-Nick Johnson: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
-Nate Gangelhoff: Bass
-Jeff Matika: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
-Dan Elston-Jones: Drums
Expat
Banner Pilot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it was not like any where I've been.
Pacing around from the wall to the door
then stand still.
I walk out into the city sound.
On the side another big crowd.
Fall in the crowd.
If I could.
And everything I know is everything I knew.
It's mixing up and starting to get a message through.
Get lost in early ways and feeling my new bruise.
Losing time, I'm here a bum and twenty-two.
Bare white walls the chips keep falling.
Every verse points up. I'm down here storming.
At the window try and take this all in,
but nothing is clear. The view from here is kind of a blur.
And the days I'm spending by myself.
And the nights I've done nothing else.
Sit on the banks, watch the boats,
hear the crowd and sit still.
Now the crowd has started clearing out.
Stumble home along a city route.
How was the past as I make my way back up the hill.
And everything I know is everything I knew.
It's mixing up and starting to get a message through.
Get lost in early ways and feeling my new bruise.
Losing time, I'm here a bum and twenty-two.
Bare white walls the chips keep falling.
Every verse points up. I'm down here storming.
At the window try and take this all in,
but nothing is clear. The view from here is kind of a blur.
Traffic storming by a city sky.
A mass of people try our hearts to pry.
Between the scabs and all the building slabs.
But up above it started coming clear,
And I remember what I'm doing here.
I take a step into the crowd's room.
And I disappear.
The song Expat by Banner Pilot describes the feeling of being lost, disconnected and overwhelmed in a bustling city. The opening lines, "Though the dust it tried to settle in, it was not like any where I've been," suggest that the singer has recently arrived in a new place and is struggling to adjust to their surroundings. They pace around nervously and try to navigate the busy crowds, feeling as though they are aimlessly wandering without direction.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on their past experiences and how they are now mixing with their new surroundings. "And everything I know is everything I knew. It's mixing up and starting to get a message through," they sing, indicating that while their previous knowledge is still relevant, they are slowly adapting to their new life. However, they also acknowledge the difficulties of their situation, feeling trapped and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people and stimuli around them. "Every verse points up. I'm down here storming. At the window try and take this all in, but nothing is clear. The view from here is kind of a blur," they lament.
The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer realizing that they are not alone in feeling this way. "And I remember what I'm doing here. I take a step into the crowd's room. And I disappear," they sing, finding solace in the anonymity of the city and the unspoken connection they share with those around them. The song captures the feeling of being lost and alienated in a new environment, while also acknowledging the potential for growth and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Though the dust it tried to settle in.
Despite the chaos and confusion.
it was not like any where I've been.
It was unfamiliar and uncharted territory.
Pacing around from the wall to the door
Feeling restless and trapped in a confined space.
then stand still.
But ultimately, feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
I walk out into the city sound.
Venturing out into an urban environment.
On the side another big crowd.
Encountering a large gathering of people.
Fall in the crowd.
Getting swept away in the mass of people.
Try to find my way out.
Feeling overwhelmed and seeking an escape.
If I could.
But struggling to find a clear path forward.
And everything I know is everything I knew.
Facing a crisis of identity and self-awareness.
It's mixing up and starting to get a message through.
Starting to realize that change is happening.
Get lost in early ways and feeling my new bruise.
Navigating unfamiliar experiences and facing challenges.
Losing time, I'm here a bum and twenty-two.
Feeling lost and directionless.
Bare white walls the chips keep falling.
Suffering from a sense of decay and decline.
Every verse points up. I'm down here storming.
Feeling trapped and struggling to find hope.
At the window try and take this all in,
Seeking perspective and clarity.
but nothing is clear. The view from here is kind of a blur.
But finding it difficult to process the world around them.
And the days I'm spending by myself.
Spending time in solitude.
And the nights I've done nothing else.
Struggling to find purpose and motivation.
Sit on the banks, watch the boats,
Contemplating the passing of time.
hear the crowd and sit still.
Feeling isolated from those around them.
Now the crowd has started clearing out.
Watching as others move on and leave them behind.
Stumble home along a city route.
Making their way home, feeling lost and aimless.
How was the past as I make my way back up the hill.
Reflecting on the past and how they got to where they are.
Traffic storming by a city sky.
Feeling overwhelmed by the energy and activity around them.
A mass of people try our hearts to pry.
Struggling to make connections and form relationships.
Between the scabs and all the building slabs.
Navigating a world filled with emotional and physical pain.
But up above it started coming clear,
Starting to see a clear path forward.
And I remember what I'm doing here.
Remembering their sense of purpose and direction.
I take a step into the crowd's room.
Stepping back into the world with newfound confidence.
And I disappear.
Embracing the unknown and taking a leap of faith.
Writer(s): JOHNSON NICHOLAS MARSHALL
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.