Through Clairecords (Sacramento), Airiel released a series of four-song EPs titled Winks & Kisses. The EPs were also sold as a limited edition boxed set, capturing the evolution of Airiel in its current form. Their CDs are consistently some of the top sellers of the label, and the Frosted EP has already sold out. The group has also been asked to contribute to several compilation CDs, including Never Lose That Feeling by Club AC30 (U.K.).
In addition to their recordings, Airiel has also gained a reputation for being a live band. In addition to playing such local Chicago landmarks as the Double Door, Subterranean, and the Bottom Lounge, they have performed in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Denver, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. They have toured the U.S. East Coast, performing in New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and points in between. Airiel has also opened for some high-profile acts, including The Dears and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Airtight Angels
Airiel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
pictures painted in your head
and I wasn't there
I could find you safe at home
playing games all on your own
you wouldn't care
you know I'd never lie
I wouldn't dare
I've always wanted you
and oh, how I'd see you
in the air
you had red lines in your hair
you act like you don't care
spinning 'round
with your feet high off the ground
look down and see what you have found
run my fingers through your hair
cigarette clouds everywhere
I'm lighter than air
can't see through the glare
memories of how you laugh
and lipstick stains are all I have
we're safe way up there
without a care
and oh, how much I try
to look you in the eye
when you smile
I swing you to and fro
I'm never letting go
these airtight angels of mine
laugh loud when I'm feeling fine
spinning 'round
get your head up in the clouds
look down and see what you have found
The lyrics of Airiel's song "Airtight Angels" depict a longing for someone that the singer has lost. The opening lines suggest that they may have lost this person due to a lack of presence in their life; "could have been I lost you when, pictures painted in your head, and I wasn't there." It feels as though they are reflecting on what went wrong and wishing they had done things differently. However, there is a sense that even if they were there, it may not have made a difference; "I could find you safe at home, playing games all on your own, you wouldn't care."
The chorus of the song suggests that the singer has always wanted this person, and has always imagined them together in the clouds. They describe "airtight angels" as if they are these perfect beings with no faults or flaws. The description of red lines in their hair suggests a rebelliousness that is attractive to the singer - "you act like you don't care" - and they want to be able to make this person happy again. The line "cigarette clouds everywhere" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the hazy and unclear nature of the situation - the singer is unable to see clearly what's happening in their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
could have been I lost you when
It is possible that I lost you at some point
pictures painted in your head
Your preconceived notions and ideas led us astray
and I wasn't there
I was absent, and that caused a problem for us
I could find you safe at home
You were content being alone at home
playing games all on your own
You were keeping yourself occupied
you wouldn't care
You were indifferent to my absence
please, my love, I try
I am putting in efforts to be with you
you know I'd never lie
I am always truthful to you
I wouldn't dare
I am too scared to lie to you
I've always wanted you
I have been longing for you for a very long time
and oh, how I'd see you
I have visualized being with you
in the air
In a carefree and liberated state
you had red lines in your hair
You had dyed your hair red
you act like you don't care
You pretend to not care, but you actually do
spinning 'round
Swirling, twirling around
with your feet high off the ground
Jumping and flying, feeling light as air
look down and see what you have found
Take a moment to appreciate and acknowledge your freedom
run my fingers through your hair
Touch and feel you intimately
cigarette clouds everywhere
Smoke surrounding us
I'm lighter than air
I feel weightless and carefree
can't see through the glare
Blinded by the dazzle and brilliance of the moment
memories of how you laugh
Recollections of your happy times
and lipstick stains are all I have
I only have traces of your presence left (your lipstick smudges)
we're safe way up there
We are secure and out of reach of outside harm
without a care
We are untroubled and unworried
and oh, how much I try
I put in so much effort to make you happy
to look you in the eye
To have an honest conversation with you
when you smile
When you are happy and carefree
I swing you to and fro
I hold you and move you back and forth
I'm never letting go
I will hold on to you forever
these airtight angels of mine
These perfect moments that belong to me
laugh loud when I'm feeling fine
I feel ecstatic and happy, and these moments resonate with me
spinning 'round
Twirling and swirling joyfully
get your head up in the clouds
Live your life with boundless, adventurous spirit
look down and see what you have found
Take a moment to appreciate and acknowledge your freedom and happiness
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris Manolo
Fabulous band. A pitty this EP set is deleted :( Like them as much as I like THE DEPRECIATION GUILD. OCEAN BLUE, COCTEAU TWINS and many more. Yes, they deserve more exposure.
Shane Becker
I've been looking for this track for a while now and stumbled across it randomly! So happy to have discovered this great band!
Per
A true underrated gem!
pooscooper
I just found all of these EPs at my local library on sale for $1 each. I have no idea how they got there, but they're mine now
Zim Zum
I'm lighter than air/ can't see through the glare/ memories of how you laugh/ and lipstick stains are all I have/ we're safe way up there/ without a care/ and oh, how much I try/ to look you in the eye/ when you smile/ I swing you to and fro/ I'm never letting go/ these airtight angels of mine/ laugh loud when I'm feeling fine/ spinning 'round/ get your head up in the clouds/ look down and see what you have found
James
Can’t believe this is about 15 years old. Beautiful.
Bobby Bossilini
I found them recently too, it’s so cool how all the different winks and kisses EPs are so different but still somehow rhyme
James
@Bobby Bossilini the best part is 15 years ago I would’ve been playing war with my friends in the backyard on a sunny day, and this song instantly took me back to those days when I first heard it
J G
Airiel makes me happy ❤️🥰
Yellow Clouds
So great! Neil Tennant like vocals