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.
Versus Game
Blue Hawaii Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I try to love again
'Cause I've protect the versus game
'Cause I'm with you
I'm still with you
'Cause I'm with you
Yeah, I'm with you
I am with you
Feels like what everybody's searching for
Is someone who'll always keep them wanting more
How many more times can be a touch
Fell in love once, forever keep on looking back
(Forever keep on looking back)
And I'm without regrets
Baby, I can't give myself again
Put out the flame, and let the rain
I will miss you
Yeah, I'll miss you
Feels like what everybody's searching for
Is someone who'll always keep them wanting more
How many more times can be a touch
Fell in love once, forever keep on looking back
(Looking, forever keep on looking back)
(Looking, looking)
In the song "Versus Game" by Blue Hawaii, the lyrics explore the emotional struggle of moving on from past relationships and the fear of opening oneself up to love again. The opening lines, "Feels like I can't forget / Every time I try to love again," express the lingering memories and emotional baggage that make it difficult for the singer to move forward. They have been hurt before and have built protective barriers around themselves, referring to it as the "versus game." Despite this, the repetition of "I'm with you" reveals a simultaneous longing to be with someone and a hesitation to fully surrender to love.
The lyrics further delve into the desire for a partner who continuously keeps the spark alive and leaves them wanting more. The line "Feels like what everybody's searching for / Is someone who'll always keep them wanting more" expresses the longing for a deep and lasting connection. However, the following line, "How many more times can be a touch," acknowledges the fear of repeating past mistakes and falling in love only to end up looking back with regret. It highlights the inner conflict of wanting love but also being wary of the potential pain that may come with it.
The second half of the lyrics bring forth a sense of resignation and acceptance. The singer acknowledges that they cannot give themselves fully again, indicating past wounds that still haunt them. They mention "putting out the flame" and letting the rain, which metaphorically suggests extinguishing any remaining passion and accepting the loss. The line "I will miss you, yeah, I'll miss you" portrays a bittersweet sentiment, recognizing the absence and longing for an emotional connection while also acknowledging the need to move on.
Overall, "Versus Game" explores the internal struggle of finding love after emotional trauma, the conflict between wanting to be open to love and the fear of repeating past mistakes. The lyrics capture the complex emotions of vulnerability, hesitation, longing, and acceptance that arise when navigating the complexities of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Feels like I can't forget
I constantly have this lingering feeling that I can't erase from my mind.
Every time I try to love again
Whenever I attempt to open my heart to love once more.
'Cause I've protect the versus game
Because I have been guarding myself in this game of emotional defenses.
'Cause I'm with you
Because I am still connected to you.
I'm still with you
My attachment to you remains intact.
'Cause I'm with you
Because I am still by your side.
Yeah, I'm with you
Yes, I am here with you.
I am with you
I am present and connected to you.
Yeah, I'm with you
Yes, I am still here with you.
Feels like what everybody's searching for
It seems that everyone is seeking for something.
Is someone who'll always keep them wanting more
They desire someone who will consistently leave them yearning for more.
How many more times can be a touch
How many times can a mere physical contact have significance.
Fell in love once, forever keep on looking back
If we fall in love once, we will always find ourselves nostalgic about it.
(Forever keep on looking back)
(Continuously reminiscing about the past)
And I'm without regrets
I have no remorse or sorrow.
Baby, I can't give myself again
Darling, I am unable to offer myself emotionally once more.
Put out the flame, and let the rain
Extinguish the passion and allow the rain to cleanse our emotions.
I will miss you
I will feel nostalgia for your presence.
Yeah, I'll miss you
Yes, I will certainly yearn for you.
Feels like what everybody's searching for
It seems that everyone is seeking for something.
Is someone who'll always keep them wanting more
They desire someone who will consistently leave them yearning for more.
How many more times can be a touch
How many times can a mere physical contact have significance.
Fell in love once, forever keep on looking back
If we fall in love once, we will always find ourselves nostalgic about it.
(Looking, forever keep on looking back)
(Constantly reminiscing about the past)
(Looking, looking)
(Continuously searching)
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Alexander W. Cowan, Raphaelle Standell Preston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
José Poblete
Estoy enamorado, ansioso y expectante al estreno oficial y completo del disco completo 💙💖
warberg80
That song deserves a lot more fame! And what a beautiful vid.
Andrey Mahev
Классная песня, как и практически весь альбом.
Яркая, запоминающаяся, искренняя.
Однозначно нравится!
Bendage
god i love this song and band so much! Raph is truly an inspiration to me <3
Sixkilla66
After watching this music video I'm pretty sure I have grown immortal and no longer need to consume food. Thanks blue Hawaii for being too legit to quit 24/7 :')
Autumn
Your music is magic to my soul <3
Sunshine
I'm so proud of y'all ! Dam! xx
Carlos Om
Saw you guys in LA's Moroccan Lounge and in Mexico City... I love your music sooooo much!
SoundXplorers
Emocionado porque vienen a México!!!!!!
Luis García
while I'm working I love listening to this song relaxes me too.