Beach Fossils is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, forme… Read Full Bio ↴Beach Fossils is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2009. The group currently includes Dustin Payseur, Tommy Gardner, Jack Doyle Smith and Tommy Davidson. They are known for their lo-fi, atmospheric sound and Payseur's vocal style.

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

Window View
Beach Fossils Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I never wanted this to happen
On the day
Wanted to stay inside
And watch the rain

We walked down to the water
Hand in hand
I knew it was the last time

On the sand

In the freezing wind
I'm looking at your face
Your thoughts are running
As you turn away

Grey skies on the outskirts
Of this town

I'm heading home
It's time to settle down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beach Fossils’ song “Window View” tell the story of a protagonist who is struggling with letting go of a relationship that is ending. The song captures a sense of melancholy and longing as the singer reflects on several moments of his relationship with his partner. He opens up the song admitting that he never wanted the relationship to end, and he preferred to spend his days watching the rain while inside. It’s clear from this opening stanza that he is not at peace with the situation.

As the song progresses, he thinks back to the moments that they shared together, including walking down to the water hand in hand. The singer realizes that this moment will be the last time they share together on the sand. The following lines capture a sense of sadness and desperation as he looks at his partner’s face in the freezing wind, knowing that they will be parting ways soon. She turns away, lost in her own thoughts, adding to the sense of isolation and detachment within the relationship.

As the song winds down, the singer notes that the sky is grey on the outskirts of town, possibly symbolizing that he is leaving his partner behind in the city. He resigns himself to head back home; it is time to settle down and move on. The song creates a profound sense of sadness, regret, and loss, highlighting the conflicting emotions that exist in any relationship that ends.

Line by Line Meaning

I never wanted this to happen
I never intended for things to turn out this way

On the day
On that particular day

Wanted to stay inside
Desired to remain indoors

And watch the rain
While observing the rainfall

We walked down to the water
Together we strolled down to the ocean

Hand in hand
Holding each other's hand

I knew it was the last time
I was aware it was the final occasion

On the sand
Standing on the sandy beach

In the freezing wind
Enduring the icy gale

I'm looking at your face
I'm gazing at your countenance

Your thoughts are running
Your mind is racing