The name is an Eraserheads tribute of sorts, the band forming in the aftermath of the Eraserheads' disbanding.
With words culled from the collective unconscious of the forever-in-college young adult.
Glacier
Ang Bandang Shirley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Insomniac mind
There are no clocks to tell if
We'll run out of time
The longest day of your life
A let down almost leaves you feeling fine
And i'd like to believe
That you love
Open smiles and hands show
There's nothing wrong
Words that trace the circles
Where you and I belong
They're all I have left to go on
My brain's on shuffle
Finding the perfect song
And i'd like to believe
That you crave
The pleasure of my company
With you and me in the ring
Who could take the first swing
All my cells are thrumming
I'm a human guitar string
Candour makes you part of
A dying breed
And still we wait for signs to
Take the lead
Proceed at glacial speeds
Would we know what the quiet heart
Truly needs
And i'd like to believe
That you seek
The pleasure of my company
The song "Glacier" by Ang Bandang Shirley is a soulful expression of yearning for the pleasure of companionship. The song paints a picture of someone's insomniac mind, stepping into the bright lights, trying to measure the moments with no clock to tell if they will run out of time. The longest day of their life which would have been a letdown, leaves them feeling fine. The lyricist craves to believe the one they're pursuing loves the pleasure of their company. Open smiles and hands show there is nothing wrong, and words trace circles where they belong, giving them something to cling on to. Music becomes a source of comfort, with the brain shuffling to find the perfect song. The lyrics then take a romantic turn with the two characters being in the ring and wondering who would take the first swing. They express the feeling of being a guitar string through humankind. The second verse talks about candor making them a part of a dying breed, and they are still waiting for signs to take the lead. They are moving slowly like a glacier, and the lyrics question whether they truly know what the quiet heart needs.
The song is an emotional ballad that encapsulates the musician's longing for companionship, which is vividly expressed through the delicate and poetic lyrics. The song's metaphors connect on many levels, and the words flow effortlessly, kindling a sense of longing and desire. The use of music as a source of comfort is an important theme of the song. The line, "All my cells are thrumming, I'm a human guitar string" is particularly poetic and metaphorical, bringing this aspect to life. The song is also a reflection of how technology has changed the way we communicate and connect, where words and music are often the only way to maintain emotional ties, as evidenced by the characters finding solace in the lyrics of the songs that they shuffle through their brain.
Line by Line Meaning
Step into the bright lights
Enter into a situation that is full of excitement and opportunity.
Insomniac mind
A mind that is restless and unable to sleep, often plagued by worries and anxieties.
There are no clocks to tell if
There are no clear markers or boundaries to measure the passage of time.
We'll run out of time
We may not have enough time to accomplish everything we want or need to do.
The longest day of your life
A day so full of experiences and emotions that it feels like it will never end.
A let down almost leaves you feeling fine
A disappointment that is not as bad as expected, and may even have a silver lining.
And i'd like to believe
That you love
The pleasure of my company
I hope that you value spending time with me and enjoy my company.
Open smiles and hands show
There's nothing wrong
A friendly and welcoming demeanor that indicates a lack of problems or concerns.
Words that trace the circles
Where you and I belong
Language that creates a sense of unity and mutual belonging between two people.
They're all I have left to go on
My brain's on shuffle
Finding the perfect song
In the absence of other guidance or direction, my thoughts are constantly searching for inspiration and meaning.
And i'd like to believe
That you crave
The pleasure of my company
I hope that you not only enjoy spending time with me, but actively seek it out.
With you and me in the ring
Who could take the first swing
All my cells are thrumming
I'm a human guitar string
The excitement and anticipation of a potential conflict or challenge, which elicits a physical response in the body.
Candour makes you part of
A dying breed
Honesty and openness are becoming less common in the current social climate.
And still we wait for signs to
Take the lead
Even when we are eager to take action, we may remain hesitant until we receive clear guidance or direction.
Proceed at glacial speeds
Would we know what the quiet heart
Truly needs
Slow progress may allow for deeper reflection, and a better understanding of what one's true desires and priorities are.
And i'd like to believe
That you seek
The pleasure of my company
I hope that you actively want to spend time with me, and that our company brings you happiness.
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.