“I couldn't recall if I had ever heard any songs about death that were triumphant and celebratory,” he explains. “So I made it my mission to write one.”
That initial inspiration became a verse. The verse became a song. The song would eventually take Erwin in an unexpected direction entirely, launching the creation of a band.
Afterlife Parade was born.
As a solo artist, Quinn Erwin has been writing and performing for the past 12 years. He released his first EP A New Day in January 2009 followed by the full length A Million Miles Away in May 2010. Most recently, he was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 Jansport Battle of the Bands and played at The Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY alongside The Flaming Lips, The Smashing Pumpkins, Spoon, and She & Him. He was also named IMVU Artist of the Month in August 2010.
Released on January 31, 2011 and produced by Jeremy McCoy (bass player for The Fray), Afterlife Parade’s debut EP Death is the first in a two-part concept album of sorts. The songs focus on fate, the end of the world, the death of an ideal, and the comfort from the dying to the loved ones they leave behind. The companion EP Rebirth is due to be released in April 2011.
“Death, as an EP, is deep, dark and atmospheric,” Erwin says. “Rebirth is the exact opposite – it’s upbeat, percussive and a bit electronic.”
A fitting metaphor for an artist with many dimensions himself.
Simple
Afterlife Parade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It has no steeple or a parking lot
But you can come if you want
It’s free of charge and the doors don’t shut
And we could talk all day
Like age old friends
And love each other
Like the world won’t end
I’ve tried so hard to figure you out
You’re way too big to get my head around
But if love is this simple, could we throw out all the rules?
‘Cause I’m living on the edge of giving into you
You got grace in your pockets
Well, I got sin in my shoes
I try to hide it underfoot
So you won’t have a clue,
But I limp like a beggar
And lie like a fool.
And you read me like a poem
And hold me like a jewel
I've tried so hard...
In the pasture of your thoughts
Is there a place for me?
Where the wind blows steady
And we rest in peace
‘Cause the world’s been a fighter
And I’m on flat on my back
And I need your song to wake me up again
I've tried so hard...
I sing Oh
‘Cause I’m living on the edge of giving into you"
The lyrics of "Simple" by Afterlife Parade convey a sense of spiritual longing and the desire for a pure and uncomplicated love. The song begins with a metaphorical reference to a church in the singer's heart, which lacks the typical trappings of organized religion. This "church" is open to anyone, emphasizing inclusivity and the absence of judgment. The singer envisions a space where they can engage in deep, meaningful conversation and love one another unconditionally, regardless of the uncertain future.
The next verse highlights the singer's struggle to understand the object of their affection. The person they are drawn to seems larger than life, someone they cannot fully comprehend. However, despite this complexity, the singer ponders whether love is, in fact, simple enough to discard societal rules and expectations. They contemplate the possibility of surrendering to this love, acknowledging the exhilarating but risky nature of such a decision.
The following verse explores the contrasting qualities of the singer and their love interest. The singer sees themselves as flawed, possessing sin and trying to conceal it. They feel unworthy and inadequate, while their love interest exemplifies grace and sees through their façade. Despite their self-perceived shortcomings, the singer is held and cherished by their love interest.
In the final verse, the singer seeks solace in the thoughts and presence of their love interest. They long for a place in the "pasture of their thoughts," where they can find peace and contemplation. The world has been a constant battle for the singer, leaving them exhausted and vulnerable. They yearn for their love interest's song, which serves as both a metaphorical and literal awakening—a call to revive and reengage with life.
Overall, "Simple" encapsulates the desire for a connection that transcends the complexities of life. It explores themes of vulnerability, acceptance, and the power of love to provide comfort and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, there’s a church in my heart
Within me, there exists a sacred space
It has no steeple or a parking lot
It lacks physical structures or earthly possessions
But you can come if you want
You are welcome to join me, if you choose
It’s free of charge and the doors don’t shut
There are no fees, and the entrance is always open
And we could talk all day
We can engage in endless conversations
Like age old friends
As if we have known each other for eons
And love each other
Expressing deep affection towards one another
Like the world won’t end
With a love that transcends the constraints of time
I’ve tried so hard to figure you out
I have exerted great effort to comprehend you
You’re way too big to get my head around
You are overwhelmingly immense for me to fully grasp
But if love is this simple, could we throw out all the rules?
If love can be uncomplicated, can we disregard all constraints?
‘Cause I’m living on the edge of giving into you
Because I am torn between surrendering myself to you
You got grace in your pockets
You possess immense compassion and forgiveness
Well, I got sin in my shoes
While I am burdened with mistakes and wrongdoing
I try to hide it underfoot
I attempt to conceal it beneath the surface
So you won’t have a clue
So that you remain unaware and unaffected
But I limp like a beggar
Yet the consequences of my actions are evident
And lie like a fool
And deceive others like a person devoid of wisdom
And you read me like a poem
Yet, you understand me deeply and intimately
And hold me like a jewel
And cherish me like a precious gem
In the pasture of your thoughts
Within the realm of your mind and contemplation
Is there a place for me?
Do I have a rightful space within your consciousness?
Where the wind blows steady
Where serenity and tranquility prevail
And we rest in peace
And we find solace and harmony
‘Cause the world’s been a fighter
Because existence has been a constant struggle
And I’m on flat on my back
And I am utterly defeated
And I need your song to wake me up again
And I desperately require your melody to revive me
I sing Oh
I express my emotions through melodic utterance
‘Cause I’m living on the edge of giving into you
Because I am on the brink of surrendering myself to you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Justin Erwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind