Their debut album, Walking on a Dream, was released on 4 October 2008, and has been certified platinum in Australia. The album included the duo's similarly-titled first single Walking on a Dream and their second single We Are the People. The video for Walking On A Dream was shot in Shanghai and We Are the People was shot in Mexico. The song Standing on the Shore was used in the credits for Entourage season 6 and followed as the album's 3rd single. The Band recently made their live debut at the Australian Touring music festival 'Hemmersturm', in conjunction with this debut the band released a re-edited version of the song Without You and it was released as the 4th single of the album.
Luke Steele continues to tour around the world with members of live Disco band The Swiss while fans await the return of Nick Littlemore for a second album. In the works are two projects for Luke: a punk rock project called "Icon Python" and another album with The Sleepy Jackson.
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The World
Empire of the Sun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When did you begin?
I asked him of his problems
When did you go wrong?
My singing cells have power
An army by my side
You so want my mind
And I run around and you're on your own
Without with without you say at home at home
How hard do you make it go?
No mothers and fathers to make us anymore
No arms or eyes to shape us
Like life itself
Then a thousand red coats scorn me
You so want my mind
You trick my time
And I run around and you're on your own
Without with without you say at home at home
How hard do you make it go?
You so want my mind
You trick my time
And I run around and you're on your own
Without with without you say at home at home
How hard do you make it go?
It's just a memory
Billions and billions of lights and hearts
Befalling to embers through to coal
Save from dust to dust
To wind to desert to death
I asked the world a question
When did you begin?
I asked him of his problems
When did you go wrong?
Those lead you who wake from the dreams which lies and shapes the farm in their eyes
The opening verse of "The World" by Empire of the Sun is a series of questions directed at humanity as a whole. The singer asks when the world began and when it went wrong, inferring that there must have been a time before things became complicated and difficult. The singer then makes reference to their own "singing cells" and the power they possess. They speak of an army by their side, suggesting that they are ready to take on the world and all its problems.
The chorus then focuses on the singer's relationship with someone else, who is trying to manipulate them. The repetition of "you so want my mind, you trick my time" speaks to the insidious nature of this relationship, and the frustration and confusion that comes along with it. The singer seems caught up in this person's games, to the point where they feel like they are running around on their own.
The second verse is a somber reflection on the state of the world, with references to the lack of guiding figures like parents or mentors, and the dangers of war represented by the "thousand red coats". The song ends with the singer once again asking the world their questions, and a cryptic statement about those who are "led" by their dreams.
Overall, "The World" seems to be a commentary on the complexities of human relationships, and the struggle to find one's way in a chaotic and uncertain world.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked the world a question
Empire of the Sun is personifying the world as an entity capable of answering questions.
When did you begin?
The singer is inquiring about the world's origins or creation.
I asked him of his problems
The singer wants to know about the world's issues or difficulties.
When did you go wrong?
The artist believes the world has made mistakes that led to its current state of issues or difficulties.
My singing cells have power
The artist believes that their ability to create music has the strength to impact the world and the people in it.
An army by my side
The singer feels like their music has the power of an army of supporters.
You so want my mind
The singer is being deceived by someone or something that seeks to take advantage of them.
You trick my time
The deceiver is causing the artist to lose track of their time and focus.
And I run around and you're on your own
The artist is distracted while the deceiver is unaffected and independent.
Without with without you say at home at home
The artist is reiterating that the deceiver is not concerned with their well-being.
How hard do you make it go?
The singer is questioning the difficulty level of the deception and how it affects them.
No mothers and fathers to make us anymore
The artist is commenting on the loss of parental guidance and authority in their life and society in general.
No arms or eyes to shape us
There is no longer anyone to guide or nurture the singer, leading to a sense of abandonment and isolation.
Like life itself
The singer is comparing the lack of guidance to the unpredictable nature of life.
Then a thousand red coats scorn me
The singer is being ridiculed or rejected by a group of people (possibly referencing British soldiers).
It's just a memory
The world and everything in it is ephemeral and will eventually fade or disappear.
Billions and billions of lights and hearts
The world is filled with countless individuals and a wide range of emotions.
Befalling to embers through to coal
All people and things eventually deteriorate and fade away.
Save from dust to dust
Everything in the world is insignificant and temporary, eventually returning to dust.
To wind to desert to death
The world is constantly changing and unpredictable, eventually leading to death.
Those lead you who wake from the dreams which lies and shapes the farm in their eyes
The artist suggests that those who are in control are often influenced by falsehoods and illusions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave
Written by: LUKE STEELE, NICK LITTLEMORE, PETER MAYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Woody
on Standing on the Shore
Oh, come on. This is a pure-pop confectionary! Every once in a while, a band will pop through with nothing but a pop record. It works.