“The first time we drove into New York we were all crammed in a tiny rental car. We came out of the Lincoln Tunnel and 'You Will Leave a Mark' was playing on the radio,” A Silent Film vocalist/pianist Robert Stevenson says, recalling hearing his group’s career-opening single scoring a powerful moment of its inaugural 2010 U.S. tour. The Oxford quartet had just released its debut of epic and ambiently anthemic indie rock, The City That Sleeps, on Bieler Bros. Records, a Florida-based indie with an incongruously niche heavy rock profile. Despite the curious association, A Silent Film had an impressive American welcome. The group became the longest charting band on Sirius XM’s Alt 18 Countdown, shifted 200K downloads as iTunes’ Discovery Download, and sold 75K digital singles.
“Never in my dreams could I imagine the songs I wrote in my bedroom as someone else's soundtrack to the skyline of New York City. It was only three and a half minutes but it opened my eyes to the greater possibilities of sharing our music,” Robert says. The American tour was a transformative experience for A Silent Film and the group decided to relocate to Arizona and record their sophomore album in the rustic environs of the West. The band’s latest, Sand & Snow, released June 5th, 2012 is a snapshot of the fevered creativity inspired by an impulsive tryst with Americana. “Jack Kerouac and Bob Dylan are massive inspirations to me. I felt like I always had a kinship with America; as soon as I could experience it, and I didn’t have to read it in a book anymore, I needed it for writing,” Robert says of the creative necessity of the move. “Previously I had written everything in Oxford, but as soon as I saw America, it changed my process; I wanted to live and breathe it.”
In addition to Robert Stevenson, A Silent Film is rounded out by Karl Bareham (guitar), Ali Hussain (bass) and Spencer Walker (drums). A Silent Film formed in 2005 and has garnered favorable comparisons to Coldplay, The Killers, and Snow Patrol. Its new offering is aligned with its formative poetic and expansive pop-rock aesthetic but there is a freshly confident depth and distinction evident in the writing. Sand & Snow is searchingly hopeful with emotive hooks and romantically purposeful lyrics.
Aurora
A Silent Film Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do not scrutinize
A slap on the wrists
Feels like soap to my eyes
Should a slip of my tongue
Be a bullet in your gun
Aurora my love,
Aurora my love
You can tell me what to think
Like I am your patient
And you are my shrink
But the more you guide my hand
The less I'll understand
Aurora my love,
I'm leaving
Isn't it time you pushed yourself on someone else?
The song "Aurora" by A Silent Film talks about a relationship that is marked by power dynamics, emotional manipulation, and control. The first verse "Aurora my love, do not scrutinize, a slap on the wrists, feels like soap to my eyes" suggests that the singer is someone who is under constant scrutiny and is afraid to express himself/herself freely. The line "a slap on the wrists feels like soap to my eyes" suggests that the singer is in a vulnerable state and any criticism or punishment feels magnified and painful.
The second verse, "You can tell me what to think, like I am your patient and you are my shrink, but the more you guide my hand, the less I'll understand" suggests that the singer is in a relationship where the other person is controlling and wants to manipulate him/her into thinking and acting in a certain way. The line "the more you guide my hand, the less I'll understand" suggests that the singer is losing his/her agency and sense of self due to the constant control and guidance.
The chorus, "Aurora my love, I'm leaving" suggests that the singer has had enough of the emotional manipulation and control and wants to leave the relationship. The final line "isn't it time you pushed yourself on someone else?" suggests that the singer is aware that the other person is manipulative and controlling and should seek a healthier relationship with someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Aurora my love
Addressing the person named Aurora, to whom the rest of the lyrics are directed.
Do not scrutinize
Do not examine or inspect too closely or critically.
A slap on the wrists
A mild punishment or reprimand.
Feels like soap to my eyes
The punishment, though mild, is still unpleasant and uncomfortable.
Should a slip of my tongue
In the event that I accidentally say something wrong or inappropriate.
Be a bullet in your gun
If my mistake becomes ammunition for you to use against me.
Aurora my love,
Reiterating who the lyrics are addressed to.
I'm leaving
I am departing, likely due to feeling controlled or misunderstood.
You can tell me what to think
You have the power to influence my thoughts and opinions.
Like I am your patient
In a similar manner to how a doctor would give medical advice to a patient.
And you are my shrink
Referring to Aurora as a therapist or mental health professional.
But the more you guide my hand
If you continue to direct or control me too much.
The less I'll understand
I will begin to lose my own sense of comprehension and knowledge.
Isn't it time you pushed yourself on someone else?
A rhetorical question, suggesting that Aurora should stop trying to control or influence me and focus on someone else.
Contributed by Brayden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matt
One of my absolute favorite song.
I was introduced to it by the most amazing person I know, and every time I listen to it I think of her.
Thanks for the song and the excellent quality!
Raymond Sierra
+Byz43 Tell me more about her, with all respect I'm really intrigued
to hear your story :)
Jayson Rollo
I want to hear your story bro
Matt
Heh, can't believe I made this post over two years ago. Well, its a long story, and its still ongoing; I'm together with her now and still love her as much as I did then.