Renick is the unemployed fellow who had the courage to hand director Jason Reitman an unsolicited cassette tape of the song. which he wrote shortly before the movie went into production. Reitman listened to the tape, thought the song fit the movie’s theme of in-betweenness and included it over the end credits. Renick was born and raised in St. Louis, and grew up listening to The Beatles, The Monkees, Tommy James and a host of singer/songwriters such as Paul Simon. But he considers Neil Young his biggest influence, and has been told he even sounds a bit like him, prompting Renick to form a Neil Young cover band as a side project. Renick has to date recorded three self-produced CDs: CLOSE TO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, which features his "Up in the Air" song, COME ON DOWN, a more rocking 7-song disc that features the popular concert staples "Goodbye Typewriter" and "Call It A Life," and an unusual spoken word/electronica collaboration made with Canadian soundscape artist John Sobocan, titled THE ROAD TO OLANDRA. These discs are available through his website and other online forums. Renick performs regular shows around the St. Louis area and is now in the midst of recording a new project.
more info: http://www.kevinrenick.com/
Up in the Air
Kevin Renick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Choices drifting by me everywhere
And I can't find the one
That would help me do the work I've left undone,
'Cause I'm up in the air.
I'm making some plans,
Finding out there's always new demands.
When people ask me what I'm doing with my life.
I say, "It's up in the air."
I'm hearing from friends.
It's that tired, old advice again:
"You just cannot keep floating all around,
Oh, you got to get your feet back on the ground."
But it's hard to come down
When you're up in the air.
Da, da da da da da
Da, da da da da da
Daaaa, daaa, daaa, da da da
Mmm
I"m travelling in my car,
Always lost, though I don't go that far.
I find that I can live most anywhere.
Everyone I meet has so much they can share.
But I don't settle down
'Cause I'm up in the air.
I'm thinking of my past,
The comfort in my home that couldn't last.
Now my family tells me work for your success
And they want to see me find some happiness.
But I"m not sure where that is
'Cause I'm up in the air.
I'm talking with my peers,
Listening to them tell their inner fears.
Some have lives that haven't gone the way they planned,
And some are trapped in situations they can't stand.
But I don't want the same for me
So I stay up in the air.
Da, da da da da da
Da, da da da da da
Daaaa, daaa, daaa, da da da
Mmm
I'm out in the woods,
Something here does my heart so good.
I breathe the air and I know that I'm alive.
And I stare at all the birds as they fly by.
I guess it all goes down to them
'Cause they're up in the air...
The song "Up in the Air" by Kevin Renick tells the story of a person who is constantly caught in the crossroads of life. The songwriter expresses being in a state of indecision, unsure of what path to take, and feeling overwhelmed by the numerous options available. The lyrics describe the dilemma of having to make choices, but being unable to find the right choice that will provide direction and help them do the work that has been left undone. The songwriter is drifting and is unable to be precise about what they are doing with their life when questioned by others. They are struggling to find their place in life, waiting for things to make sense, and hence, they stay up in the air.
The songwriter further describes a sense of alienation from the people around them, such as their friends and family, who are urging them to land on solid ground. They advise the songwriter that they can't keep floating around and that they need to get their feet back on the ground. The songwriter, however, finds it challenging to come back to reality, as they are lost and unsure of where they belong. Although they have been warned about the consequences of remaining in this state, they still choose to stay up in the air.
Overall, the song is an honest and introspective portrayal of the restless turmoil that many people experience in their lives, where they are caught between indecision and the desire for something more significant.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm up in the air,
I am undecided and uncertain about my life choices and direction.
Choices drifting by me everywhere
I am being presented with numerous options and opportunities that I can't seem to choose from.
And I can't find the one
That would help me do the work I've left undone,
'Cause I'm up in the air.
I am unable to identify the one choice or opportunity that would provide me with a sense of purpose to complete unfinished tasks.
I'm making some plans,
Finding out there's always new demands.
I am attempting to create a plan for my future, but there are always unexpected and additional requirements.
And I can't be precise
When people ask me what I'm doing with my life.
I say, "It's up in the air."
I can't provide a specific answer to the question regarding my life goals when others inquire, so I use the phrase 'up in the air.'
I'm hearing from friends.
It's that tired, old advice again:
"You just cannot keep floating all around,
Oh, you got to get your feet back on the ground."
But it's hard to come down
When you're up in the air.
Friends are reiterating that my inability to make a decision and remain indecisive is unsustainable, but coming down from this state of uncertainty is challenging.
I'm travelling in my car,
Always lost, though I don't go that far.
I'm continually traveling without a set destination, even though I'm not making much physical progress.
I find that I can live most anywhere.
Everyone I meet has so much they can share.
But I don't settle down
'Cause I'm up in the air.
I can easily adapt to new surroundings and thrive on the diversity of the people I encounter, but my uncertainty prohibits me from settling in one spot.
I'm thinking of my past,
The comfort in my home that couldn't last.
I am reflecting on my previous life and how I was unable to maintain a sense of stability and belonging.
Now my family tells me work for your success
And they want to see me find some happiness.
But I"m not sure where that is
'Cause I'm up in the air.
Even though my family wants me to work hard and find happiness, I am unsure of what would bring me fulfillment due to my present state of uncertainty.
I'm talking with my peers,
Listening to them tell their inner fears.
Some have lives that haven't gone the way they planned,
And some are trapped in situations they can't stand.
But I don't want the same for me
So I stay up in the air.
I am communicating with my peers and hearing of their struggles, but despite not wanting the same for myself, I continue to remain indecisive and uncertain.
I'm out in the woods,
Something here does my heart so good.
I breathe the air and I know that I'm alive.
And I stare at all the birds as they fly by.
I guess it all goes down to them
'Cause they're up in the air...
I find peace and clarity in nature and observing the birds in flight; perhaps they hold the answer to my indecisiveness because they are free and able to soar through life without hesitation.
Contributed by Hunter H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.