After they released their first EP "Ebb & Flow" (2009) greeted by the critics, and went on a promising national tour of more than 30 dates, Holding Sand put out their new 5-tracks "On Sleepless Nights" in 2010. It was recorded by David Potvin (One-Way Mirror, Lyzanxia, Sexypop...). Darker and heavier than what they sounded like in the past, the band is catching the attention of an ever-growing and anthusiastic audience.
The quintet took things up a notch when they unveiled the music video for the song "On Sleepless Nights" (directed by Benjamin Cappelletti : My Own Private Alaska, Sidilarsen...) and the single "The Future Belongs to Heartless Whores" directed by their singer Clément Horvath.
They quickly put a 25-minutes long documentary about the band online, called "Holding Sand : Inside", and launched on february 2011 a 6-episodes web-serie about their lives on tour called "The Holding Sand Chronicles", before hitting the studio again in april.
After the success of their two first EP's, the band released their first album "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" in january 2012 through M&O Music. It is available for digital download and on shelves in european, american and japanese stores.
The music videos for the singles "Bound To Go Wrong" and "Float" helped the band promote their new delivery and got them back on the road for a new national french tour in spring 2012.
Superman
Holding Sand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And built a cabin up there on the hills
Under the sun
Ready to rebirth
One step close to falling
One step close to falling down
I'm no superman
But the mantis struck back every night
So I lifted my gun and fired on sight
Never let go
Or you'll feed her once more
One step close to falling
One step close to falling down
I'm no superman
I got high
I got low
I got tired of the ebb and flow
One step close to falling
One step close to falling down
I'm no superman
I'm no f***ing... I'm no f***ing superman
The lyrics of "Superman" by Holding Sand are deeply introspective and meditative, reflecting on the struggles of life and the constant battle against insecurities and challenges. The opening lines set the scene for the song, as the singer describes leaving behind the town of the praying mantis to build a cabin on the hills. The metaphorical significance of the praying mantis is open to interpretation, but it could be seen as a representation of a spiritual false prophet, insincere religious rituals, or even a predatory force.
The singer goes on to describe his readiness to rebirth under the sun, but the line "One step close to falling" suggests that he is not as confident as he may seem. This insecurity is further emphasized by the line "I'm no superman" - a humbling admission that the singer is just as susceptible to failure and vulnerability as anyone else. The mantis strikes back every night, reminding the singer that he is not invincible. In response, he lifts his gun and fires on sight, a reflexive defense mechanism against perceived threats. However, the line "Never let go, or you'll feed her once more" is a warning against succumbing to fear and repeating the same mistakes.
The chorus repeats the line "One step close to falling" and "I'm no f***ing... I'm no f***ing superman" (with a frustrated emphasis on the "f***ing"), indicating that the singer is struggling to come to terms with his limitations. He got high, he got low, and he got tired of the ebb and flow of life, but he ultimately recognizes that he cannot rely on superhuman powers to save him. The song ends with a big exhale, as though the singer is relieved to have acknowledged his mortality and faced his inner demons.
Line by Line Meaning
I left the town of the praying mantis
I left a place where people were praying for divine intervention, perhaps due to their plight or suffering.
And built a cabin up there on the hills
I moved to a solitary place, far from civilization, and built a house there.
Under the sun
I was exposed to the bright and harsh realities of life, without escape or shelter.
Ready to rebirth
I was prepared to start anew, to change my ways and outlook, and to embrace a new identity.
One step close to falling
I was in danger of collapsing, either physically or mentally, due to the demands or pressures of life.
One step close to falling down
I was very close to failing or crumbling completely, with no hope of recovery.
I'm no superman
I am not capable of performing extraordinary or miraculous feats, nor do I have the ability to overcome all obstacles and challenges in life.
But the mantis struck back every night
Despite my efforts to break free, my past or some other force kept reminding me of my shortcomings or past mistakes, causing me pain or discomfort.
So I lifted my gun and fired on sight
I fought back against my doubts or other negative thoughts using any means necessary, even if it meant harming myself or others emotionally or physically.
Never let go
I refused to give in or to let my problems or regrets consume me, no matter how difficult or painful it was.
Or you'll feed her once more
Or else my past or my fears would come back to haunt me, causing me to relive my pain or setbacks.
I got high
I experienced intense feelings of pleasure, excitement, or fulfillment in some way.
I got low
I experienced intense feelings of sadness, despair, or loneliness in some way.
I got tired of the ebb and flow
I became exhausted and frustrated with the ups and downs of life, the cycles of joy and pain, and the lack of stability or predictability.
I'm no f***ing... I'm no f***ing superman
I am not a perfect or invincible being, but a flawed and vulnerable human being, prone to mistakes and failures.
Contributed by Jackson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FanoOo37
Ben écoutez les gens, ça, c'est du bon son ! Franchement vous avez bien progressé depuis vos débuts, faut continuer ! J'ai halluciné quand Coralie m'a dit que vous alliez tourner un clip, pis j'avais surtout hâte de voir ça, pis ben, ça cartonne! J'vais passer vous voir le 24 au black hawk , pour profiter de vous voir avant que ce soit 25€ la place en tête d'affiche ^^ ! Sur ce, bonne route à vous, bises ! Stéphane.
@blackattaque
J'vous aient découverts aujourd'hui même dans le magasine Rock One et il se trouve que j'aime beaucoup votre chanson (j'lécoute en boucle) et j'dois avouer que... que le chanteur est pas désagréable à regarder =D Bonne continuation bisous à vous et courage! Emma.
@GenghisBlond
You guys rock so much! I will definitely buy a couple albums off iTunes from you guys :P By the way are you guys french?
@acolyte27
Putain les gens je remate ce clip et vos plus récents, il doit être lourd le poids de l'évolution haahaahaaa vous avez pris grave de l'assurance et de la maturité avec le temps...enfin on dirait quand on se penche sur "On Sleepless Nights" et qu'on voit cette vidéo...wahou ! Héhéhéhé. C'est déjà une archive ca ! Vivement votre nouveau skeud en tous cas !
@Boptoa
Thanks again for this. Really good song guys.
@Xevern
Magnifique ! juste magnifique ! ^^ Vous l'avez sentis ? Vous venez de faire un grand pas vous rapprochant des grands groupes ! :p
@dame_pompon
je l'ai decouver il y a pas longtemp en prenant le cd de rock one chez ma pote et maintenant je fais que l'ecouter pour ceux qui ne connaisse pas ecouter parseke sa dechire a mort
@samcore5820
Not bad.
@Moitouf
on reconnait une influence du style AqME jme trompe? ^^ je pense au riff principal qui est un peu dans leur style
@WoeIsJesse
Reminds me of Finch