Armed with solid training and raw talent, they mix and combine their different musical backgrounds. Their complex arrangements, inspired by both classical and modern composers, are particularly striking to hear and see during their live shows. Devon Portielje’s remarkable voice is beautifully backed up by Connor Molander and Dylan Phillips. Phillips often plays drums and keys simultaneously as Molander and Portielje shuffle between guitar, keys, samplers, and percussion folky three-part harmonies hold down moody, psychedelic arrangements and electronic-infused soundscapes. They have recently welcomed a 4th member on stage, multi-instrumentlist Isaac Symonds, who adds his voice as well as playing guitar, keyboards and percussions.
I Can't Figure Out What's Going On
Half Moon Run Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be on your back again
To poison all your friends
And if you did it today
Could have gold beyond your means
Get old but live the dream
Time to rearrange the little lines I've drawn
So I can't figure out what's going on
When you're on your back again
And what a perfect day
To take what you can get
And live without regret
But in a similar way all the blueprints that you leave
Crush us 'til we're free
Time it weighs heavy on your bedroom wall
Time to rearrange the the little lines I've drawn
So I can't figure out what's going on
When you're on your back again
I heard it pays in spades
To be on your back again
To poison all your friends
The lyrics to Half Moon Run's "I Can't Figure Out What's Going On" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The song appears to be addressing the idea that living a hedonistic, selfish lifestyle can lead to riches and success, but at the cost of one's relationships with others. The opening lines suggest that being on one's back (presumably in a position of submission or vulnerability) can be a profitable strategy, but it requires betraying one's friends.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Time it weighs heavy on your bedroom wall," which could symbolize the weight of regret and missed opportunities. The lines "Time to rearrange the little lines I've drawn" suggest a need to reconsider one's choices and perspectives in life. However, the singer admits that they "can't figure out what's going on" despite this introspection.
The verse "And what a perfect day / To take what you can get / And live without regret" suggests that the singer is considering adopting this selfish lifestyle themselves. However, they recognize that such a path will ultimately lead to crushing others ("all the blueprints that you leave / Crush us 'til we're free").
Overall, the song seems to be examining the moral and emotional cost of success achieved through selfishness and betrayal. The singer struggles to reconcile the potential rewards of such a life with the harm it causes to others, and ultimately concludes that they "can't figure out what's going on."
Line by Line Meaning
I heard it pays in spades
I heard it's advantageous
To be on your back again
To put yourself in a submissive position
To poison all your friends
To negatively influence those around you
And if you did it today
And if you took action now
Could have gold beyond your means
You could attain an unrealistic level of wealth
Get old but live the dream
Age but still pursue what you desire
Time it weighs heavy on your bedroom wall
The passage of time can be felt heavily in your private space
Time to rearrange the little lines I've drawn
Time to revise your plans
So I can't figure out what's going on
So I'm unable to comprehend the situation
When you're on your back again
When you're in a vulnerable position
And what a perfect day
What a great opportunity
To take what you can get
To seize whatever comes your way
And live without regret
To live without remorse
But in a similar way all the blueprints that you leave
But in the same way, your plans can cause damage
Crush us 'til we're free
To oppress us until we're liberated from the burden of your plans
Writer(s): Devon Portielje, Conner Molander, Isaac Nathan Symonds, Dylan Phillips
Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mikoajpiotrowski6726
I've heard it pays in spades
To be on your back again
To poison all your friends
And if you did it today
You could have gold beyond your means
Get old but live the dream
Time it weighs heavy on your bedroom wall
Time to rearrange the little lines i've drawn
So I can't figure out what's going on
when your on your back again.
Oh, what a perfect day
To take what you can get
And live without regret
But in a similar vein
The blueprints that you leave
And crush us til' we're free
Time it weighs heavy on your bedroom wall
Time to rearrange the little lines I've drawn
So I can't figure out whats going on
When your on your back again
I heard it pays in space,
To be on your back again
To poison all your friends
@HalfMoonRun
this video was shot in the same place that we initially wrote it, a place that has inspired a lot of the music on both of our albums. both the song and the video remind us of some of our most pleasant times writing together, and we hope that you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it.
"I Can't Figure Out What's Going On" is off our album Sun Leads Me On, which you can hear here: smarturl.it/sunleadsmeon
@sarahgrenier8475
Amazing video and song can't wait to see you in Montréal ! :D
@jackgordon8751
+Half moon run Favourite song from the album! Great work guys!
@rubydawn1
+thepaddyg10 Love the house
@kevin933
Great work, guys. I can't tell you how much I love your music.
@pinklemonade376
This song is so beautiful. Thank you for creating this
@aarnoalikoski1755
Half Moon Run is very talented group - one of the best bands at this moment.
@mikoajpiotrowski6726
I've heard it pays in spades
To be on your back again
To poison all your friends
And if you did it today
You could have gold beyond your means
Get old but live the dream
Time it weighs heavy on your bedroom wall
Time to rearrange the little lines i've drawn
So I can't figure out what's going on
when your on your back again.
Oh, what a perfect day
To take what you can get
And live without regret
But in a similar vein
The blueprints that you leave
And crush us til' we're free
Time it weighs heavy on your bedroom wall
Time to rearrange the little lines I've drawn
So I can't figure out whats going on
When your on your back again
I heard it pays in space,
To be on your back again
To poison all your friends
@zumigata
I love Conner's face when he's trying not to laugh playing that baby instrument.
@1997bae
beautiful cinematography!! the tones are so wonderful. you guys just don't disappoint. i'm so happy to have been on this journey with you from the start. i'm actually getting your logo tattooed on thursday! as a reminder of the joy and adventure you've brought to my life :-) can't wait to see you next year, for the 7th time!!