After breaking up with his girlfriend, moving out of his house, and joining a 12-step program for addiction, Ebert began work on a story about a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe. According to Ebert, Sharpe "was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind ... but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love." Ebert later met singer Jade Castrinos in Los Angeles, California, United States. In the summer of 2009, as Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Ebert and Castrinos toured the country with a group of fellow musicians in a big white school bus.
Its song "Home" was voted number 15 on the Australian Triple J Hottest 100's 2009 countdown, the largest music poll in the world.
Members:
Alex Ebert – vocals, guitar, percussion, piano
Jade Castrinos – vocals, guitar (Past member 2009-2013)
Nico Aglietti – guitar, synthesizer, keyboards, vocals
Stewart Cole – trumpet, percussion, keyboards, tenor ukulele, vocals
Tay Strathairn – piano, vocals
Aaron Older – bass, vocals, banjo, percussion
Josh Collazo – drums, percussion, vocals
Orpheo McCord – percussion, vocals
Nora Kirkpatrick – accordion, vocals
Christian Letts – guitar, vocals
Additional personnel:
Chris Richard – vocals, percussion
Anna Bulbrook – violin, vocals
Aaron Embry – keyboards, piano, vocals
Tyler James – piano, vocals
Ryan Richter – guitar, lap steel, vocals
Michael Farfel – announcer, management
That's What's Up
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You be the king, I'll be the people
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
Well I was being such a wreck I thought you'd treat me unkind
But you helped me change my mind
I'll be the sun, you be the shining
You be the clock, I'll be the timing
Well I was feeling so upset I thought the sun never shined
Then I found forever
Hey hey love
We've been best friends forever darling
That's what's up
Forever
No matter what
You've got my love to lean on darling
That's what's up
You've got my love to lean on darling
No matter what
You be the book, I'll be the binding
You be the words, I'll be the rhyming
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought I was losing my mind
While I was feeling such a mess I thought the sun never shined
You be the bird, I'll be the feather
We'll be the best of friends forever
While I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought you'd treat me unkind
Then I'll find forever and always
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days
Forever, come what may
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days of our days, yeah
Love is our shelter
Love is our cause
Love goes on forever
Yeah love will lead us all
Love, it is our honor
Love, it is our all
Love goes on forever
Yeah love it is our home
Oh, yeah, that's what's up
The lyrics to "That's What's Up" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are an ode to a seemingly unbreakable bond between two people. The song expresses a desire to uplift and support each other through thick and thin, come what may. The imagery in the lyrics highlights the idea of having each other's backs and being each other's strengths. The comparison of the singer to a church and the partner to a steeple signifies the idea of a foundation that helps to support and hold each other up. The composition describes two individuals who have found a place where they feel secure and comfortable, a place where they can be themselves, and a relationship where trust and support are the key ingredients of their partnership. The two people are in it for the long haul, and no matter the circumstances, they will always have each other.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be the church, you be the steeple
I'll be the foundation, you'll be the structure that crowns it
You be the king, I'll be the people
You'll be the ruler, and I'll represent the masses
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
I was feeling overwhelmed, and I feared you'd abandon me
Well I was being such a wreck I thought you'd treat me unkind
I was so distraught, and I thought you'd treat me harshly
But you helped me change my mind
But you aided me in seeing things differently
I'll be the sun, you be the shining
I'll be the star at the center of our lives, and you'll embody its radiance
You be the clock, I'll be the timing
You'll be the timekeeper, and I'll be the way it's measured
Well I was feeling so upset I thought the sun never shined
I was so despondent, I believed light no longer existed
Then I found forever
Then I discovered enduring love
Hey hey love
Hello my sweet love
We've been best friends forever darling
We've been each other's closest companion for ages, my dear
That's what's up
That's what's happening, it's all good
No matter what
Regardless of anything else
You've got my love to lean on darling
You have my love to depend on, my love
You be the book, I'll be the binding
You'll be the content, and I'll be the cover that holds it together
You be the words, I'll be the rhyming
You'll be what's conveyed, and I'll provide the rhythm and cadence
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought I was losing my mind
While I was in such disarray, I believed I was going insane
You be the bird, I'll be the feather
You'll be the creature, and I'll be what it's composed of
We'll be the best of friends forever
We'll be the closest of confidants perpetually
Then I'll find forever and always
Then I'll discover everlasting love
All the days
Every single day
Forever, come what may
Enduringly, regardless of anything else
Love is our shelter
Love is what protects and provides us safety
Love is our cause
Love is what motivates us
Love goes on forever
Love endures perpetually
Yeah love will lead us all
Yes, love will guide us all
Love, it is our honor
Love is what we honor and respect
Love, it is our all
Love is what is most important to us
Love it is our home
Love is what makes us feel cherished and secure
Oh, yeah, that's what's up
Oh, yeah, that's what's going on and it's all good
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alex Ebert, Christian Letts, Jade Allyson Castrinos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markuskjams9888
Lyrics
I'll be the church, you be the steeple
You be the king, I'll be the people
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
Well I was being such a wreck I thought you'd treat me unkind
But you helped me change my mind
I'll be the sun, you be the shining
You be the clock, I'll be the timing
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
Well I was feeling so upset I thought the sun never shined
Then I found forever
Hey hey love
We've been best friends forever darling
That's what's up
Forever
No matter what
You've got my love to lean on darling
That's what's up
You've got my love to lean on darling
No matter what
You be the book, I'll be the binding
You be the words, I'll be the rhyming
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought I was losing my mind
While I was feeling such a mess I thought the sun never shined
You be the bird, I'll be the feather
We'll be the best of friends forever
While I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought you'd treat me unkind
Then I'll find forever and always
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days
Forever, come what may
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days of our days, yeah
Love is our shelter
Love is our cause
Love goes on forever
Yeah love will lead us all
Love, it is our honor
Love, it is our all
Love goes on forever
Yeah love it is our home
Oh, yeah, that's what's up
@sarajulianaachuryvargas7458
I'll be the church, you be the steeple
You be the king, I'll be the people
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
Well I was being such a wreck I thought you'd treat me unkind
But you helped me change my mind
I'll be the sun, you be the shining
You be the clock, I'll be the timing
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
Well I was feeling so upset I thought the sun never shined
Then I found forever
Hey hey love
We've been best friends forever darling
That's what's up
Forever
No matter what
You've got my love to lean on darling
That's what's up
You've got my love to lean on darling
No matter what
You be the book, I'll be the binding
You be the words, I'll be the rhyming
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought I was losing my mind
While I was feeling such a mess I thought the sun never shined
You be the bird, I'll be the feather
We'll be the best of friends forever
While I was feeling such a mess I thought you'd leave me behind
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought you'd treat me unkind
Then I'll find forever and always
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days
Forever, come what may
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days
You've got my love to lean on darling
All the days of our days, yeah
Love is our shelter
Love is our cause
Love goes on forever
Yeah love will lead us all
Love, it is our honor
Love, it is our all
Love goes on forever
Yeah love it is our home
Oh, yeah, that's what's up
@MargotBeerten
It's unbelievable how underrated this band still is! I feel like the human race DESERVES to hear your songs on the radio at least 2 times a day. It would make the world that much more beautiful. 31st human right, here we come!
@user-iu3cy2tx3c
Most people are too dumb & shallow to appreciate them 🤷🏻♀️they wanna hear about WAPs
@dalgron
Jade has such a full real voice. You get this impression she's full to bursting of something and sometimes it peeks out into her voice. It carries the whole song.
@Jah_LEASE_yah
I love this video! Super cute. true love is about going back to being like children and taking joy in the wonder of love. ☺️
@sarahedie6207
THE LITTLE BOY IS SO FRICKIN CUTW
@profundoamor
x
@liliYOmama2
This boy is a intense actor. If you're wondering if I'm being serious, I really am. He's the only kid I bought as a grown man! I can't stop watching this adorable video! Also love the song!!
@gmnyg
Great song, and the video can have a deeper meaning. Everyday routines, office jobs and consumer culture - like child's play. The important stuff in life transcends all of this. Most people spend their lives doing the things we see in this video, when there is such beauty in other things unknown to many.
@electricaty
I literally cry every time I hear this song, and so does my boyfriend. It can't describe our relationship better. I freaking love you, Jade and Alexander.
@maminoo
how about now?