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.
Wild Eyed Boy
Birds of Tokyo Lyrics
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If you are not far between
Assuming it's my first time
Assuming it ought to be
Send me and IOU
I'll send you another chance
To see if you got my back
Wild eyed boy
Your heart still won't settle
Wild eyed boy
How much can you take?
Say my name
If you truly wanna see
What matters and what's for real
What you should have meant to me
Sing me a lullaby
Sing me a song of change
Assuming that I don't mind
Assuming that I depend on it
Wild eyed boy
Your heart still won't settle
Wild eyed boy
How much can you take?
Wild eyed boy
Your heart still won't settle
Wild eyed boy
How much can you take?
They told you you're no good to any
Tell yourself you're so good to many
Sell your soul your no good to any
How much can you take?
Wild eyed boy
Your heart still won't settle
Wild eyed boy
How much can you take?
Wild eyed boy
Your heart still won't settle
Wild eyed boy
How much can you take?
The lyrics of Birds of Tokyo's song "Wild Eyed Boy" seem to be addressed to a person the singer is in a complicated relationship with. The first verses suggest a sense of longing for one last kiss, but also a certain distance between them. The lines "If you are not far between / Assuming it's my first time / Assuming it ought to be" convey the uncertainty and hesitation of the situation.
The chorus is repeated several times, using the metaphor of a "wild eyed boy" whose heart won't settle. This can be interpreted in different ways, but it suggests someone who is restless, maybe unstable or prone to emotional turmoil. The chorus also asks "How much can you take?", which could refer to the singer's own emotional endurance or the other person's need for reassurance.
The second half of the song introduces some ambiguity in the relationship, with lines like "Say my name / If you truly wanna see / What matters and what's for real / What you should have meant to me". The singer seems to challenge the other person to be more sincere and committed, but also acknowledges their own vulnerability by asking for a lullaby or a song of change. The final lines of the song, "They told you you're no good to any / Tell yourself you're so good to many / Sell your soul your no good to any", create a sense of detachment and disillusionment, as if the singer is ready to move on from the relationship.
Overall, "Wild Eyed Boy" is a song that expresses a mix of emotions, from longing to frustration, from hope to resignation. The ambiguous lyrics leave room for interpretation, but the music and the vocal performance convey a sense of passion and intensity that capture the complexity of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
One last kiss
This is the last intimate moment we share before things change forever.
If you are not far between
If you are close enough to me to hear these words.
Assuming it's my first time
I'm acting like a beginner, even if I've done this before.
Assuming it ought to be
I believe things should be a certain way, even if they're not.
Send me an IOU
I owe you something, so here's your chance to claim it in the future.
I'll send you another chance
I'm willing to give you another opportunity, even if you've failed me before.
To see if you got my back
Let me test if you're truly supportive of me.
To see if I can depend on you
I need to know if you're reliable and trustworthy when I need you.
Wild eyed boy
You're restless, idealistic, and full of energy.
Your heart still won't settle
You're still trying to figure out what you really want, and you're constantly searching.
How much can you take?
How long can you keep up this pace and intensity before you burn out or break down?
Say my name
Call out to me, by my given name, to get my attention and show me how much you care.
If you truly wanna see
If you really want to understand and connect with me.
What matters and what's for real
What's important in life and what isn't just a superficial illusion.
What you should have meant to me
What your presence, words, and actions could have meant to me if you had chosen differently.
Sing me a lullaby
Help me calm down and relax with a soothing melody or a comforting message.
Sing me a song of change
Sing me a tune that inspires me to embrace change and transform myself.
Assuming that I don't mind
Presuming that I'm okay with something, even if I'm not.
Assuming that I depend on it
Taking for granted that I need something, even if I don't.
They told you you're no good to any
They said you're worthless and useless to everyone, even if it's not true.
Tell yourself you're so good to many
Believe in yourself and your ability to make a positive impact on many people's lives.
Sell your soul you're no good to any
Sacrifice your integrity and dignity for superficial gains, and you'll lose everyone's respect.
Wild eyed boy
You're still struggling with your identity and your place in the world.
Your heart still won't settle
You're torn between your dreams and your realities, and you can't decide which one to pursue.
How much can you take?
How much more uncertainty, pressure, and disappointment can you handle before you snap?
Contributed by Leo I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tatiane Balbinot
"They told you you're no good to any
Tell yourself you're so good to many
Sell your soul you're no good to any
How much can you take?"
Deep