Lower Than Atlantis are a rock band from Watford, UK. Formed in 2007 by Mik… Read Full Bio ↴Lower Than Atlantis are a rock band from Watford, UK. Formed in 2007 by Mike Duce and Ben Sansom and later joined by Eddy Thrower and Declan Hart.

The band have released five studio albums: Far Q (2010), World Record (2011), Changing Tune (2012), Lower Than Atlantis (2014), and Safe in Sound (2017).

In December 2018 the band announced they would be splitting up after a short farewell tour in May 2019.

Currently Mike Duce is releasing solo music as Headache.

Ben Sansom is now part of a new band named Paper Mill.

Bug
Lower Than Atlantis Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the back of the van after a show
When we know we shouldn't be there at all
Friends are calling you and your boyfriend's waiting for you at home

We must have a death wish, can you remember what I said
So the lights are off and we're alone again
I'm not a boy that you'll forget, I'll make sure of it
Right now I think I'm better off alone without you

Here's the thing, when I'm home you're off on tour
Lord knows that I'd like to see you more
But flights aren't cheap so a girlfriend in a US band I just can't afford

I'm not sure if I'd like to hug, kiss or fight you.
Being lead on was such a turn off

We must have a death wish, can you remember what I said
So the lights are off and we're alone again

I'm not a boy that you'll forget, I'll make sure of it
Right now I think I'm better off alone without you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lower Than Atlantis's song "Bug" tell a story of two individuals in a tumultuous relationship, one of whom is on tour and the other is at home. The first verse sets the scene in the back of a van after a show, where they know they shouldn't be. The singer of the song is caught between wanting to be with his significant other and feeling like he needs to be alone, as he mentions having a death wish and implies that there are problems in their relationship. The second verse expands on these issues, with the singer acknowledging that their distance has caused strain and he can no longer afford the cost of maintaining a long-distance relationship. He continues to express his mixed feelings of wanting to either hug, kiss, or fight his partner and feeling turned off by being led on.

It's clear that the relationship depicted in the song is not healthy and that the singer is struggling with a lot of conflicting emotions. However, what sets this song apart from other breakup songs is the specificity of its lyrics, with references to being on tour and the cost of flights adding a layer of realism to the story. The line "I'm not a boy that you'll forget, I'll make sure of it" is a particularly powerful one, conveying the singer's determination to make something of himself and not be held back by a toxic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

In the back of the van after a show
They are in the van after a performance, probably feeling upbeat and energized.

When we know we shouldn't be there at all
They feel guilty or anxious about being in a place where they shouldn't.

Friends are calling you and your boyfriend's waiting for you at home
They are reminded of their responsibilities and obligations outside of the band.

We must have a death wish, can you remember what I said
They feel like they are taking unnecessary risks or endangering themselves.

So the lights are off and we're alone again
The situation has become intimate and private.

I'm not a boy that you'll forget, I'll make sure of it
They want to be remembered and valued by the other person.

Right now I think I'm better off alone without you
They are reconsidering the relationship and wondering whether they are better off on their own.

Here's the thing, when I'm home you're off on tour
They are frustrated that their schedules and lifestyles do not align.

Lord knows that I'd like to see you more
They genuinely miss and yearn for the other person's company.

But flights aren't cheap so a girlfriend in a US band I just can't afford
The logistics and costs of maintaining a long-distance relationship are difficult to manage.

I'm not sure if I'd like to hug, kiss or fight you.
They have mixed emotions and conflicting desires regarding the other person.

Being lead on was such a turn off
They were let down or disappointed by false promises or mixed signals from the other person.

Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS