Local Natives (formerly cavil at rest) is an indie rock band based in Silve… Read Full Bio ↴Local Natives (formerly cavil at rest) is an indie rock band based in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
After the three founding members originally met in high school, a bassist and a drummer were found, and they all moved to a house in Silver Lake in 2008 to record their album. Their debut album as Local Natives, "Gorilla Manor", was released in the UK on November 2nd, 2009, and saw a US release date of February 16th, 2010. The band's sound has been described as "afropop-influenced guitars with hyperactive drumming and hooky three-part harmonies". They started to attract the attention of the music press after playing nine shows at the 2009 SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Initial reviews of Local Natives have drawn favourable comparisons to Arcade Fire, Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend.

Utilizing lots of vocal harmonies and drifting, dreamlike melodies, Local Natives have an intricate sound based around the delicate interconnectedness of all of their parts. This gives the band a sound that is able to be orchestral while still feeling understated, evoking the carefully assembled pop of Grizzly Bear. Their debut, Gorilla Manor, arrived in 2009 through U.K. label Infectious Records (with a domestic release coming by way of Frenchkiss in 2010). In 2011, Andy Hamm left Local Natives, leaving them to continue on as a quartet. In 2013, the band returned with its sophomore album, Hummingbird, featuring the single "Breakers".

Official website: http://www.localnatives.com

Garden of Elysian
Local Natives Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the time before we needed forgiveness
You said, "Meet me after school at the top of Elysian"
Sharing headphones and a plastic bottle of vodka
In the distance, the crowd goin' wild in the stadium

Orchestra playing under the bandshell
Swaying together like cathedral bells
They ring and ring and ring and ring and ring

And I could only hear you singing

'Cause she said, "When do you think we'll stop feeling like children?
'Cause the last time I asked my mom she said she still did"
As we pass, the cell towers disguise like palm trees
She laid out across my lap and we kept driving

Orchestra playing under the bandshell
Swaying together like cathedral bells
They ring and ring and ring and ring and ring
And I could only hear you singing

Mary in Harlem sitting quiet
Imagine if we had stayed
Tourniquet stems are blushing tide
Love isn't worship, love is change

Orchestra playing under the bandshell
Swaying together like cathedral bells
They ring and ring and ring and ring and ring
And I could only hear you singing
Orchestra playing under the bandshell
Swaying together like cathedral bells

They ring and ring and ring and ring and ring
And I could only hear you singing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Garden of Elysian" by Local Natives evoke a nostalgic and bittersweet atmosphere. The opening lines reminisce about a time before the need for forgiveness, where the singer recalls meeting someone at the top of Elysian after school. This encounter is portrayed as a youthful escape, sharing headphones and a bottle of vodka while observing the distant excitement of a crowd in a stadium. It captures a sense of innocence and carefree abandon.

The next verse introduces the concept of growing up and losing that childlike feeling. The singer's companion poses a poignant question about when they will stop feeling like children, inquiring about their own mother's experience. As the duo passes by cell towers, cleverly disguised as palm trees, they continue their journey with the girl laying across the singer's lap. This moment emphasizes the intimacy and connection between the two characters.

The third verse introduces the character of Mary in Harlem, who is described as sitting quietly. The lyrics reflect upon the possibility of what could have been if the two companions had made different choices and stayed together. The image of "tourniquet stems blushing tide" suggests the potential for a love that could bring both solace and healing. It highlights the idea that love is not about blind devotion but rather about embracing change and growth.

Throughout the song, the presence of an orchestra playing under a bandshell becomes a recurring symbol. This image represents the harmonious and grandiose nature of their connection. The swaying of the orchestra and the ringing of cathedral bells create a sense of euphoria. The repetition of these moments symbolizes the everlasting impact that the companion's voice has on the singer. It suggests that amidst the chaos and noise of life, the only thing that truly matters is the singing of this person.

Overall, "Garden of Elysian" explores themes of youth, longing, and the passage of time. It encapsulates the wistful feeling of looking back on past memories and contemplating the different paths that life could have taken. The song emphasizes the power of human connection and the transformative effects of love. It invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and the significance of the voices that have left an indelible mark on their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

In the time before we needed forgiveness
In a period when we didn't yet require forgiveness for our actions

You said, "Meet me after school at the top of Elysian"
You suggested meeting at a specific location called 'Elysian' after school

Sharing headphones and a plastic bottle of vodka
Listening to music together through a single pair of headphones and sharing a bottle of vodka made of plastic

In the distance, the crowd goin' wild in the stadium
Observing a excited crowd cheering from afar in a stadium

Orchestra playing under the bandshell
An ensemble of musicians performing underneath a structure called a 'bandshell'

Swaying together like cathedral bells
Moving in harmony, similar to the way the bells in a cathedral swing

They ring and ring and ring and ring and ring
The bells continue to chime repeatedly

And I could only hear you singing
Amidst the noise, I could only focus on the sound of your voice singing

'Cause she said, "When do you think we'll stop feeling like children?
Because she asked when we would no longer experience the sensations of childhood

'Cause the last time I asked my mom she said she still did"
Because when she previously asked her mother, her mother responded that she still felt like a child

As we pass, the cell towers disguise like palm trees
While driving by, the cell towers appear to resemble palm trees in camouflage

She laid out across my lap and we kept driving
She stretched out and rested on my lap as we continued to drive

Mary in Harlem sitting quiet
A person named Mary sitting silently in Harlem

Imagine if we had stayed
Consider the possibilities if we chose to remain

Tourniquet stems are blushing tide
The stems of a tourniquet are turning red, resembling the rising ocean tide

Love isn't worship, love is change
Love is not a form of worship, but rather it involves continuous transformation