Azure Ray is an American indie duo, consisting of musicians Maria Taylor an… Read Full Bio ↴Azure Ray is an American indie duo, consisting of musicians Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. Azure Ray started in Athens, Georgia, in 2001 and later relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, and joined the music scene there, leading to collaborations with Bright Eyes and Now It's Overhead, among others. Their sound is sparse and understated, with intimate lyrics, elements of alt-country and folk Americana, and occasional forays into minimalist electronica.

The duo took a brief hiatus beginning in 2004 while each member pursued solo projects. They reunited from 2008-2012 releasing two albums, before disbanding again until a reunion show in 2018 and announcement of a new EP, Waves.

Red Balloon
Azure Ray Lyrics

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Your eyes, like mine, took me by surprise like summer rain
Knocked down, heart pounds, but my head keeps spinning

And I'll give all the love I've been saving up
I'll hold the red balloon as I fall deeper with you
You've got to know you bring joy to everything
Even the weeping willow tree

Stand proud, I'm out, out of this tired and lonely game
First time in my life I see my fate unfolding

And I'll give all the love I've been saving up
I'll hold the red balloon as I fall deeper with you
You've got to know you bring joy to everything
Even the weeping willow tree

The light it came to us without a warning
We can't control the steady pace of morning

But I'll give all the love I've been saving up
I'll hold the red balloon as I fall deeper with you

You've got to know you bring joy to everything
Even the weeping willow tree

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Azure Ray's "Red Balloon" are a metaphorical representation of falling in love. The singer's (or singer's) eyes meet with their lover's unexpectedly, just as a summer rain can come without warning. They feel emotionally overwhelmed by the encounter, with their heart pounding and head spinning. Despite these intense feelings, the singer is willing to give all the love they've been saving up to their lover. The red balloon represents the carefree, joyful feeling of being in love, and the singer is willing to hold onto that feeling even as they fall deeper in love with their partner.

The chorus emphasizes that the lover brings joy to everything, including the weeping willow tree. This line could be interpreted in different ways - one possible meaning is that being in love makes everything more beautiful and enjoyable, even things that are typically associated with sadness or loneliness. The second verse suggests that the singer is leaving behind a "tired and lonely game," perhaps referring to past relationships or a single lifestyle. They feel that their fate is now unfolding, and they're excited to see what the future holds.

The final verse acknowledges that life can be unpredictable, with the light coming without warning and the morning arriving at a steady pace. However, the singer is willing to continue holding onto the red balloon of love, even as they face the uncertainty of the future.

Line by Line Meaning

Your eyes, like mine, took me by surprise like summer rain
The beauty in your eyes overwhelmed me, like a sudden summer shower that came out of nowhere.

Knocked down, heart pounds, but my head keeps spinning
Although you left me breathless, my heart races and I can't stop thinking about you.

And I'll give all the love I've been saving up
I promise to share all the love that I have been storing away just for someone special, with you.

I'll hold the red balloon as I fall deeper with you
I will hold on tight to this symbol of love and happiness as I let myself fall more deeply in love with you.

You've got to know you bring joy to everything
You bring so much happiness to my life and the lives of those around you.

Even the weeping willow tree
You bring joy to everything, even objects like the weeping willow tree which is known for its melancholic appearance.

Stand proud, I'm out, out of this tired and lonely game
I will no longer play games and pretend that I am okay being alone. I am standing tall because I am no longer lonely.

First time in my life I see my fate unfolding
For the first time, my future seems clear and certain.

The light it came to us without a warning
As sudden and unexpected as a beam of light, our love entered our lives.

We can't control the steady pace of morning
The start of each new day comes at its own steady pace and we can't predict or control it.

But I'll give all the love I've been saving up
Regardless of what tomorrow brings, I promise to give you all the love that I have been saving up.

I'll hold the red balloon as I fall deeper with you
As I allow myself to fall more deeply in love with you, I will hold on tight to the symbol of love and happiness that we share.

You've got to know you bring joy to everything
You are a source of happiness and joy in my life and in the world around us.

Even the weeping willow tree
Even nature is affected by your presence and it brings happiness to even the melancholic weeping willow tree.

Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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