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
Warning Sign
Local Natives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Warning sign
I hear it, but I pay no mind
Hear my voice
Hear my voice
It's saying something
It's not very nice
Pay attention
Pay attention
I'm talking to you
And I hope you're concentrating
I've got money now
I've got money now
C'mon baby
C'mon baby
Warning sign of things to come
Happened before, it'll happen again
Hear my voice
Move my hair
Move it around a lot
I don't care what I remember
Warning sign
Warning sign
Look at my hair
I like the design
It's the truth
It's the truth
Your glassy eyes
And your open mouth
Take it easy, baby
Take it easy
It's a natural thing
So relax
I've got money now
I've got money now
C'mon baby
C'mon baby
Warning sign of things to come
Love is here, but I guess it's gone now
Warning sign of things to come
Love is here, but I guess it's gone now
Hear my voice
Move my hair
Move it around a lot
The song "Warning Sign" by Local Natives appears to be addressing someone who doesn't heed warnings or advice that they are given. The first verse mentions a warning sign that the singer hears but ignores. The second verse is the singer's attempt to communicate with this person, urging them to pay attention and concentrate. The refrain states that the singer now has money and is asking the person to "come on baby". This could indicate that the person they are addressing is a romantic interest who previously rejected them due to their financial status.
The song takes a turn in the bridge with the lines "warning sign of things to come, love is here, but I guess it's gone now". This could suggest that the previous relationship between the singer and the addressee ended due to the addressee not taking warning signs seriously. The final verse repeats the refrain about moving hair and includes the lines "your glassy eyes and your open mouth". This could signify that the addressee is inebriated or otherwise unable to comprehend the warning being given to them.
Overall, "Warning Sign" appears to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring warning signs and not heeding advice. It warns that such actions can lead to the loss of love and other negative consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Warning sign
Something is happening that should be taken seriously
Warning sign
Something is happening that should be taken seriously
I hear it, but I pay no mind
I am aware of the situation, but I am not paying attention
Hear my voice
Listen to what I am saying
Hear my voice
Listen to what I am saying
It's saying something
My voice is conveying a message
It's not very nice
The message is unpleasant
Pay attention
Focus on what I am saying
Pay attention
Focus on what I am saying
I'm talking to you
I am addressing you directly
And I hope you're concentrating
I hope you are giving me your full attention
I've got money now
I am now financially stable
I've got money now
I am now financially stable
C'mon baby
Let's do this
C'mon baby
Let's do this
Warning sign of things to come
There are indications of what is to happen in the future
Happened before, it'll happen again
This has occurred in the past and will likely recur
Hear my voice
Listen to what I am saying
Move my hair
I am expressing myself freely
Move it around a lot
I don't care about what others think
I don't care what I remember
I don't care about what I am leaving behind
Warning sign
Something is happening that should be taken seriously
Warning sign
Something is happening that should be taken seriously
Look at my hair
I am proud of my self-expression
I like the design
I am content with the choices I have made
It's the truth
This is honestly how I feel
Your glassy eyes
You are not fully present
And your open mouth
You are not engaged in the conversation
Take it easy, baby
Relax and don't worry about it
Take it easy
Relax and don't worry about it
It's a natural thing
It's normal to feel this way
So relax
Take it easy
I've got money now
I am now financially stable
I've got money now
I am now financially stable
C'mon baby
Let's do this
C'mon baby
Let's do this
Warning sign of things to come
There are indications of what is to happen in the future
Love is here, but I guess it's gone now
Love was present, but now it has disappeared
Warning sign of things to come
There are indications of what is to happen in the future
Love is here, but I guess it's gone now
Love was present, but now it has disappeared
Hear my voice
Listen to what I am saying
Move my hair
I am expressing myself freely
Move it around a lot
I don't care about what others think
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jut
on Shape Shifter
Just my opinion, but i think "the king" might be his ego and what he's singing are his internal thoughts.