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
Megaton Mile
Local Natives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up to the rooftop (Up to the rooftop)
The seagulls swarm on the railroad
All we could do is watch (All we could do is watch)
Hit like a sucker punch
And let your new work come
Tell me what I could've done
Holding me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
No alarms or pill riders
No, teary-eyed anchors
(No, teary-eyed anchors)
It took so long for it all
To change with just a word
(To change with just a word)
Abandoned cars on the freeway
A terracotta rush hour
You heard me calling out your name
Holding me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
January came and went early
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
You said it was beautiful
As much as it was terrifying
Holding me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
January came and went early
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
In "Megaton Mile" by Local Natives, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a chaotic and uncertain world. The song begins by describing climbing up to the rooftop through a window, where the seagulls swarm on the railroad. The imagery gives a sense of urgency and danger, as if something unexpected has happened and all they can do is watch. The lyrics hit like a sucker punch, emphasizing the sudden and overwhelming nature of the event. The singer reflects on what they could have done differently, suggesting a hint of regret or guilt.
The song continues with a shift in perspective, mentioning the absence of alarms, pill riders, and teary-eyed anchors. These lines suggest a world in turmoil or crisis, where stability and comfort have been disrupted. The mention of abandoned cars on the freeway and a terracotta rush hour further adds to the imagery of chaos and disorder. The singer calls out the name of someone, perhaps searching for comfort or connection amidst the madness.
The chorus emphasizes the feeling of being stuck and isolated in the dark on Megaton Mile. The repetition of this phrase, coupled with the flashing light imagery, creates a sense of being caught in a moment that is both intense and elusive. The mention of January coming and going early suggests the passing of time, but also hints at the transient and unpredictable nature of life.
The final lines of the song introduce a conflicting sentiment. The singer's companion describes the situation as beautiful, despite also acknowledging its terrifying nature. This juxtaposition of beauty and fear highlights the complex and contradictory emotions that can arise during uncertain times.
Overall, "Megaton Mile" explores themes of chaos, reflection, and the search for meaning amidst tumultuous circumstances. It captures a sense of urgency and uncertainty, while also recognizing the potential for beauty and growth within adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Climbing up through the window
Making an unconventional entrance
Up to the rooftop (Up to the rooftop)
Reaching a higher level, away from the ordinary
The seagulls swarm on the railroad
Nature taking over man-made structures
All we could do is watch (All we could do is watch)
Feeling powerless in the face of change
Hit like a sucker punch
An unexpected blow that catches one off guard
And let your new work come
Allowing the consequences of one's actions to unfold
Tell me what I could've done
Reflecting on past choices and seeking understanding
Holding me close in the ending
Finding comfort in someone's presence during difficult times
In a flashing light
In a moment of brief clarity
We're stuck and it's after dark
Feeling trapped in a challenging situation
On Megaton Mile
In a place of immense pressure and intensity
No alarms or pill riders
No warning signs or instant solutions
No, teary-eyed anchors
No emotionally heavy burdens
It took so long for it all
Change took a considerable amount of time
To change with just a word
To transform with a single gesture or utterance
Abandoned cars on the freeway
Signs of neglect and abandonment on a major thoroughfare
A terracotta rush hour
A chaotic and congested flow of people or vehicles
You heard me calling out your name
Seeking connection and reaching out for support
January came and went early
Time passing swiftly and unexpectedly
You said it was beautiful
Recognizing the awe-inspiring aspects of a challenging situation
As much as it was terrifying
Acknowledging the fear and intensity alongside the beauty
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Taylor Rice, Matt Frazier, Nik Ewing, Ryan Hahn, Kelcey Ayer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lulsmokes
Climbing up through the window
Up to the rooftop (Up to the rooftop)
The seagulls swarm on the railroad
All we could do is watch (All we could do is watch)
Hit like a sucker punch
And let your new work come
Tell me what I could've done
Holding me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
No alarms or pill riders
No, teary-eyed anchors
(No, teary-eyed anchors)
It took so long for it all
To change with just a word
(To change with just a word)
Abandoned cars on the freeway
A terracotta rush hour
You heard me calling out your name
Holding me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
January came and went early
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
You said it was beautiful
As much as it was terrifying
Holding me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
January came and went early
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On Megaton Mile
Zachary Read
Climbing up through the window
Up to the rooftop (Up to the rooftop)
The seagulls swarm on the railroad
All we could do is watch (All we could do is watch)
Hit like a sucker punch
And let your new work come
Tell me what I could've done
Hold me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On megaton mile
No alarms or hell riders
No, teary-eyed ain't good
(No, teary-eyed ain't good)
It took so long for it all
To change with just a word
(To change with just a word)
Abandoned cars on the freeway
A terracotta rush hour
You head me calling out your name
Hold me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On megaton mile
January came and went early
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On megaton mile
You said it was beautiful
As much as it was terrifying
Hold me close in the ending
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On megaton mile
January came and went early
In a flashing light
We're stuck and it's after dark
On megaton mile
Ryan Torres
Can’t wait to spin this album on a summer day and get absolutely hammered with my friends.
Defuze
Ryan Torres same tho lmao
Rafael Paixão
Sameeeee! Good vibes...
JJ Norton
Totally. Go to the beach and blast it if you live on the coast.
Jeff
Ryan Torres I know that’s right
Davon Johnson
This is the greatest idea known to man
Jared Lance
The bass hits like a sucker punch
Mason Paris
😂 💯
Michael Frank
that you knew would come
Max Caldwell
nothing quite like your ears undergoing a new local natives song, mucho gracias fellas