In August of 2013, I went back to New Zealand and spent 7 months writing and recording the new HalfNoise album with my friend (producer) Daniel James. I wanted to experience life somewhere other than Nashville, Tenn and wanted to know how my writing would change being in such an amazing and beautiful place. I knew the trip would be exciting, but didn't know it would be as life changing for me as it was. The people I met and the places where I visited/recorded were unlike any others Id seen before, and having toured for many years of my life I thought I had seen a lot. I wouldn't have been able to write the album I did had I not spent that time there. The Album is called "Volcano Crowe" because we recorded the album at the bottom of a volcano and my friend Rowan Crowe was the reason I visited New Zealand in the first place.
Mountain is the first song I completed there, So I thought it would be fitting to share first.
mountain
HalfNoise Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They fall to the ground
I waited so long
I finally learned
But half of me is half of you
I ran away so you would know
In half of me is half of you
You're everything I left behind
You're everything that I can't find
It's a mountain, oh
Mountain high
It's a mountain, oh
Mountain high
It's the cold ? you saw rush in
It's the bad ? you felt when you saw me alone
But half of me is half of you
I ran away so you would know
In half of me is half of you
I wondered why I let you go
You're everything I left behind
You're everything that I can't find
It's a mountain, oh
Mountain high
It's a mountain, oh
Mountain high
But half of me is half of you
I wanna know
If half of me is half of you?
You're everything I left behind
You're everything that I can't find
It's a mountain, oh
Mountain high
It's a mountain, oh
Mountain high
The HalfNoise song "Mountain" talks about the struggle to move on from the past and the importance of self-realization. The first stanza highlights the process of reversing the steps taken during youth; perhaps, it refers to the act of unlearning some destructive patterns of behavior. The next line talks about waiting for a long time before finally learning the lesson. The chorus follows with a description of the internal conflict between two halves of the self that used to be one with another person. In running away, the singer created space for realization and self-discovery, but at the same time, they wonder where to go next.
The second verse talks about the effects of the past relationship, represented by "the cold" and "the bad" that came with being alone. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the significance of the other person's influence on the singer's life and the difficulty of moving on. The last two lines in the second chorus switch from past to present tense, implying a possible reconciliation or second chance at the relationship. The song ends with a question, perhaps directed at the other person or one's self, asking if the two halves could still complete each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Reversed the steps I took when I was younger
I am reflecting on my past decisions and actions, and how they have led me to where I am now.
They fall to the ground
The memories of my past are fading away and becoming less significant as time goes on.
I waited so long
I have been holding onto the past for a long time, but I am finally ready to move on.
I finally learned
Through my reflections on the past, I have gained new insights and perspectives that have helped me grow and mature.
But half of me is half of you
Part of who I am is shaped and influenced by my relationship with you.
I ran away so you would know
I purposely distanced myself from you in order to test whether our connection was strong enough to withstand the separation.
I wanna know where to go
Now that I have gained new insights about myself and our relationship, I am seeking guidance on what to do next.
You're everything I left behind
You represent the parts of my past that I have been trying to move on from.
You're everything that I can't find
Despite my attempts to move on from the past, there are still parts of myself that I feel are missing without you.
It's a mountain, oh
The challenge of moving on from the past and finding my way forward feels daunting and overwhelming.
Mountain high
The obstacles I face on this journey to self-discovery and growth feel insurmountable.
It's the cold ? you saw rush in
You have witnessed the moments in my life when I have felt the most vulnerable and exposed.
It's the bad ? you felt when you saw me alone
The pain and sadness that you felt when you saw me suffering without you is something that still lingers in our relationship.
I wondered why I let you go
Despite my attempts to move on from the past, I still question whether walking away from you was the right decision.
I want to know
I am seeking answers and clarity about the nature of our relationship and what role you will play in my future.
If half of me is half of you?
Is our connection strong enough to withstand the challenges ahead, or are we better off moving on from each other?
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lene Bilagot
Reversed the steps I took when I was younger
They fall to the ground
I waited so long, I finally learned
But half of me is half of you
I ran away so you would know
In half of me is half of you
I wanna know where to go
You're everything I left behind
You're everything that I can't find
It's a mountain, oh, mountain high
It's a mountain, oh, mountain high
It's the cold wind you saw rush in
It's the bad mood you felt when you saw me alone
But half of me is half of you
I ran away so you would know
In half of me is half of you
I wondered why I let you go
You're everything I left behind
You're everything that I can't find
It's a mountain, oh, mountain high
It's a mountain, oh, mountain high
Smam
As a drummer that's about to start writing and producing his own music, this is super inspiring. This songs rocks and you're the man
pinknekk0
Who knew zac could sing?!? His voice is amazing.
ホセ - ホセ
His voice is EVERYTHING.
Like if you’re surviving the 20/20 “apocalypse” now. XD
Raffi
It's always great to see a drummer come out and sing, like Dave Grohl after Nirvana. It's an interesting role shift - from being in the back to being the frontman.
Luz Baruqui
My favorite musicians have been drummers
Lucas Monteiro
They always surprise us with their voices.
TheDreRock
I must say, I am extremely surprised at how good Zac's music is. He knows how to get his voice to compliment the (amazing) lyrics and the music, so it all just blends together. Josh and Zac should do a project together! That would be so amazing!
gerry zink
https://youtu.be/DYNXFOMk3S4
SkullScience77
i am extremely impressed by Zac's songwriting here and in Hurricane love.. You can see the hole that has been left in Paramore for sure. I never really gave Zac or Josh the credit they deserved when they were in Paramore but it is obviously they are both extremely talented and perhaps they needed their own band/s as the focus, probably by the label, increasingly came all about Hayley, even to her admittance and open annoyance.
teardropluvsparamore
exactly. Hopefully They can all work together again one.