Originally hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Civil Twilight is a power trio that draws parallels with Pilot Speed and is especially known for their similar sound to early U2, Muse, Jeff Buckley, and Radiohead. Their music has been described as having impassioned vocals and stirring, alt-rock songcraft. Brothers Andrew and Steven McKellar were raised in a musical household, having explored their father's jazz collection at a young age while listening to their classically trained mother play piano. In November 1996, Andrew launched a teenaged band with help from his high school classmate, guitarist Richard Wouters. The two scheduled an inaugural rehearsal for the following month; in the interim, Andrew discovered that his younger brother, Steven, could sing and write songs. The three musicians subsequently banded together, with Steven agreeing to master the bass and Wouters giving up the guitar (which Andrew also played) to learn drums.
Their songs have been featured in many TV spots, including One Tree Hill and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. "Quiet In My Town" was prominently featured at the end of Season 6 Episode 3 Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. of One Tree Hill on The CW Network. It played for 6 minutes during the coda – the scene of Quentin's funeral. They have also had songs on Vampire Diaries and the movie, "Underworld: Awakening". "Letters From The Sky" was featured at the end of Episode 11 of Harper's Island, after Wakefield kills Cal and Chloe commits suicide. In addition to this, the song was also featured on Season 7 of One Tree Hill, in the opening scene of the episode, You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son. The song has also featured at the end of the film I Am Number Four.
www.civiltwilightband.com
Holy Weather
Civil Twilight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the edge of ourselves
This is the beginning of the end
Took her hand
And walked her through
Took her hand
And walked her into the blue
Into that blue
So we walked on water
And crossed the fields
Of burning sand
But the further we went,
The the more we became
What we couldn't understand
I was drifting further away
She was lost like a breeze
In a hurricane
A hurricane
You know I've got you
In my blood-stream
You know that no matter
How loud I scream,
I still hear your voice in my head
You are the fire burning solo
You are the wind
In between the snow
I can't escape you
I can't escape
Go back, go back
Find yourself a train track
It's not too late to go home
Passion is this weight
On my shoulders
Passion is this weight
On my shoulders
Passion is this weight
On my shoulders
Passion is this weight
On my shoulders
So why did you follow me
Into this den
When all the bluest stars
Paint your name
In a sky of black
You must go back
I told you that I've got you
In my blood-stream
I told you that no matter
How loud I scream,
I still hear your voice in my head
You are the fire burning solo
You are the wind
In between the snow
I can't escape you
I can't escape you, oh
(Passion is this weight
On my shoulders)
The song begins with a contemplation of mortality as the singer describes their journey to the end of themselves. The lyrics create a sense of finality, suggesting a coming to terms with one's own mortality. As the singer takes the hand of an unknown person, the song enters into a dreamlike state, as the two walk into the blue. The blue could represent the idea of the afterlife or even a symbol of freedom or transcendence.
The tone shifts, and the lyrics become a metaphorical representation of life's journey. The journey becomes more challenging as the two face obstacles such as walking on water or crossing burning sands. Yet, as they go further, they also become more self-aware, understanding things they could not comprehend previously. The singer becomes lost, losing sight of their journey, while their companion seems to be free and wild like a hurricane.
As the lyrics progress, the singer's preoccupation with the individual they walked hand in hand resurfaces. They describe how they cannot escape the other person, and they remain in their blood-stream despite loud screams. The song's refrain speaks to the imprint this person has left on their life, painting their name in the black sky of stars.
Overall, the song's central theme revolves around the weight of passion and love and how it shapes life and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the final journey
We are reaching the end of our journey
To the edge of ourselves
We are exploring the outer limits of who we are as people
This is the beginning of the end
Our journey is coming to a close
Took her hand
We shared an intimate moment
And walked her through
We experienced something together
Took her hand
We shared an intimate moment
And walked her into the blue
We entered into the unknown
Into that blue
Into the unknown
So we walked on water
We achieved the impossible
And crossed the fields
We overcame obstacles
Of burning sand
Through difficult terrain
But the further we went,
The more we progressed
The the more we became
We transformed
What we couldn't understand
We did not comprehend the changes
I was drifting further away
I was losing my way
She was lost like a breeze
She was confused and unsure
In a hurricane
In a chaotic situation
You know I've got you
I will always be there for you
In my blood-stream
You are part of who I am
You know that no matter
I will always be there for you
How loud I scream,
No matter how much I struggle
I still hear your voice in my head
I cannot forget you
You are the fire burning solo
You are fierce and independent
You are the wind
You are elusive and intangible
In between the snow
In a cold and barren environment
I can't escape you
You are always with me
Go back, go back
It's time to turn around
Find yourself a train track
Find a way to return home
It's not too late to go home
There is still time to turn back
Passion is this weight
Our intense emotions are heavy
On my shoulders
They are a burden to carry
So why did you follow me
Why did you choose to come with me
Into this den
Into danger and uncertainty
When all the bluest stars
When there were other safe options
Paint your name
Destined for greatness
In a sky of black
In a dark and ominous world
You must go back
It's time to turn around
I told you that I've got you
You can always count on me
You are the fire burning solo
You are strong and independent
I can't escape you, oh
You are always on my mind
(Passion is this weight
Our intense emotions are heavy
On my shoulders)
They are a burden to carry
Lyrics © WIND-UP PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW MCKELLAR, RICHARD WOUTERS, STEPHEN MCKELLAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind