It’s no secret that the landscape of Birds of Tokyo’s home of Western Australia; a desert-like state so vast and unforgiving that to provide it with a soundtrack requires a higher level of grandeur and majesty one would ever dare associate with the ‘pop’ music tag.
But, down to its bones, pop music is what Birds of Tokyo write… they just layer those bones in muscle, and give the beast a heart.
Beautifully expressive in its texture, yet thick and rich in its deceptive simplicity; Birds Of Tokyo’s music is universal and incredibly humanistic. In what could be described as the blink of an eye, the band have struck a nerve in their homeland, giving way to an unprecedented rise to popularity, but it is in their blossoming international recognition can be seen the band’s true strength and ability to connect with people.
The Gap
Birds of Tokyo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The highest of highs got me nothing but stares
Maybe with the lights out we can be bad
I'm licking my wounds I'll be resting my head
(So how were you to know)
That I was the one that let the devil exist
(I think you aught to know)
It started when your eyes rolled back in your head
See I
Can fool them all
With you there's no way
I got nothing at all
I strap up my boots and then I kick in the door
(So how were you to know)
I know what I've done but I?ll be coming for more
(I think you aught to know)
Maybe with the lights out we can be bad
It started when your eyes rolled back in your head
Stay, the hell
Away from me
Cos I did you wrong
I'm begging you leave
Cos I've seen it play
I know how this ends
It's nothing I wanna see again
I'm begging you please
To let me go
Free yourself
The world you know
Is somewhere else
See I
Have seen it all
The rage in the bull
The white of his horns
And you know me better
Than I know myself
My greatest mistake was giving you up
For nothing at all
For nothing at all
The lyrics of Birds of Tokyo's song "The Gap" reveals the struggle of someone who has been through the lows and the highs of life. The opening line "I've been at the bottom I've been living in hell" conveys the despair and suffering the singer has gone through. Despite achieving great success, the singer still feels empty and out of place, "The highest of highs got me nothing but stares". The singer seems to have a deep connection with someone who knows them better than they know themselves, "And you know me better, Than I know myself" but they have lost that person due to their own mistake. They acknowledge their mistake, "My greatest mistake was giving you up", and now they are trying to make amends, "I'll be coming for more".
The repetition of the line, "Maybe with the lights out we can be bad", suggests that the singer desires to go back to a previous state of being with this person - to be reckless, impulsive, and free. However, the singer realizes that it is not possible to regain that past state, and they are warning the other person to stay away since they know the outcome of the past relationship, "Stay, the hell away from me, Cos I did you wrong I'm begging you leave, Cos I've seen it play, I know how this ends". The singer seems to feel that the world they used to know is gone, and it's not where they want to be anymore, "Free yourself, The world you know, Is somewhere else."
Line by Line Meaning
I've been at the bottom I've been living in hell
I have been in a very difficult and unpleasant situation, feeling hopeless and struggling to cope
The highest of highs got me nothing but stares
Despite my most triumphant moments, I didn't receive any recognition or acclaim for my achievements
Maybe with the lights out we can be bad
Perhaps we can indulge in some mischief or misbehavior when no one is watching or the situation is obscured
I'm licking my wounds I'll be resting my head
I am recovering from my injuries or emotional distress, and taking some time to recuperate and recharge
(So how were you to know)
That I was the one that let the devil exist
You could not have known that I am responsible for allowing the negative or evil forces in my life to take hold and cause destruction
(I think you aught to know)
Maybe with the lights out we can be bad
I believe you should be aware that in the absence of visibility, we have the opportunity to act recklessly or defiantly
It started when your eyes rolled back in your head
Our descent into this risky or perilous behavior began when you became so engrossed or intoxicated that you lost control
See I
Can fool them all
With you there's no way
I got nothing at all
In the past, I have been successful at deceiving or misleading others, but I cannot hide my true feelings or intentions from you
I strap up my boots and then I kick in the door
I am prepared to take action and confront any obstacles or challenges I may encounter
(So how were you to know)
I know what I've done but I?ll be coming for more
You may not have realized that I am aware of the consequences of my actions, yet I am still motivated to take further risks or pursue my desires
Stay, the hell
Away from me
Cos I did you wrong
I'm begging you leave
Please keep your distance from me since I have mistreated or wronged you, and I am imploring you to move on
Cos I've seen it play
I know how this ends
It's nothing I wanna see again
I'm begging you please
To let me go
As a result of my past experiences, I am aware of the likely outcome of this situation and I do not want to repeat it, so I am asking you to release me from this burden
Free yourself
The world you know
Is somewhere else
You should liberate yourself from your current reality, as there are other possibilities or opportunities out there that you could explore
See I
Have seen it all
The rage in the bull
The white of his horns
I have witnessed many things, including the fury of an unstoppable force and the telltale signs of danger
And you know me better
Than I know myself
My greatest mistake was giving you up
For nothing at all
For nothing at all
You have a deeper understanding of my character and tendencies than I do, and I regret letting you go without any worthwhile reason
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, MUSHROOM MUSIC PTY LTD
Written by: ADAM JOHN SPARK, ADAM PETER WESTON, ANTHONY JOHN T JACKSON, IAN LEWIS KENNY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Strack
I’m from the States .. I love this band, this album, & song. It speaks to me.
I feel like the world praised the likes of Cold Play, when this band isn’t ever known, I believe outside of Australia.
The Gap - is absolutely powerful and got me through a hard time. This is one of the greatest prog(very similar) bands that NO ONE recognizes in this world, & I am sad bc their talents are amazing & needs to be shared. 👊🏻
Carpo856
My wife listened to this album all the time whilst she was pregnant and now whenever our daughter gets into a bit of a mood we just plat this and she settles down straight away. It's a good album for more than one reason!
Paliente
Only 11k views.... cmon Australia get behind this awesome home grown band. Their music is better than most of the garbage they call music now a days.
Maria Elisabeth
I love this, one of my favorite songs right now
HorsesGiveUsWings11
Love this song :)
Dean Elliott
Great song Cheers for putting it up
Citizen X
Freakin awesome.
Bushy
Great song! Have been waiting for a good copy. Thanks
TheDenimlocks
awesome song
Tracy Barker
@SuperCrystabella I agree with you that they should make it big in the UK!! But there are some great bands here too! X