Floater began in 1993 when Robert Wynia (lead vocals, bass), Peter Cornett … Read Full Bio ↴Floater began in 1993 when Robert Wynia (lead vocals, bass), Peter Cornett (drums), and Dave Amador (guitar), got together in Eugene, Oregon, making their start at garage parties and the U of O beer garden. With compelling lyrics and adept storytelling, their music shifts in mood from the insistent and heavy to the melodic and soulful, comprising the signature sound for which Floater is best known.

Floater's regional success was noticed by Elemental Records, who put out their first full-length record, "Sink" in 1994. That same year Floater began a string of sold out shows at the Community Center for the Performing Arts (The WOW Hall) that is still unbroken to this day.

In 1995 Floater released "Glyph" and toured the country for the next two years supporting the record. The single, "Danny Boy" received heavy college and commercial radio play, in many cities outselling major label releases. Floater received nominations to the preliminary level of the Grammy's from NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) in 1995 under Best Rock Performance for "Sink" and in 1996 under Best Alternative Performance for "Glyph." (Prelims are determined by nominations from the NARAS members).

In 1998, following their move to Portland, Oregon (where the band currently resides), Floater released their third full-length record, "Angels in the Flesh and Devils in the Bone." The second concept album by the band ("Sink" was the first), "Angel's" brought a new vibe to Floater. It wasn't long before widespread audiences came to embrace what has now become the band's trademark - their versatility.

September of 2000 brought the release of Floater's fourth full- length record, "Burning Sosobra"; a musical collection that explores the band's broad range of song writing. Following its release, the band began to perform live acoustically. Both the band and the fans enjoyed this new avenue of performance that allowed the "quieter" side of Floater to emerge and be explored. Of late, the band has begun playing shows where acoustic Floater opens for electric Floater - giving a sort of Jekyll and Hyde feel to their performances.

In 2002 Floater released their most critically acclaimed record to date, "Alter." Combining the bands strongest musical elements, "Alter" moves fluidly from heavy riffs to lullabies and tells flowing stories of fear, love and above all change.

August of 2004 - The release of the band's acoustic record, "Acoustics." Fans of Floater's electric shows responded with enthusiasm to the band's occasional acoustic performance - with their record label's encouragement, the band put together a uniquely recorded album - one that mimics the sound of their actual performances. Recorded in a studio built in the ballroom of their producers house, the record was made without digital editing and has a fresh, live feeling.

Floater is also the name of a late nineties indiepop band from Sheffield, UK. They briefly rename themselves Floater UK before later reforming as Dangerlust.

Concentrate
Floater Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Concentrate. The room starts spinning around me.
The lights behind my eyes are burning bright.
Is this fate? Or is this the way they'll find me with my spear in my side?
I have tried to see the light.
I gloried in the night.
I only know that I am alive.
I tried to see the way.
I gloried in the day.

Now I can only say that I am alive, alive, alive, alive.

Concentrate. The world still goes in circles.
Will no one come and save me tonight?
Am I too late? So helplessly I stand, with my head in my hands
I've tried to see the light.
I gloried in the night.
And I can only say that I'm alive
I tried to see the way.
I gloried in the day.
And I can only say I am alive, alive, alive, alive.

You know I've tried to see the light.
I gloried in the night.
And I can only say I am alive
Oh I tried to see the way.
I gloried in the day.

And oh how I can say that I'm alive.
I'm alive.

Overall Meaning

The song 'Concentrate' by Floater is a ballad that describes the theme of existentialism by painting the picture of someone going through an intense crisis within their mind. The singer is overwhelmed with life and feels like everything around them is spinning out of control, inviting self-doubt and an intense sense of isolation. They question their fate and wonder if this chaos is meant to indicate that they will die soon, with a spear in their side. They are seeking an escape and, as they ask for help, they hope that someone will come and save them from their troubles.

However, as the song goes on, it becomes evident that the singer is alone and must depend on themselves to navigate through this existential mess. The lyrics, "Now I can only say that I am alive, alive, alive, alive" bring forth the idea that, despite overwhelming darkness, one must concentrate on the fact that they are still alive and continue to glorify the night and the day. The song ends with the affirmation, 'I'm alive.'

Throughout the song, Floater uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of intense emotional pain and confusion. It is a timely and timeless message for anyone who has felt lost or hopeless.

Line by Line Meaning

Concentrate. The room starts spinning around me.
The singer is calling on themselves to focus and pay attention, as they feel overwhelmed and disorientated.

The lights behind my eyes are burning bright.
The singer is experiencing some kind of intense head or eye pain or pressure, contributing to their lack of focus and confusion.

Is this fate? Or is this the way they'll find me with my spear in my side?
The singer questions whether their current situation is predetermined or a result of their own choices and decides that it does not matter as the outcome will be the same - harm to themselves.

I have tried to see the light. I gloried in the night.
The artist has made attempts to find understanding and meaning in the darkness or negative aspects of their life.

I only know that I am alive.
Despite their struggles and confusion, the artist takes comfort in knowing that they are still alive and present in the world.

I tried to see the way. I gloried in the day.
The singer has also made attempts to find understanding and meaning in the positive or light aspects of their life.

Now I can only say that I am alive, alive, alive, alive.
Despite the singer's confusion and struggles, they find solace and power in their own continued existence.

The world still goes in circles. Will no one come and save me tonight?
The artist feels trapped in a cycle of negativity or confusion and hopes for someone or something to intervene and help them out of it.

Am I too late? So helplessly I stand, with my head in my hands.
The artist questions whether it is already too late for them to find a way out of their struggles and feels utterly powerless to change their circumstances.

You know I've tried to see the light. I gloried in the night.
The singer repeats their previous lines, emphasizing the consistent attempt to find meaning and understanding in the difficult aspects of their life.

And I can only say I am alive. Oh I tried to see the way. I gloried in the day.
Despite their struggles, the singer continues to hang on to their own existence as a source of power and takes comfort in attempting to find meaning in both positive and negative experiences.

And oh how I can say that I'm alive. I'm alive.
The artist emphasizes that their own continued existence, despite everything, is what they can take comfort in and what keeps them going.

Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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