Cults formed in 2010, when native San Franciscans Follin and Oblivion were attending school in New York City (Oblivion was a documentary film student at NYU; Follin was studying at the New School). A couple at the time, they wrote and recorded songs in Oblivion's apartment using a computer and a cheap midi keyboard, and before the year was over, they released their self-titled debut EP on Forest Family Records. One of the EP's songs, "Go Outside," which Cults recorded with Paul Kostabi at Thunderdome Studios, became a viral hit, earning acclaim from publications including Pitchfork and NME.
Cults built on the success of "Go Outside" by touring with Richie Follin's Band (the project of Madeline's older brother) for six months. They then signed to In the Name Of, an imprint of Columbia Records founded by Lily Allen. Produced by Shane Stoneback, Cults' June 2011 self-titled album delivered more of their atmospheric, retro-futuristic indie pop and charted in the U.K., Canada, and the U.S., reaching number 52 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart. That year, the duo also appeared on the AIDS/HIV research benefit album Red Hot+Rio 2, collaborating with Superhuman Happiness on a cover of "Um Canto de Afoxé para o Bloco Do Ilê." Along with touring in support of the album, Cults also appeared at the Portishead-curated ATP I'll Be Your Mirror festival that September and at ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas festival, which was curated by Battles, that December.
In October 2013, Cults returned with their second album, Static. Recorded with Stoneback in the wake of Follin and Oblivion's breakup, it won strong reviews for its emotive songwriting and peaked at number 114 on the Billboard Top 200. That month, the duo also appeared with Amber Coffman on J. Cole's "She Knows" from his album Born Sinner; the song hit number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Following the 2014 single "Being It," Cults took some time off. In 2016, Follin formed the group Follin with her brother Richie, and released the single "Roxy" that February.
For their next album, Cults took a more collaborative approach, with Follin playing drums and keyboards as well as singing. After working with Stoneback in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco studios, Cults emerged in October 2017 with Offering, which borrowed from influences as wide-ranging as Pink Floyd, Gary Numan, and the Motels, whose music they'd fallen in love with while touring with Total Control in Australia. They explored their passion for the Motels further in 2018 with a track-by-track cover of the band's 1979 self-titled debut that was part of Turntable Kitchen's Sounds Delicious series. The following year saw the release of Offering B Sides & Remixes, which featured reworkings of the album's tracks by Mike Simonetti, Etienne de Crecy, and John Fryer.
Cults began work on their next album in early 2019, teaming with Stoneback on songs that, for the first time, featured live instrumentation and included lyrics by Follin. Mixed by John Congleton and mastered by Heba Kadry, Host appeared in September 2020 and tackled themes of identity and independence.
Biography by Heather Phares
Walk At Night
Cults Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I walk alone I'm hoping for things unknown
When I'm on my own I try to get as far from home
When I wanna be, there's no bright light surrounding me
When I walk at night I cant help but I know its right
When I walk alone I'm hoping for things unknown
When I clear your side, I'm searching for some surprise
When I'm on my own I try to get as far from home
When I wanna be, there's no bright light surrounding me
You keep on tryin' to make make believe
That no one knows of your lies and your deceit
There's no use in me tryin' to be the things
I wanted and that's right for me
There's no point playing hard to get
I figured I'll just sit on your swing
It's easy singing everyday until I walk at night
The lyrics of "Walk At Night" by Cults depict the singer's personal struggle of finding a sense of direction in life. The song talks about the familiar feeling of being lost or confused and trying to figure things out by walking alone at night. The singer seems to find solace in his/her solitary walks and it feels like the right thing to do. The lyrics express a sense of freedom that comes with being alone and the endless possibilities of what could happen when you step out of your comfort zone. The line "When I clear your side, I'm searching for some surprise," suggests that the singer is trying to move on from someone or something and is seeking something new.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of love and relationships. The singer seems to struggle with their feelings towards someone they used to be close to. The line, "When I'm by your side I can't forget all our ties," suggests that there is still a connection between them, but it is unclear if it's a positive or negative one. The song ends on a hopeful note when the singer realizes that it's easy to keep singing in everyday life, but confronting the unknown is what requires courage.
Line by Line Meaning
When I walk at night I cant help but I know its right
I feel compelled to walk at nighttime, and though it may seem illogical, I know deep down it is the right thing for me.
When I walk alone I'm hoping for things unknown
When I am by myself, I am seeking new experiences and opportunities that are yet to be discovered.
When I'm on my own I try to get as far from home
When I am alone, I often venture out far from my usual surroundings in search of adventure and personal growth.
When I wanna be, there's no bright light surrounding me
There are times when I desire solitude and darkness to escape the distractions and stresses of everyday life.
When I clear your side, I'm searching for some surprise
When I leave your company, I am hoping to stumble upon new and unexpected experiences that will enrich my life.
When I'm by your side I cant forget all our ties
When I am with you, I feel a strong attachment and cannot help but remember the bond that we share.
You keep on tryin' to make make believe
That no one knows of your lies and your deceit
You continue to deceive yourself into thinking that your lies and misdeeds are unknown to others.
There's no use in me tryin' to be the things
I wanted and that's right for me
It is futile for me to try to conform to the expectations of others and ignore what truly aligns with my own desires and values.
There's no point playing hard to get
I figured I'll just sit on your swing
There is no reason for me to engage in games or act as if I am uninterested in you; instead, I will simply spend time with you and enjoy your company.
It's easy singing everyday until I walk at night
It is easy for me to go about my daily routine, but when I am alone with my thoughts at night, it becomes clear that I am searching for something more.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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