The songs are written by all three band members, often working on their own.
Drag
Atomic Swindlers Lyrics
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The stargirl reappears
Falling out into an empty sky
And aliens in love
Hey, what am I trying to say
Soul, incomplete and beautiful
Soul, incomplete and beautiful
Wasted on Saturn's rays
In tune then out of phase
Skipping stones across oblivion
We watch the picture show
The earth it smiles below
Hey, I'm so afraid to let it go
What am I gonna do
What am I gonna do
You make everything insane
I'm losing my voice again
I'll write it on a paper plane
Send a message up to you
Through space and time
Your mind
What am I gonna do
What am I gonna do
You make everything insane
I'll ride in on a paper train
Set the tracks a flame
Send a message up to you
Through space and time
Your mind
You drag the atmosphere
The star girl disappears
Falling out of an empty sky
And aliens in love
Remain in all of us
Hey, what are they trying to say
Soul, incomplete and beautiful
Soul, incomplete and beautiful
Soul, incomplete and beautiful
The gravity will never hold you down
No gravity will never hold you down
In Atomic Swindlers' song "Drag," the lyrics describe a feeling of being lost, drifting through space and time. The opening lines speak directly to someone, calling out their effect on the atmosphere and the idea of a "stargirl" reappearing. The lyrics suggest that the person being addressed is causing chaos and disorder in the singer's life. Throughout the song, there are references to aliens in love, perhaps symbolizing the idea of finding a place to belong or finding love in all the chaos.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Soul, incomplete and beautiful," indicating a search for wholeness and self-acceptance despite feeling lost and incomplete. The verse about being "wasted on Saturn's rays" evokes a sense of being lost and out of sync with the world around them. The lyricist plays with the idea of time and space throughout the song, sending messages through the mediums of paper planes and trains, as if trying to find a way to communicate through the vastness of the universe. The repeated line "What am I gonna do" invites the listener to join in this search for meaning and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
You drag the atmosphere
You have the power to influence the mood and energy of those around you.
The stargirl reappears
After a period of absence, the girl who loves the stars returns.
Falling out into an empty sky
Feeling lost and alone in a vast and open space, with no direction or purpose.
And aliens in love
Even beings from another world can experience love and connection.
Reminding each of us
This is a universal truth that speaks to all of us.
Hey, what am I trying to say
I struggle to find the right words to describe my thoughts and feelings accurately.
Soul, incomplete and beautiful
Even with imperfections and struggles, the soul remains beautiful and valuable.
Wasted on Saturn's rays
Potentially destructive or harmful influences that keep someone from reaching their full potential.
In tune then out of phase
Beginning in harmony but ending in disharmony or disconnect.
Skipping stones across oblivion
Engaging in futile or unproductive activities that do not lead to progress or growth.
We watch the picture show
We are spectators in our own lives, observing events as they unfold without actively participating.
The earth it smiles below
Despite our struggles and fears, the world continues to turn, and life goes on.
Hey, I'm so afraid to let it go
I am scared to move on from what is comfortable and familiar, even if it no longer serves me.
What am I gonna do
Feeling lost or uncertain about what steps to take next.
You make everything insane
The actions or behavior of someone else are causing chaos and turmoil in my life.
I'm losing my voice again
Feeling powerless or unable to assert myself in a situation where I am being overwhelmed.
I'll write it on a paper plane
Finding an unconventional way to express myself and share my thoughts or feelings.
Send a message up to you
Attempting to communicate with someone who may be far away or difficult to reach.
Through space and time
Overcoming distance and obstacles to connect with someone on a deeper level.
Your mind
Trying to reach someone on an intellectual level, or to change their thinking or perspective.
I'll ride in on a paper train
Using creativity and imagination to make a bold statement or impact.
Set the tracks a flame
Creating a sense of urgency and passion around a particular cause or idea.
The gravity will never hold you down
You have the power to rise above any obstacle, to overcome challenges and achieve success.
Contributed by William B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.