“When we met, Lucy and Phoebe and I were in similar places in our lives and our musical endeavours, but also had similar attitudes toward music that engendered an immediate affinity”, says Baker. “Lucy and Phoebe are incredibly gifted performers, and I am a fan of their art outside of being their friends, but they are also both very wise, discerning and kind people whom I look up to in character as much as in talent."
On January 18, 2023, the trio announced their debut album the record and released three singles: "$20", "Emily I'm Sorry", and "True Blue", followed by the single "Not Strong Enough" on March 1. the record was released on March 31. the record was followed by their third EP, the rest, released on October 13, 2023.
Voyager
Boygenius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blacktop is meltin' on our shoes
And I don't mean to make it all about me
But I used to believe no one could love you like I do
And I'm startin' to think that it might be impossible not to
There are days spent tangled up together
And sometimes you let me read your mind
When you stepped on the gas and you asked if I'm ready to die
You thought I'd never leave and I let you believe you were right
Walking alone in the city
Makes me feel like a man on the moon
Every small step I took was so easy
But I never imagined a dot quite as pale or as blue
You took it from me but I would've given it to you
The lyrics to Boygenius's song "Voyager" capture the complex emotions and dynamics within a relationship, specifically exploring themes of love, dependency, and vulnerability.
In the first verse, the singer describes a scorching hot day in the Valley, where the blacktop is melting on their shoes. This setting establishes a seemingly mundane and uncomfortable environment, mirroring the challenges within the relationship. The singer admits that they don't want to make everything about themselves, but confesses that they used to believe that their love was unparalleled. However, they begin to question this belief, suggesting that it might actually be impossible for someone else to love their partner as deeply as they do. This hints at their growing realization that their love may not be as unique or irreplaceable as they once thought.
The second verse delves into the intricacies of the relationship, highlighting the contrasting moments of intimacy and detachment. There are days when they feel intimately connected, as if they can almost read each other's thoughts. However, there are also nights when their connection seems to fade, and their partner claims to have no memory of certain events. This speaks to the inconsistency and unpredictability within the relationship. The singer mentions a specific incident where their partner asked if they were ready to die while stepping on the gas, indicating a reckless and potentially dangerous moment. Despite this, they admit that they allowed their partner to believe they would never leave, reinforcing the idea of dependency and potentially unhealthy attachment.
In the third verse, the singer describes the experience of walking alone in the city, comparing it to feeling like a solitary figure on the moon. This metaphor emphasizes the isolation and detachment they feel when disconnected from their partner. Each small step they take seems effortless, but they never anticipated encountering something as delicate and fragile as a pale blue dot. This phrase refers to Earth, a representation of their love and vulnerability. The singer reveals that their partner took this fragile love away from them, although they would have willingly given it away if asked. This showcases an unbalanced power dynamic in the relationship, where the singer is willing to sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of their partner's desires.
In summary, "Voyager" portrays the complexities of a relationship through its exploration of love, dependency, and vulnerability. It delves into the singer's growing realization that their love may not be as unique as they once believed. The lyrics also highlight the contrasting moments of intimacy and detachment within the relationship, referencing potentially dangerous situations and the singer's act of allowing their partner to believe they would never leave. The metaphor of walking alone in the city reflects the sense of isolation and fragility the singer experiences when disconnected from their partner, culminating in the revelation that their partner took away their vulnerability, despite the singer's willingness to give it away.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a hundred and three in the Valley
The temperature is extremely hot in the valley.
Blacktop is meltin' on our shoes
The pavement is so hot that it is causing the shoes to melt.
And I don't mean to make it all about me
I don't intend to make everything centered around myself.
But I used to believe no one could love you like I do
In the past, I had the belief that nobody could love you as profoundly as I do.
And I'm startin' to think that it might be impossible not to
Now, I'm beginning to consider that it may be impossible for someone not to love you.
There are days spent tangled up together
We have spent days wrapped up and intertwined with each other.
And sometimes you let me read your mind
Occasionally, you grant me the ability to understand your thoughts without verbal communication.
Then there are nights you say you don't remember
However, there are nights when you claim to have no recollection.
When you stepped on the gas and you asked if I'm ready to die
During one of those nights, you accelerated and questioned if I am prepared for the possibility of death.
You thought I'd never leave and I let you believe you were right
You had the assumption that I would never depart, and I allowed you to maintain that belief.
Walking alone in the city
Strolling by myself through the city streets
Makes me feel like a man on the moon
The experience evokes a sensation of being an isolated figure in an unfamiliar place.
Every small step I took was so easy
Each insignificant movement I made felt incredibly effortless.
But I never imagined a dot quite as pale or as blue
Yet, I never envisioned an object as tiny and lacking color as the Earth seen from a distance.
You took it from me but I would've given it to you
You took away that feeling of insignificance, but I would have willingly bestowed it upon you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christian Lee Hutson, Conor M. Oberst, Julien Rose Baker, Lucy Elizabeth Dacus, Marshall Kenneth Vore, Phoebe Lucille Bridgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@foxeykt
“i used to believe no one could love you like i do and i’m starting think that it might be impossible not to” just pushed out the tears i didn’t think i had
@liminalum
do you think that by that phoebe meant that it might be impossible that someone could love that person as much as she does or that its impossible to NOT love that person as much as she does?
@human5879
@@liminalumpersonally I think the second, that feeling when you love some one so much and then you look around and realise everybody else does too and youre not special for loving them.
@human5879
That they were the special one not you
@foxeykt
@@human5879 yeah that
@andrezui0
This is the most solid line in the EP. Probably one of Phoebe's best.
@theRealYourMom.
this is genuinely one of the most sad but beautiful boygenius songs yet i’ll never get over this 😭😭😭
@evergenshin
The line about walking alone in the city feeling like a man on the moon tore me inside out. Loneliness really does feel like being stranded in outer space
@human5879
It's almost like waking up when you were younger and knowing you where the only one awake. there's fear and loneliness yet you feel peaceful and content in the silence
@nsfjojo
So much edge here omg wow so edgy. You're living in the most connected society in the known history of society with technical marvels only dreamt of just 100 years ago and yet, you're lonely. Go figure. Can't please them all I suppose.