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.
Shining
Islands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wasn't lying to you
What are you trying to do
And who are you crying to?
You have some singing to do
Some singing for your food
I have something for you
It's back alley I know
But you're made of gold
Just too bright in daylight
Step into the dark to talk
Up against the wall
Empty out all of your content
Don't hold back, friend
Give me what you owe me then
Count to one hundred slowly
I put a shining on you
Poisoned pill in your food
Singing 'la la la'
What's that tune
Bad timing for you
One, two, three, four strikes on you
You put your back on my knife
Made me ask your money or your life
Up against the wall
Empty out all of your content
Don't hold back, friend
Give me what you owe me then
Count to one hundred slowly
The lyrics of the song Shining by Islands give us a glimpse of a scene where one person is trying to lure someone into their room, who seems to be in a vulnerable or desperate state. The first stanza of the song shows the singer's attraction towards the subject, but the subsequent lines suggest that they may have some sort of hidden agenda. The phrase "Singing for your food" hints at a possible transaction of some kind. The next line, "I have something for you, come into my room", makes it clear that the singer wants the subject to come to their room, making it seem as if there is some kind of hidden offer or promise in there.
The second stanza adds more details to the scenario, describing the location as a back alley, with the singer acknowledging that the subject is made of gold, but too bright to be seen in daylight. The singer wants to talk in the dark, creating a sense of uncertainty and danger. The lines "Up against the wall" and "empty out all of your content" also suggest a sense of invasion of personal space, as if the subject has no choice but to comply with the singer's demands. The singer asks the subject to count to one hundred slowly, possibly to give them some time to think or to create tension.
The third and final stanza reveals the true nature of the singer's intentions. The line "I put a shining on you" implies that the singer has done something to the subject, perhaps drugging them or making them feel indebted or obligated in some way. The line "Poisoned pill in your food" reinforces this idea. The singer then sings "La la la" and asks about the tune, almost as if taunting or mocking the subject for their vulnerability. The lines "One, two, three, four strikes on you" suggest that the singer is punishing the subject for some perceived wrong, and the lines "you put your back on my knife, made me ask your money or your life" make it clear that the singer is threatening the subject with physical harm.
Line by Line Meaning
I took a shining to you
I became very fond of you
I wasn't lying to you
I was honest with you
What are you trying to do
What is your intention?
And who are you crying to?
To whom are you expressing your emotions?
You have some singing to do
You have something to share
Some singing for your food
Share something valuable in exchange for what you need
I have something for you
I have an offer for you
Come into my room
Let's have a private conversation
It's back alley I know
This is not the most reputable place
But you're made of gold
You have valuable qualities despite your surroundings
Just too bright in daylight
Your presence is too notable in the open
Step into the dark to talk
Let's have a private conversation away from prying eyes
Up against the wall
You're in a difficult situation
Empty out all of your content
Tell me everything that you know
Don't hold back, friend
Be honest with me, even if it's hard
Give me what you owe me then
Pay what you owe me
Count to one hundred slowly
Take your time, but don't delay
I put a shining on you
I took notice of you
Poisoned pill in your food
I gave you something harmful
Singing 'la la la'
Ignoring the consequences of my actions
What's that tune
How will this situation play out?
Bad timing for you
This is not the right moment for you
One, two, three, four strikes on you
You're in trouble
You put your back on my knife
You showed me your vulnerability and I took advantage of it
Made me ask your money or your life
I forced you to make a difficult choice
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
FruscianteFan
I'm glad! I also see that you're an Animal Collective fan; with that and Dostoevsky, you have awesome taste! I think Vapours or Tender Torture would make good videos, too. I can't wait either!
Rane909
Completely under rated, love this, very dark, very inspiring, twisted and yet sublime
FruscianteFan
Thanks! Yeah, so far I'm not too sure about some of these lyrics but this is such an awesome song!
Colm Cahalane
Best track on the album IMO
FruscianteFan
Agreed! I'm pretty much addicted to it. I love it.
jill
LOVE THIS SONG/BAND
Paige Rechtman
THIS SONG IS TOTALLY ABOUT HARRY POTTER AND SEVERUS SNAPE!!
quiet451
To bad almost none of the people in the picture are still in the band
quiet451
No worries. A fan of Dostoevsky is a friend of mine. Can't wait for them to release of video from this album. "On Foreigner" maybe?
FruscianteFan
yeah, sorry about that. i probably could have found a more recent pic but not very many of them are high-resolution