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
Midday Moon
Astronautalis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord knows I don't know what the hell's the use of the midday moon
You came to my arms too goddamn soon
Lord knows I don't know what to do with you and the midday moon
This is just to say
They've taken everything away
Every step we made fit into six trucks
The muddy cavalcade came at half past eight
Collecting everything in that grassy bank
And every trace of you was taken too
And what was once a womb is just a hollow room
It was a windy day
That kind that makes me hate L.A.
'Cause God gave them a perfect sun
And they think gangs and smog were hardly a fair trade
They don't breathe or flinch
Or even blink at how the green will shift
When the wind parades across the meager ridge
And kicks the weeds a bit to make seem as if the lea is a sea of waves
They say you can't cheat death
Maybe it's just a shortness of breath
Or no pains in your chest
A disease we agree that we ain't cured yet
Forgive me dear
I never thought that we'd end up here
From "sweet dreams" whispered in your ear
Before a long night's sleep so cold and clear
A sliver of chalk across the blue
Lord knows I don't know what the hell's the use of the midday moon
You came to my arms too goddamn soon
Lord knows I don't know what to do with you and the midday moon
I've been told that when we die we pass onto the other side
there's no bright light, no bright light.
Death is just a pasture gate that opens by lifting a plank
To just more life, just more life
I met an old man, sun-tanned, provided by Jesus
And the light that passed through stain glassed pieces
He clutched a rosary flat to his chest
And confessed he wasn't ready for death
I seen an iron eyed firefly, femme fatale
Too vain to explain how her hair fell out
Lusting for the next thing to erase her shame
She doesn't want to live forever, but she's scared to fade away
This is how they came to me, one at a time
Pilgrims to my building on the cemetery ground
All they wanted was an answer and I could never let 'em down
I couldn't promise them forever but I could buy a lot of time
You Jeanvieve, you were the straw
Whispering your wishes in cotton Quebeois
I wonder if the Maker ever felt he botched the flock
But never had the mettle to make the world stop
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop
I wonder if the maker ever felt he botched the flock
But never had the mettle to make the world stop
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop
I wonder if the maker ever felt he botched the flock
But never had the mettle to make the world stop
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop
A sliver of chalk across the blue
Lord knows I don't know what the hell's the use of the midday moon
You came to my arms too goddamn soon
Lord knows I don't know what to do with you and the midday moon
A sliver of chalk across the blue
Lord knows I don't know what the hell's the use of the midday moon
You came to my arms too goddamn soon
Lord knows I don't know what to do with you and the midday moon
The song Midday Moon by Astronautalis appears to be a reflection on the futility of life and the uncertainty of death. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, highlighting the confusion and uncertainty the singer experiences when faced with the midday moon. The moon is a symbol of constancy and certainty, but this certainty is shattered when it appears in the middle of the day, disrupting the normal flow of events. Similarly, the singer's life has been disrupted by the sudden appearance of a loved one in his life, and he is unsure how to deal with this unexpected change.
The second part of the song seems to be a reflection on the nature of life and death. The singer describes how everything they owned was taken away, leaving them with nothing but an empty house. The loss of material possessions is juxtaposed with the idea that death is just a passage to another form of life. The singer encounters several people who are struggling with their own mortality, including an old man with a rosary, a woman who is afraid of fading away, and a group of people who come to him seeking answers about the afterlife. Ultimately, the singer is left with a sense of uncertainty and confusion, unsure of what the future holds.
Overall, Midday Moon is a haunting meditation on the transience of life and the uncertainty of death. Through vivid imagery and poignant lyrics, the song explores the idea that even the most certain aspects of life can be disrupted, and that death is just as uncertain and unpredictable as anything else.
Line by Line Meaning
A sliver of chalk across the blue
A thin and insignificant marking against the vast expanse of the sky
Lord knows I don't know what the hell's the use of the midday moon
Expressing confusion and uncertainty about the purpose and significance of the moon being visible during the day
You came to my arms too goddamn soon
Referring to a relationship or encounter that happened too quickly and unexpectedly
Lord knows I don't know what to do with you and the midday moon
Feeling unsure and lost about what to do with a person or situation that is unfamiliar and confusing
They've taken everything away
Expressing the loss and devastation of having important things or people taken away by an outside force
Every step we made fit into six trucks
Having to move or downsize one's life into a limited, tangible space of only six trucks
Pick-ups drawing dust above the driveway
Referring to the unused or forgotten vehicles that collect dust while life changes and turmoil happen around them
The muddy cavalcade came at half past eight
Describing a sudden and unexpected event or group of people arriving
Collecting everything in that grassy bank
Gathering up and taking all of one's possessions or memories from a specific area or time in life
And every trace of you was taken too
Losing all evidence or proof of someone's existence, possibly due to death or disappearance
And what was once a womb is just a hollow room
Describing a space that was once full of life and potential, now empty and devoid of meaning or purpose
It was a windy day
Creating an atmosphere that is chaotic and unsettling
That kind that makes me hate L.A.
Referencing a specific location that the singer doesn't like, but is also using as a symbol of a larger problem or feeling
'Cause God gave them a perfect sun
Referring to the privilege and luck of being in a location that has ideal weather
And they think gangs and smog were hardly a fair trade
Commenting on the negative aspects of a location that counteract the positive ones
They don't breathe or flinch
Referring to people who are accustomed to the negative aspects of a location and have become desensitized to it
Or even blink at how the green will shift
Noticing small changes or shifts in natural surroundings, acknowledging the impermanence of everything
When the wind parades across the meager ridge
Describing a natural phenomenon that is beautiful, but also temporary
And kicks the weeds a bit to make seem as if the lea is a sea of waves
Creating an illusion or mirage that makes something appear greater or more significant than it really is
They say you can't cheat death
Acknowledging the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to avoid it
Maybe it's just a shortness of breath
Reflecting on the possibility that death is just a physical and natural process that everyone will go through
Or no pains in your chest
Describing a painless and peaceful death
A disease we agree that we ain't cured yet
Referring to the uncontrollable nature of death and how society has not yet found a way to prevent or cure it
Forgive me dear
Asking for forgiveness or understanding
I never thought that we'd end up here
Expressing surprise or regret about a difficult situation that life has brought
From "sweet dreams" whispered in your ear
Acknowledging a time when life was simpler and more positive
Before a long night's sleep so cold and clear
Describing a sleep that is peaceful and lonely
I've been told that when we die we pass onto the other side
Referencing a common belief about what happens after death
there's no bright light, no bright light.
Challenging the idea of there being a definitive and universally accepted experience after death
Death is just a pasture gate that opens by lifting a plank
Describing death as a simple and natural process
To just more life, just more life
Looking at death as a transition into a new and possibly different form of existence
I met an old man, sun-tanned, provided by Jesus
Describing an old man who seems to have a connection to a higher spiritual power
And the light that passed through stained glass pieces
Referring to a religious symbol or imagery
He clutched a rosary flat to his chest
Describing a man who seems devoutly religious
And confessed he wasn't ready for death
Acknowledging the fear and uncertainty that death can bring
I seen an iron-eyed firefly, femme fatale
Describing a person or thing that is both mysterious and dangerous
Too vain to explain how her hair fell out
Describing a person who is hiding something or ashamed of it
Lusting for the next thing to erase her shame
Describing a person who is always searching for something new to escape their problems
She doesn't want to live forever, but she's scared to fade away
Describing a person who is conflicted about their own life and mortality
This is how they came to me, one at a time
Describing a series of encounters with different people or events
Pilgrims to my building on the cemetery ground
Describing a location that is both a place of grief and sadness, but also a place that some people look to for answers
All they wanted was an answer and I could never let 'em down
Feeling the pressure to provide comfort and answers to those who are searching and hurting
I couldn't promise them forever but I could buy a lot of time
Acknowledging the limitations of what the singer can offer to others, but still doing what they can to help
You Jeanvieve, you were the straw
Referring to a person who may have been the catalyst or turning point for the current situation
Whispering your wishes in cotton Quebeois
Describing a specific moment of intimacy and communication with someone else
I wonder if the Maker ever felt he botched the flock
Reflecting on the idea of a higher power or creator who may have made mistakes or oversights
But never had the mettle to make the world stop
Feeling helpless or powerless to change the larger problems of the world
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop
Repeating the word to emphasize the idea of wanting things to stop or slow down
A sliver of chalk across the blue
Repeated to reinforce the image from the beginning of the song
Lord knows I don't know what the hell's the use of the midday moon
Repeated to emphasize the singer's confusion and frustration about the midday moon
You came to my arms too goddamn soon
Repeated to reference the earlier line and maintain consistency in the song's themes
Lord knows I don't know what to do with you and the midday moon
Repeated as a refrain and to reinforce the sense of confusion and uncertainty expressed throughout the song
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.