Circulatory System, founded by Will Cullen Hart, John Fernandes, and Peter … Read Full Bio ↴Circulatory System, founded by Will Cullen Hart, John Fernandes, and Peter Erchick after the 1999 break-up of The Olivia Tremor Control, make dense, psychedelic noise pop rife with harmony. Other contributors include Heather McIntosh of The Instruments, Hannah Jones of The New Sound of Numbers, Alexis Daglis and Jeff Tobias of Bomb the Music Industry! and of Montreal, Robbee Cucchiaro of Nana Grizol and The Music Tapes, Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel, Eric Harris of Elf Power, and Derek Almstead of M Coast.

How Long?
Circulatory System Lyrics

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how long?
will we ride in the sky
if we take our advice from the sun?
how long? just to find once inside
that the universe is so small
look back, on the things in your lives
and take some advice
from the stars...

you never knew, you didn't know it was coming

all we are is fingers on a reaching hand
towards the sky, below the sea

Overall Meaning

The song "How Long?" by Circulatory System speaks about the vastness and mystery of the universe. The opening questions, "How long? Will we ride in the sky if we take our advice from the sun?" prompt the listener to contemplate their place in the world and the limitlessness of space. Continuing on, the lyrics suggest that upon exploring the depths of the universe, we may find that it is not as expansive as we once thought - "how long? just to find once inside that the universe is so small". The idea that we are mere "fingers on a reaching hand towards the sky, below the sea" underscores the theme of insignificance in the grand scheme of things.

Throughout the song, there is a suggestion to look to the stars and the universe for guidance, as they hold secrets and knowledge that humans may not possess. It is a reflection on the beauty of the universe and a reminder to appreciate and seek knowledge from the world around us.

Line by Line Meaning

how long?
How much time will pass before we discover the answer?

will we ride in the sky
Is it possible for us to soar through the air like birds?

if we take our advice from the sun?
If we learn from the brightest star in our sky, will we find wisdom?

how long? just to find once inside
How much time do we need to see what's inside us?

that the universe is so small
We'll realize the universe isn't as big as we once thought.

look back, on the things in your lives
Reflect on your past to gain insight.

and take some advice
Consider the wisdom of others.

from the stars...
The stars hold secrets and lessons for us to learn.

you never knew, you didn't know it was coming
Surprises in life can catch us unaware.

all we are is fingers on a reaching hand
We're all parts of a larger whole, stretching out towards growth.

towards the sky, below the sea
We're reaching towards two different worlds - the unknown and the familiar.