Formed in 2009, the act was originally a means to expand the solo project of Dustin Payseur. That same year bassist John Peña and guitarist Christopher Burke were recruited as the lineup for their initial tour. Their debut single, Daydream / Desert Sand was released in February 2010 on Captured Tracks. In May 2010, their debut album Beach Fossilswas released and met with favorable reviews.
The following years saw a number of changes to their lineup, including when John Peña left the band in 2011 to form Heavenly Beat, and guitarist Cole Smith, who left for his solo project, DIIV. In 2012, Tommy Gardner stepped in as the drummer to form their current lineup.
Clash the Truth was released in early 2013, peaking at number 40 on the Independent Albums chart. Paysuer described it as being an album about what happens after you've solved the immediate problems that come with moving away from home - "something that just doesn't feel like it makes sense yet".
In 2017, after a long break, the third album Somersault was released
Desert Sand
Beach Fossils Lyrics
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All out of words
Too busy trying to save them for the truth.
So brutal the nights they are.
I couldn't sleep the streets were oh so cold.
To die, to be asleep.
We'll have the darkness to the roaring sea.
To take a walk and never so much stars.
And then I start to dream
But I can't read directions in my sleep.
The sun comes with the tide
And it's so beautiful I close my eyes.
The lyrics to Beach Fossils' song "Desert Sand" provide a vivid description of a sleepless night filled with anxieties and restless thoughts. The opening line "Fall back, all out of words" suggests a sense of defeat, as if the singer has given up trying to articulate their emotions. They are too preoccupied with holding onto their words for the truth that they can't seem to communicate. The following line "So brutal the nights they are" sets a somber tone, emphasizing a feeling of isolation and sadness. As the song progresses, the singer reveals that they were unable to sleep due to the coldness of the streets. Perhaps they are alone, wandering in the quiet, desolate night.
The second verse expresses the singer's longing to escape, to die or be asleep, giving up control to the chaotic sea. The singer laments the lack of stars in the sky, symbolizing the absence of guidance and direction. In the third verse, the singer reveals that they dreamt but couldn't read directions in their sleep. This further emphasizes the lack of control and guidance in their life, as they are unable to decipher the signs, symbols, and messages that their subconscious mind is trying to convey. In the last line, the singer describes the beauty of the sun rising with the tide, but chooses to close their eyes, perhaps indicating their fear of confronting the truth.
Overall, the lyrics to "Desert Sand" are a poignant expression of fear and restlessness in the face of uncertainty. The singer struggles to find meaning and direction in their life, grappling with the forces beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Fall back
Retreat or withdraw from the current situation.
All out of words
Having no more vocabulary left to express my feelings.
Too busy trying to save them for the truth.
Being engaged in preserving my words for something more important or authentic.
So brutal the nights they are.
The nights are extremely harsh and unforgiving.
I couldn't sleep the streets were oh so cold.
I am unable to sleep soundly due to the cold streets.
To die, to be asleep.
To perish or fall into an eternal sleep.
We'll have the darkness to the roaring sea.
The surroundings will be enveloped in total darkness with the sound of the current.
So foolish I know you are,
I know you act unwisely or carelessly.
To take a walk and never so much stars.
Taking a walk while not noticing or appreciating the beauty of the stars.
And then I start to dream
I begin to venture into a fantasy world in my subconscious.
But I can't read directions in my sleep.
I am incapable of perceiving or following instructions in my dream state.
The sun comes with the tide
The sun slowly rises over the horizon with the incoming tide.
And it's so beautiful I close my eyes.
The scene is so picturesque that I involuntarily shut my eyes.
Writer(s): James Dustin Payseur Copyright: Song Of The Terrorbird
Contributed by Alexander K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.