Their sound is a mix of indie rock and electronic music, most recently integrating organic sounds into their music. Friends since the age of fourteen, Athlete have wide-ranging influences that include Grandaddy and Flaming Lips.
Out of Nowhere
Athlete Lyrics
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Now only 14 left to go
I didn't know that I was next in line
But it is not as if I've had much time
Jet lag all around me voices calling
Saying please don't go away
Last thing I remember drifting down this tunnel
Was bright light ahead
Out of nowhere
It came and him me on the head
Out of nowhere
I saw it over there
Before it hit you on the head
I saw it over there
Out of nowhere
It came and him me on the head
Out of nowhere
I saw it over there
Before it hit you on the head
I saw it over there
7 out of 21 knocked down
Now only 14 left to go
I didn't know that I was next in line
But it is not as if I've had much time
Jet lag all around me voices calling
Saying please don't go away
Last thing I remember drifting down this tunnel
Was bright light ahead
Then when I came around
Somebody helped me to my feet
And said I can't believe you're still alive
I've seen 20 other people in the last half an hour
Who've been hit right between the eyes
Seems that somebody some where's on a mission to protect you
Knowing that you should have survived
Hurray, hurray, hurray
We're still alive
Out of nowhere
It came and him me on the head
Out of nowhere
I saw it over there
Before it hit you on the head
I saw it over there
It came and him me on the head
Out of nowhere
I saw it over there
Before it hit you on the head
I saw it over there
It came and him me on the head
Out of nowhere
I saw it over there
Before it hit you on the head
I saw it over there
Out of nowhere
Athlete's song Out of Nowhere tells the story of someone who has survived a sudden and unexpected attack. The song begins by describing a group of people who have been knocked down, with only 14 left to go. The singer didn't know they were next in line for an attack but realizes that time is short. Jet lag and confusion add to the sense of disorientation. The lights are bright, and there are voices calling out, begging them to stay.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Out of nowhere," which symbolizes the suddenness of the attack. The singer saw it coming, but it was too late to avoid. The same thing happened to others, but the singer was lucky to survive. Someone helped them to their feet and expressed amazement that they were still alive. It seems like there is someone or something watching over them, protecting them.
The song ends with the repetition of the "Out of nowhere" phrase. It reminds us that life can be unpredictable and dangerous, but we can also be saved by the unexpected. Despite being knocked down, the singer survived and can celebrate being alive.
Line by Line Meaning
7 out of 21 knocked down
Seven out of twenty-one individuals have already been struck down.
Now only 14 left to go
Fourteen individuals still remain unscathed.
I didn't know that I was next in line
The singer was unaware that they were next in line to be hit.
But it is not as if I've had much time
The artist is indicating that they have not had much time to prepare for what's next.
Jet lag all around me voices calling
The artist is experiencing fatigue from traveling, and hears voices around them.
Saying please don't go away
The voices the singer hears are urging them to remain with them.
Last thing I remember drifting down this tunnel
The singer recalls descending down a tunnel in their memory.
Was bright light ahead
The end of the tunnel is illuminated by a bright light.
Out of nowhere
Without warning or prior knowledge.
It came and him me on the head
Something struck the artist's head suddenly and violently.
I saw it over there
The singer saw the object that hit them before it struck another individual.
Before it hit you on the head
The artist witnessed the object hit someone else as well.
Then when I came around
The singer briefly lost consciousness, but regained it.
Somebody helped me to my feet
Another person assisted the singer in standing up again.
And said I can't believe you're still alive
The person who helped the singer was surprised that they survived the incident.
I've seen 20 other people in the last half an hour
The helper had encountered and assisted many other individuals who had been similarly struck down in the past thirty minutes alone.
Who've been hit right between the eyes
The others who were struck down received similarly severe head injuries.
Seems that somebody some where's on a mission to protect you
The singer believes that someone is actively trying to keep them safe.
Knowing that you should have survived
The singer believes that they were meant to survive this event.
Hurray, hurray, hurray
The artist and their helper celebrate the fact that they are still alive.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CAREY WILLETTS, JOEL POTT, STEVEN ROBERTS, TIMOTHY WANSTALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind