"Luscious, luminous, lilting lullabies" is how the New York Times describes songs by Lucius, a five-piece band from Brooklyn, NY.
At the center of Lucius are the "alluring and magnetic" (Seventeen) singers-in-unison, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig. After graduating from Boston’s Berklee School of Music, the two young friends and collaborators moved into an old Victorian house in Brooklyn’s Ditmas Park – a former recording studio and music school. The four-story musical fortress, rife with left-behind musical treasures, housed many musician friends including, eventually, Wolfe and Laessig’s future bandmates, Danny Molad, Peter Lalish and Andrew Burri.
“When we were ready to make our record we felt it was imperative it reflected the synergy that Holly and I feel so strongly in our personal and musical relationship,” said Wolfe. The resulting songs are stories told from the same perspective, sung at the same time, with the same sentiment; two voices as one.
The quintet’s self-titled debut EP was recorded and produced in the Ditmas Park house where the band was formed. Their full length album is due for release Autumn 2013.
Tempest
Lucius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How long will this last
We haven't had the time to work it out
Sitting in the backseat
Who knows where our paths meet
And you keep shouting we've gotta work it out
You gotta believe me when I say I know
You aren't riding on this wave alone
(Gotta work it out, it out)
Gotta believe me when I say I know
(Gotta work it out, it out)
I already know I know I know I know
Yell all that you want to
I'll yell it right back to you
Back and forth until we've tired out
Temper into tempest
Washes off the madness
But we're still left with figuring shit out
You gotta believe me when I say I know
(Gotta work it out, it out)
You aren't riding on this wave alone
(Gotta work it out, it out)
Gotta believe me when I say I know
(Gotta work it out, it out)
I already know I know I know I know
The seeds of what you say all beg for reason
Plant them deep so we can disregard them
Been listening to every word you said
You're just waking up to get back into bed
The seeds of what you say all beg for reason
Plant them deeply so we can release them
Been listening to every word you said
You're just waking up to get back into bed
You know I'm riding on this wave alone
You know I'm riding on this wave alone
You aren't riding on this wave alone
I already know I know I know I know
Gotta believe me when I say I know
Already know I know I know I know
Alright
Already know I know I know I know
The song "Tempest" by Lucius is about a relationship that is struggling due to lack of communication and understanding. The lyrics describe two individuals who are like ships passing in the night, not taking the time to work out their differences or figure out where their paths may lead them, while one person is shouting that they need to figure it out. The chorus emphasizes the importance of believing in each other and working together to overcome their disagreements so that they don't have to face their problems alone. The lyrics "Temper into tempest, washes off the madness, but we're still left with figuring shit out" suggests that while anger and arguments may come and go, the underlying issues still need to be addressed.
The verses of the song are very conversational, with one person yelling while the other yells back, illustrating the inability to communicate effectively. The bridge of the song talks about how the words spoken in anger and frustration need to be dealt with, but ultimately, they need to be released for the relationship to move forward. The ending of the song, with the repeated refrain of "already know I know I know I know" conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance of the difficulties of the relationship, but also suggests that the only way to work through them is through open and honest communication.
Line by Line Meaning
We are two ships passing
We are drifting apart and missing each other's presence
How long will this last
Uncertainty about the duration of this drifting apart
We haven't had the time to work it out
We have not had the opportunity to fix our relationship
Sitting in the backseat
Feeling powerless and out of control of the situation
Who knows where our paths meet
Not knowing where our future will take us
And you keep shouting we've gotta work it out
Feeling pressure from the other person to fix the relationship
You gotta believe me when I say I know
Asserting confidence in understanding the situation
(Gotta work it out, it out)
Repeated emphasis on needing to fix the problem
You aren't riding on this wave alone
Acknowledging that both parties are equally affected by the situation
I already know I know I know I know
Reinforcing the idea that the situation is understood
Yell all that you want to
Allowing for open communication and expression of emotions
I'll yell it right back to you
Willingness to engage in the conversation
Back and forth until we've tired out
Continuing the conversation until both parties are satisfied
Temper into tempest
Anger and frustration escalating
Washes off the madness
Resulting argument helps to cleanse and release pent-up emotions
But we're still left with figuring shit out
Despite releasing emotions, the underlying issue still needs to be resolved
The seeds of what you say all beg for reason
Words spoken lack proper justification and justification needs to be given
Plant them deep so we can disregard them
Take the time to understand each other's perspectives before dismissing them
Been listening to every word you said
Acknowledging that both parties have been heard
You're just waking up to get back into bed
Realizing that the same issues will arise if ignored
You know I'm riding on this wave alone
Reversing the previous statement to emphasize the emotional burden of the situation
Alright
Closing of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HOLLY LAESSIG, DAN ADAM MOLAD, JESSICA WOLFE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@randyspinks8922
We are two ships passing
How long will this last
We haven't had the time to work it out
Sitting in the backseat
Who knows where our paths meet
You keep shouting "we gotta work it out"
You gotta believe me when I say I know
(Gotta work it out)
You aren't riding on this wave alone
(Gotta work it out)
Gotta believe me when I say I know
(Gotta work it out)
I already know, I know, I know, I know
Yell all that you want to
We'll yell it right back to you
Back and forth until we tire out
Temper into tempest
Washes off the madness
We're still left with figuring shit out
You gotta believe me when I say I know
(Gotta work it out)
You aren't riding on this wave alone
(Gotta work it out)
Gotta believe me when I say I know
(Gotta work it out)
I already know, I know, I know, I know
The seeds of what you say all beg for reason
Plant them deep so we can disregard them
Just get out of your pretty little head
I'm just waking up to get back into bed
The seeds of what you say all beg for reason
Plant them deeply so we can release them
Listening to every word you say
You're just waking up to get back into bed
You aren't riding on this wave alone
You aren't riding on this wave alone
You aren't riding on this wave alone
I already know, I know, I know, I know
You gotta believe me when I say I know
I already know, I know, I know, I know
Alright
I already know, I know, I know, I know
@MrCJCala
"I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go."
- Theodore Roethke
"In this world of ours,
We eat only to cast out,
Sleep only to wake,
And what comes after all that
Is simply to die at last"
- Matsuo Basho
@jakec9393
Holly (one of the singers) was my piano teacher a few years back, they were living out of an old house in Brooklyn back before they started getting big.
@user-sf4fy8bq1h
I think this is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, sonically, lyrically, and visually, with the addition of this brilliant video. 1:27 and 3:52 are especially powerful. I was in the hospital for an inpatient psych program for the past two weeks; no electronics were allowed and there were no radios or any kind of music there...the art therapist there told everyone that we each got to pick one song and she would play it through her laptop for us; I picked this song. When it came on and I heard "You know I'm riding on this wave alone...You aren't riding on this wave alone" towards the end I started crying because I was just so comforted by the idea that I'm not riding this wave alone, no matter how lonely I am. Just my story of how this song affected me...thank you.
@gabrielxtc1
That was very moving. I agree that this is such a beautiful song. Thank you & and may life bring you peace & a measure of joy.
@trueengies3680
This is one of the most beautiful songs, top faves of Lucius, and top faves in general. Your songs are so beautiful sounding and HOPEFUL. The message in this one, "you are not riding on this wave alone." It's such a beautiful message and how we should treat each other. I've played it after a few fights with my husband to cheer up and reconnect me to him. Thank you Lucius for your beautiful sounds and beautiful messages.
@cometome255
I got to see them when they came to UK. Amaazing energy and great showmanship... oh and severely talented. Lovely ladies!
@maisdesenho
I just fell in love. What a voice, what a sweet vintage compositions, omg. So long I dont hear something THAT good!
@curtisvenable4498
I drove 2 hours from Little Rock to see Lake Street Dive in Memphis. But to my surprise, I heard two voices singing together like I never heard before. Lucius was awesome and I was instantly transformed into a Lucius fan.
@Linkstud15
Literally, this is one of the best songs I've ever heard. I wish more bands would utilize two or more lead singers to create such beautiful harmonies like Lucius does in all of their songs. Bravo!
@LeProxenetez
Jess & Holly's voices are lusciously
euphoric!
@mollywilkins3866
Beautiful, enchanting singing and music...very happy that I had the chance to find this masterpiece of a band. Slightly retro, slightly indie...just this unique combination of everything...Makes me want to drive with the top down to the sea on a sunny day.