Artists like Laura Marling, Grizzly Bear, M.Ward, Au Revoir Simone, We Are Balboa, Vetiver, Ida Maria,Razorlight, or The Raveonettes will be playing this year!!!
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Airplanes
Local Natives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made of, of wood
I keep those chopsticks you had from when you taught abroad
Taught abroad in Japan
I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back
I did not know you as well as my father
Father knew you
Every question you took the time to sit and look it up
Look it up in the encyclopedia
I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back
I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back, yeah
It sounds like we would've had a great deal to say
To say to each other
I bet when I leave my body for the sky the wait
The wait will be worth it
I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back
I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back
The lyrics of Local Natives's song "Airplanes" touch upon themes of nostalgia, memory, and a longing to bring back someone from the past. The opening lines of the song describe a desk within a frame of wooden material, while referencing chopsticks from Japan, possibly symbolizing a possession or a memory of someone now gone. The singer seems to miss this person and desires to have them back in their life, expressing this desire through repetition of "I want you back."
The second verse reveals that the singer did not know the person as well as their father did, perhaps suggesting that this individual was an older figure in their life. However, the singer appreciates the time the person took in answering their questions, using an encyclopedia as a reference. The use of the encyclopedia, which is now an outdated resource, further highlights the themes of memories and the past.
The bridge of the song offers a somber note, with the singer imagining conversations they could have had with the person, but recognizing that they may only have this opportunity after they pass away. The repetition of "I love it all, so much I call" becomes more poignant as the song progresses and the desire for the person's presence grows stronger.
Overall, "Airplanes" is a bittersweet reflection on the people we miss from the past and the memories we cherish. The song strikes a chord with its themes of nostalgia and longing, serving as a poignant reminder of the people we love and have lost.
Line by Line Meaning
The desk where you sit inside of a frame made of
A description of the physical space in which the person being addressed spends their time, likely at work or in a specific room.
Made of, of wood
Clarifying that the frame mentioned earlier is constructed from wooden material.
I keep those chopsticks you had from when you taught abroad
The singer has held on to a memento from a time in the person being addressed's life when they were teaching in Japan.
Taught abroad in Japan
Continuing to elaborate on the details of the individual's past experience working and living in Japan.
I did not know you as well as my father
The artist acknowledges that they were not as close to the person being addressed as they were to their own father.
Father knew you
Confirming that the singer's father had a relationship with the person being addressed and was more familiar with them than the singer was.
Every question you took the time to sit and look it up
Describing how the individual being addressed was diligent about finding the answer to any question they were asked and would take the necessary time to do so.
Look it up in the encyclopedia
Identifying the reference material that the individual would use to research answers to questions.
It sounds like we would've had a great deal to say
The artist believes that if they had known the person being addressed better, they would have had many things to discuss and talk about together.
To say to each other
Further emphasizing the idea that there was potential for meaningful conversations between the two individuals, had they been given the opportunity to know each other better.
I bet when I leave my body for the sky the wait
The singer is expressing a belief that when they die and ascend to heaven, they will encounter the person being addressed and the anticipation of this meeting is exciting for them.
The wait will be worth it
Concluding the song with the belief that the time spent waiting to reunite with the person being addressed in the afterlife will be worth it in the end.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW JEFFREY HAMM, KELCEY PAUL AYER, MATTHEW JAMES FRAZIER, RYAN CLINTON HAHN, TAYLOR DAVID RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smblender
When I was in 2nd grade, my 16 y/o cousin passed away from leukemia & ever since I have felt as if I lost a best friend. I always thought it was strange that I could feel so close to someone that I wasn't old enough to know that well, but I have a gut feeling that we would've been very close. I never expressed this because it felt foolish & I never knew somebody else understood the feeling until I heard this song. It's incredible how deep music can resonate. I bet the wait will be worth it...
@washedouthippie311
I've known these guys for a while and this was the first song that got me interested in them and it's amazing.
@katekore
Same
@maptongue
I work at a movie theatre, and this song plays after all the movies, and I love it. :)
@manska01
I've lost my grandfather the pass 2 weeks, came back to this old song just too eased the pain 💔
@WTFisvF
I JUST SAW THEM LIVE AT THE DISNEY CONCERT HALL AND I CAN BARELY BREATH THEY WERE SO FUCKING GOOD!!!!!!!!!
@samezidrovibes
This is such a phenomenal song. Grateful.
@Kasg710
They are brilliant! & especially live!
@gilliangracee
this song reminds me of my dog who passed away 2 years ago and I don't know why it does. it always makes me ridiculously sad but I can't make myself stop listening to it
@superdog1080
These people are going to get big. Best new indie band. So much better than Best Coast.