Current members of Blue October include Justin Furstenfeld (lead vocals), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin/viola, mandolin, keyboards, and vocals), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums, percussion), Matt Noveskey (bass guitar) and Will Knaak (guitar).
Popularized by their platinum-certified album Foiled (2006), which features the hit singles “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean,” the group has continued to evolve… shifting from a far more pensive sound to one that is more optimistic and reflective of lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Justin Furstenfeld’s transformation—which will also be the focus of his soon-to-be-released documentary film, I Want It.
Once known for their stormy dynamic and self-destructive tendencies, Blue October couldn’t be more distinct from the band it once was, which is why their latest studio album, I Hope You’re Happy, looks to push the envelope even further with a whole new approach. Justin Furstenfeld is quoted as saying "I think Blue October should never be limited to the instruments we have in the band. I’m always about bringing in whoever can play what’s best for the song in. I’m also a huge fan of Peter Gabriel, and if you were to him all you can have is a guitarist a bassist and a drummer, he’d go “what?!” That’s how I feel. We took all the tools we had gotten from working all these kinds of people over the twenty-year span and made a really good album and we’re super proud of it. It’s nice and colorful and positive and universally themed. It’s something you can really sink your teeth into and not get sick of. You can always discover little new secrets about it along the way."
Their latest album, I Hope You're Happy, was released on August 17, 2018 on the band's own Up/Down Records label and was produced by Justin Furstenfeld and engineer Eric Holtz.
Previous band members have included Liz Mulally, Brant Coulter, Dwayne Casey, Piper Dagnino, Julian Mandrake, CB Hudson and Matthew Ostrander.
Blue October has an official site www.blueoctober.com/.
For the British band, please see Blue October UK
18th Floor Balcony
Blue October Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I smile, knowing that everything is alright
To the core, so close that door
Is this happening?
My breath is on your hair, I'm unaware
That you opened the blinds and let the city in
God, you held my hand
Just taking in everything
And I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
So we talked about mom's and dad's
About family pasts
Just getting to know where we came from
Our hearts were on display
For all to see
I can't believe this is happening to me
And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours
That I was so yours for the taking
I'm so yours for the taking
That's when I felt the wind pick up
I grabbed the rail while choking up
These words to say and then you kissed me
I knew it from the start
My arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
And I'll try to sleep
To keep you in my dreams
'Til I can bring you home with me
I'll try to sleep
And when I do I'll keep you in my, dreams
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
So here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, yeah
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
No, we're not going to sleep, sleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, we're both
Flying away
The lyrics to “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October tell a story of a moment between two people, standing on the balcony of an 18th floor building, reflecting on their past and present. The singer highlights their connection by stating that they knew it from the start and that they are willing to open themselves up to the other person. As they stand on the balcony, surrounded by the city lights, they discuss past experiences and try to understand where the other person came from. They are in awe of each other's presence and share a deep connection.
The use of sensory details throughout the song adds depth to the emotions being portrayed. The reference to the breath on the hair, the wind picking up, and the smell of the air all emphasize a heightened sense of awareness to the moment. The song also portrays intimacy without being overly explicit. Instead, the lyrics derive their power from the raw emotions expressed by the singer.
The overall meaning of the song is up for interpretation, but it primarily explores the discovery of a deep, emotional connection between two people. It captures the excitement and vulnerability that comes with opening up to someone, making oneself vulnerable in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
I close my eyes
The singer is about to experience a moment of bliss.
And I smile, knowing that everything is alright
The singer is content and at peace with the world.
To the core, so close that door
The singer is so at ease that they need to shut out distractions.
Is this happening?
The artist is questioning how good things seem to be going.
My breath is on your hair, I'm unaware
The artist is so comfortable that they are not keeping track of their own actions.
That you opened the blinds and let the city in
The singer's companion is helping them to see the world in a new light.
God, you held my hand
The singer feels close to their companion in a spiritual way.
And we stand
The artist and their companion are taking a moment to appreciate their unity.
Just taking in everything
The artist and their companion are in awe of the world around them.
And I knew it from the start
The artist has been aware that this moment was coming for some time.
So my arms are open wide
The singer wants to embrace this moment fully.
Your head is on my stomach
The artist's companion is physically close to them.
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
The singer and their companion are so content that they are struggling to stay awake.
Here we are
The singer and their companion are in a state of pure bliss.
On this 18th floor balcony
The singer and their companion are physically elevated above the world, experiencing something special.
We're both, flying away
The artist and their companion are experiencing a moment of transcendence.
So we talked about mom's and dad's
The artist and their companion have been discussing their personal histories.
About family pasts
The singer and their companion are sharing stories about their family backgrounds.
Just getting to know where we came from
The singer and their companion are building a deep understanding of each other's pasts.
Our hearts were on display
The artist and their companion were being vulnerable with each other.
For all to see
The artist and their companion were not trying to hide their emotional connection.
I can't believe this is happening to me
The artist is in disbelief that they are experiencing something so meaningful.
And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours
The singer is re-affirming their commitment to their companion.
That I was so yours for the taking
The artist is expressing their willingness to give themselves fully to their companion.
That's when I felt the wind pick up
The singer is becoming more aware of their own emotions.
I grabbed the rail while choking up
The singer is experiencing strong emotions that are difficult to control.
These words to say and then you kissed me
The singer is so overwhelmed by emotion that they cannot speak - they are only able to express themselves physically.
And I'll try to sleep
The artist is not ready to let go of the moment.
To keep you in my dreams
The artist wants to hold onto the memory of this moment.
'Til I can bring you home with me
The singer wants to continue this connection even when they are not physically together.
No, we're not going to sleep, sleep
The singer is in such an ecstatic state that they do not want to let it end.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHARLES BRITTON III HUDSON, JUSTIN S FURSTENFELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BlizzardBeaches
on Congratulations
Spent many nights in 2006 crying myself to sleep listening to this song from Blue October's Foiled album. Although different than the interpreted mean, It helped me realize that often times a relationship is dead long before it's over.