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
River
Civil Twilight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't stop loving me)
I never had a chance, babe
My soul was chained and locked away
But some sort of miracle
Found me on that lonely day
Never thought it would be this easy
I would hear myself say
I'm running free, I'm running wild
I'm running like a river child
I'm running free, I'm running wild
(Don't stop loving me
Don't stop loving me)
Somewhere in the darkness
Somewhere in the distance
A voice is being born
From the life in your kiss
And all the valleys that were in my way
Led me to this day
Led me to this day
I'm feeling this way
I'm running free, I'm running wild
I'm running like a river child
I'm running free, I'm running wild
Somewhere in the morning
I feel a heat falling over me
Don't move your hand away
Without it I would surely break
Without it I would surely break
Somewhere in the morning
I feel a heat falling over me
The man that couldn't run
Is moving like a blazing sun
Like a blazing sun
I'm feeling this way
I'm running free, I'm running wild
I'm running like a river child
I'm running free, I'm running wild
Don't stop loving me
Don't stop loving me, no
Don't stop loving me
Don't stop loving me, no
Don't stop loving me
Don't stop loving me, no
Don't stop loving me
Don't stop loving me
The lyrics of "River" by Civil Twilight seem to speak about an individual who has found freedom after being lost for a long time. The first verse expresses a sense of captivity, where the singer acknowledges that their soul was locked away, and they did not believe that they would ever be able to break free from this state. However, a miracle occurred, represented by an unknown force that managed to break the chains of captivity and allow the individual to experience freedom. The lines "I'm running free, I'm running wild, I'm running like a river child" show that this newfound freedom feels like a release of pent-up energy, with the individual living life to the fullest.
The chorus of "Don't stop loving me" acts as a plea, begging whoever is listening to continue showing love to the singer. Love here could represent the force that allowed the chains to break, the reason why the individual can run free and wild. Continuing to receive love is essential for the singer not to regress and become enslaved by that which once held them captive.
In the second verse, there is the mention of the darkness and the distance. The line "A voice is being born from the life in your kiss" could represent a literal kiss that the individual received, or it could be a metaphor for the kindness and love shown to the singer. This kindness has made all the difference, which is embodied in the lines, "And all the valleys that were in my way, led me to this day." The valleys represent the challenges and obstacles that the individual had to overcome to be where they are now.
Overall, the song seems to capture the transitional period where an individual has finally broken free from something that once held them back, and they are experiencing newfound happiness and liberation. It is a call on the listener to continue showing love even in this new phase of their life because it is essential to maintaining that feeling of freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
I never had a chance, babe
My life was predetermined by circumstances that I couldn't control
My soul was chained and locked away
I felt trapped and unable to experience any true freedom
But some sort of miracle
Something happened that was unexpected and lifted me out of my funk
Found me on that lonely day
I was feeling isolated and disconnected, but then this amazing thing happened
Never thought it would be this easy
I never anticipated that my life could turn around so quickly and seamlessly
Never thought I would hear myself say
I never imagined that I could feel so much joy and happiness
I'm running free, I'm running wild
I'm finally breaking free from my past and living life to the fullest
I'm running like a river child
I'm filled with energy and vitality
Somewhere in the darkness
During my darkest moments, there was still hope
Somewhere in the distance
Even though it seemed far away, there was still a glimmer of light
A voice is being born
My heart is being filled with new emotions and experiences
From the life in your kiss
This new chapter of my life is due to a person I love and care about
And all the valleys that were in my way
All the struggles and challenges I faced led me to where I am today
Led me to this day
Every step of the way was necessary to bring me to my current state of happiness
Somewhere in the morning
A new day is dawning, full of new possibilities
I feel a heat falling over me
I'm filled with an overwhelming sense of warmth and optimism
Don't move your hand away
I need this person to stay with me to maintain this feeling of happiness
Without it I would surely break
Without this love and connection, I fear I would fall apart
The man that couldn't run
I used to feel stuck and trapped, but not anymore
Is moving like a blazing sun
I'm filled with energy and power, like the sun
Don't stop loving me
This love is everything to me, and I can't imagine life without it
Don't stop loving me, no
This love is too important to me, and I never want it to end
Don't stop loving me
This love has changed my life for the better, and I want it to continue
Don't stop loving me, no
I'm begging you to never stop loving me, as it is my lifeline
Don't stop loving me
This love is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I don't want it to go away
Don't stop loving me
Without this love, I fear I would go back to feeling trapped and unhappy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN HEYWARD III ALLEN, KEVIN DAILEY, ANDREW MCKELLAR, STEVE MCKELLAR, RICHARD WOUTERS, Benjamin Allen, Steven McKellar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xTaymay
Don't know why or how this band isn't more popular? They are WONDERFUL. "Holy Weather" is a beautiful album - seriously, if you haven't yet, check it out. You won't regret it.
@SJGirlinSC
This song is so beautiful I can't get enough-thank you so much Civil Twilight for embracing my ears with the genius you bring in your music!!!!!! hope to see you live in Philly
@bringthedarth
This song deserves more views, but it's good to see some people discovered it.
@SJGirlinSC
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I can’t get enough of this band. Incredible talent, perfect lyrics all the time. Big fan over here in New Jersey. Thank you so much for the music. You are on my iHeartRadio!
@myc339029
I've loved this band for so long I can't believe they haven't become popular
@andrewhughes7439
My dad showed me this song like 10 years ago when I was In high school, we used to smoke and just listen to music lol. I can't believe they haven't totally blown up. So much talent
@VeneraBerens-df8cb
YOU HAVE A COOL DAD BLESSINGS WHEREVER YOU ARE NOW AND ALWAYS
@Fredryk18
How is this band so low-profile? They're amazing!
@carlosmartinez4811
Because the entertainment industry is controlled. You have to be initiated into their sick religion to become 'famous' in this world
@Caballinus
This band is beyond amazing.... What I would do to go to one of their shows!