Supposedly, the name "God Lives Underwater" was derived from Jeff Turzo's previous band GLU, from which David Reilly used the initials as a backronym to form the band's name. Influences of the band's sound include Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, Psychedelic Furs, Econoline Crush, and Spiritualized. Reilly disparaged uses of "electronica" in reference to the band in 1998, suggesting that "techno" would be more appropriate, but ultimately saying that he would prefer the label "pop band".
In 1998, the band scored a hit with their second studio album Life in the So-Called Space Age on 1500/A&M, which charted at #137, and soon began nation-wide touring, supporting major label acts and playing numerous music festivals.
However, contractual entanglements and a label bankruptcy postponed the release of their follow-up album Up Off The Floor, and the numerous side-projects created by the GLU band members never saw release. Up Off The Floor was finally released in 2004 on an independent label, but by that time, the core members of God Lives Underwater had split up and moved on to other projects. Jeff Turzo started Wired All Wrong with Matt Mahaffey (and live support from former GLU bandmates Andrew McGee and Scott Garrett), while David Reilly pursued a solo career.
David Reilly died in his sleep on the morning of October 17, 2005 from complications of a coma brought on by bleeding, as a result of tooth infection. He was 34 years old.
They have four albums:
* God Lives Underwater EP 1995 - Onion/REP
* Empty 1995 - American Recordings
* Life In The So-Called Space Age 1998 - A&M
* Rearrange EP 1998 - A&M
* Up Off the Floor 2004 - Locomotive Music
Empty
God Lives Underwater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's been such a long time
i'm walking a fine line
now were walking out
why can't i see things like I'm supposed to see things
I'm not supposed to be this way
not this time around
sometimes I
so much pain I still ignore
everyday I endure
sometimes I feel so empty
so much pain I still ignore
everyday you want more
my expectations were high in the first place
were high in the worst way
it leaves me so down
I give up easily
can't speak so freeloy
wont someone release me
just this time around
The lyrics of God Lives Underwater's song "Empty" are filled with themes of frustration, confusion, and uncertainty. The first few lines reflect the singer's desire for someone to confront them and address an issue that has been troubling them for a long time. They feel as if they are walking on a tightrope, trying to balance and tread carefully, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. The singer then expresses their struggle to see things in the way they should and their dissatisfaction with their current state of being. These feelings of emptiness and pain are so overwhelming that they can no longer be ignored. The repetition of the phrase "sometimes I feel so empty" emphasizes the weight of these emotions.
The second half of the song delves into the root causes of the singer's turmoil. They reveal that their expectations were too high from the outset, leaving them disappointed and let down by their own aspirations. This sense of disillusionment has affected their self-confidence, making it hard to speak their mind freely. They yearn for someone to release them from their self-imposed constraints, even if it is just for a moment.
In general, "Empty" is a powerful portrayal of emotional exhaustion and the toll that it can take. It's about confronting the hidden pain and admitting that it exists. Through its poignant lyrics and evocative melody, it speaks not just to the singer's own struggles, but to those of anyone who has ever been weighed down by the burdens of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Why won't you face me
Asking why the person won't confront them
it's been such a long time
It's been a while since they've talked things out
i'm walking a fine line
They're treading carefully, trying not to make things worse
now were walking out
Now they're leaving the situation
why can't i see things like I'm supposed to see things
Wondering why they can't see things from a clearer perspective
I'm not supposed to be this way
Feeling like they shouldn't be feeling this much pain
not this time around
It's especially difficult this time
sometimes I
feel so empty
Feeling emotionally drained and hollow sometimes
so much pain I still ignore
They pretend like the pain isn't there
everyday I endure
Pushing through the pain every day
sometimes I feel so empty
Feeling emotionally drained and hollow sometimes
so much pain I still ignore
They pretend like the pain isn't there
everyday you want more
The situation is demanding more from them every day
my expectations were high in the first place
They had high expectations from the beginning
were high in the worst way
Their expectations were not realistic
it leaves me so down
Feeling very low and defeated
I give up easily
They tend to quit easily when things get tough
can't speak so freely
They feel like they can't express themselves well
wont someone release me
Asking for someone to free them from their burdens
just this time around
Asking for help to manage the current situation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID REILLY, JEFF TURZO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind