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.

Leave A Light On
Floater Lyrics

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Look at the bastard stars, See how they're burning tonight
I need you to show them all how you can light up the night
I don't need your secrets, the gold you're holding
I don't need your silver tongues unfolding
So rest, please stay. Don't say you'll leave me in this wretched state
And count the things that I put you through
Just leave a light, a light, leave a light... just leave a light on.
I fought and won in a thousand wars and they were all created by my own corrupting hand

So in this darkness of my own making, just a spark from you can stop the shaking
So rest, please stay. Don't say you'll leave me in this wretched state
And count the ways I'm breaking us in two
Just leave a light, a light, leave a light... just leave a light on.
I just want to reach you, humbly beseech you to hold me down and never let me go
I need you in my blood, I need to be understood
I need a distant candle burning, showing me the way back home.
So rest, please stay. Don't say you'll leave me in this wretched state

And count the things that I put you through
Just leave a light, a light, leave a light... just leave a light on.

Overall Meaning

The song "Leave A Light On" by Floater is a powerful plea to a lover to stay and provide comfort and strength in a time of darkness. The opening lines "Look at the bastard stars, See how they're burning tonight / I need you to show them all how you can light up the night" are a metaphor for the overwhelming darkness and despair that the singer is feeling, and the need for their lover to provide a glimmer of hope and light. The following lines "I don't need your secrets, the gold you're holding / I don't need your silver tongues unfolding" suggest that the singer is not interested in material possessions or false words, but rather the genuine presence and support of their lover.

The chorus, "Just leave a light, a light, leave a light... just leave a light on" is a repeated refrain that emphasizes the importance of the lover's presence, even if they are not physically present. The lines "I fought and won in a thousand wars and they were all created by my own corrupting hand / So in this darkness of my own making, just a spark from you can stop the shaking" suggest that the singer feels responsible for their own struggles and needs their lover's help to overcome them. The bridge, "I just want to reach you, humbly beseech you to hold me down and never let me go / I need you in my blood, I need to be understood" is a desperate plea for intimacy and understanding, a desire to be held and comforted by the one they love.

Overall, "Leave A Light On" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the universal experience of needing the support and love of another person during difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at the bastard stars, See how they're burning tonight
The singer is looking up at the stars and sees them as unpredictable and difficult to understand.

I need you to show them all how you can light up the night
The singer wants their lover to shine bright like a star and show the world what they're capable of.

I don't need your secrets, the gold you're holding
The singer doesn't need their lover to keep secrets or hold onto material possessions.

I don't need your silver tongues unfolding
The singer doesn't need their lover to flatter them with fancy words.

So rest, please stay. Don't say you'll leave me in this wretched state
The singer is asking their lover to stay with them and comfort them during a difficult time.

And count the things that I put you through
The singer is asking their lover to remember the struggles they've faced together and not abandon them.

Just leave a light, a light, leave a light... just leave a light on.
The singer wants their lover to leave a physical light on as a symbol of their love and presence.

I fought and won in a thousand wars and they were all created by my own corrupting hand
The singer has struggled with inner demons and has caused themselves a lot of pain.

So in this darkness of my own making, just a spark from you can stop the shaking
The singer believes that their lover's love can help them overcome their own darkness and pain.

And count the ways I'm breaking us in two
The singer is aware that their issues are impacting their relationship in a negative way and asks their lover to be patient.

I just want to reach you, humbly beseech you to hold me down and never let me go
The singer wants their lover to love and support them unconditionally and be a source of stability in their life.

I need you in my blood, I need to be understood
The singer needs their lover to understand them deeply and be a part of who they are.

I need a distant candle burning, showing me the way back home.
The singer needs a guiding light to help them navigate through the darkness of their inner struggles.

Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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