After cracking the Top 10 of the iTunes dance charts in 15 countries with the release, "A Real Hero", featured on Nicolas Winding Refn's hit film 'Drive,' the Toronto-based electronic pop duo Electric Youth stepped back to take time to work on a full-length album. Since then, the duo signed to Secretly Canadian and "A Real Hero" has gained over 18 million plays on YouTube. Austin Garrick, the band's instrumentalist, alongside vocalist Bronwyn Griffin, says of working on their debut, 'Innerworld' (out Sept. 30), "We wanted to make something that had the sense of being timeless. Our ultimate goal is to make a record that will be the favorite album of people that aren't born yet."
Recording took place between the duo's Toronto studio and their home studio in LA. Each space served its different purpose - in Toronto Austin was able deploy his extensive vintage synth collection, making up what he estimates is 80% of analog sounds on the album. In LA, the pair recorded Bronwyn's vocals, of which they share writing duties for -- in their space-- which includes a film projection room. Fritz Lang's boundary-breaking twenties classic 'Metropolis,' among other films played throughout the making of the record, inspired the eleven original tracks of 'Innerworld.' Peter Jackson's 'Heavenly Creatures' inspired their song "Runaway," while other films such as 'City of God,' 'After Hours,' 'Videodrome,' and more, influenced their recordings, where soundscapes bleed into vocals and songs take you on journeys into roads unexplored. 'Innerworld' also features a stark analog synth cover of John McGlynn's "If All She Has Is You."
Singles/EPs/LPs:
Right Back To You (2011)
The Best Thing (2012)
Innerworld (2014)
If All She Has Is You
Electric Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never know what happened today
I've written a song
To string her along
I knew it was wrong
She told me we would last forever
That all she ever had was me
That I told to my sweet love
But if all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
She waited in vain
A figure in black, alone in the rain
She still wears her ring
A curious thing, a curious thing
She told me we would last forever
That all she ever had was me
I've just said goodbye based on a lie
That I told to my sweet love
But if all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
The song "If All She Has Is You" by Electric Youth tells the story of a man who has just ended his relationship with his lover. He admits that he has made a mistake because he had lied to her. He had strung her along with a song even when he knew that it was wrong. He realizes that he has hurt her and left her with nothing but him. The lyrics suggest that he only cared about himself, and he had not considered her feelings.
The singer of the song confesses that the woman had promised that they would last forever, and all she ever had was him. The song lyrics suggest that he took her for granted and ended the relationship without thinking of how it would affect her. He later sees her alone in the rain, waiting in vain for him, still wearing the ring he gave her.
The chorus of the song repeats that if all she has is the current partner, then he should make sure that he is one in a million. The lyrics suggest that the man realizes his mistake and wants to warn his replacement to treat the woman well as she only deserves the best.
Line by Line Meaning
What can I say?
I'm at a loss for words.
I'll never know what happened today
I'll never understand why I did what I did today.
I've written a song
I tried to put my feelings into words.
To string her along
To keep her hoping for something that can't happen.
I knew it was wrong
I knew deep down it was the wrong thing to do.
She told me we would last forever
She had faith in me and our relationship.
That all she ever had was me
I was her everything.
I've just said goodbye based on a lie
I ended things with her based on a dishonesty.
That I told to my sweet love
I deceived the person I cared about most.
But if all she has is you
If you're the only thing she has left.
Make sure you're one in a million
Make sure you're truly special and worthy of her love.
She waited in vain
She waited for me even though she shouldn't have.
A figure in black, alone in the rain
She was heartbroken and alone.
She still wears her ring
She still holds onto hope for our relationship.
A curious thing, a curious thing
It's strange how much power a ring can hold.
If all she has is you
If you're the only thing she has left.
Make sure you're one in a million
Make sure you're truly special and worthy of her love.
If all she has is you
If you're the only thing she has left.
Make sure you're one in a million
Make sure you're truly special and worthy of her love.
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leon Buzz
What can I say?
I'll never know what happened today
I've written a song
To string her along
I knew it was wrong
She told me we would last forever
That all she ever had was me
I've just said goodbye based on a lie
That I told to my sweet love
But if all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
She waited in vain
A figure in black, alone in the rain
She still wears her ring
A curious thing, a curious thing
She told me we would last forever
That all she ever had was me
I've just said goodbye based on a lie
That I told to my sweet love
But if all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
Raphael Martin
4 years since the release and I'm still in love with this song. One of the most beautiful ones I ever heard in my life
Irfan Rehman
this song i hv just heard today n cant get enuff of it.. makes me cry .. reminds me of some1 i hurt so bad so recklessely . this song is like punishment . a haunting but weirdly peaceful redemption both together...
Leroy
I second this. In a process right now, hurt, regrets. This song gets me through like you said in a painful but redeeming way. Chin up.
Alison Gallagher
+Irfan Rehman, It's never too late to start all over again. No human being is perfect. We make errors and mistakes a lot in different times. But forgiveness is what we need in order to move on in life. Can't live in regret forever. A rose with thorns is the imagery of our imperfections. But being imperfect with scars isn't an ugly picture. :) Love cannot ever not forgive a person whose done wrong to someone.
Eliskoopa
+Irfan Rehman such a simple and quiet song, yet so powerful
A_Tasty_ Treat
Despite the lyrics being rather sad, I get this feeling like I'm in some cloudy dreamlike castle experencing the most euphoric and bittersweet moment. The synthesizers really did a great job in re-creating a different feeling from the original.
Dan Gilbert
Heard this the first time yesterday and love it! It's got serious Elliot Smith vibes melodically and I was convinced it was a cover. Amazing song!
Gulácsi Péter
Perfect music!❤️👍
Hobel Casablancas
love it
Leon Buzz
What can I say?
I'll never know what happened today
I've written a song
To string her along
I knew it was wrong
She told me we would last forever
That all she ever had was me
I've just said goodbye based on a lie
That I told to my sweet love
But if all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
She waited in vain
A figure in black, alone in the rain
She still wears her ring
A curious thing, a curious thing
She told me we would last forever
That all she ever had was me
I've just said goodbye based on a lie
That I told to my sweet love
But if all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million
If all she has is you
Make sure you're one in a million