Born from a friendship nurtured during their days at the University of California Santa Barbara, the band consists of Zach Gill (Keyboards/Vocals), Steve Adams (Bass Guitar/Vocals), Dan Lebowitz (Guitars/Percussion/Vocals) and David Brogan (Drums/Vocals).
Originally a nine-piece band featuring a brass section called The Animal Liberation Orchestra and the Free Range Horns, the band began drawing enormous attention in the Santa Barbara area with their rousing stage shows. When Zach, Dan and Steve returned to their hometown San Francisco, they stripped back down to a quartet, playing with a wide variety of different drummers. Finally, in 2002, the trio reunited with drummer David Brogan (with whom they had previously played in college) and the ultimate version of Animal Liberation Orchestra was solidified.
Zach Gill, the keyboard player, went to college with the popular singer-songwriter, Jack Johnson, and so they had good connections with one another. Soon audiences at gigs saw Animal Liberation Orchestra supporting Jack Johnson. Zach Gill has recently provided piano in Jack Johnson's band, adding a new flavor to the live performances.
Animal Liberation Orchestra have released an independent album, "Fly Between Falls", and it was re-released on Brushfire Records on April 18th 2006. It includes the track, "Girl, I Wanna Lay You Down", which features long-time friend Jack Johnson providing guitar and vocals. New to the re-release is the song "Walls of Jericho", a tour staple and crowd favorite noted by its festival imagery, wailing guitar solo, and euphoric cresendo. This track gained popularity after its live performance was featured in the Jack Johnson and Friends Live at the Greek DVD. The studio version's debut on myspace.com received mixed review.
In 2006, ALO finished a tour supporting Jack Johnson, alongside with Matt Costa, all across Europe, including United Kingdom, France and Spain. Additionally, they have two dates scheduled for mid April supporting Jack Johnson in Brazil. In June, they will be supporting Dave Matthews Band at stops in upstate New York and North Carolina. Thay have recently recorded The Band's Ophelia for the tribute album "Endless Highway, the music of The Band"
On May 1st 2007, ALO released their new album Roses & Clover that was recorded during two weeks in a barn in Santa Barbara, California. ALO will tour the USA during May to July 2007, playing together with Brett Dennen during seven of the concerts.
Albums
ALO Vs. LAG (1998)
One Size Fits All (1999)
Time Expander (2002)
Fly Between Falls (2006 - Brushfire Records)
Roses & Clover (2007)
EPs
Live Mix (2000)
Ophelia
Animal Liberation Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is Staring Through The Window At The Trees
I Can't See The Horizon That She Sees
She's Up There In The Moment
And I'm Down Here On My Knees
Ophelia
Is Standing In The Doorway To My Heart
We Cannot Be Together Or Apart
But She Denies Me Every Time
Ophelia Let Me Take You Where I Want To Go
Down Between The Pillars Of Your Soul
No One Has To Know
Conversation
It Halts And Then It Sputters Like A Flame
It Falters There But Reappears Again
And I'm Caught Between The Words
So All I Do Is Say Your Name
Ophelia
You Led Me To This Forest On A Lark
Content To Leave Me Stumbling In The Dark
But I've Known All The Time
One False Move And You Are Mine
Ophelia Let Me Take You Where I Want To Go
Down Between The Pillars Of Your Soul
No One Has To Know
Ophelia You Mustn't Try To Tell Me How To Feel
Cause Everything I Dream About Is Real
I Can't Just Let It Go
Ophelia No One Else Can Tell You How To Feel
Cause Everything You Dream About Is Real
Don't Ever Let It Go
The lyrics of "Ophelia" by Animal Liberation Orchestra delve into the complexities of human relationships and the inner struggles that accompany them. Ophelia, a metaphorical representation of the love interest, is portrayed as being in a different mental space than the singer, who is hoping to connect with her. The imagery of her staring out of the window at nature while the singer is on his knees implies a sense of detachment from reality and a desire to be elsewhere. Despite his efforts to engage with her, Ophelia seems to be holding back, caught up in her own world.
The lyrics express a sense of frustration over the lack of communication and connection in the relationship. The singer is caught between wanting to express himself and being unable to find the right words. Instead, he can only say her name, which implies a deep emotional attachment to her. Despite the distance between them, he still longs to be with her and take her "down between the pillars of [her] soul."
However, the final lines of the song suggest that the dream of being with Ophelia may be nothing more than a fantasy. The singer urges her not to try to tell him how to feel, as his emotions and desires are real to him. At the same time, he acknowledges that she must also have her own dream world, one he is not privy to. While they may never be able to fully share their inner selves with each other, he urges her not to let go of her dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Ophelia
The song's subject, Ophelia, is being introduced
Is Staring Through The Window At The Trees
Ophelia is looking out of a window at trees, while the singer cannot see what she does.
I Can't See The Horizon That She Sees
The horizon Ophelia sees in the distance is unknown to the singer.
She's Up There In The Moment
Ophelia is lost in thought, in a state of pure mindfulness.
And I'm Down Here On My Knees
The singer feels inferior to Ophelia's self-awareness and is humbling himself before her.
Is Standing In The Doorway To My Heart
Ophelia has a significant but unrequited presence in the singer's life.
We Cannot Be Together Or Apart
The singer and Ophelia are in a constant state of limbo; neither together nor separate.
She's Caught Me On Her Line
Ophelia has the singer wrapped around her finger, leading him on.
But She Denies Me Every Time
Despite her hold over him, Ophelia does not reciprocate the singer's feelings.
Ophelia Let Me Take You Where I Want To Go
The singer wishes to take Ophelia to explore deeper parts of her being.
Down Between The Pillars Of Your Soul
The singer wants to journey alongside Ophelia's true self to unveil unexplored parts of her psyche.
No One Has To Know
Their journey together will be intimate and private.
It Halts And Then It Sputters Like A Flame
When the singer and Ophelia converse, the conversation is erratic and unpredictable.
It Falters There But Reappears Again
Although their conversation is difficult, their attraction remains persistent.
And I'm Caught Between The Words
The singer is unable to navigate the conversation and is caught between his feelings for Ophelia and what he wants to say.
So All I Do Is Say Your Name
The singer is unable to express himself effectively and only calls out to Ophelia.
You Led Me To This Forest On A Lark
Ophelia led the singer on this journey to her true self unexpectedly and playfully.
Content To Leave Me Stumbling In The Dark
Despite her lead, Ophelia is content leaving the singer in confusion.
But I've Known All The Time
Despite the confusion, the singer has always had a sense of where this journey was going.
One False Move And You Are Mine
The singer is waiting for the perfect opportunity to reveal himself to Ophelia.
Ophelia You Mustn't Try To Tell Me How To Feel
Ophelia is not allowed to control the singer's emotions
Cause Everything I Dream About Is Real
The singer's romantic feelings for Ophelia are real, not just a figment of his imagination
I Can't Just Let It Go
The way the singer feels towards Ophelia cannot simply be dismissed
Ophelia No One Else Can Tell You How To Feel
Ophelia's feelings are also valid and unique
Cause Everything You Dream About Is Real
Ophelia can trust her own emotions and feelings
Don't Ever Let It Go
Finally, the singer urges Ophelia to hold onto these feelings.
Writer(s): ROBERTSON JAIME ROBBIE
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@charlesbrady8470
ALO ROCKS💙
@werner5566
Great!