Sonically speaking, that comes through on the LP immediately. Perhaps bolstered by the ongoing construction occurring next to the studio while the record was being made, the sense of force and urgency propelling the record is evident. Patrick Adams’ driving bass and plodding drums in the title track usher in this new guitar-friendlier Blouse; more direct and clearer of vision, but still mysterious and beautiful.
Jacob and Patrick’s Pacific Northwest alt-rock roots (filtered through post-punk and V/U) are a great counterpoint to ex-pat Southern CA transplant Charlie Hilton’s Cohen/Patti/Nico singer/songwriter nature. The dichotomy of those two forces on tracks like “No Shelter” and “1000 Years” are at the core of Imperium. These are delicate songs from the perspective of a valley girl who grew up with gurus and ashrams played by indie lifers on a steady diet of NEU! It makes it all the more understandable to have showers of acoustic guitars and (real, not synthesized) cellos interrupted by fuzz guitar.
But these interruptions aren’t a bad thing, they’re what makes Imperium the great record it is. “In a Feeling Like This” describes it perfectly, it’s a strange place that you’re weirdly familiar with. Warm but also kind of spooky and imposing, you want to stay there for longer than you’re invited. Thankfully, it’s ok to flip it over and listen to it again.
They Always Fly Away
Blouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If the elevator be my floor
There's a lonely blackbird on the telephone wire
He's there most days
If we don’t have time for everything
Let’s at least sit quietly with him
Just long enough to notice when he flies away because he always flies away
That’s what all our teachers used to say
We don’t need to wonder if the rows on our face will turn to grey
But since we know the movements of the stars
We know exactly where we are
And we'll be together when the leaves are acting strange
We'll watch them fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
There's a mountain underneath the clouds
There's a heaven underneath us now
Can you make out the diamonds on the edge of the sea from where you lay
There's a blackbird sitting on a line
And we're all here navigating time
Let's watch him long enough until he flies away...they always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
They always fly away
The song "They Always Fly Away" by Blouse is a contemplative tune that encourages its listeners to take a moment to appreciate the beauty around them before it's gone. The lyrics seem to be speaking to both the fleeting nature of life and the importance of presence and mindfulness in the present moment.
The first verse starts with an invitation: "Do you want to follow me indoors / If the elevator be my floor". The elevator may be a metaphor for the passage of time - we can't stop it or slow it down, so we might as well make the most of the time we have. The image of the "lonely blackbird on the telephone wire" is a poignant one, evoking a sense of solitude and isolation. The suggestion is to sit quietly with the bird, taking the time to appreciate its presence, knowing that it may not be there forever. "Just long enough to notice when he flies away because he always flies away" - again emphasizing the impermanence of the things we love.
The chorus is a reminder that everything is in a constant state of flux: "And tomorrow everything will change / That’s what all our teachers used to say / We don’t need to wonder if the rows on our face will turn to grey". The knowledge that everything is temporary can be daunting, but the song encourages us to find solace in our own sense of place in the world: "But since we know the movements of the stars / We know exactly where we are / And we'll be together when the leaves are acting strange / We'll watch them fly away".
The second verse continues the theme of appreciating the world around us, with the singer pointing out the hidden wonders beneath the surface: "There's a mountain underneath the clouds / There's a heaven underneath us now". The blackbird continues to be a symbol of the transience of life and the importance of taking the time to observe: "Let's watch him long enough until he flies away...they always fly away".
Overall, "They Always Fly Away" reminds us to take the time to notice and appreciate the beauty around us, even if it's only temporary. It's a call to be present in the moment and to find joy in the world despite its impermanence.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you want to follow me indoors
Do you want to join me in exploring the deeper, more personal aspects of life and existence?
If the elevator be my floor
If the simplified, superficial aspects of life are all I have access to, will you accompany me?
There's a lonely blackbird on the telephone wire
There is sadness and loneliness present in the natural world around us.
He's there most days
We can find patterns and consistency in the nature of existence.
If we don’t have time for everything
If we cannot explore every facet of life and existence, even in the face of uncertainty and limited time,
Let’s at least sit quietly with him
We can still find moments of stillness and contemplation amidst the chaos of life.
Just long enough to notice when he flies away because he always flies away
We can appreciate the fleeting, transient nature of existence and the importance of cherishing every moment.
And tomorrow everything will change
The impermanence of life and the inevitability of change is something we can always expect.
That’s what all our teachers used to say
This is a universal truth that has been passed down and taught throughout generations.
We don’t need to wonder if the rows on our face will turn to grey
The physical aging process is something we can anticipate and prepare for.
But since we know the movements of the stars
By understanding the patterns of the universe, we can better comprehend our place within it.
We know exactly where we are
We can find our bearings within the wider scope of existence.
And we'll be together when the leaves are acting strange
We can find comfort and support in the company of others when the world around us seems chaotic and unpredictable.
We'll watch them fly away
We can bear witness to the constantly changing, ephemeral nature of life and find beauty in that process.
There's a mountain underneath the clouds
Beneath the surface of everyday reality lies a greater, deeper truth that we can strive to uncover.
There's a heaven underneath us now
There exist profound, spiritual mysteries within and around us that we can seek to understand and explore.
Can you make out the diamonds on the edge of the sea from where you lay
The world is full of beauty and wonder, even in seemingly mundane or overlooked moments.
And we're all here navigating time
Every moment of our lives, we are in the process of moving forward and evolving.
Let's watch him long enough until he flies away...they always fly away
Through observation and reflection, we can come to grips with the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitability of change and loss.
They always fly away
No matter how much we may want to hold onto things, they will inevitably slip through our fingers and change.
They always fly away
This sense of loss and impermanence is a universal experience that we must all confront.
They always fly away
But even in the midst of change and loss, there is still beauty and meaning to be found.
They always fly away
We can learn to appreciate the fleeting, ephemeral nature of life and the value that such transience holds.
They always fly away
Through reflection and contemplation, we can arrive at a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
They always fly away
We must learn to cherish every moment and find joy and meaning in the journey, even as things change and slip away.
They always fly away
Only by embracing this impermanence can we truly live life to the fullest.
They always fly away
For all its joys and sorrows, life is ultimately a process of letting go and moving forward.
They always fly away
But even as we release what we have held onto, we can find new meaning and purpose in the journey.
Writer(s): PORTRAIT JACOB MARTIN, ADAMS PATRICK, HILTON CHARLIE
Contributed by Evan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.