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.
On Foreigner
Islands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on foreigner, on you go
Heard it all, I've heard it all
But it won't hurt at all
Shy away, shy away but don't try to get away
Don't draw the needle, don't draw the needle
And don't move
Turn me on arousing song for sympathetic ears
No one cares, no one's there and you, you disappear
Fall in, fall in, fall in
No one will know
Go on, fall in, no one will know
Hold on foreigner, on you go
Left behind, left behind, left behind
But not like a Christian kind
Fall in, fall in, fall in
No one will know
Go on, fall in, no one will know
Hold on foreigner, on you go
Go on, fall in, no one will know
Hold on foreigner, on you go
On you go
The lyrics of Islands' song "On Foreigner" are shrouded in ambiguity and open to various interpretations. The song appears to have a seductive and mysterious tone, with the singer luring someone into something unknown. The first two lines of the chorus encourage the person to dive into the unknown, promising that no one will know. This could imply either sexual desire or a descent into something illicit or dangerous. The words "hold on foreigner" hints at a sense of displacement or alienation, which could be interpreted as a metaphorical journey into the unknown as well.
The next two lines of the chorus state that the person has "heard it all" and that it "won't hurt at all." This could suggest that the person has been through something traumatic or life-changing and is now numbed to further experiences. The following lines tell the person to shy away but not to try to get away, which could imply a sense of conflict or struggle. The repetition of "don't draw the needle" could refer to a drug metaphor or an allusion to music, as a needle is used to play vinyl records.
The song then goes on to describe an "arousing song for sympathetic ears," which suggests a seductive tone. The lines "No one cares, no one's there and you, you disappear" imply that the singer is enticing someone to an isolated or secret location. The final lines of the chorus "left behind, left behind, left behind, but not like a Christian kind" could be read as either sexual, religious or both, leaving the meaning of the song open to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Go on, fall in, no one will know
Encouraging the listener to give in and indulge in something they may regret, without fear of judgment or consequence from others.
Hold on foreigner, on you go
Addressing someone who may feel out of place or unfamiliar in their surroundings, urging them to keep moving forward despite any discomfort or uncertainty.
Heard it all, I've heard it all
Implying a sense of jadedness or experience, suggesting that the singer has been through it all before.
But it won't hurt at all
Assuring the listener that the potential consequences of their actions will not be as bad as they may expect or fear.
Shy away, shy away but don't try to get away
Advising the listener to not be too hesitant or avoidant, yet also recognizing that they may feel trapped or unable to leave a situation.
Don't draw the needle, don't draw the needle
Warning against starting an addictive or destructive habit, especially as it relates to drug use or alcoholism.
Don't draw the needle on the groove
Using a metaphor to emphasize the dangers of repeating the same destructive behaviors or patterns habitually, like the needle on a record player.
And don't move
Further emphasizing the importance of avoiding any action or behavior that could lead to negative outcomes, like becoming stuck in a groove.
Turn me on arousing song for sympathetic ears
Expressing a desire for something that provides comfort, perhaps through music or other forms of art, but only appealing to a very specific kind of listener or audience.
No one cares, no one's there and you, you disappear
Highlighting the feeling of isolation that the artist or listener may be experiencing, and the sense that they are easily overlooked or forgotten by others.
Left behind, left behind, left behind
Repeating a phrase to emphasize feelings of abandonment, rejection or loneliness that the singer or listener may be dealing with.
But not like a Christian kind
Drawing a contrast between the sense that one has been abandoned or forsaken, and the idea of redemption or salvation offered by certain religious beliefs or teachings.
Go on, fall in, no one will know
Repeating the opening line to emphasize the pressure that the singer is putting on the listener or themselves to indulge and take risks without fear of being caught or judged.
Hold on foreigner, on you go
Reiterating the idea that even in unfamiliar or uncomfortable circumstances, one must keep moving forward and not give up or give in to fear.
On you go
Closing the song by encouraging listeners to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity or doubt.
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.