Cutting his teeth in underground bands American Nightmare (Give Up The Ghost) and Some Girls, Eisold's body of work has truly affected a generation of listeners. Through constant cross-pollination Eisold has gained mass appeal, influencing underground and popular culture with his ever evolving artistic vision.
With an already prolific number of releases, Cold Cave has become a name synonymous with the contemporary resurgence of Darkwave and Synth Pop sub-genres. Propelling Cold Cave to perform at world class museums The Getty and the Guggenheim, as well as performances with legends Sonic Youth, The Jesus and Mary Chain, among others.
Icons of Summer
Cold Cave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I live in a city with no seasons or passions at all
It's awful
Trouble sleeping
The curse of feeling
Everything and nothing ever at all
You're awful
Love will come easy with a face like that
You'll never have to spend another single night alone
Oh, years will disappear with a pain like that
You will find yourself alone again, alone, oh ho
I
I don't wanna die until a little light inside is found
Every time I lift my eyes the sun is going down
Code in conversation
In a crowded club
A crippled congregation
Impatience
Morning stars been shedding light on
Sleeping, shame on
I'm cold, I'm dirty
I'm thirty
Love will come easy with a face like that
You'll never have to spend another shape or night alone
The years will disappear with a face like that
You will find yourself alone again, alone, oh ho, oh ho
I
I don't wanna die until a little light inside is found
Every time I lift my eyes the sun is going down
I can't keep falling, I can't keep falling
I can't keep falling down
My feet keep slipping
My head keep tripping
The ground keeps giving out
Icons
Icons of summer
I
I don't wanna die until a little light inside is found
Every time I lift my eyes the sun is going down
I can't keep falling, I can't keep falling
I can't keep falling down
My feet keep slipping
My head keep tripping
The ground keeps giving out
In Cold Cave's song "Icons of Summer," the lyrics suggest a theme of hopelessness and loneliness in a city that lacks seasons and passions. The opening lines emphasize a change in seasons and passions but the singer is stuck in a city where neither exist; this creates a sense of entrapment and longing for something more. The following lines discuss the struggle of insomnia and the overwhelming feeling of everything and nothing at the same time. The use of the phrase "you're awful" could refer to oneself, the city, or even an unknown external force.
The next verse speaks on the contrast between the hopelessness and the potential for love. The lyrics suggest that someone with a beautiful face could easily find love and not feel alone, whereas the singer is left alone again with their pain. The lyrics also continue to express the desire for a "little light inside" to be found before death, and the constant reminder that time is slipping away as the sun sets every time the singer lifts their eyes.
The final lines of the song mention "Icons of Summer," which could refer to moments or memories that are meant to be happy and memorable but are lost in the struggles of life. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of desperation and longing for something more in life, while feeling stuck in a city and a life that lacks passion and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Seasons change and passions change
The natural cycle of changing seasons and personal interests no longer exist in my life.
But I live in a city with no seasons or passions at all
I reside in a place that lacks any sense of noticeable change or emotion, creating feelings of discontent.
It's awful
The experience is unpleasant and undesirable.
Trouble sleeping
Difficulty with resting and finding peace at night.
The curse of feeling
The negative consequence of having emotions.
Everything and nothing ever at all
A sense of ambiguity and confusion exists due to the conflicting emotions and lack of clear direction.
You're awful
The state of feeling overwhelmed and negative leads to a sense of self-loathing.
Love will come easy with a face like that
Attractiveness makes it easier to find romantic partners.
You'll never have to spend another single night alone
Being desirable makes it easier to find companionship.
Oh, years will disappear with a pain like that
Time moves quickly when in love, but it can also bring pain and loneliness.
You will find yourself alone again, alone, oh ho
Despite having been in a relationship before, a sense of loneliness can return.
I don't wanna die until a little light inside is found
Holding onto the hope of finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.
Every time I lift my eyes the sun is going down
Feeling as if there is a constant sense of disappointment and negativity in life.
Code in conversation
Speaking in cryptic language or having to communicate in a coded manner.
In a crowded club
Being in a place filled with people and noise, making it difficult to hear and communicate effectively.
A crippled congregation
A group of people who are struggling and who may have limitations or disabilities.
Impatience
Feeling anxious and restless, wanting something to happen immediately.
Morning stars been shedding light on
The stars that are visible in the morning sky, serving as a reminder of the passage of time.
Sleeping, shame on
Feeling guilty or embarrassed about sleeping, which suggests a lack of productivity.
I'm cold, I'm dirty
Feeling unclean and uncared for, both physically and emotionally.
I'm thirty
Reaching the age of thirty, which can be seen as a milestone or a marker of adulthood.
Icons of summer
Symbols representing the summertime, which may have significant emotional or cultural associations.
I can't keep falling down
Feeling as if one is struggling and unable to make progress in life.
My feet keep slipping
Continuing to struggle despite trying to move forward.
My head keep tripping
Feeling mentally and emotionally overwhelmed or confused.
The ground keeps giving out
Feeling as if one cannot find stable footing or support in life.
Contributed by Leah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.