Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Islands is a 6 piece band founded in 2005 by The Unicorns co-founder/songwriter Nick Thorburn (often performing as "Nick Diamonds") and drummer J'Aime Tambeur. Following the untimely disbandment of The Unicorns as they teetered on the brink of breaking through, Islands' debut release entitled Return to the Sea, with its quirky sounds and refreshing, catchy melodies includes collaborations with members of Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade. This debut picks up where The Unicorns left off and takes the music to new heights without departing from The Unicorns' unique if sometimes peculiar appeal.
Islands plays beautiful pop melodies, intertwined with elements of afro-pop, hip hop, and indie rock, among others. One of the main gimmicks of the band is the recorder brought over from The Unicorns, which is prominently featured in the song "Jogging Gorgeous Summer." Nick Diamonds rules over the band with an iron fist. Other members include: Patrice Agbokou, Aaron Harris, Alex Chow, Sebastian Chow, and Patrick Gregoire. Return To the Sea, their rookie effort, was released on April 4th, 2006 on the brand new label, Equator Records, and Rough Trade in the UK. Digital Distribution handled by Alpha Pup.
On May 20, 2008, Islands released its second album, Arm's Way, on Anti- Records.
On September 22, 2009 Islands released their third full length album, Vapours.
On February 14, 2012 Islands released their fourth full length album, A Sleep & A Forgetting.
On September 17, 2013 Islands released their fifth full length album, Ski Mask
On May 13, 2016 Islands released their sixth and seventh full length albums, Should I Remain Here, At Sea? and Taste.
Becoming the Gunship
Islands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was a question mark
Becoming the gunship, whoa-oh
I had a heart
But it was torn apart
Now I'm the gunship
Bombs away
You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all
And like the wealth
That doesn't know itself
I am a bird that doesn't fly
I lost desire
To load my fire
I am the gunship
Run away cannonball
Bombs away
You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all
When it was dark
I was a question mark
Becoming the gunship
I couldn't stop
Had no control to turn it off
I was the gunship
I am the gunship
Will be the gunship
Becoming the gunship
The lyrics of Islands' "Becoming the Gunship" appear to be a meditation on transformation and the consequences of power. The opening lines, "When it was dark I was a question mark / Becoming the gunship, whoa-oh," suggest a sort of existential confusion that gives way to a sense of identity and purpose. The image of "becoming the gunship" is a powerful one, and it's interesting that the lyrics never quite explain what it means beyond the metaphorical level. It seems to suggest a transformation from something small and insignificant into a powerful weapon capable of destruction.
The second stanza develops this idea further with the line "I had a heart but it was torn apart / Now I'm the gunship." Here, the image of the gunship takes on a darker tone, suggesting a loss of empathy or emotional depth that is replaced by a cold, mechanical power. The lines "Run away cannonball / Bombs away / You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all" reinforce the sense of destruction and power that the gunship represents.
The final stanza, "I couldn't stop / Had no control to turn it off / I was the gunship / I am the gunship / Will be the gunship / Becoming the gunship," suggests that this transformation is irreversible and perhaps even desirable in some sense. The gunship is not just a symbol of power, but of transformation and becoming something greater than what one was before.
Line by Line Meaning
When it was dark
During a difficult time in my life
I was a question mark
I didn't know what to do or how to move forward
Becoming the gunship, whoa-oh
Transforming into a powerful force to take control
I had a heart
I once cared deeply
But it was torn apart
But it was broken and damaged
Now I'm the gunship
Now I'm the one in control
Run away cannonball
Get out of my way
Bombs away
I'm ready to attack
You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all
It's not safe to be around when I unleash my power
And like the wealth
Similar to something that may be valued
That doesn't know itself
But lacks self-awareness
I am a bird that doesn't fly
I have the potential to do great things, but I'm not using my abilities
I lost desire
I no longer have motivation
To load my fire
To ignite my passion
I am the gunship
I am the one in control
I couldn't stop
I had lost all control
Had no control to turn it off
I couldn't stop myself from becoming powerful
Will be the gunship
I will continue to take control and not back down
Becoming the gunship
Continuing to transform into a powerful force
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ashar Fawad
When it was dark
I was a question mark
Becoming the gunship, whoa-oh
I had a heart
But it was torn apart
Now I'm the gunship
Run away cannonball
Bombs away
You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all
And like the wealth
That doesn't know itself
I am a bird that doesn't fly
I lost desire
To load my fire
I am the gunship
Run away cannonball
Bombs away
You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all
When it was dark
I was a question mark
Becoming the gunship
I couldn't stop
Had no control to turn it off
I was the gunship
I am the gunship
Will be the gunship
Becoming the gunship
kellymadden
islands never fail to disappoint
Ashar Fawad
When it was dark
I was a question mark
Becoming the gunship, whoa-oh
I had a heart
But it was torn apart
Now I'm the gunship
Run away cannonball
Bombs away
You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all
And like the wealth
That doesn't know itself
I am a bird that doesn't fly
I lost desire
To load my fire
I am the gunship
Run away cannonball
Bombs away
You don't wanna be here when I hit 'em all
When it was dark
I was a question mark
Becoming the gunship
I couldn't stop
Had no control to turn it off
I was the gunship
I am the gunship
Will be the gunship
Becoming the gunship
whistlingdust
This song came to me when I needed it most. This song is my anthem. This song speaks with my darkest heat. The love it feels is real. I'm haunting this creature.
Brandon G
new favorite- nice work Islands.
Brian Bowhay
This song is absurdly good.
somuch love
just beautiful...♥
marcoiscrazy_gif
Hahaha. I clicked here and continued browsing in a different tab. Then this is exactly what popped in my head. Click back over to this tab, and it's the first comment. You realize, when they finally do a reunion tour, and I'm not trying to be punny--but unicorns will actually appear. I hope you get tickets.
scott walker
Warm all in my earholes
Aaron Braun
Damn it, I want The Unicorns!
Scott
Get the hell out this is great islands is way better than the unicorns.