There are at least two bands named 'Departure Lounge':

1) London fou… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands named 'Departure Lounge':

1) London four-piece alternative rock band, formed in 1988.

2) Christchurch, New Zealand downbeat/jazz band, led by Oakley Grenell aka O.G.

The London four-piece Departure Lounge has been composing their own brand of alternative rock since the late '90s. Frontman Tim Keegan, who used to play guitar with Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians, formed Departure Lounge with guitarist Chris Anderson, percussionist Lindsay Jamieson, and bassist Jake Kyle. The band released their debut Out of There, with Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins) in the production seat, in spring 2000. In 2001, the band traveled from their native England to the Bible belt for some musical mayhem. There, Departure Lounge began a bi-weekly stint at Nashville's Slow Bar. This turned into a six month run and musicians like singer/songwriter Josh Rouse, Lambchop, John Painter, and Bob Dylan's steel player Bucky Baxter joined the band on stage. Shortly thereafter, they inked a deal with Nettwerk America and worked with Kid Loco for their proper sophomore effort Too Late to Die Young. This particular album, which was issued in spring 2002, showcased Departure Lounge's space rock ambience and gritty guitars for something typically indie.

Stay on the Line
Departure Lounge Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am thinking about a girl I hardly know
I am thinking about a time a long time ago
She thinks about me when she wakes up
And I know because she wrote and told me so

I don't need a signpost to show me where to go
Anywhere we can be alone.
So why am I here hanging on this phone?

I don't know.

Stay on the line
I wanna be, I wanna be by your side
Stay on the line
We're gonna be, gonna be
High and dry this time

I am taking my time 'cause I know the way these things can go
It's a long way down, but it's better here I know
You've got the directions, I've got the car
We could be anywhere by now
Don't forget we had a plan. I remember now

Stay on the line
I wanna be, I wanna be by your side
Stay on the line
There's no one to talk to, just records to play
There's no use pretending it's over

Stay on the line
We're gonna be fine

Stay on the line
Stay on the line

Overall Meaning

The song "Stay on the Line" by Departure Lounge is a contemplation of the uncertainty that comes with love and relationships. The singer finds himself thinking about a girl he hardly knows but who, as he later finds out, thinks about him when she wakes up. He longs to be with her and suggests that they should be alone together, but he is also aware of the ambiguity of the situation. He knows where he wants to go, but he doesn't know how to get there. The chorus reaffirms his desire to be with this girl, calling for her to stay on the line and promising that they'll be "high and dry this time."

Throughout the song, there is a sense of hesitancy and caution as the singer navigates his feelings. He wants to take his time but is also aware that time can be fleeting. As he says, "You've got the directions, and I've got the car," they have the potential to go anywhere, but the uncertainty of the future looms over them. Nevertheless, he urges her to stay on the line, even if there's "no one to talk to," because their connection is worth holding onto.

Overall, "Stay on the Line" is a wistful and reflective song about the complexities of love and the desire for human connection.

Line by Line Meaning

I am thinking about a girl I hardly know
I'm preoccupied with a girl I barely even know

I am thinking about a time a long time ago
I'm reminiscing about a long-gone time

She thinks about me when she wakes up
She has me on her mind when she wakes

And I know because she wrote and told me so
She wrote to tell me so

I don't need a signpost to show me where to go
I know where I'm headed, no need for directions

Anywhere we can be alone.
Let's go anywhere where it's just us

So why am I here hanging on this phone?
Why am I still on the phone then?

I don't know.
I don't have an answer

Stay on the line
Don't hang up the call

I wanna be, I wanna be by your side
I want to be with you