After releasing some LP's on Sub Pop, the band superstitiously changed the name to Elevator Through, released an EP on murderecords and by 1999 shortened the name to simply Elevator. The latest Elevator records have been released by BLUEFOG recordings and the band's own Great Beyond Recordings.
Myspace page kept by Rick
Elevator official site
the climb
Elevator To Hell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look up the tree, a mile above
Grab the lowest branch in my left hand
Second highest with the right
Up above the highest building
Thinning of the air
Branches getting slightly bending
Blue sky turns to stars
On the top branch of the tree
No cares left or no gravity
Reach into the starry sky
Seems like I could fly
Swim into the ocean black
Look down the tree to cloud
Wonder how I'll get back down
Can't ever see the ground
On the moon, there is no air
But the ground is grey and soft
It may seem like I'm unaware
But actually I'm not.
The song "The Climb" by Elevator to Hell is a reflective piece about the human experience, using the metaphor of climbing a tree to reach new heights and gain perspective. The opening lines convey a sense of vulnerability and insignificance as the singer stands on the ground, feeling small in comparison to the towering tree above them. However, they take the first step towards the climb by grabbing onto a lower branch with their left hand, and then reaching higher with their right. As they ascend into the canopy, the wind picks up and they feel the thinning of the air.
At the highest point, they are surrounded by stars, and they feel weightless as though they could fly. They even contemplate swimming into the deep, dark ocean below. The view is exhilarating but also unnerving, as they consider how they will ever make it back down to the ground. The final lines, which reference the moon, suggest that while the singer may seem unaware, they are in fact very present, perceiving the world and their place in it in a unique way.
Overall, the lyrics express a sense of curiosity and gratitude for the vastness of the world and the many experiences it has to offer, even while acknowledging the dangers and uncertainties that come with exploring new heights.
Line by Line Meaning
On the ground, feeling so small
Feeling insignificant and unimportant while standing on the ground
Look up the tree, a mile above
Observing a tall tree towering above, seemingly impossible to climb
Grab the lowest branch in my left hand
Attempting to climb the tree by grabbing the lowest branch with the left hand
Second highest with the right
Continuing to climb the tree by grabbing the second highest branch with the right hand
Up above five storeys wind begins to sway
Experiencing strong winds and feeling the tree sway at the height of five floors
Up above the highest building
Climbing higher than the tallest building in the area
Thinning of the air
Noticing the air getting thinner at higher altitudes
Branches getting slightly bending
Feeling the branches bend slightly due to one's weight at the top of the tree
Blue sky turns to stars
Seeing the blue sky turn into a clear night sky filled with stars
On the top branch of the tree
Finally reaching the top branch of the tall tree
No cares left or no gravity
Feeling carefree and weightless at the top of the tree
Reach into the starry sky
Reaching out to touch the stars and enjoy the beautiful view
Seems like I could fly
Feeling like one could fly due to the height and sensation of weightlessness
Swim into the ocean black
Visualizing swimming in a dark ocean below while still at the top of the tree
Look down the tree to cloud
Gazing down at the clouds from the top of the tree
Wonder how I'll get back down
Pondering the difficult journey back down the tall tree
Can't ever see the ground
Being unable to see the ground due to the height of the tree
On the moon, there is no air
Reflecting on how there is no air on the moon
But the ground is grey and soft
Describing the surface of the moon as grey and soft to the touch
It may seem like I'm unaware
Appearing to be uninterested or oblivious
But actually I'm not.
Clarifying that despite appearing uninterested, one is actually engaged and present
Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.