Blue Hawaii is the work of Raphaelle Standell-Preston (also of the dream po… Read Full Bio ↴Blue Hawaii is the work of Raphaelle Standell-Preston (also of the dream pop band Braids) and Alex "Agor" Cowan, aka Agor.

Blue Hawaii, Arbutus Records and many of their Montreal counter-parts all began with the same breath in early 2010. Their debut album Blooming Summer (2010) was recorded following the pair’s travels in Central America. It frames a time of warmth and novelty, featuring dense female harmonies, tape saturated synths, guitars and drum machines. Eventually Ra (Raphaelle Standell-Preston) returned to her role in Braids, touring constantly, while Agor (Alexander Cowan) moved to Europe, treading deeper into dance music, electronics, and production.

The two decided to make Untogether in 2012; they began recording on New Years Day in Vancouver and intermittently worked on the project until summer broke in Montreal. The music followed their winter in Canada, it became colder, more introspective. It again captured a time and place, but instead of a dense saturation of love and excitement, this record reflects the vast world of self-awareness and delicacy. It takes for its subject the question of belonging, despite overwhelming space.

Musically, the production on the album is more spacious and physically it was recorded in separation. Despite this, it belongs together in its final form. It demonstrates successful creative process in a pair who composed apart, and in doing so it is a meditation on communication: how technology and art influence modern human relationships. It contains the vast space of two years passing, including watching their Montreal scene change as some launched into international success and others turned deeper inwards. Here, the album finds the conflict of separation/belonging to one’s self and community.

The duo notice that throughout the changing social and personal landscape which is one’s twenties, these divided notions and people somehow stay together. Even the name Blue Hawaii suggests a kind of melancholic, jaded paradise, but a paradise after all. It is because – or perhaps in spite of – these disjointed intersections that the record is called Untogether.

Belize
Blue Hawaii Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

we travelled side by side with daylight (high) we travelled side by side with delight if our shadows do fight it'
s not right so bring them into this light we travelled side by side with delight (high) we travelled side by side with daylight we travelled side by side with daylight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Blue Hawaii's "Belize" are about two people who are travelling together and enjoying their company. They travel side by side with both daylight and delight, which suggests that they are in a happy and optimistic place in their relationship. However, there is a hint of conflict when the lyrics mention their shadows fighting. This conflict is not right in the eyes of the singer, and she urges them to bring the shadows into the light to resolve any issues. Essentially, the singer is encouraging openness and communication to maintain a healthy and positive relationship.

It's worth noting that the title of the song, "Belize," is a country in Central America known for its tropical climate and beautiful beaches. It’s likely that the song was inspired by the beauty and happiness that comes with travelling somewhere paradise-like with a loved one.

Line by Line Meaning

we travelled side by side with daylight
We journeyed together while the sun flashed brightly in the sky.

we travelled side by side with delight
We traversed in each other's company with joy and elation.

if our shadows do fight it's not right
When our inner struggles clash and intersect, it causes an imbalance which is not healthy for us.

so bring them into this light
Let's not keep our struggles and conflicts inside, instead, bring them out into the open to resolve and seek clarity.

we travelled side by side with delight
Our trek together was filled with pleasure and enthusiasm.

we travelled side by side with daylight
We travelled jointly as the sun cast its warm and comforting light.

we travelled side by side with daylight
We journeyed together as daylight illuminated our path.

Contributed by Carter W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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