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.
Yours to Keep
Blue Hawaii Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lost so hard I weep
Felt like it's over my head
Can't say I like this
Say this what you want
Make them go down south
Staying is a choice
Moving to the south
The ring is underground
And I can feel it all around
I know it's over
Then I can feel it in my head
It's all takes longer once again
I know it's so like this
Saying is a choice to keep
It's open to mind now, to keep
Saying is a choice to keep
Snakes inside the mouth, yours to keep
Staying you'll just give up, yours to keep, give up
Women, women love them, love them
Feelings falling, ever
Saying you'll just give up, give up
Love me, love me, no tire
Please don't, please don't give up
Yours to keep
Yours to keep
All done, all done, all done
The lyrics to "Yours to Keep" by Blue Hawaii convey a sense of surrender and acceptance in a romantic relationship. The opening lines suggest a willingness to commit, as the singer declares, "Let me know I am yours to keep." However, there is a hint of vulnerability and pain, as they mention losing so hard they weep. It feels like the situation has become overwhelming, but they can't say they enjoy it.
The following lines, "Make them go down south, Staying is a choice, Moving to the south," could be interpreted in a couple of ways. "Going down south" may refer to escaping or running away from the current situation. It implies that staying or leaving is a conscious decision, but there is uncertainty about which choice to make.
The second verse introduces the idea of an underground ring, which could symbolize a hidden or secret aspect of the relationship. The singer can sense its presence all around, and they know it's over. This realization brings a feeling of heaviness and lengthening of time.
The chorus repeats the idea that staying or giving up is a choice, and the singer seems conflicted. There is a mention of "snakes inside the mouth," which can be interpreted as deception or betrayal within the relationship. The repeated mantra of "yours to keep" suggests a desire for commitment and ownership, but it also implies a sense of resignation or surrender.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of tension between wanting to hold on and the fear of letting go. It explores the complexities and uncertainties of romantic relationships, ultimately leaving the listener with a feeling of ambiguity and introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me know I am yours to keep
Please assure me that I belong to you and you will not let me go
I lost so hard I weep
I suffered a great loss and it brings me to tears
Felt like it's over my head
It feels overwhelming and beyond my understanding
Can't say I like this
I am unable to express my fondness for this situation
Say this what you want
You can verbalize your desires
Make them go down south
Influence others to move towards the southern region
Staying is a choice
Continuing to remain here is a decision
Moving to the south
Relocating towards the southern region
The ring is underground
The symbol of commitment is hidden or obscured
And I can feel it all around
I sense its presence in my surroundings
I know it's over
I am aware that it has come to an end
Then I can feel it in my head
I experience its impact within my mind
It's all takes longer once again
The duration seems extended as it repeats
I know it's so like this
I understand that it is similar to this situation
Saying is a choice to keep
Expressing oneself is a decision to hold on
It's open to mind now, to keep
It is now apparent and present in one's thoughts, to hold on
Saying is a choice to keep
Expressing oneself is a decision to hold on
Snakes inside the mouth, yours to keep
Having hidden deceit or treachery, all of it belongs to you
Staying you'll just give up, yours to keep, give up
If you continue to remain, you will simply surrender and it will all be yours, to give up
Women, women love them, love them
Females, females, people adore them, adore them
Feelings falling, ever
Emotions declining continuously
Saying you'll just give up, give up
Promising to just let go, let go
Love me, love me, no tire
Express affection towards me, endlessly
Please don't, please don't give up
Kindly refrain from surrendering
Yours to keep
You have the ownership and responsibility
All done, all done, all done
Everything is finished, completely done
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Alexander W. Cowan, Raphaelle Standell Preston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind