In June 2006, Air Traffic released their first single, double A-side Just Abuse Me/Charlotte on London-based indie label Club Fandango. Following this the band signed to major label EMI.
They went on to release Never Even Told Me Her Name as a four track EP in October 2006.
Their debut album Fractured Life was released in July 2007 charting at number 42 in the UK, supported by the singles Shooting Star, No More Running Away, and a re-release of Charlotte.
In February 2008 Fractured Life was released in the USA through the label Astralwerks, with additional track Come On which signaled a darker sound and lyrics thought to be about the band's troubled relationship with EMI. This release was supported with an extensive tour of America with Elbow.
In 2009 Air Traffic began writing their second album, following the departure of drummer David Jordan and leaving EMI. The first glimpse of new material was an Internet only download called Ambulate which showed a clear departure from their previous mainstream Alt-pop sound.
The played a summer tour during 2009 previewing new songs, however these only came to fruition through a low key download EP called Whatever Comes released to those attending the two final shows Air Traffic announced, a warm up gig in Bournemouth before playing Bush Hall, London on the 29th April 2010.
The band officially announced a split on the 26th September 2010 announcing
"To our Loyal fans,
We are taking a break from being a band for a while to try other things.
To everyone who ever helped us, thank you. To everyone who supported us, we wouldn’t exist without you.
We’ll let you know here if things change, or what other endeavours we’re up to.
Love
Air Traffic"
* Chris Wall – Vocals, Piano
* Tom Pritchard – Guitar
* James Maddock – Bass guitar
*David Ryan Jordan - Drums (Until 2009)
Air Traffic's singer Chris Wall's new project is Soft Bullets.
Charlotte
Air Traffic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just let it pass you by
Ill be by your side
Each and everyday
Let go
You gotta lose control
Teach you how to roll
Cause am wasted
Face down on the floor
Can't take anymore
Gave it all away
Lately I can't find the eyes
Help me realize
That am in love
Am in love am in love
Losing, am losing all my faith
I can't stand the days
That am alone
Tell me do you feel the same
And are you glad I came
Can I walk you home
Cause am wasted
Face down on the floor
Can't take anymore
Gave it all away
Lately I can't find the eyes
Help me realize
That am in love
Am in love am in love
Your face my place
Your face my place
Your face my place at night
The song "Charlotte" by Air Traffic is a ballad about a person who has fallen in love and is now facing the consequences of their actions. The singer addresses the person he loves and reassures her that he will be by her side through thick and thin. He encourages her to let go and lose control, as he promises to help her learn how to navigate the tough times. The chorus, "Cause am wasted, face down on the floor, can't take anymore, gave it all away. Lately I can't find the eyes, help me realize that am in love, am in love am in love," is a confession of the singer's current state of distress. He is so in love with the person that he has given away all that he has and is now struggling to find his way. By the end of the song, the singer asks the person he loves if he can walk her home, reinforcing his commitment to their relationship.
The lyrics of "Charlotte" are emotional and relatable to anyone who's been in love. The song highlights the difficulties of relationships, including the up and down nature of love and how it can make a person feel. It also speaks to the need for someone to have a confidante, someone who will be by their side through tough times. The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, as it is a reminder that even when we are at our lowest, love can still lift us up.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't cry
Don't be upset or emotional.
Just let it pass you by
Forget about it and move on.
Ill be by your side
I will support you and be there for you always.
Each and everyday
Consistently, every day.
Let go
Stop trying to control everything.
You gotta lose control
You need to let yourself be vulnerable and not worry about being in charge.
Teach you how to roll
Show you how to have fun and let loose.
Never be the same
Things will be different from now on in a positive way.
Cause am wasted
I am in a state of drunkenness or high, and not in control.
Face down on the floor
In a state of complete surrender and exhaustion.
Can't take anymore
Depleted of energy and emotions.
Gave it all away
Lost everything, either literally or figuratively.
Lately I can't find the eyes
I cannot connect genuinely with anyone lately.
Help me realize
Assist me in coming to terms with my feelings.
That am in love
I have strong romantic feelings for somebody.
Am in love am in love
I am deeply, passionately, and truly in love.
Losing, am losing all my faith
I am losing trust and belief in something or someone of importance.
I can't stand the days
I am unable to handle everyday routine or mundane things without feeling helpless.
That am alone
Being by myself is upsetting and difficult.
Tell me do you feel the same
I want to know if you share the same emotions and feelings as I do.
And are you glad I came
Are you happy that I am here and with you?
Can I walk you home
May I accompany you to your place?
Your face my place
Looking at you makes me feel at home, comfortable and content.
Your face my place
Being in your presence is the only place where I feel safe and understood.
Your face my place at night
I feel comforted and at ease with you around, particularly during nighttime.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL WALL, DAVID RYAN JORDAN, JAMES RICHARD MADDOCK, TOM PRITCHARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KrunkCobain
It's criminal how little known this song is,I can't believe how long I've been listening to this song, It goes back so far with me. What a treasure
@darkNiGHTS0
I love the sound from this time period in the UK, so raw.
@newname9262
Can we go back to 2008 when all these indie bands were smashing it, Air Traffic, Wombats, Milburn, Futureheads, Twang, Enemy, Reverend & The Makers, Courteeners etc etc etc
@jorismerckx
AMEN
@pjab2082
Couldn't agree more
@dominatorjam4428
Bro why can Milburn not come back together, I love their stuff, I just want to see them live
@nicoas7301
😔😭
@jacopognoato5587
Also first editors directly from An end has a start
@w8amingirl
I was totally forgotten about this band ... just discovered them again. How could I forget about them? They're so great!
@mrpickles9242
This will always be one of my favorite songs ever.