A published academic at the tender age of 27 ('Discographies: dance music, culture and the politics of sound' (Routledge, 1999) with Jeremy Gilbert), Ewan writes a regular column for Germany's 'Groove' magazine and his 'Enthusiasm' blogs send readers hot-footed to record stores in their droves.
As a DJ Ewan's no slouch either. Two CDs - SciFiHiFi Vol.1 for Soma and July 2007's fabric 35 were both nominated for Plug awards, and his 2006 Resident Advisor Podcast was voted best of that year by the website's readers. A regular at clubs from Privilege to the Pulp to Panoramabar, his sets - like the rest of his career - defy easy categorisation, marrying the independent and the underground with a pop sensibility that's all his own.
Currently Ewan is working on the debut album from Australian indie hopefuls Lost Valentinos, new Partial Arts material, remixes for Hot Chip and Foals and the next solo record from Tracey Thorn.
TRAIN
Ewan Pearson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want laser
I'm your chauffeur
With high
Gloss highs
Take you where you want
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Wolf lady
Sucks my brain
Apricot
Sunrise came
LA nights
Just roll in
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Nasal douche
Poolside line
Soft lit tan
What's your sign?
Take my hand
Just roll in
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Ewan Pearson's song "Train" are cryptic yet evocative, creating a sense of surrealism and disjointedness that mirrors the disorientation of traveling on a train - particularly late at night, when the world around you becomes a hazy, dreamlike blur. The repeated phrases "Can't stop, oh, off the train / Train, yeah, yeah, yeah" seem to encapsulate the restless energy of being on the move, while the verses themselves are a collection of sensory impressions that suggest a state of heightened awareness or altered consciousness.
The first verse is particularly intriguing, as it describes a "plastic brain scar" and a desire for "laser" - both of which could be interpreted in a number of ways. Is the singer seeking some sort of medical treatment for a brain injury, or is this a metaphor for the mind-bending effects of drugs or intense experiences? The lines "I'm your chauffeur / With high / Gloss highs / Take you where you want" suggest that the singer may be driving someone else, perhaps a lover or a friend, and that the journey they're on is one of mutual exploration and pleasure-seeking.
The following verses continue to pile up sensory impressions and surrealistic imagery, with references to a "wolf lady" who "sucks my brain," an "apricot sunrise," and a "nasal douche." The mood is alternately playful and sinister, and the repeated refrain of "Can't stop, oh, off the train / Train, yeah, yeah, yeah" gives the impression that this journey is both exciting and dangerous, with an uncertain destination that could be either liberating or disastrous.
Line by Line Meaning
Plastic brain scar
A mental wound that may never fully heal
I want laser
Desire for a surgical procedure or a weapon-like tool
I'm your chauffeur
I will transport you safely, in comfort and style
With high
Elevated or exhilarating feeling
Gloss highs
Intense pleasure, possibly brought on by drugs or alcohol
Take you where you want
Guiding someone through their journey towards their destination or desires
Can't stop, oh, off the train
Inability to get off the ride, unstoppable momentum
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetitive optimistic chant about moving forward
Wolf lady
A bold, possibly predatory woman
Sucks my brain
Exerting strong influence or power over someone
Apricot
Refreshing and sweet natural goodness
Sunrise came
A new beginning or fresh start
LA nights
The vibrant nightlife in Los Angeles, a city of dreams and hedonism
Just roll in
Unhurried arrival to a destination, relaxed and ready to enjoy the moment
Nasal douche
A hygienic or medicinal treatment for the nasal cavity
Poolside line
A possible reference to snorting drugs, perhaps in a luxurious or indulgent setting
Soft lit tan
A desirable quality of skin tone, indicative of leisure time and sun exposure
What's your sign?
A flirtatious or introspective question regarding astrological signs and personality traits
Take my hand
Invitation to join in the adventure, without fear or hesitation
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALISON ELIZABETH GOLDFRAPP, WILLIAM OWEN GREGORY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind