A lot of bands meet as kids at school. Others come together after an over-enthusiastic conversation about music at some random party. Aluna Francis and George Reid however, met through the internet.
While their online encounter is more MySpace than Match.com, it was in fact through a mutual respect for each other's work that led them to go on to form AlunaGeorge. Now together for just barely a year, the talented duo have been churning out a series of infectious mixes which fuse Francis' sweet vocal harmonies with the hushed electronic stylings courtesy of Reid.
Having already caught the attention of Rob da Bank who championed their initial collaboration Sweetheart on Radio 1; they've since succeeded in initially tapping the American market having had a track featured in the US series of Skins earlier this year. Now this month sees the release of their debut AA single Analyser/ We Are Chosen, two impressively mastered melodies of sensual synths complemented by Francis' contagious vocals which evoke notions of the likes of Shanks and Bigfoot, yet at the same time remain utterly unique.
Outlines
AlunaGeorge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's not an illusion
But sometimes I feel you through
All the confusion
It doesn't always make me feel sad
But it never really makes me feel glad
Because all the good times we had could never be back
But they think about it I'm sure
Now it's just down to me
Is this paper all I've got
All I've got to keep you with me?
Keep you from fading away
'Cause this paper is not enough
Not enough to bring you to me
And nothing would take you away
And I can't help tracing these outlines of you
But is this paper all I've got
All I've got to keep you with me?
Keep you from fading away
It's not just the quiet times
Not just at the end of the night
He can get me when I'm feeling fine
Even when I'm feeling bright
It doesn't always come to me clear
It doesn't always make you feel near
Sometimes it gives me the fear that you were never here
Our friends don't ask anymore
But they think about it I'm sure
Now it's just down to me
Is this paper all I've got
All I've got to keep you with me?
Keep you from fading away
'Cause this paper is not enough
Not enough to bring you to me
And nothing would take you away
And I can't help tracing these outlines of you
But is this paper all I've got
All I've got to keep you with me?
Keep you from fading away
Outlines of you, you
Outlines of you
The lyrics of AlunaGeorge's song "Outlines" are about the death of a loved one and the struggle to keep their memory alive. The song deals with the idea that memories can fade away, and the only way to keep someone's memory alive is by holding onto objects or written notes that remind us of them. The opening lines, "It's not like déjà vu and it's not an illusion / But sometimes I feel you through all the confusion," suggest that the memories of the loved one are still present and real, even if they can't be physically present. The singer is struggling to grasp the reality of the situation, but the memories of the loved one are still holding strong.
The second verse emphasizes this struggle further, "It doesn't always come to me clear / It doesn't always make you feel near / Sometimes it gives me the fear that you were never here." The singer acknowledges that memories can be fleeting and that there is a fear that they never truly experienced the moments they are holding onto. The chorus then brings the focus onto the paper, a tangible object that could symbolize a written note or photograph, and how it is not enough to bring the person back, but it is a way to keep their presence alive.
Overall, the lyrics highlight the powerful emotions that come with the loss of a loved one and the desire to keep their memory alive. The use of the metaphorical "outlines" emphasizes the idea that we hold onto fragments of memories, rather than the person as a whole, and these outlines are what we use to keep the memory of the person alive.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not like a déjà vu
This feeling is not familiar.
And it's not an illusion
This feeling is not fake.
But sometimes I feel you through
Sometimes I sense your presence.
All the confusion
Despite any confusion I feel.
It doesn't always make me feel sad
Sometimes this feeling doesn't bring sadness.
But it never really makes me feel glad
But it never brings joy.
Because all the good times we had could never be back
Those good times can never be repeated.
Our friends don't ask anymore
Our friends no longer ask about our relationship.
But they think about it I'm sure
But I believe they still think about us.
Now it's just down to me
Now I'm the only one holding onto our memories.
Is this paper all I've got
Am I left only with these written memories?
All I've got to keep you with me?
The only thing keeping you close is this paper.
Keep you from fading away
This paper keeps you from fading away from my memories.
'Cause this paper is not enough
But these written memories are not enough to keep you fully present.
Not enough to bring you to me
These memories can't bring you back to me.
And nothing would take you away
But nothing can take away these memories.
And I can't help tracing these outlines of you
I can't help but remember the outlines of our past relationship.
Outlines of you, you
Memories of you and our past relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALUNA DEWJI-FRANCIS, GEORGE REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind