Hippo Campus was formed in 2013 by Jake Luppen (lead vocals & guitar), Nath… Read Full Bio ↴Hippo Campus was formed in 2013 by Jake Luppen (lead vocals & guitar), Nathan Stocker (lead guitar & vocals), Zach Sutton (bass & keys) and Whistler Allen (drums & vocals) after the four-piece met at the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists.

Their first EP was released that same year, but was taken down when 2015 EPs Bashful Creatures and South was dropped.

The band's first LP, landmark was released in early 2017, and was followed by warm glow (EP). During this time, DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet, bass & percussion), who had been in a band with Nathan and Whistler in high school, started touring with the band.

In 2018, the band released their second LP, Bambi.

warm glow
Hippo Campus Lyrics

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Smoke-swell haze on the hill over Tennessee
Leaky churches
Honey-burned tobacco leaves
Girl, teal-eyed, do occupy this tree with me
Summer peelings

The rose-set road will bend around
The earth you knew is waiting for you, dear

Some wave-swept gold drips from your mouth
The hazel hounds move south
To meet you here
Sky gone a certain shade of blue
The kind that heaven's fixin' up for you
Boy, that sure-fire desire is true
Raw hands heart-beating to the smoky view

Warm glow morning soaked in pastel tea
Soulful, soulful kids stamped to the concrete
Tryna be a paintbrush
Searching for a better seat
Summer peelings

Arm's length, shoulders wide
Looking for a fight
Peace sign, getting by
People, we'll be alright
Arm's length, shoulders wide
Looking for a fight
Peace sign, getting by
People, we'll be alright
Arm's length, shoulders wide
Looking for a fight
Peace sign, getting by
People, we'll be alright
Arm's length, shoulders wide
Looking for a fight
Peace sign, getting by
People, we'll be alright
Arm's length, shoulders wide
Looking for a fight
Peace sign, getting by
People, we'll be alright

Smoke-swell haze on the hill over Tennessee
(Peace sign, getting by)
(People, we'll be alright)
Leaky churches, honey-burnt tobacco leaves
(Peace sign, getting by)
(People, we'll be alright)
Girl, teal-eyed, do occupy this tree with me
(Peace sign, getting by)
(People, we'll be alright)
(Arm's length, shoulders wide)
(Looking for a fight)

(Peace sign, getting by)
(People, we'll be alright)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hippo Campus's song Warm Glow, describe a hazy summer day in Tennessee, with smoky and honey-burnt aromas filling the air as they wave-swept gold drips from the singer's mouth. The sky is a certain shade of blue that represents heaven, alluding to a spiritual feeling that is often associated with summertime. The singer then mentions a boy with a sure-fire desire, having raw hands and a heart-beating to the smoky view. The rose-set road bends around, indicating that their old life awaits them but they seem content with their current situation.

They transition to describing the soulful kids stamped to the concrete who are searching for a better seat, alluding to the state of the world and the hardships being faced by the younger generation. The singer then repeats "arms length, shoulders wide, looking for a fight, peace sign, getting by, people, we'll be alright," stressing on the message that, despite the uncertainties and struggles, everything will be okay.

The song's lyrics seem to draw inspiration from the warm and lazy summer days in Tennessee but also seem to have a deeper meaning that tackles the current state of the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Smoke-swell haze on the hill over Tennessee
A smoky mist hovers over the hills in Tennessee

Leaky churches
Churches in a state of disrepair

Honey-burned tobacco leaves
Tobacco leaves with a sweet aroma from being burnt or cured

Girl, teal-eyed, do occupy this tree with me
A girl with blue-green eyes is sitting in a tree with the singer

Summer peelings
Remnants or remnants of summer

The rose-set road will bend around
The path forward will twist and turn

The earth you knew is waiting for you, dear
There is familiarity in the unknown

Some wave-swept gold drips from your mouth
Words spoken with conviction

The hazel hounds move south
The dogs are headed in a southerly direction

To meet you here
To join the singer in a specific location

Sky gone a certain shade of blue
The sky has a unique, noticeable hue

The kind that heaven's fixin' up for you
A beautiful sky, one that is worthy of heaven

Boy, that sure-fire desire is true
That burning passion is truly present

Raw hands heart-beating to the smoky view
Hands are raw from clapping in excitement at the smoky scene

Warm glow morning soaked in pastel tea
A warm and comforting morning, reminiscent of pastel shades

Soulful, soulful kids stamped to the concrete
Youths with deep emotions, unafraid to express themselves

Tryna be a paintbrush
Trying to make a difference, to leave a lasting impression

Searching for a better seat
Looking for a place to belong, to call home

Arm's length, shoulders wide
Keeping a safe distance from others, staying guarded

Looking for a fight
Seeking conflict, ready to defend oneself

Peace sign, getting by
Hoping for peace and contentment, trying to make do

People, we'll be alright
Everything will be alright in the end, with the support of others

Smoke-swell haze on the hill over Tennessee
A smoky mist hovers over the hills in Tennessee

Leaky churches, honey-burnt tobacco leaves
Chilling by churches in disrepair and tobacco leaves with a sweet aroma from being burnt or cured