The band met and formed in Greenville, North Carolina, USA while studying art at East Carolina University. Their first band was Art Lord & The Self-Portraits, which was also composed of Adam Beeby and Kymia Nawabi and lasted from 2003 to 2005. In 2006, Cashion, Herring, and Welmers formed Future Islands, along with Erick Murillo, the bassist for The Kickass. Other former members include Samuel N. Ortiz-Payero (drums, 2008) and Denny Bowen (drums, 2009–2013 in studio; 2013–2014 touring)
Future Islands released Little Advances in April 2006, and a self-released split CD with Welmers' solo project Moss of Aura in January 2007. In July 2007, they recorded their debut album, Wave Like Home, with Chester Endersby Gwazda at Backdoor Skateshop in Greenville, North Carolina. After a Halloween party in 2007, Murillo quit the band. In late 2007 and early 2008, the band relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The "Feathers and Hallways" 7" was recorded in Oakland, California during their first US tour and was their first release as a focused three-piece. Upset! the Rhythm released Wave Like Home on 25 August 2008. The cover art was designed by Kymia Nawabi, a former member of Art Lord & The Self-Portraits. In 2009 the band signed to independent Chicago record company Thrill Jockey.
Their second album, In Evening Air, was recorded in the band's living room in the historic Marble Hill neighborhood in Baltimore and released on 4 May 2010.Their third full-length album, On the Water, was recorded in Elizabeth City, NC's historic, waterfront Andrew S. Sanders House. It was released on 11 October 2011.
These early albums from Future Islands are often associated with other bands affiliated with Wham City, such as Videohippos, Santa Dads, Blood Baby, OCDJ, Adventure, Dan Deacon, Weekends and Double Dagger.
In 2014, they released Singles with hit-track Seasons (Waiting on You). The band and song gained critical acclamation from Pitchfork and NME and performed the song on the Late Show with David Letterman, a performance that went viral. In 2017, they released The Far Field and most recently in 2020 they released As Long As You Are.
Tin Man
Future Islands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You couldn't honestly look inside my tarot
You couldn't possibly find it in your heart to forgive me
You are the savage sun and scarecrow
And time goes by
And you've got a lot to learn, in your life
And the heart's not inside
You offer all amends in hopes of saving me
You never imagined I could be strong without you
You offer me a branch of peace that bleeds through
The thorns that welcomed me now speak truth
And time goes by
And you've got a lot to learn, in your life
And the heart's not inside
And I've got to find the one that's just right
And time goes by
And you've got a lot to learn, in your life
And the heart's not inside
And I've got to find the one that's just right
Find the one that's just right
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
In Future Islands' song "Tin Man," the lyrics describe a complicated relationship where one person has caused harm and seeks forgiveness, while the other recognizes their own strength and independence. The opening lines suggest that the person seeking forgiveness cannot comprehend the depth of their impact on the other. The mention of tarot suggests a desire for divine intervention or guidance in repairing the relationship. The next lines express doubt that forgiveness is possible, comparing the other person to a "savage sun" and "scarecrow." These words suggest that the person seeking forgiveness may view the other as harsh and unforgiving, but at the same time, they may not have much substance behind their outward appearance.
The chorus repeats the phrase "time goes by" and emphasizes the importance of personal growth and self-discovery. The other person is encouraged to learn more about themselves and their place in the world, while the singer seeks someone who is a better fit for them. The third verse acknowledges that the person seeking forgiveness has made an effort to make amends, but this is seen as insufficient. The "branch of peace" is described as bleeding, indicating that it is not a healing gesture, but rather a reminder of past pain. Lastly, the phrase "The thorns that welcomed me now speak truth" suggests that the singer has finally realized that the challenges they faced in the past were not just trivial inconveniences but were significant problems.
Line by Line Meaning
You couldn't possibly know how much you meant to me
It's impossible for you to understand just how important you were to me.
You couldn't honestly look inside my tarot
You couldn't see my true feelings and emotions.
You couldn't possibly find it in your heart to forgive me
I don't think you have it in you to forgive me.
You are the savage sun and scarecrow
You have conflicting traits like the sun that can be both beneficial and harmful and the scarecrow that scares away birds and can be seen as a protector.
And time goes by
Time passes and things change.
And you've got a lot to learn, in your life
You still have much to experience and discover in your journey through life.
And the heart's not inside
You don't have love or passion within you.
And I've got to find the one that's just right
I need to find someone who is perfect for me.
You offer all amends in hopes of saving me
You try to make things right in order to fix our relationship.
You never imagined I could be strong without you
You never pictured me being able to stand on my own feet without relying on you.
You offer me a branch of peace that bleeds through
You offer me a chance to reconcile, but it comes with pain and hurt.
The thorns that welcomed me now speak truth
The obstacles that I faced in our relationship have helped me see the reality of things.
I am the Tin Man
I feel empty and emotionless like the character from The Wizard of Oz.
I am the Tin Man
I am still the same person with the same emotions.
I am the Tin Man
I feel like I cannot love or be loved.
I am the Tin Man
I am lost and disconnected from my emotions.
I am the Tin Man
I am not complete without love and emotion.
I am the Tin Man
I can only be fixed by finding someone who will complete me.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Gerrit Welmers, Samuel Thompson Herring, William Hugh Cashion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@engineerbot
Lyrics:
You couldn't possibly know how much you meant to me
You couldn't honestly look inside my tarot
You couldn't possibly find it in your heart to forgive me
You are the savage sun and scarecrow
And time goes by
And you've got a lot to learn, in your life
And the heart's not inside
And I've got to find the one that's just right
You offer all amends in hopes of saving me
You never imagined I could be strong without you
You offer me a branch of peace that bleeds through
The thorns that welcomed me now speak truth
And time goes by
And you've got a lot to learn, in your life
And the heart's not inside
And I've got to find the one that's just right
And time goes by
And you've got a lot to learn, in your life
And the heart's not inside
And I've got to find the one that's just right
Find the one that's just right
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
I am the Tin Man
@gunbrother12
This was my first Future Islands song years ago and I finally got to see it performed live yesterday
@holdencollins1462
Just saw them tonight. Absolute bliss
@clydieboyy4823
@@holdencollins1462 good lad <3 hope ya both enjyoed yourself on their performance live 9:18am 13.03.2023
@jimsabo1189
Honestly one of the best live performances I’ve seen.
@entropydefined2651
Seeing them live is one of the most amazing experiences ever. He has so much emotion behind his songs, and his presence is just captivating. Love Future Islands, and I can't wait to see them live again!
@transitory3368
HOLY SHIT YES
@unspeakablemusick
Seeing Enoch & Rachel's babies, the Beaufort bridge, Harris in the goofy suit, Chelsy & Nolan Smock, and especially the captain's table really make me proud of my 252 Carteret County/Pitt County boys. They deserve all the hype. Great guys, great friends.
@bigdonk10
i saw these guys live, the singer has the most amazing stage presence i have ever seen
@HalfDayHero
This song is fucking brilliant
@doused7641
that alley oop nollie back 180 to switch 5050 switch back 180 out tho