“PROMINENCE” is the 2nd full length in as many years from Texas transplant John Pena. It was recorded/mixed in the same apartment(after a failed attempt to mix in a “real” studio) as last years TALENT over the first few months of 2013 after shelving a full length’s worth of songs for not being sonically or emotionally interesting enough.
Using Primitive Radio God’s “Standing Outside A Broken Telephone Booth With Money In My Hand” as a sonic touch point John built a new album from the ground up utilizing chopped/sampled drum breaks and, for the first time, some non laptop based keyed instruments(piano, mellotron) along with H.B. main stays classical guitar and steel drums. Live member Christian Barsi and Daniel Schlett of Strange Weather Studio both contributed keys to a few songs but the outcome is still a very solo sounding project.
Arrangements is where PROMINENCE shines. Managing to sound inventive and not quite like anything else with such a limited palette is a rare and commendable feat. From the slide guitar and pulsing nylon string samples of “Honest” to the flamingo call and deep kick combo of the 2nd half of “Complete” Heavenly Beat keeps the whole affair sounding fresh, interesting and natural.
Lyrically, PROMINENCE is not an escapist affair. It’s a very direct look into someone dealing with poor body image(Thin), infidelity(Honest) and emotional/physical/sexual recklessness(Prominence). It’s not asking or answering any questions. Just existing within itself, fully a where of it’s shortcomings
Lust
Heavenly Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
live for fun?
or hurt like you
say you wanna
crouched in dirt
and all i do
i see it in itself
if to try made sense
then i'd lose what i'd left
but only on the outside
i'll show up, i'll show
eh yeah, think of
water in a fall
last i saw
lust spoke
louder than words
dawn's weak song
we could but wouldn't sing
made love in the sense
that life means less than we think
but only on the outside
i'll show up, i'll show
blinded by urges
to salacious to be heeded
and I'm blinded by longing
but what more could i need
in your eyes
The lyrics of "Lust" by Heavenly Beat convey the internal struggle of conflicting desires between living a carefree life and being hurt by it, or embracing the dirt and darkness to feel alive. The first lines question whether one wants to live for fun or live with the pain that comes with it. The following lines reference being crouched in dirt, implying a willingness to embrace the darkness to feel alive. The singer sees beauty in this unrestrained lifestyle, but acknowledges that trying to live this way could cause them to lose what they have left. They have accepted that this way of life is not sustainable, and they only show this side of themselves on the outside.
The chorus adds depth to the internal conflict of the singer, possibly referencing a past desire for love or sex that they are unable to attain now. The imagery of a waterfall adds an element of beauty to the scene, but the lust spoken of is portrayed as louder than words. They mention the weakness of dawn and how they could make love, but they wouldn't sing. This implies that they are content with the physical act of love, but don't believe the relationship will last, so they don't "sing" with the other person.
The last few lines express the singer's struggle between wanting to give in to overwhelming desires, and a conflicting urge to remain in the safety of what they know. The final line, "in your eyes," could imply that the person they are thinking of still has a hold on them, and that they are unable to let go of their desires completely.
Line by Line Meaning
eh yeah, do wanna live for fun?
Are you looking to enjoy life without any serious obligations?
or hurt like you say you wanna
Or, are you seeking self-inflicted pain?
crouched in dirt and all I do
Feeling trapped and hopeless, unable to move forward.
I see it in itself if to try made sense
Realizing that any effort exerted will not change the difficult situation.
then I'd lose what I'd left but only on the outside
Any progress made seems to take value away, leaving nothing of worth in the end.
I'll show up, I'll show
Showing resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
eh yeah, think of water in a fall
Consider the constant flow of life and how easy it can be to get swept away.
last I saw lust spoke louder than words
Recent experiences have shown how powerful and consuming physical desires can be.
dawn's weak song we could but wouldn't sing
Despite the beauty of the new day, there's no motivation to celebrate or engage with the world.
made love in the sense that life means less than we think
Intimacy gives temporary relief, but life still feels unimportant and dull afterwards.
but only on the outside I'll show up, I'll show
Presenting a façade of positivity, while inwardly struggling with despair.
blinded by urges too salacious to be heeded
Overwhelmed and distracted by desires that are too explicit and inappropriate to act on.
and I'm blinded by longing but what more could I need in your eyes
Succumbing to the pull of yearning, but recognizing that the object of affection is all that's necessary for satisfaction.
Contributed by Jasmine I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deniz
eh yeah, do wanna
live for fun?
or hurt like you
say you wanna
crouched in dirt
and all i do
i see it in itself
if to try made sense
then i’d lose what i’d left
but only on the outside
i’ll show up, i’ll show
eh yeah, think of
water in a fall
last i saw
lust spoke
louder than words
dawn’s weak song
we could but wouldn’t sing
made love in the sense
that life means less than we think
but only on the outside
i’ll show up, i’ll show
blinded by urges
to salacious to be heeded
and I’m blinded by longing
but what more could i need
in your eyes