After gaining some recognition in local circles in Jacksonville, Florida and competing at Scribble Jam, Astronautalis self-released his debut album, You and Yer Good Ideas, in 2003. He eventually signed with Fighting Records and the record was re-released in 2005, followed by his second album, The Mighty Ocean and Nine Dark Theaters, in 2006. He released the third album, Pomegranate, on Eyeball Records in 2008. In winter 2009, he toured with the Canadian indie rock band Tegan and Sara through Europe, and supported them again through the spring of 2010 in Australia. His fourth album, This Is Our Science, was released on Fake Four Inc in 2011.
Astronautalis has been described as "if Beck were a decade or so younger and had grown up more heavily immersed in hip-hop," with his rapping style noted for "blending styles of indie rock, electro, and talkin’ blues" with hip-hop. He has described himself as "historical fiction hip-hop."
During live performances, he often performs a freestyle rap based on topics chosen by members of his audience
Lift The Curse
Astronautalis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone who isn't is just too political to talk to
Another summer evening and the city's barely breathing
It just ain't the same, just ain't the same without you
Without you, without you, without you
Without you, without you
It just ain't the same, just ain't the same
There ain't no magic in materials, the magic's in our words
That we whisper in each others ears to make diamonds outta dirt
There ain't glory in the silken things, the glory's in the hurt
That can split your skin from end to end, down the center of the earth
I said everyone who's drinking is already drunk or sleeping
Everyone who isn't is just too political to talk to
Another summer evening and the city's barely breathing
It just ain't the same, just ain't the same without you
I wasn't joking 'bout my burial, the backyard's where I prefer
But my landlord wouldn't like that, I gotta own a backyard first
So I'll keep singing y'all these spirituals and pray it lifts the curse
That keeps me chasing ghosts of dreams from funerals to birth in reverse
In reverse, in reverse, in reverse
In reverse, in reverse
That keeps me chasing ghosts of dreams from funerals to birth
In reverse
Everyone who's drinking is already drunk or sleeping
Everyone who isn't is just too political to talk to
Another summer evening and the city's barely breathing
It just ain't the same, just ain't the same without you
Without you, without you, without you
Without you, without you
It just ain't the same, just ain't the same
Without you
In "Lift The Curse," Astronautalis is reflecting on the idea that people can easily lose touch with one another. In the first verse, he observes how those who are drinking are already drunk or asleep, while those who aren't are too afraid to engage in conversation due to political beliefs. The city, which once held so much potential and vibrancy, now seems lifeless without the presence of someone special. The repetition of the phrase "without you" emphasizes the emptiness and lack of meaning that seems to permeate the singer's life without the person he is missing.
The second verse has a more philosophical focus, as Astronautalis ponders what constitutes true value and magic in life. He determines that it is not in the physical objects themselves, but in the words people use to connect with one another. These connections can create something beautiful - diamonds out of dirt - and true glory can come from the pain and struggle that make us human.
The final verse is more personal, as the singer expresses a desire for a simple burial in his own backyard, but is held back by logistical limitations. He continues to sing "spirituals" in the hope that it will lift the curse that has him chasing "ghosts of dreams from funerals to birth in reverse." This line suggests a longing for a time before life got complicated and for a sense of wholeness that seems always just out of reach.
Overall, "Lift The Curse" is a complex and introspective song about the search for connection and meaning in a world that often seems out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone who's drinking is already drunk or sleeping
Those who are drinking have already reached a level of intoxication or are passed out from it.
Everyone who isn't is just too political to talk to
Those who aren't drinking are only interested in talking about politics, making conversation difficult.
Another summer evening and the city's barely breathing
The city is quiet and not bustling like it normally is during the summer.
It just ain't the same, just ain't the same without you
The absence of the person being referred to has made everything feel different and lacking.
There ain't no magic in materials, the magic's in our words
Objects themselves do not possess the magic, but rather it comes from the words spoken between people.
That we whisper in each others ears to make diamonds outta dirt
Through the power of conversation and communication, we are able to turn something perceived as worthless into something valuable.
There ain't glory in the silken things, the glory's in the hurt
Chasing after luxury items doesn't bring true glory, but rather it comes from going through difficult experiences.
That can split your skin from end to end, down the center of the earth
These painful experiences can be deep and all-encompassing, stretching from one end of the earth to the other.
I wasn't joking 'bout my burial, the backyard's where I prefer
The artist is serious about wanting to be buried in the backyard.
But my landlord wouldn't like that, I gotta own a backyard first
The reality of owning property means that the artist cannot be buried in their preferred location without their landlord's approval.
So I'll keep singing y'all these spirituals and pray it lifts the curse
The singer will continue to sing and hope that it brings about a positive change or breaks a negative cycle.
That keeps me chasing ghosts of dreams from funerals to birth in reverse
The curse in question causes the artist to continuously chase after past experiences or opportunities, always moving backwards instead of forwards.
Contributed by Gavin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.