Air Traffic were an alternative rock band formed in Bournemouth, England in… Read Full Bio ↴Air Traffic were an alternative rock band formed in Bournemouth, England in 2005 while at sixth-form college. The band were composed of Chris Wall (vocals, piano, guitar), Tom Pritchard (guitar), David Jordan (percussion) and James Maddock (bass guitar).

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.

I Can't Understand
Air Traffic Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So come on down and let it out
Walk me through the corridors of fear
It's not a dream without a doubt
You try so hard to shut the feelings out

I lie awake and watch the stars
A cry so far from where we are
And in the haze of shattered light

I break from the chains and drift into the night

[Chorus]
'Cause I can't understand what's going on
I can't understand what's going on

And now it seems so long ago
We talked for hours and missed the last train home
But are we weightless being blown
Far from the heart and far from all we've known?

[Chorus]

You said our love transcends this life
Now I know it's true
I cut my hands and close my eyes
So I can feel it too

I can't understand what's going on
I can't understand what's going on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Air Traffic's "I Can't Understand" are emotional and introspective, with the singer reflecting on their struggles to comprehend the forces that are shaping their life. The opening lines invite the listener to "come on down and let it out," suggesting that the singer is seeking a way to process their feelings and experiences. The idea of walking "through the corridors of fear" adds to the sense of unease and uncertainty that permeates the song, with the singer feeling disoriented and overwhelmed by the challenges they are facing.

The second verse contains vivid imagery as the singer lies awake and watches the stars, feeling a sense of detachment from their surroundings. The "shattered light" could symbolize the broken dreams and hopes that the singer feels they are surrounded by, while the reference to "breaking from the chains" hints at a desire to escape from the limitations that are holding them back. The chorus then repeats the central refrain of the song, with the singer acknowledging that they cannot make sense of what's happening to them.

The final verse expresses a sense of resignation and acceptance, as the singer acknowledges that their love is something that transcends life itself. The image of cutting "my hands and closing my eyes" suggests a willingness to experience pain and discomfort in order to truly feel alive. Ultimately, the song conveys a sense of confusion and uncertainty, with the singer struggling to come to terms with the challenges that they are facing.

Line by Line Meaning

So come on down and let it out
Encouragement to speak one's mind freely

Walk me through the corridors of fear
Asking someone to guide through their deepest emotions

It's not a dream without a doubt
Questioning the authenticity of reality

You try so hard to shut the feelings out
Acknowledgement of someone's attempt to avoid emotions

I lie awake and watch the stars
Reflection and contemplation of one's life

A cry so far from where we are
Feeling lost and disconnected from oneself and others

And in the haze of shattered light
Metaphor for confusion and uncertainty

I break from the chains and drift into the night
Freedom from constraints and moving towards the unknown

'Cause I can't understand what's going on
Admission of confusion and lack of comprehension

And now it seems so long ago
Reflection of the past and how time changes perceptions

We talked for hours and missed the last train home
Memories of good times with someone special

But are we weightless being blown
Uncertainty about one's place in the world and lack of control

Far from the heart and far from all we've known?
Questioning distance from oneself and familiar surroundings

You said our love transcends this life
Belief in love that surpasses time and space

Now I know it's true
Assurance of the validity of the belief

I cut my hands and close my eyes
Visual and physical stimulation to experience emotions

So I can feel it too
Desire to understand and connect with someone else's emotions

I can't understand what's going on
Repetition of confusion and lack of comprehension

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL WALL, DAVID RYAN JORDAN, JAMES RICHARD MADDOCK, TOM PRITCHARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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