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.
Oh Maria
Islands Lyrics
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Oh Maria is in the pasture
with all the people
running past her
She said if every day's a holy day
Today must be the day of the dead
Oh Maria
Now that you're all alone
do you remember that song?
She woke up singing along
Words came quickly but the melody was wrong
Oh Maria is in the pasture
with all the people
running past her
She said if every day's a holy day
today must be the day of the dead
Oh Maria
Now that you're all alone, do you remember that song
Just think of me when you're falling asleep
When you wake up you'll be able to dream
The song Oh Maria by Islands is a hauntingly beautiful piece about a girl named Maria who is alone in a pasture while people run past her. The repetition of the phrase "Oh Maria" throughout the song suggests that the singer is trying to reach out to the girl and perhaps help her in some way.
The lyrics of the song are tinged with a sense of loss and sadness, as the singer sings about how Maria wakes up singing a song but cannot quite remember the melody. The reference to the day of the dead suggests that Maria may be mourning someone, perhaps a loved one who has passed on.
The final stanza of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer urges Maria to remember him when she falls asleep so that she can dream of him. This suggests that the two have a connection of some kind, and that the singer feels a sense of loss now that Maria is alone.
Overall, Oh Maria is a beautifully crafted song that is both haunting and evocative, with lyrics that capture a sense of loss and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Maria is in the pasture with all the people running past her
Maria is alone in a field, as crowds of people rush past her.
She said if every day's a holy day Today must be the day of the dead
Maria thinks today is an important day, perhaps a day of remembrance for the dead.
Now that you're all alone do you remember that song?
Maria wonders if the person she is speaking to remembers a song from the past now that they are both alone.
She woke up singing along Words came quickly but the melody was wrong
Maria woke up singing a song she remembered, but the melody was off when she tried to sing it.
Just think of me when you're falling asleep When you wake up you'll be able to dream
Maria wants the person she is speaking to think about her as they fall asleep, hoping they will have pleasant dreams.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NICHOLAS SHANAHAN THORBURN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind