The group came into being in 2003 when Bjarnson, who had already worked with Kaskade, met Williams and the three of them began recording as Late Night Alumni. In 2004, the Hed Kandi label made an offer to release a full-length Late Night Alumni album. “At that point,” Bjarnson says, “I knew the band was not ready. We were missing an element.” The missing element turned out to be John Hancock, a talented local producer with whom Bjarnson had been trying to “find an excuse” to work with for years. The band was complete and began mixing electronic and organic elements for a unique brand of chill that is easily distinguishable in today’s electronic music scene.
The band’s first single, “Empty Streets” received massive support in both the clubs and on the radio getting Top Ten Radio Play in the UK and US, and reaching #1 in Spain. “Empty Streets” has also been licensed to commercials including a spot for the Toyota IQ. Plus, more than a dozen of the world’s biggest dance compilations have licensed the track, and it remains the most popular and downloaded song on Tiesto’s In Search Of Sunrise compilation.
Late Night Alumni’s newest album Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, etc. was recorded in various studios between Park City, Utah and San Francisco, California. The first two singles “You Can Be The One” and “Finally Found” feature remixes by top producers including Sultan & Ned Shepard, Max Vangelli and DJ Eco. A video for the single “Finally Found” is due for release later this month.
Late Night Alumni’s Ryan Raddon (aka Kaskade) is also a world-renowned producer and DJ who has remixed such artists as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Seal. Kaskade: “Contrary to what some bloggers might think, Late Night Alumni is not just me. But don’t get me wrong… this is my band. But it’s also Becky, John and Finn’s band. Becky’s voice is the reason we do what we do. Her style and character make Late Night Alumni possible.”
Finally, four years later, Late Night Alumni is releasing its sophomore album Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, etc., which picks up where Empty Streets left off. Signed to Ultra Records, Late Night Alumni is poised to get its music out to a larger audience and to reconnect with those who have already fallen in love with their ethereal brand of music.
latenightalumni.com
myspace.com/latenightalumni
ultrarecords.com
Empty Streets
Late Night Alumni Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And me walking home to clear my head
I know it came as no surprise
I'm affected more than I had guessed on what was said
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
It's the quiet time before the dawn and I'm half past making sense of it, was I wrong?
Should I claim to give it all ? in a world where not much ever seems to last long
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken if the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open if we make it I won't
See how it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
"Empty Streets" by Late Night Alumni is a mellow and delicate song that portrays a post-midnight walk of the singer in deserted streets as an attempt to clear his mind from somebody's words that seem to be affecting him more than he expected. The first verse begins with the character walking in the city streets in the early hours, where the city feels clean, and the streets are empty. The mood is serene and peaceful, where the singer can have total control of his thoughts and emotions. He can take the time to process the words that have been affecting him, and he has to take a solitary walk to clear his head. Then the chorus follows, and the singer points out that if the smile is not meant to be or if one's heart is not willing to open up, then they won't be able to see how things are broken.
As the song continues into the second verse, the singer doubts his actions and choices. He wonders if his decisions and actions are the reason why he is currently in this state. He mentions the possibility of having to claim that he offered his all in a world where nothing seems to last long. He is unsure if it was the right thing to do or not. This part of the song is more reflective and nostalgic.
The last section of the song is a continuation of the chorus, where the character repeats that if the smile is not meant to be and the heart is not ready to open, then they won't see how things are broken. The repetition of "How it's broken" signifies the frustration that occurs when things go wrong, and there seems to be no solution. The song ends as soft and gentle as it began, leaving a sense of calmness and awareness in the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
The city feels clean this time of night just empty streets
At night, the city is quiet, and the streets are deserted, giving the impression of cleanliness.
And me walking home to clear my head
As I walk home, I try to sort out my thoughts and calm myself down.
I know it came as no surprise
I am not surprised by what was said, but it still affected me more than I thought it would.
I'm affected more than I had guessed on what was said
The words spoken had a greater impact on me than I anticipated.
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If the smile is fake, or if someone's heart is not open to love, it will fail.
If we make it I won't see it's broken
Even if we succeed in our love, I may not notice that it is already falling apart.
It's the quiet time before the dawn and I'm half past making sense of it, was I wrong?
It is the moment of reflection before dawn, and I am trying to understand my feelings - wondering if I was mistaken.
Should I claim to give it all ? in a world where not much ever seems to last long
Is it worth giving everything in a world where nothing seems to ever last? Should I hold back?
See how it's broken
Acknowledging that the relationship is already broken.
How it's broken
Repeating the thought of how the relationship is falling apart.
If the heart's not ready to open if we make it I won't
If someone is not emotionally available, and we are still together, I might not even realize that there is a problem.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANGELO BADALAMENTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NndoAguilar994
The city feels clean this time of night
Just empty streets and me walking home
To clear my head, I know it came as no surprise
I'm affected more than I had guessed on what was said
If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken
It's the quiet time before the dawn
And I'm half past making sense of it
Was I wrong?
Should I think to give it all
In a world where not much
Ever seems to last long?
If the love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken
How it's broken
If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
@uuuupk
The city feels clean this time of night just empty streets
And me walking home to clear my head
I know it came as no surprise
I'm affected more than I had guessed on what was said
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken
It's the quiet time before the dawn and I'm half past making sense of it, was I wrong?
Should I claim to give it all ? in a world where not much ever seems to last long
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken if the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open if we make it I won't
See how it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken
@michaelsf89
i remember listening to this song 10 years ago over and over again, so many memories of my 20s
@binanceworldtrade7800
🙏
@daveanajao
Me too
@olgaushakova8033
me 15 years ago))
@ShadowWarrior88
Me too😄
@andrearojas6774
@@binanceworldtrade7800 óóoOa0op⁰
@0nanana0
Memory: 2005 - Driving through Los Angeles late at night during a blackout, windows down and this song blasting, on our way to a club that was still going even though electricity was out. ❤
@joecool8066
I used to go to downtown L.A. with my bro in the early 2000s to do photography of the city and buildings. Sometimes, we photographed at night. i also used to film video with a cam corder. His Camaro had a retractable roof window (i speak spanish so i don't remember what that's called). I would play music as i filmed. I would play 4Hero (2 Pages album [drum & bass tracks]) and some hard bop and post bop jazz tunes. I remember playing Pretty Eyes by Horace Silver as we rode through the heart of downtown L.A. at night while filming. It was beautiful. Lost the camcorder cassettes. But the memory will always live. It was a beautiful time.
@BobbyL808
I have been listening to this song every day of my life for nearly 10 years. I absolutely adore this song and still every time I play this to someone who hasn’t heard it they always ask what and who is this. I have proudly introduced this to so many people who also have it as one of their regular must listen. Thank you so much Late Night Alumni for giving us this masterpiece ❤❤❤❤❤
@tsurur
My forever favorite band! Your sound changed something in me forever since the first time i listened to this song over 15 years ago! My only dream is to ever see you live 🙏 I love you guys!