(1) Ab… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three (3) artists under the name Aberdeen.
(1) Aberdeen were an American rock band. Their musical style is similar to twee pop. The band formed in 1993 and by 1994 was signed to the seminal British label Sarah Records; they were one of only three American bands signed to Sarah (the other two being East River Pipe and The Springfields). They've also released recordings through Sunday Records and the Tremolo Arm Users Club. After Sarah folded in 1995, so did the band. They reformed in 2001, signed to Tremolo, and released a full-length album, two singles, and a maxi-CD (see discography below).
Possibly the band's biggest exposure came when one of their songs, "Sink or Float," was featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The song was also included on the UK edition of the series's second soundtrack album, Radio Sunnydale.
Aberdeen broke up again in 2005 as their members drifted to other projects. Lead singer Beth Arzy-Dean has also been a member of Trembling Blue Stars since 2000.
(2) Aberdeen are a grunge/alternative rock band from Dallas, Texas, comprised of Jake Linder and Matt Boiling.
(3) Aberdeen are a jazz/indie rock brass band based in Brooklyn, New York.
The Impulse Theory
Aberdeen Lyrics
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Oh, can't you see, can't you see anyone?
Can you just make, why can't you tell me the truth?
Oh, where'd you sleep, where'd you sleep last night?
You're a victim, and they say boys will be boys
Well shrug it off, shrug it off my friend
Make them forget just every thought you employed
Hate to see a friend in a river and
You could see the end, not even know it
If you let them in, you can't ignite it
For everyone is dead on the inside
The perfect system, and now they're headed to you
Oh, can you do what you do anyway?
Something's wrong now, but in the eyes of the blue
A perfect world, perfect world is here
Try to sleep now and breathe in all her perfume
Catch a high, catch a high inside
Tomorrow's all day, and yesterday isn't news
It's all the same, all the same old thing
Hate to see a friend in a river and
You could see the end, not even know it
If you let them in, you can't ignite it
For everyone is dead on the inside
In the woods, there's a man and he's waiting for a girl
She's all alone away from home, with nobody else to curl
And there he stood, upon a rock looking down into her eyes
She tried to run, but the sun made it clear to his demise
Hate to see a friend in a river and
You could see the end, not even know it
If you let them in, you can't ignite it
For everyone is dead on the inside
Hate to see a friend in a river and
You could see the end, not even know it
If you let them in, you can't ignite it
For everyone is dead on the inside
The lyrics of Aberdeen's song "The Impulse Theory" speak about the pressure to conform and hide one's true self in a society that values uniformity. The opening lines touch upon the struggle to stand out and find one's identity in a sea of sameness. The singer pleads for honesty and the truth while questioning where someone went to sleep the night before. The following lines delve into the societal expectations of how one should act and the phrase "boys will be boys" being used to justify bad behavior. The singer reminds the person to not let others' opinions penetrate and to ignore them.
The next verse takes on a darker note as the singer speaks about being inwardly dead, unable to ignite or spark anything anymore. The song speaks to the need to keep searching for new experiences to keep life from being stagnant. The chorus repeats the idea of having friends who may be drowning (in a river) in a metaphorical sense, and not realizing it until it's too late. The final verse is the most chilling, as a man waits for a girl in the woods, and she is unable to escape. The sun sets on his final act before the singer repeats the chorus.
Overall, the song speaks to the need for individuality and being true to oneself in society. It also speaks against conforming to societal expectations and the pressure to blend in with others. The sad tale in the final verse reminds the listener of the dangers of those who do not follow these ideals.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling upright and everybody's like you
Feeling good about yourself and thinking everyone else is the same
Oh, can't you see, can't you see anyone?
Asking if anyone can understand or empathize with you
Can you just make, why can't you tell me the truth?
Wondering why people can't be honest with you
Oh, where'd you sleep, where'd you sleep last night?
Questioning where someone spent the night
You're a victim, and they say boys will be boys
Feeling like a victim and frustrated when people dismiss harmful behavior as typical male behavior
Well shrug it off, shrug it off my friend
Telling someone to let go of the negative experience or feelings
Make them forget just every thought you employed
Advising someone to forget about their thoughts, ideas or opinions in order to move on
Oh, can't you see, can't you see the end?
Asking if anyone can see the negative consequences of their actions or attitudes
Hate to see a friend in a river and
Feeling disappointed and sad to see a friend fail or suffer
You could see the end, not even know it
It's possible to see the outcome of a situation without realizing the significance
If you let them in, you can't ignite it
If you don't let someone in or share your thoughts and feelings, you won't be able to create anything new or exciting
For everyone is dead on the inside
Implying that people are emotionally disconnected, unfulfilled and unhappy on the inside
The perfect system, and now they're headed to you
Referring to the idea of a perfect society or world, but realizing that it's flawed and has negative consequences
Oh, can you do what you do anyway?
Asking if it's possible to continue doing what you do in spite of the negative aspects of the world
Something's wrong now, but in the eyes of the blue
Recognizing that something is not right, but others may not see or acknowledge it
A perfect world, perfect world is here
Ironically referring to the imperfection of the world
Try to sleep now and breathe in all her perfume
Relaxing and calming down by focusing on pleasant sensations
Catch a high, catch a high inside
Feeling a sense of euphoria or enjoyment internally
Tomorrow's all day, and yesterday isn't news
Encouraging someone to focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or future
It's all the same, all the same old thing
Feeling bored or apathetic towards the monotony of life
In the woods, there's a man and he's waiting for a girl
Setting up a story or scenario
She's all alone away from home, with nobody else to curl
Describing the vulnerability or isolation of the female character
And there he stood, upon a rock looking down into her eyes
Painting a vivid image of the man and his actions
She tried to run, but the sun made it clear to his demise
Suggesting that the man's intentions will ultimately lead to his downfall or punishment
Writer(s): Jacob Linder, Matthew Bolling
Contributed by Arianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
matt bolling
In their bio, a good amount of that info is about the other band aberdeen. this one with the impulse theory isn’t twee pop or signed to any of those labels and were formed in 2019