, adding to the moment's beauty.
Could you be loved
Is it possible that you are the one that I have been looking for and can love forever?
my number one
Out of everyone I've ever known, you hold the most significant place in my heart.
And we’re in and out lost in mercury
Our emotions and actions are moving rapidly and unpredictably, like the element mercury in liquid form.
Slow down if you want it last
If we want our relationship to endure, we must take our time and savour every moment.
We’re quick like silver
We tend to act rashly and hastily, without thought or consideration for the future.
always coming too fast
We're moving too quickly for our own good, and the momentum is getting harder to control.
Won’t you tell me wherever we are
Let us define the terms of our relationship, and how we feel about each other, so there will be no misunderstandings.
Are we moving or getting far
Are we progressing in our relationship, or drifting apart? Let's discuss and resolve it together.
After midnight
The hour is late and the night is almost over.
you’re fading away
Your presence is waning, and it feels like we're losing our emotional connection.
I’m heading home now
It's time for me to leave and go back to my own life, away from our shared moment.
unless you want me to stay
If you wish, I can stay a while longer, and we can enjoy each other's company as much as we can.
And we’re in and out lost in mercury
Our emotions and actions are in flux, and like the volatile element, we are hard to predict and contain.
Writer(s): Spencer Thomson, Wes Bailey, Trevor Terndrup, Thomas Putnam, Tyler Ritter Copyright: BMG Platinum Songs, 12th South Records
Contributed by Violet L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.