She continues to be involved in the influential Glasgow based label Chemikal Underground. A second solo album, The Law of Large Numbers, was released by the label on March 1, 2010. Her third solo album, In Search of Harperfield, was released on January 29, 2016.
www.emmapollock.com
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Dark Skies
Emma Pollock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put in their place the troubles we are shown
We are the root, we are the branch
We are the product of a million chances
Don't you love the way they dance above you in Dark Skies?
They'll trip the sounds up in your mouth
We could be anywhere in this kind of dark
Oh let's be anyone. Oh let's be anyone.
And they gave us a stage
To write our own page of history
And yet you still call this design now
From the only one who knows
I think I'll give the emperor back his clothes
Enoch, Neldricken, Valley and Glenhead
Are all reflecting the stars overhead
Like black glass the water holds our eye
Not a movement not a sign of a pitching
Leave me suspended like this
While the world does its bitching
I like to keep my fairytales on shelves
My Goldilocks doesn't need explaining
Why can't it be just as simple as it looks?
Don't need a sermon to balance these books
Staring up from the ground as the light it dumbfounds us
And yet you still call this design now
From the only one who knows
I'll think I'll give the emperor back his clothes
The opening lines of Emma Pollock's song Dark Skies describe the vastness of the universe and how the light we see in the night sky may be from a time long before our own. The troubles that we face and are shown are put into their place by the light of the stars. The lyrics then express a sense of unity and interconnectedness with the line "We are the root, we are the branch, we are the product of a million chances."
The chorus of the song is an appreciation for the beauty of the night sky and the way the stars seem to dance above. The verses that follow describe the way the stars can affect us, "tripping the sounds up in our mouth" and leaving us suspended in thought. Pollock also acknowledges the significance of our place in history and the way we are given a stage to write our own story.
The final verse brings in references to specific locations, reflecting the way the stars can be seen all around the world. The lyrics also comment on the perceived complexity of life and the desire for things to be simplified. The song concludes with the repetition of the line "And yet you still call this design now, from the only one who knows, I think I'll give the emperor back his clothes," suggesting a rejection of the idea that everything is part of a grand design.
Line by Line Meaning
The light we see is from times unknown
The sources of light we perceive have existed for eons, even if we don't understand them.
Put in their place the troubles we are shown
The obstacles we believe to be significant are often insignificant in reality.
We are the root, we are the branch
We are both the source and the consequence of our own decisions and actions.
We are the product of a million chances
Our existence is a result of countless coincidences and the alignment of various factors.
Don't you love the way they dance above you in Dark Skies?
The beauty of the sky at night is mesmerizing and captivating.
They'll trip the sounds up in your mouth
The awe-inspiring view may take away our words and leave us speechless.
So that the words they don't come out right
Our attempts to describe what we witness may be inadequate and fail to capture its true essence.
We could be anywhere in this kind of dark
In the darkness of night, we are all equal and anonymous, and the world appears homogenous.
Oh let's be anyone. Oh let's be anyone.
We can reinvent ourselves and our identities, free from the judgment of others.
And they gave us a stage
To write our own page of history
We have the freedom and ability to shape our own destiny and leave our mark on the world.
And yet you still call this design now
From the only one who knows
I think I'll give the emperor back his clothes
We attribute meaning and purpose to the universe, even though it may be a meaningless and chaotic existence.
Enoch, Neldricken, Valley and Glenhead
Are all reflecting the stars overhead
Even the most mundane and insignificant features of the landscape are still part of a greater celestial tapestry.
Like black glass the water holds our eye
Not a movement not a sign of a pitching
The stillness of the water makes it appear as if it is holding our gaze, while it betrays no movement or commotion.
Leave me suspended like this
While the world does its bitching
I will remain in this peaceful and introspective state, even as others complain and worry about their problems.
I like to keep my fairytales on shelves
My Goldilocks doesn't need explaining
Why can't it be just as simple as it looks?
Don't need a sermon to balance these books
I prefer to keep things straightforward and uncomplicated, without overanalyzing or imposing unnecessary meaning.
Staring up from the ground as the light it dumbfounds us
The sudden burst of light can overwhelm us and leave us momentarily blinded and dazed.
Contributed by Alice B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tom Mills
In a sane world this would have ten million views.
chris kane
While the unimaginative bow down at the altar of the dreary Adele, thank god for sensational artists like Emma Pollock, her lyrics and melodies are superb. It was the fabulous song intermission that first drew me in with its incredible strings and dark melody.
She should be a household name but sometimes you've got to scratch the surface to find these gems.
Nicholas Gray
This is a effortlessly beautiful song, deserves to be a classic.
Heliel
beautiful song. Emma, I love your voice
crozwayne
absolutely gorgeous song, could spend the rest of my life listening to this and only this.
Grant Patterson
I was lucky enough to see Emma perform in Nottingham a few weeks before lock down when she was the support act for Field Music. She was fantastic, just her voice a guitar and a cello player who played like Jimmy Hendrix at times! This to me was the stand out song of her performance that night.
alex brunsdon
A beautiful and hypnotic song.
manbearpig
This is totally beautiful.
ravensnest115631
Love her voice. Great Job!
Alex Pinnantonio
A great song, indeed.And the singer is top notch.