The songs are written by all three band members, often working on their own.
Float
Atomic Swindlers Lyrics
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Mission control in Callisto
I can crash without a sound
Don't mean to bring you down
But there's no heaven up above
I wanted to shine like the silver surfer
A cosmic queen of the stars
Weightless and free
Your voice is all that's left of me
The planet earth swings out of view
The dark side of the moon is cruel
I hold the blue inside
And stare out at the Milky Way
Lost in my wonderful decay
Do you feel all right
I light another cigarette
And float through the night
And float through the night
Did you walk on green today
Did you feel the cool wind move across your face
Did you raise your hand and
Block out the sun
Whisper my name and yours like they were one
The planet earth swings out of view
The dark side of the moon is cruel
I hold the blue inside
And stare out at the Milky Way
Lost in my wonderful decay
Do you feel all right
I light another cigarette
And float through the night
And float through the night
I hope your kindness
Has left you strong
One more revolution
And I'll be gone
The planet earth swings out of view
The dark side of the moon is cruel
I hold the blue inside
And stare out at the Milky Way
Lost in my wonderful decay
Do you feel all right
I light another cigarette
And float through the night
And float through the night
And float through the night
The lyrics to Atomic Swindlers' song "Float" paint a picture of an individual who has reached a state of existential wandering. The opening lines of "Hey Tokyo, Andicar/Mission control in Callisto" allude to the character's physical distance from the planet earth. Such a distance typically represents a detachment from earthly norms and gives way to detached thought processes. The individual is lethargic and indifferent, as expressed in the lines "I can crash without a sound/ Don't mean to bring you down." The line "But there's no heaven up above" reiterates the individual's separation from the norms of society.
The lyrics then transition to express a desire for recognition and importance through the lines "I wanted to shine like the silver surfer/A cosmic queen of the stars." This energy is quickly stripped away as reality sets in, and the character identifies themselves as a "killer on a wave less sea/Weightless and free." These lines can be interpreted to mean that the individual feels aimless, having lost all sense of direction, purpose, and achievement. The reference to "voice" can be interpreted as the only connective strand between the individual and his past life.
The reference to space, stars, and Milkyway as in "And stare out at the Milky Way/ Lost in my wonderful decay" reflects the character's feeling lost, but also in awe of the beauty of the universe. One interpretation is that the figure has disconnected from the earthly world only to find solace in the limitless beauty of the universe. "Do you feel all right/ I light another cigarette and Float through the night" is almost nihilistic, suggesting that there is no real solution to their problems, so the character chooses to exist, finding peace in smoking cigarettes and floating aimlessly through the night sky.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Tokyo, Andicar
Addressing the city of Tokyo and the listener, Andicar
Mission control in Callisto
Referring to the space mission control center located on the Jovian moon Callisto
I can crash without a sound
Expressing the feeling of having no impact or significance
Don't mean to bring you down
Acknowledging the potential negative effect of one's words or actions on others
But there's no heaven up above
Suggesting the absence of a higher power or afterlife
I wanted to shine like the silver surfer
Desiring to be special and stand out like the superhero Silver Surfer
A cosmic queen of the stars
Aspiring to be a powerful and regal figure in the universe
Now I'm just a killer on a wave less sea
Feeling lost and aimless, like a dangerous person in a stagnant and empty environment
Weightless and free
Experiencing a sense of liberation and detachment
Your voice is all that's left of me
Implying a deep attachment to someone who is no longer present, and feeling incomplete without them
The planet earth swings out of view
Observing the physical movement of the earth from a far-off place
The dark side of the moon is cruel
Commenting on the harsh and mysterious nature of the unlit side of the moon
I hold the blue inside
Holding onto feelings of sadness or depression
And stare out at the Milky Way
Looking at the galaxy from a distance
Lost in my wonderful decay
Feeling a sense of deterioration or decline, but embracing it in a positive way
Do you feel all right
Asking if the listener is doing okay
I light another cigarette
Suggesting the use of cigarettes as a coping mechanism or form of relaxation
And float through the night
Moving aimlessly and detachedly through the darkness
Did you walk on green today
Asking if the listener spent time in nature
Did you feel the cool wind move across your face
Inquiring about the listener's sensory experiences in nature
Did you raise your hand and
Asking if the listener made a gesture of appreciation or connection to the natural world
Block out the sun
Commenting on the power and force of sunlight
Whisper my name and yours like they were one
Wanting to feel a deep sense of unity and connection with another person
I hope your kindness
Expressing a wish for the listener's positive qualities to continue
Has left you strong
Hoping that the listener's kindness has made them resilient and empowered
One more revolution
Referring to a complete circle, implying the passage of time or the completion of a cycle
And I'll be gone
Suggesting the eventual departure or disappearance of the singer
Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shadako26
Lovely characters, lovely story, just great! :)
Paxson Woelber
I like Joel Trussell's skill and humor. Definitely looking forward to his next film.
PhilosopherShale
They should make a feature-length cartoon based on this. Also, that robo-owl is freaking awesome.
Nick Holland
Why has this not been done. This is a far more intresting story that I want to see more of, and I constantly watch this video to give me that seratonin boost. Owley is indeed heroiclly cool.
Kara Holden
I remember seeing this on a site called kontraban and I have loved it ever since then. The animation is great and the song is still so beautiful.
Paxson Woelber
great song, great animation. big fan of joel trussel's work.
fkslfjsldkf
A real piece of work. Doesn't age at all.
Jacket Yellow
Holy wow almost 15 years latter I found other of Joel's animation and got linked back and saw I liked this video
PirateGenius
still listening to this 16 years later
melspy
love it. the butterflies, and upgrade of motorcycles at the end... <3