The first Atlas Genius single, βTrojansβ, was released on May 4, 2011.
Andrew Hwang reviewed the single on Neon Gold Records (New York) and posted the following review, June 4, 2011.
βLike an invitation you werenβt expecting to get, Atlas Genius knocks on your door and creeps into your peripheries in stealth mode. Fair warning: βTrojansβ will invade your head, all dressed up in a clever disguise of earnest vocals riding a hooky riff that easily approaches Phoenix-esque levels of infectiousness. And then thereβs that driving bassline gliding over a frenetic bridge with athletic ease, the kind of thing cruise control dreams are made of. It pulls up outside your window, blasting from a fully functional boombox, shouldered by some dude in a trenchcoat holding the weight of the world. It wonβt leave. And then you realize you never want it to. If you need protection from generic brand βparty indieβ, try this one on for size.β
Within hours of Andrewβs review, the Atlas Genius inbox started filling with mail from, record companies, music lawyers and radio promoters, as well a whole new community of bloggers and tweeters.
In the 24hr period following the review, βTrojansβ had in excess of 2000 downloads.
The band is committed to releasing individual tracks as soon as they are recorded, and playing the songs live.
On February 19, 2013, Atlas Genius released their major label (Warner Bros.) debut "When It Was Now".
Backseat
Atlas Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Olfactory senses breaking down, slowly figures it'd be old back seat
Drunken couple take it too far thinking no one could see
Having sex on the street
I'll sell you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll sell you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll say you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
Use that door, words like knives that no longer cut
The world in flames, so small anymore we could fall through the grate
We got time, gonna waste it all, gonna be fine
We're complicated, but we're as simple as we wanted to be
I'll sell you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll sell you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll say you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll say you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
The first verse of Atlas Genius's "Backseat" describes a cold, dark back street with a flickering light that the singer is unable to reach. The imagery suggests a feeling of isolation and being lost, both physically and emotionally. The use of olfactory imagery adds to the desolate tone of the song by describing the singer's senses breaking down. The chorus then follows, where the singer offers to sell the listener a feeling and a meaning, repeating this sentiment in the following verse.
The second verse of the song brings a shift in the narrative. The singer urges someone to "use that door" and leave behind a situation where words no longer have an impact. The world is described as being in flames, and everything seems to be falling apart. Despite this, the singer asserts that they have time and will waste it all, as if to rebel against the chaotic reality they find themselves in. The final line of the verse suggests that while they may be complicated, they are choosing to live simply.
Overall, "Backseat" seems to be a song about feeling lost and isolated in a world that is falling apart, but finding comfort in the simplicity of living in the moment. The repeated refrain of "I'll sell you a feeling, I'll sell you a meaning" is almost ironic in this context, suggesting that the singer is just trying to make sense of things themselves, but offering to help others do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold back street, flicker of a light that I couldn't meet
Walking down a lonely alley, seeing a distant light that couldn't be reached
Olfactory senses breaking down, slowly figures it'd be old back seat
Nose losing the ability to smell, realizing it's an unkempt backseat
Drunken couple take it too far thinking no one could see
Intoxicated pair engaging in sexual activity, believing they are unobserved
I'll sell you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
Promising to provide an emotional response to another person
I'll sell you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
Offering to give significance or purpose to someone else's life
I'll say you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
Stating that one can evoke a certain emotion in someone else
I'll say you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
Asserting that one can provide a sense of direction or interpretation to another person
Use that door, words like knives that no longer cut
Advocating for moving past a situation, where even hurtful words no longer have an effect
The world in flames, so small anymore we could fall through the grate
The world seems to be crumbling and shrinking, to the point where anything can cause one to fall
We got time, gonna waste it all, gonna be fine
Having the luxury of time, planning on spending it extravagantly, while having confidence in a good outcome
We're complicated, but we're as simple as we wanted to be
Despite being complex beings, we can make our lives as simplistic as desired
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Darren Norman Sell, Keith William Hamilton Jeffery, Michael Douglas Jeffery, Steven Roger Jeffery
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elrichii5676
Cold back street, flicker of a light that I couldn't meet
Olfactory senses breaking down, slowly figures it'd be old back seat
Drunken couple take it too far thinking no one could see
Having sex on the street
I'll sell you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll sell you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll say you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll say you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
Use that door, words like knives that no longer cut
The world in flames, so small anymore we could fall through the grate
We got time, gonna waste it all, gonna be fine
We're complicated, but we're as simple as we wanted to be
I'll sell you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll sell you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll say you a feeling, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
I'll say you a meaning, ah ah ah, oh, whoa
@atlasgenius
Check out our new track 'Elegant Strangers' - https://atlasgenius.ffm.to/elegantstrangersplaylist
@cats4992
I forgot how much I love this jam! It hits so hard!! Yasss
@reidmcclanahan3276
Love how this band's cinematography combines with their music....creates a unique atmosphere
@xxoskills
It's my favorite atlas genius song, it's complicated but it's as simple as we want it to be..
@dabaddest5536
Hi thereπ just reminding you you made this comment 9 years ago
@leilanis6846
@da baddest LOL
@breccankelly7519
@leilani s still one of the best songs to this date.
@jazzcat5950
Guitar riff is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. Wish it would last forever.
@Kuze1228
Ive been listening to them since they first came out and since Trojans dropped as a single. Been in love ever since and their music saved my life
@tone_blues
The arrangements and production behind this track are incredible. These guys are amazing π