He co-wro… Read Full Bio ↴Geoff Downes is the keyboardist in The Buggles, Asia and Yes.
He co-wrote the hits ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’, ‘Heat of the Moment’ and ‘Only Time Will Tell’.
Chris Braide is an award winning British singer, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles and recipient of the acclaimed Ivor Novelo award as well as ASCAP and Billboard awards.
He has recently written and produced songs for David Guetta, Lana del Rey, Sia Furler, Christina Aguilera and Yuna.
Braide described the project for the Plane Groovy website:
We spent a year recording the album in Los Angeles having met at the reformed Buggles [...] show in London September 2010. [...] Geoff and I decided to work together and write some material which then turned into a full album. Geoff was recording Fly From Here and I was writing and producing Lana Del Rey and Paloma Faith at the same time so we were kind of "moonlighting". The name DBA came about because we kept referring to our secret recording sessions as "The Downes Braide Affair" (later renamed Downes , Braide Association). [...]
vanity
Downes Braide Association Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I CAN SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL
I CAN'T BEAR TO CONTEMPLATE
THE ABSENCE OF GOD
BUT SOMETIMES I DON'T SEE HIM THERE AT ALL
GOVERNMENTS INTENT
ON ATTRITION
TEENAGE LOSERS PACKING GUNS TO SCHOOL
EVERYWHERE NARCISSISM RULES
TAKE ME A WAY FROM MADNESS AND FRUSTRATION
THERE HAS TO BE MORE THAN VANITY AND GREED
I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT ANNIHILATION
WHEN LOVE IS ALL WE NEED
WHEN DID WE BECOME SO DISAFFECTED
WAITING FOR ONE MAN TO FIX IT ALL
IF ONLY WE COULD RUN
UNTIL WE CAN'T RUN NO MORE
DON'T WANT ANY PART
OF THIS ROLL CALL
BUT WHEN I LOOK AT YOU
I SEE A FUTURE STRETCHING OUT LIKE TENDRILS TO THE SKY
AND I CAN TAKE THE WEIGHT
COS I KNOW WHERE I BELONG
YOU DANCE ME THROUGH THE SHADOWS OF LIFE
TAKE ME A WAY FROM
MADNESS AND FRUSTRATION
THERE HAS TO BE MORE THAN VANITY AND GREED
I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT A MILITARY INVASION
WHEN LOVE IS ALL WE NEED
The lyrics of "Vanity" by Downes Braide Association are a sober reflection on the state of the world, the weight of expectation felt by individuals, and the search for something more meaningful beyond the vanity and greed that seem to dominate today's society. The song opens with the singer admitting that he can feel the weight of expectation and can see the writing on the wall. He cannot bear to contemplate the absence of God, but he sometimes doesn't see Him there at all. The first verse goes on to highlight the various issues that plague society today, from governments' intent on attrition to teenage losers packing guns to school.
The chorus calls for an escape from the madness and frustration of the world, a plea for something more meaningful than the vanity and greed that seem to govern our lives. The lyrics recognize that love is all we need, and it's not something that can be achieved with political fixes, military invasions, or any other external expedience. The second verse reflects on the current state of disaffection among people and how everyone is waiting for one man to fix it all. The lyrics acknowledge the futility of this approach and a desire to run away from it all. Despite the bleakness of the situation, the song ends on a hopeful note, acknowledging that the future can be better if we focus on love and find where we belong.
Line by Line Meaning
I CAN FEEL THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION
I feel the burden of societal and personal expectations
I CAN SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL
I can see the signs of impending doom or trouble
I CAN'T BEAR TO CONTEMPLATE
THE ABSENCE OF GOD
BUT SOMETIMES I DON'T SEE HIM THERE AT ALL
I fear the idea of God not existing, but sometimes I question if He is there at all
GOVERNMENTS INTENT
ON ATTRITION
TEENAGE LOSERS PACKING GUNS TO SCHOOL
SLEAZY POLITICIANS PLAYING WAR GAMES FOR FUN
EVERYWHERE NARCISSISM RULES
Governments are focused on reducing the strength or effectiveness of their opponents, while teenagers bring guns to school and politicians act recklessly. Everywhere, people are obsessed with their own self-interest and vanity.
TAKE ME A WAY FROM MADNESS AND FRUSTRATION
THERE HAS TO BE MORE THAN VANITY AND GREED
I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT ANNIHILATION
WHEN LOVE IS ALL WE NEED
I wish to escape from the insanity and frustration of life because I know there must be deeper meaning than just chasing after vanity and greed. I don't want to think about the possibility of destruction when love is truly all we need.
WHEN DID WE BECOME SO DISAFFECTED
WAITING FOR ONE MAN TO FIX IT ALL
IF ONLY WE COULD RUN
UNTIL WE CAN'T RUN NO MORE
DON'T WANT ANY PART
OF THIS ROLL CALL
When did we lose our enthusiasm and passion for making a better world, instead waiting for one person to single-handedly make change happen? If only we could escape from these issues and not be part of the problems.
BUT WHEN I LOOK AT YOU
I SEE A FUTURE STRETCHING OUT LIKE TENDRILS TO THE SKY
AND I CAN TAKE THE WEIGHT
COS I KNOW WHERE I BELONG
YOU DANCE ME THROUGH THE SHADOWS OF LIFE
However, when I am with you, I can see a future full of opportunities and potential. I am able to bear the burden of life because I know I belong with you. You guide me through life's difficulties with grace and ease.
TAKE ME A WAY FROM
MADNESS AND FRUSTRATION
THERE HAS TO BE MORE THAN VANITY AND GREED
I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT A MILITARY INVASION
WHEN LOVE IS ALL WE NEED
Once again, I want to escape from the chaos and frustration of life because I am convinced there must be more to life than just pursuing selfish desires. I don't want to imagine a future where military conflict is the answer when all we really need is love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Downes, Braide
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind