Formed in 2003 by Brad Hargett and JB Townsend, they released one single and an EP. Later the pair expanded to five members (Kyle Forester, Andy Adler, and Keegan Cooke) before signing to Slumberland Records in the US and Angular Recording Corporation in Europe and releasing their critically acclaimed debut, "Alight of Night", in 2008.
The City in the Sea
Crystal Stilts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even as these waters writhe
Still astonished by this spark of life
Even as these waters rise
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The waters call for me
Pulling me under
Pulls me under
Rips the sun asunder
I fight to find my life
Through these labyrinths of light
On a flight to find my life
Through these designs of light
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Even as these waters writhe
Still astonished by this spark of life
Even as these waters rise
The lyrics of Crystal Stilts' song The City in the Sea convey a sense of wonder and awe in the face of the unknown, represented symbolically by the sea. The opening line, "Still astonished by this spark of light", suggests a sense of awe and wonder in the face of the unknown. The following lines, "Even as these waters writhe / Still astonished by this spark of life / Even as these waters rise", evoke a sense of danger and uncertainty associated with the sea. Despite this, the singer remains overwhelmed by the beauty and power of the natural world.
The second verse continues this theme of danger and uncertainty, with the lines "Like the sun swallowed by the sea / The waters call for me / Pulling me under / Rips the sun asunder". These lines suggest a kind of existential danger, as the singer feels as though they are being pulled into the unknown depths of the sea. The repetition of the lines "Pulls me under / Rips the sun asunder" further emphasizes this sense of danger.
Yet despite this danger, the singer continues to search for meaning and purpose. The lines "I fight to find my life / Through these labyrinths of light / On a flight to find my life / Through these designs of light" suggest a sense of spiritual searching, as the singer navigates the complexities of life and strives to find a sense of purpose.
Overall, The City in the Sea is a song that uses potent metaphors to convey a sense of awe in the face of the unknown, as well as the dangers and uncertainties that come with life.
Line by Line Meaning
Still astonished by this spark of light
I am amazed by the beauty of light amidst the chaos.
Even as these waters writhe
Despite the turmoil in the water around me.
Still astonished by this spark of life
I am enthralled by the vitality I witness despite the surrounding danger.
Even as these waters rise
Even as the water level increases and threatens my safety.
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The beauty of life resembles the sun disappearing into water, a mesmerizing sight.
The waters call for me
I am drawn to the water's mysterious and powerful qualities.
Pulling me under
The water's force submerges me, engulfing me in its depths.
Rips the sun asunder
The water's intensity strips away the light of the sun, leaving darkness.
Pulls me under
The water's force drags me down, creating a struggle for survival.
I fight to find my life
I strive to survive and overcome the forces trying to take my life away.
Through these labyrinths of light
Navigating through the convoluted paths of life, seeking light and hope.
On a flight to find my life
On a journey for survival and discovery of meaning.
Through these designs of light
Making sense of life's patterns that are often illuminated by light.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
edju99
Still astonished by this spark of light
Still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea the waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Pulls me under, rips the sun asunder
Pulls me under, rips the sun asunder
I fight to find my life through these labyrinths of light
On a flight to find my life
I fight to find my life through these designs of light
On a flight to find my life
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea the waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Like the sun swallowed by the sea the waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Even as these waters writhe
Still astonished by this spark of life
Even as these waters rise
Still astonished by this spark of light
Spark of light, spark of light, spark of light
edju99
The City in the Sea - Crystal Stilts (lyrics)
Still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Pulls me under
Rips the sun asunder
Pulls me under
Rips the sun asunder
I fight to find my life
Through these labyrinths of light
On a flight to find my life
I fight to find my life
Through these designs of light
On a flight to find my life
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Even as these waters writhe
Still astonished by this spark of life
Even as these waters rise
Still astonished by this spark of light
Spark of light, spark of light, spark of light
Songwriters: Hargett / Townsend
Daniel Viedma
can't help listen to it over and over. so damn good... sounds to me like a prom ballad made by jesus and mary chain or stuff like that...
edju99
Still astonished by this spark of light
Still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea the waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Pulls me under, rips the sun asunder
Pulls me under, rips the sun asunder
I fight to find my life through these labyrinths of light
On a flight to find my life
I fight to find my life through these designs of light
On a flight to find my life
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea the waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Like the sun swallowed by the sea the waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Even as these waters writhe
Still astonished by this spark of life
Even as these waters rise
Still astonished by this spark of light
Spark of light, spark of light, spark of light
edju99
The City in the Sea - Crystal Stilts (lyrics)
Still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Pulls me under
Rips the sun asunder
Pulls me under
Rips the sun asunder
I fight to find my life
Through these labyrinths of light
On a flight to find my life
I fight to find my life
Through these designs of light
On a flight to find my life
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
The waters call for me
Like the sun swallowed by the sea
I'm still astonished by this spark of light
Even as these waters writhe
Still astonished by this spark of life
Even as these waters rise
Still astonished by this spark of light
Spark of light, spark of light, spark of light
Songwriters: Hargett / Townsend
KtotheY77
i love this band
Secret C
one more thing -- this band are everything glasvegas wish they were
dr.boland
What a beauty. Really need this now
Ella Rae Svete
Love this song! Great video! What type of camera do you have?
Steven Choe
This sounds very similar to the song "Blue Velvet" by Childhood, except more like a slower version.
myriam forgeron
You're my best memories (ones that do not belong to me)
Secret C
knew they loved surf music - just like the jamc and pixies --garanteed fans of the beach boys