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
Youth
Beach Fossils Lyrics
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I'll turn my back on it and next you know it's all run out
Do you wanna step outside, or do you want it right?
I don't just what I feel, but I feel it all tonight
I give it all in these hours that we set aside
I know I'm feeling brief, but that's because my heart's untied
Don't wanna trim any more off of our only truth
The lyrics of Beach Fossils' song "Youth" carry a message about the transience of life and the importance of making the most of our fleeting time on this earth. The opening lines suggest that it's not worth getting too worked up or attached to things that don't matter in the grand scheme of things. The singer has turned his back on something that he once thought was important, but now realizes was only temporary and has run its course.
As the song progresses, the singer implores the listener to embrace the present moment and make the most of the time we have. He acknowledges that life can be fleeting and brief, but instead of feeling constrained by this knowledge, he sees it as a reason to live fully and authentically. The lines "I give it all in these hours that we set aside / I know I'm feeling brief, but that's because my heart's untied" convey the idea that even though life is short, we can still make a meaningful impact in the time we have if we approach it with an open heart and a willingness to give it our all.
Overall, "Youth" is a poignant and reflective song that encourages us to live in the moment and seize every opportunity that comes our way. It reminds us that life is short, and we should make the most of our time by embracing the present and living authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not so worth getting all bent out of shape about
There's no point in stressing out about things that don't matter.
I turned my back on it and next you know it's all run out
I ignored the problem and it eventually went away on its own.
Do you want to step outside, or do you want it right
Do you want to confront this situation or ignore it?
I don't just what I feel, but I feel it all tonight
I'm not sure what I'm feeling, but I'm feeling a lot right now.
I give it all in these hours that we set aside
I'm putting my all into this moment that we've allotted for ourselves.
I know I'm feeling brief, but that's because my heart's untied
I know my emotions may seem fleeting, but that's because I don't hold onto them tightly.
Don't want to trim anymore off of your only truth
I don't want to take away from what you believe to be true and important.
We've got enough to spare 'cause we're awake throughout our youth
We have plenty of time and energy to spare because we are young and alert.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: James Dustin Payseur
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind