As a teenager, Slug (Sean Daley) became entranced with hip-hop, graffiti, and breakdancing, forming the Rhymesayers label and collective (originally known as Headshots) with two high-school friends, Siddiq Ali (Stress) and Derek Turner (Spawn). After some early gigs as Urban Atmosphere -- where Slug DJed behind Spawn's rhyming -- the pair hooked up with producer Ant (Anthony Davis), as well as like-minded locals such as MC Musab, Mr. Gene Poole, and the Abstract Pack, forming an underground hip-hop clique dedicated to freestyling and clever lyricism. In 1997, Atmosphere released their debut album, Overcast!, which received college radio airplay and earned an underground hip-hop following thanks to Slug's deeply personal, poetic musings, as well as Ant's bare-bones -- but inventive -- production.
Atmosphere participated in the supergroup the Dynospectrum (who released a self-titled album on Rhymesayers in 1998) and Slug contributed to another supergroup, Anticon's Deep Puddle Dynamics (whose full-length The Taste of Rain...Why Kneel appeared in 1999). The Headshots collective concluded their series of underground cassettes with a seventh volume in 1999, later reissued as an Atmosphere release called Headshots: Se7en. The group also began a series of limited releases (often sold exclusively on tour) titled Sad Clown Bad Dub, beginning with an extremely scarce 1999 cassette.
A year later, Atmosphere (then down to the duo of Slug and Ant) released the Ford One and Ford Two EPs, followed by the Lucy EP in 2001. Collected as the 2001 full-length Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs, the three EPs were built around the theme of Slug's complicated relationship with his ex-girlfriend, the lost love of his life. As Atmosphere's following increased beyond underground hip-hop circles, they toured consistently, both at home and overseas; while Ant usually didn't accompany the group on the road, Mr. Dibbs of the group 1200 Hobos often joined in behind the turntables while Slug was assisted on the mike by young rappers like the teenaged Eyedea. In June 2002, Atmosphere unleashed God Loves Ugly, an 18-track effort that returned to previous themes ("F*@k You Lucy"), but also contained the group's pop-friendly single "Modern Man's Hustle," which reached the Top 20 of the U.S. rap singles chart.
By this time indie rap superstars, Atmosphere returned with their fourth album, Seven's Travels, in 2003, followed two years later by You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Following the record's success, Ant began regularly touring with the group. They continued to put music out during the next couple of years, including the free download Strictly Leakage in late 2007, a near-party album that they followed up with When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold in April 2008. The record featured plenty of live instrumentation and guest background vocal spots from Tom Waits and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe; it was also their highest-charting album, hitting number five on the Billboard 200. The "double EP" To All My Friends: Blood Makes the Blade Holy appeared in 2010, with the full-length album The Family Sign following in 2011.
In 2014, the group released the album Southsiders, which featured the single "Bitter" and became another Top Ten-charting hit. The following year, Atmosphere celebrated the ten-year anniversary of You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having by reissuing the album as a four-LP set (including instrumental versions of all the album's songs), in addition to The Fun EP, a picture-disc vinyl issue of an EP of You Can't Imagine outtakes that was originally released as a promo CD in 2006. In 2016, they returned with Fishing Blues, an album that featured the single "Ringo" along with guest appearances from MF Doom, Kool Keith, and Aesop Rock. While the set peaked just outside the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, it became their second album to top the U.S. indie chart. Mi Vida Local, an urgent reflection on middle age, appeared in 2018, followed a year later by the full-length Whenever. The Day Before Halloween arrived on that exact date in 2020, with Atmosphere unexpectedly switching to sci-fi/horror-informed themes over spooky, synth-heavy backdrops. Nearly a year later, Ant and Slug swerved back to their signature sound with Word?, which included guests such as Evidence, Aesop Rock, Sa-Roc, and MF Doom.
Biography by Dan LeRoy
There are other artists with the same name:
2) A Polish rock group, established in 1993 in Leszno, Poland, with Marcin Rozynek as a vocalist. In 1994 the group appeared at Mokotowska Jesień Muzyczna, where they were runners-up just behind Myslovitz. Two years later they won competition Marlboro Rock In. In 1997, Atmosphere released their self-titled debut album, Atmosphere, and in 1999 released Europa Naftowa. Atmosphere was awarded the Album debut of the year 1997 by magazine Tylko Rock and was nominated for the award Fryderyk in 1998 in the category Debut of the Year. In 1998, Atmosphere appeared at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole with song Niewielki Skrawek Ziemi. Disbanded after Marcin Rozynek departure for a solo career. However, Atmosphere regrouped recently with a new line-up and is recording a new album.
3) An obscure one hit wonder Italo-disco group of the early 80’s. The group was produced by Franco & Venise Scopinich, and their one single “Swede’s Scandal” was realased on Superradio Reccords (label owned by Franco & Venise Scopinich).
4) A thrash metal band of the same name from Vietnam who have released two demo's.
Always Coming Back Home to You
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To emo kids that got too many feelings
He held the register open while he counted her change
I was next in line which meant I was invisible
From where I stood I could see that the till was full
He didn't look the type to play superhero
So I stepped forth and paid for my cigarettes
Fangles in my head, shake the song off
Another manic Monday night, its gonna be a long walk
A car pulled up, a fixed up cutlass
A woman and a child climbed out and left it running
They went inside of the deli, placed an order
With the extra dollar fifty bottled water 'cause the daughters picky
When they came out mommy gave me a glance
That said man can love an angel but he's got to take the chance
Already knew the deal, I lit one up and walk
So they got back in the oldsmobile, belted up, and took off
Thug love on the corner by the walgreens
Lookin at me like I'm just another square saltine
As I get closer I notice that they showin each other sketches
Out of their notebooks, reminded me of my old roots
I walk pass with a nod and a reminisce
Swear to god hip hop and comic books was my genesis
Respect the life and the fashions of the children
It's the only culture I've got, exactly what we've been buildin
All of a sudden I'm in front of some man
No he's a youngin but he's got a gun in his hand
He looks fifteen, he looks frantic, no he looks afraid
Immediately apprehensive til I heard him say
?Do you want this It's not mine I promise
I found it on my block in between a couple garages
Didn't want to leave it for a child to stumble over
I don't even know how to hold it.?
It was a thirty eight, the poor mans machete
Held it in my hand, thinking damn man it's heavier then expected,
wedged it behind my belt buckle
knowin that its evil, even thought that I could smell trouble
the extra strength felt weak,
but over there on the corner saw what I needed and proceeded to cross the
street
put the heat in the mail box to loose it
figured that the post office knows what's best to do with it
Mosey down the road thinkin' bout the old
I use to roam this zone with two feet of snow
Right here, this use to be a record shop
I've gotten love, I've gotten drunk, I've gotten beat up in that parking lot
I've had my lake street pride for three decades
These alleyways, and these streetlights have seen my best days
Before I was a germ learnin how to misbehave,
All the way to the grave, south side is my resting place
Took a right on Lindale I'm getting near
But then the road became empty and the people disappear'd
The clowds ran away, opened up the sky
And one by one I watched every constellation die
And there I was frozen, standin in my backyard
Face to face, eye to eye, starin at the last star
I should've known, walked all the way home
To find that she wasn't here, I'm still all alone
No matter where I am, no matter what I do
I'm always coming back home to you
They can leave me for dead they can take away my true
I'm always coming back home to you
Through the lies and the sins that ride the wind that blew
I'm always coming back home to you
As sure as the life in the garden that you grew
I'm always coming back home to you
No matter where I am, no matter what I do
I'm always coming back home to you
If only I had known what you already knew
I'm always coming back home to you
From the heaven I've had to the hell I been through
I'm always coming back home to you
I'm always coming back home to you
The lyrics to Atmosphere's song "Always Coming Back Home to You" tell a story of the singer's experiences as he navigates through different streets and characters in his hometown. The opening lines address a diverse group of people, including killer and wealthy individuals, as well as emo kids that are often characterized as being too sensitive. The singer then finds himself at a convenience store, where he witnesses a small act of kindness when a single mother purchasing bottled water for her picky daughter receives a sympathetic glance. Later on, the singer encounters a young boy who offers him a gun that he found on his block. The singer hesitates at first but eventually decides to put it in the mailbox before continuing his walk down memory lane.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer's true home is not a physical place, but rather a person. He repeats the line "no matter where I am, no matter what I do, I'm always coming back home to you" throughout the song, revealing that he is always drawn back to this person no matter what life throws his way. The final verse describes the singer standing in his backyard, staring up at the sky and feeling frozen as he realizes that the person he belongs with isn't there. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer acknowledging that he will continue to always come back home to this person, even though they aren't physically present at the moment.
Overall, "Always Coming Back Home to You" is a nostalgic and introspective look at the relationships and memories that shape our lives. The singer's experiences with strangers and old haunts are used to contrast the deeper emotional connection he has with the person he keeps coming back to, showing that some things are truly irreplaceable in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
To all my killers and my hundred dollar billers
Addressing the people who are into money and violence.
To emo kids that got too many feelings
Acknowledging the people who are sensitive and emotional in nature.
He held the register open while he counted her change
Telling the story of a cashier who was counting money of a customer.
I was next in line which meant I was invisible
Realizing that he was invisible to the cashier while waiting in line.
From where I stood I could see that the till was full
Observing that the cash register is full.
He didn't look the type to play superhero
Assuming that the cashier was not the type to play the hero.
So I stepped forth and paid for my cigarettes
Taking the initiative to pay for his cigarettes.
Crept out the stores front door to chase a little breath
Leaving the store quietly to have some fresh air outside.
Fangles in my head, shake the song off
Feeling anxious and trying to shake off the song in his head.
Another manic Monday night, its gonna be a long walk
Anticipating a long, tiring walk on a difficult Monday night.
A car pulled up, a fixed up cutlass
A well-maintained car pulls up.
A woman and a child climbed out and left it running
A woman and a child got out of the car and left the engine running.
They went inside of the deli, placed an order
The woman and her child went inside the deli to order some food.
With the extra dollar fifty bottled water 'cause the daughter's picky
They bought bottled water that costs an extra dollar fifty because the daughter is choosy.
When they came out mommy gave me a glance
The woman gave him a glance as she came out of the deli.
That said man can love an angel but he's got to take the chance
Feeling that men need to take a chance to love an angel.
Already knew the deal, I lit one up and walk
Knowing what was going on, he lit a cigarette and walked away.
So they got back in the oldsmobile, belted up, and took off
The woman and her child got back into the car and drove off.
Thug love on the corner by the walgreens
Noticing a group of men showing thug love on the corner near Walgreens.
Lookin at me like I'm just another square saltine
Being judged by the men as an uncool person.
As I get closer I notice that they showin each other sketches
As he approaches them, he sees that they are showing each other their sketches.
Out of their notebooks, reminded me of my old roots
It reminds him of his old roots seeing them draw in their notebooks.
I walk pass with a nod and a reminisce
Walking past them and thinking back on his own memories.
Swear to god hip hop and comic books was my genesis
Reflecting that his love for hip hop and comic books are his origin.
Respect the life and the fashions of the children
Having respect for the way of life and fashion of young people.
It's the only culture I've got, exactly what we've been buildin
Feeling that this is the only true culture, the one they have built and continue to build.
All of a sudden I'm in front of some man
Suddenly coming face-to-face with a stranger.
No he's a youngin but he's got a gun in his hand
Realizing the person is young, but holding a gun in his hand.
He looks fifteen, he looks frantic, no he looks afraid
Noticing the fear in his eyes.
Immediately apprehensive til I heard him say
Feeling cautious, but then he hears him speak.
Do you want this It's not mine I promise
Offering him the gun, stating it is not his.
I found it on my block in between a couple garages
Explaining how he found the gun in the area near garages.
Didn't want to leave it for a child to stumble over
Not wanting a child to find the gun and accidentally use it.
I don't even know how to hold it
Admitting he does not even know how to hold the gun.
It was a thirty eight, the poor mans machete
Identifying the gun as a .38 caliber revolver.
Held it in my hand, thinking damn man it's heavier then expected
Feeling the weight of the gun in his hand, and being surprised at how heavy it is.
Wedged it behind my belt buckle
Hiding the gun behind his belt buckle.
Knowin that its evil, even thought that I could smell trouble
Knowing the gun is evil and trouble is coming.
The extra strength felt weak
Feeling that the gun's additional power feels insignificant.
But over there on the corner saw what I needed and proceeded to cross the street
Seeing the trouble on the corner, and crossing the street to deal with it.
Put the heat in the mail box to loose it
Hiding the gun in a mailbox to dispose of it.
Figured that the post office knows what's best to do with it
Assuming that the post office will handle the gun properly.
Mosey down the road thinkin' bout the old
Walking down the road, thinking about the past.
I use to roam this zone with two feet of snow
Remembering when he would walk around this area when there was two feet of snow.
Right here, this use to be a record shop
Noticing this area was once a record shop.
I've gotten love, I've gotten drunk, I've gotten beat up in that parking lot
Recalling the memories of getting love, drunk, and even getting beat up in that parking lot.
I've had my lake street pride for three decades
Proudly stating how loyal he's been to his area (Lake Street) for the past 30 years.
These alleyways, and these streetlights have seen my best days
The alleyways and the streetlights have witnessed the best moments of his life.
Before I was a germ learnin how to misbehave
Remembering his childhood, when he was just starting to learn how to make mistakes.
All the way to the grave, south side is my resting place
Knowing that the south side is his final resting place.
Took a right on Lindale I'm getting near
Getting closer to Lindale after taking a right turn.
But then the road became empty and the people disappear'd
Noticing that the road is now empty, and the people have vanished.
The clouds ran away, opened up the sky
The clouds disappear, revealing the starry sky.
And one by one I watched every constellation die
Watching in disbelief as every star constellation slowly disappears.
And there I was frozen, standing in my backyard
Standing frozen in his backyard.
Face to face, eye to eye, staring at the last star
Looking up at the last remaining star in the sky.
I should've known, walked all the way home
Realizing that he should have known better, he walks all the way home.
To find that she wasn't here, I'm still all alone
Arriving home to find she is not there, and feeling alone.
No matter where I am, no matter what I do
Feeling that no matter where he goes or what he does, he cannot escape his feelings.
I'm always coming back home to you
Knowing that he will always come back home to his love.
They can leave me for dead they can take away my true
Feeling that people can abandon him and take away his truth.
Through the lies and the sins that ride the wind that blew
Understanding that the lies and sins follow him wherever he goes.
As sure as the life in the garden that you grew
Feeling confident that the life in the garden (his love) will always be there.
If only I had known what you already knew
Wishing he had known what his love already knew.
From the heaven I've had to the hell I been through
Reflecting on the heaven he has experienced, and the hell he has been through.
Lyrics © UPSIDEDOWN HEART MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gripstress 451
Me and my husband got married when we were kids back in 94. We had 4 daughters and big ups and deep falls. We split a few years ago but we both knew we would always come home. He passed away this year but this song speaks directly to me. I 100% KNOW he would listen to this and think of us just like I did. We are and always have been big fans. Your words are too close to home. Thanks! Also you're awesome in concert.
chris jones
I went to this firework party years ago. This guy was sitting by the fire , rapping just like this the entire night. I passed out and he was still flowing away. It was a blast.
esoteric exposal
Sucks bro
Logan Adkins
Love u sis
Lucy Morse
I saw them in London at the scala wow I agree amazing live
Gripstress 451
@Dillon Emery because I'm off topic I guess but still I think it's normal to be sentimental with atmospheres music. Are we listening to the same dudes??
MassiveGat
I remember this from my lonely backpacker days when I had no friends and only music to comfort me, while I would sit under a tree everyday after school and write my lines. As depressed as I was I look back on it with a bittersweet fondness knowing that I've grown as a person. Thanks Slug, you got me through some rough shit.
Swish13x20
Same my dude
Sasha Bevan
@MassiveGat classic ant lmao
MassiveGat
@Sasha Bevanfat