“It’s not good to be trapped in that same state of mind for your whole life. It’s a sad and difficult thing, actually. It’s like never getting over something and trying to work it out over and over and over again. The sounds may be a little more advanced, but I’m essentially making the same kind of art with the same kind of ideas that I was when I was a kid.”
On “Walkabout,” the first song from his upcoming album Logos (Oct 20, Kranky), Cox sings along with Noah Lennox, What did you want to see/ What did you want to be/ When you grew up, and generally seems to be focused on moving on, becoming an adult, or at least acknowledging that he can’t be a child anymore. The song samples the bubbling keys of “What Am I Going to Do” by the Dovers, as inspired by some tour bus song games between Cox and Animal Collective, and reflects that song’s simple and beautiful pop, with Cox and Lennox’s signature soft layers. If Logos is in any way as good as this song, we will not need much else in the fall.
Walkabout
Atlas Sound Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
To go away and not look back
And think of what the others say
To go ahead and change your life
And everyone must do the same
You find yourself lost again
Forget the things you've left behind
Through looking back you may go blind
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
To go away and not look back
And think of what the others say
To go ahead and change your life
Without regard to what is said
And everyone must do the same
You find yourself lost again
Forget the things you've left behind
Through looking back you may go blind
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be?
The lyrics of "Walkabout" by Atlas Sound are introspective and contemplative, encouraging self-reflection and self-discovery. The song opens with a series of questions, asking what one wanted to see and be when they were younger, highlighting the innocence and possibility of youth. The following verses call for action in pursuit of change and growth, even if others may not approve or understand.
The repeated phrase "to go away and not look back" emphasizes the importance of leaving behind one's past and moving forward without hesitation or regret. The line "forget the things you've left behind, through looking back you may go blind" warns against dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities, urging the listener to focus on the present and future instead.
Overall, "Walkabout" is an uplifting ode to self-discovery and the courage to pursue one's dreams and aspirations, even if they may seem unconventional or risky to others.
Line by Line Meaning
What did you want to see?
Asking about the things that one wanted to experience in life
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Inquiring about one's aspirations and goals for the future
To go away and not look back
To distant oneself from the past and move forward
And think of what the others say
To not dwell on other people's opinions and judgments
To go ahead and change your life
To take control of one's life and make changes that align with personal goals
Without regard to what is said
Without being influenced by external factors or opinions
And everyone must do the same
Encouraging others to take charge of their lives and make their own decisions
You find yourself lost again
Feeling confused or disoriented about one's path in life
Forget the things you've left behind
To let go of past regrets or mistakes and move forward
Through looking back you may go blind
Constantly revisiting the past can prevent one from seeing opportunities in the present
What did you want to be?
Asking about one's desired profession or career
Writer(s): Bradford Cox Copyright: Mattitude Music LLC
Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@oppothumbs1
The song is borrowed from '65 The Dovers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YE7B2pKTo
Baby, what am I gonna do
Baby, what am I gonna do
With you, with you?
Well now, I should say
About a girl who took my love away
How she left me all alone
I've no one to call my own
[Chorus]
Baby, what am I gonna do
Baby, what am I gonna do
With you, with you?
[Verse 2]
We had everything
Whoa, for my love-to-be
But all she ever wanted
Was to be set free
[Chorus]
Baby, what am I gonna do
Baby, what am I gonna do
With you, with you?
@jacobwood2251
What did you want to see?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
To go away and not look back and think of what the others say
To go ahead and change your life without regard to what is said
And everyone must do the same
you find yourself lost again
forget the things you've left behind
through looking back you may go blind
@jaceisham8501
This is the kind of the song that's nostalgic the day after you find it.
@BlueBowzzer
LOL
@videosandshit2
probably because the song is about nostalgia lol
@oppothumbs1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YE7B2pKTo The sound was borrowed from a 1965 song by The Dovers
@JellyOnDaToast
I've listened to this song for like 7 years and I will never stop
@Dillpj66083
I love that a lot of Bradford Cox's music is so nostalgic. He seems to really be fixated on childhood. I love trying to remember what it's like to be a kid again.
@leeobrien2545
I've just listened to Walkabout 5 times in a row.Its one of the great modern pop songs!January 2020.
@solariis888
nerds are the coolest musicians.
@akbzas
"What did you want to see What did you want To be when you grew up" a fantastic video, we shouldn't forget our childhood dreams, those are the beautiful and true ones
@oppothumbs1
The song is borrowed from '65 The Dovers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YE7B2pKTo
Baby, what am I gonna do
Baby, what am I gonna do
With you, with you?
Well now, I should say
About a girl who took my love away
How she left me all alone
I've no one to call my own
[Chorus]
Baby, what am I gonna do
Baby, what am I gonna do
With you, with you?
[Verse 2]
We had everything
Whoa, for my love-to-be
But all she ever wanted
Was to be set free
[Chorus]
Baby, what am I gonna do
Baby, what am I gonna do
With you, with you?