In the fall of 2013, Gallant moved to Los Angeles, California to work on a career in music. His debut full LP record Ology was released on April 6, 2016.
Manhattan
Gallant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nightmares just floating on film
You found it in the white lies in the back of your mind
And you know it's not the same reel that you dusted off before
So slide it in a tape deck
Put it in a vcr
Show me how you got in this predicament
Did the devil let you down?
I could tell you it's the Al hamra
Take another shot of your adrenaline
And pray you get that far
Sharp turns covered in skin
I bet the black gates just letting you in
You want another sure thing, a super 8 dream
But you know this aint a classic or one you've ever seen before
The lyrics of Gallant's song Manhattan take the listener on a journey into the mysteries of the mind. The opening lines describe how our thoughts and memories are like "brainwaves living in stills" and "nightmares floating on film." The lyricist is pointing out how our memories can be fragmented and disjointed, and sometimes our fears and nightmares can haunt us even when we are awake.
The second verse talks about an elusive memory that the singer is searching for. It's something that's hidden in the "white lies in the back of your mind," but they know it's not the same as memories they've previously recollected. The lyrics suggest that the singer is re-watching old VHS tapes, going back in time to find that missing piece of their memory. The chorus repeats the idea of the journey being both treacherous and exhilarating, a "sharp turn covered in skin" that is both exciting and scary.
The third verse focuses on the singer's search for a "sure thing" or a "super 8 dream." They want to find something that's familiar, something comforting, but they know deep down that this is a journey into the unknown. The lyrics suggest that the memory they are searching for is not a classic and not something they've seen before. The song is ultimately about the human experience of memory, how it can be both exhilarating and terrifying to search for something that feels just out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Brainwaves living in stills
Your mind is captured by memories that are frozen in time
Nightmares just floating on film
Your bad dreams are like images that haunt you
You found it in the white lies in the back of your mind
You discovered something you've been hiding behind your own deceit
And you know it's not the same reel that you dusted off before
You realize that this new experience is different from anything you have encountered before
So slide it in a tape deck
You want to immerse yourself in it and experience it fully
Put it in a vcr
You want to watch it over and over again to get a better understanding of its meaning
Show me how you got in this predicament
You want someone to explain how you ended up in a difficult situation
Did the devil let you down?
You're wondering if you were deceived by someone or something evil
I could tell you it's the apex
I could say that this is the high point of your experience
I could tell you it's the Al hamra
I could say that this is a beautiful and exotic place
Take another shot of your adrenaline
Get another dose of excitement
And pray you get that far
Hope that you can handle the intensity of this experience
Sharp turns covered in skin
Unexpected twists and turns that are difficult to navigate
I bet the black gates just letting you in
You have a feeling that you are entering into something dark and mysterious
You want another sure thing, a super 8 dream
You desire something that is certain and safe, something that feels like a pleasant dream
But you know this aint a classic or one you've ever seen before
You understand that this experience is unique and unfamiliar
Contributed by Liam W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.