For Pat Grossi of Active Child, the last two years have been nothing short of enriching. Musically, Pat has worked within and appropriated a number of styles into his sound, from his early days singing with that heavenly voice as a choir boy to his more recent forays into laptop-assisted indie-pop made in his bedroom, best exemplified on 2010’s acclaimed Curtis Lane EP. His sound is so wide-ranging that he has found himself touring with many notable acts of differing genres, including dubstep producer James Blake, dreamy synth-pop of School of Seven Bells, and the indie-rock bands White Lies and White Rabbits.
Nothing quite prepares you for the leap that Pat has taken with his debut album, You Are All I See, out on August 23rd via Vagrant records. Recently, he has expanded his sonic ambitions and turned the studio into an instrument for a record that sounds cosmically huge and yet intimate all the same.
Of the album title, Pat himself says, “You Are All I See is an attempt to build a bridge between the listener and I, in that, I wrote these songs for you as much as I did for me. And right now when you are listening to my voice, by yourself, it really is just you and I.” In attempting to craft songs that meant something not only to himself but that could be meaningful to others as well, he found himself working with some universally human and fragile themes. “The songs focus primarily on the joy and heartbreak of relationships, love lost and rediscovered, battles with monogamy, battles with identity,” Pat says. “It came out much darker than I had intended, but sometimes you only have so much control.”
The grand, cinematic scope of Pat’s artistic vision is apparent on You Are All I See, which owes as much to his wide array of influences as it does to Pat’s own knack for employing these influences in fresh, forward-thinking ways. With triumphant synths and shimmering, contrapuntal harp lines, songs like the title track and “Hanging On” are reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Motion Picture Soundtrack,” but improve upon that template with layered vocals not far removed from Bon Iver or even James Blake, who Active Child recently opened for on tour. “High Priestess” and “See Thru Eyes” are stunning forays into electronic music territory, littered with samples, drum machines, and keyboards that propel the songs forward while simultaneously seeming weightless and suspended. It is in this tension that You Are All I See lives, breathes, and thrives so magnificently. The album is indebted to the sounds of the 1980s, from New Order’s drums-and-synths to danceable hip-hop beats, and it’s all topped off with soaring r&b melodies. The album’s first single, “Playing House,” features guest vocals from Tom Krell, the crooner of lo-fi r&b project How To Dress Well. Pitchfork Media recently premiered the track, noting “Active Child’s sound now seems positively ahead of its time.”
Reflecting on the album’s finished product, Pat says “I think more than anything, I see this debut release as a bridge towards something bigger and truer. Something I can look back on and think, ‘damn, you really did it’.” When you finally hear You Are All I See you’ll think the very same thing.
1999
Active Child Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonder if when you think of me you smile
Because from the moment we met we were out of our heads
I know
So the story goes
Man and a woman linger alone
Unaware of this life that we're living
Thinking that you're all that
On with this life that we're living
Tell me, do you know?
When I'm looking out, rip through soul
Looking out, rip through soul
Sit back and let the days unwind
Somewhere between now and 1999
And back in that time I was only a boy
Soon a man don't you think?
Now it's gone
So the story goes
Makes you want to lay down
With the one that you love
Thinking that you're all that
Unaware of this life that we're
Thinking that you're all that
Unaware of
(All that)
(Unaware)
(That's you'll)
The song "1999" by Active Child is a nostalgic and introspective love song about the memories of a past relationship. The lyrics express a sense of longing for the other person and wondering if they also think about the past and smile. The opening line of "I think about you all the time" sets the tone for the rest of the song, implying that the memories of this person still linger in the singer's mind.
The chorus of "Thinking that you're all that, unaware of this life that we're living" suggests that the relationship had a carefree and innocent quality to it, where the couple could live in the moment without worrying about the future. The line "Somewhere between now and 1999" adds a specific time frame to the song and further emphasizes the theme of nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
I think about you all the time
I cannot stop thinking about you, and I do it all the time
Wonder if when you think of me you smile
I am curious if you smile when you think about me
Because from the moment we met we were out of our heads
Since the first time we met, we were overwhelmed with emotions
I know
I am confident about what I am saying or feeling
So the story goes
This is how the story progresses
Man and a woman linger alone
A man and a woman are spending time together all by themselves
Thinking that you're all that
Believing you are the best or most important person
Unaware of this life that we're living
Not realizing or understanding the life they are currently living
On with this life that we're living
Carrying on with the life they are currently living, despite being unaware of it
Tell me, do you know?
I am curious and wanting to know your answer
When I'm looking out, rip through soul
Looking outside, my soul feels torn apart
Sit back and let the days unwind
Relax and let time pass by
Somewhere between now and 1999
Somewhere in the past, around the year 1999, and the present time
And back in that time, I was only a boy
At that time, I was still very young and inexperienced
Soon a man, don't you think?
I am suggesting that I have grown up and become a man
Now it's gone
Whatever we had, it no longer exists
Makes you want to lay down with the one that you love
It makes you want to be with your loved one and spend time cuddling or resting together
Unaware of this life that we're
Not aware of the current life they are living
Thinking that you're all that
Believing that you are the best or most important person
Unaware of
Not aware or conscious of something
(All that)
All the things that come with life and responsibility
(Unaware)
Remaining ignorant or oblivious to something
(That's you'll)
That is what you will experience
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Patrick Grossi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daisydesiree161
[Verse 1]
I think about you all the time
Wonder if when you think of me you smile
Because from the moment we met it was out of our hands
I know
[Pre-Chorus]
So the story goes
Man and a woman linger alone
[Chorus]
Thinking that you're all that
Unaware of this life that we're living
Thinking that you're all that
Unaware of with this life that we're living
[Verse 2]
Tell me, do you know?
When I'm looking out, rip through soul
Looking out, rip through soul
Sit back and let the days unwind
Somewhere between now and 1999
And back in that time I was only a boy
Soon a man, jumping free
Now it's gone
[Pre-Chorus]
So the story goes
Makes you want to lay down
With the one that you love
[Chorus]
Thinking that you're all that
Unaware of this life that we're living
Thinking that you're all that
Unaware of with this life that we're living
@cathystone2618
I found this song on my son's Playlist, a week after he had taken his life, 7 years ago. Since then I've listened to this song 1000's of times. The voice of an angel..
@eyatrillo4003
❤
@eyatrillo4003
He takes me on a spiritual high. I keep wanting more.❤
@pbishop2010
I was brought here after hearing Cruel World on The Old Guard. Now I can't get enough. This mans music speaks to me! Perfect!
@Ianmybeloved_
I am doing the same and The Old Guard brought me here too
@jackie8357
Here from the Magicians- same song though - cruel world!
@eyatrillo4003
My experience exactly.
@RCook477
My wife walked down the aisle to this song at our wedding on the beach. It's all i think about every time I hear it
@jinaijones1218
so much like Where the Wild Things Are, love it!
@aphroditetarot
Thank You my fellow Artist. I love your music, and this song ❤