Garneau, a native of Boston, lived with his family in Paris during grade school, and later New Jersey before moving to New York City. Garneau discovered a love of music at a young age while learning to play piano. After high school, Garneau briefly attended Berklee Music School in Boston, but left after completing one term and moved to Brooklyn, NY. There he began writing music and playing live shows at small venues in the East Village and Lower East Side of Manhattan, including CBGB's Gallery and "The Living Room".
Garneau eventually signed with Absolutely Kosher Records, an Emeryville, California-based record label. He was brought to the label by Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy of Xiu Xiu. Garneau released his debut album Music for Tourists in October 2006 and on iTunes in January 2007. His second project, an EP titled "C-Sides", was released in December 2007. Garneau's second full-length album, titled "El Radio," was released in July 2009.
Blackout
Chris Garneau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While we were sleeping
Heat rushed in, heat rushed in
The fan stopped, the fan stopped
Oh oh oh oh
Flashlights in delis
Drinking on the street
And it never ever will be too damn late
To run inside the market place
I, I'll be quiet, then
And you do all of the talking
when we're walking
Thoughts rush in, those thoughts rush in
The heart stops, the heart stops
Oh oh oh oh
Flashlights in delis
Drinking on the street
All the lights are out in New York City
And it never ever will be too damn late
To run inside the market place
And it never ever will be too damn late
To run inside the market place
I sit by the window and I watch all of the little
Rain drops, rain drops
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
The song "Blackout" by Chris Garneau is a hauntingly beautiful track that appears to be about a literal blackout in New York City. The singer starts by admitting that they were joking about some mean things while they were sleeping. This is followed by a rush of heat and the fan stopping. The imagery of the heat rushing in and the fan stopping could be interpreted as a metaphor for a sudden loss of control or a breakdown in communication.
The second verse seems to depict the aftermath of the blackout. The singer talks about people drinking on the street and using flashlights in delis. This creates a sense of both chaos and camaraderie. The line "All the lights are out in New York City" is particularly striking because New York is so often associated with bright lights and energy. The fact that the lights are out creates a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. The singer then suggests that it's never too late to seek shelter in the market place. This could be interpreted as a call to seek safety in community and human connection during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I was kidding about the mean things
I said things I didn't mean and I was only joking
While we were sleeping
During the time when we were resting
Heat rushed in, heat rushed in
The temperature suddenly rose
The fan stopped, the fan stopped
The device that cools the air no longer functions
Flashlights in delis
People using emergency lights in convenience stores
Drinking on the street
Consuming alcoholic beverages while outside
All the lights are out in New York City
The power is out in the entire city
And it never ever will be too damn late
It's never too late to take action
To run inside the market place
To seek shelter in a store
I, I'll be quiet, then
I'll stop talking
And you do all of the talking
You can do all the speaking
when we're walking
While we're strolling
Thoughts rush in, those thoughts rush in
Ideas flood my mind
The heart stops, the heart stops
The pumping organ that circulates blood ceases function
I sit by the window and I watch all of the little
I'm observing the small
Rain drops, rain drops
Precipitation falling from the sky
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JudithsNoose
I love Chris Garneau with a passion :3 His voice.. Just... Wow..
victor sevillano
I just love this song.
BARRI JILL ZAHN & The Black Katt Brigade
your songs are like flowers that grow in the soul that will never die
Emily Nelson
this song is amazing :) i cant stop hitting replay ;3
Chrysa Memory
Your songs sound like lullaby to my ears...
Rodney King
Oh! A Chris song I HAVEN'T heard! This should be a treat! :D
Nicogerone ElFrauín
LOVE THIS
rrr mj
This song is so beautiful oh my goodness....
Ania Thomas
<3 Goes out for anyone hurting <3
Jamie Meredith
Beautiful