Gonzalez and Fromageau parted ways shortly after touring their second album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts. Gonzalez records primarily on his own, with other artists as guest musicians. The band is signed to Mute Records and found international success in 2011 with the single "Midnight City". Their most recent album Fantasy was released on 17 March 2023.
Anthony Gerard Gonzalez (born March 13, 1980) grew up in Antibes, France together with his brother Yann. His family had a great interest in football and Gonzalez had trials with AS Cannes, while his maternal grandfather is the French international Laurent Robuschi. At the age of 14 he got injured and turned to music instead after his parents bought him a guitar. Gonzalez developed his interest in music and American culture while at secondary school. Together with Fromageau he formed a post-rock outfit called My Violent Wish.
At the age of 17, Gonzalez bought a synth to record a demo, which he sent to a number of French labels. When the Paris-based Gooom Records appeared interested, he recruited Fromageau to "help me because I didn't feel like I had the shoulders to carry the project on my own". The band is named after the galaxy of the same name.
The band's musical aesthetic is characterized by extensive use of reverb effects and lyrics spoken softly over loud instruments. Gonzalez has been inspired by aspects of the American Dream and his songs have been outlined as themed around "adult-scripted teen dreams". Inspiration for the 1980s style found in much of Gonzalez’s music includes bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Pink Floyd, and Tangerine Dream. Between various electronic music properties and album artwork, M83’s style includes a mix of both contemporary pop and 1980s dream pop.
Up!
M83 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I clean my rocket
We'll go flying today
And we'll hit the pockets
Of warm and crispy air
Oh you lovely boy you smell so sweet
We ride so well
My razor wings
Up to the planets, up to the bodies of the galaxy
We fly, we feed, we suck, we bleed, we need...
[Repeat 2X]
If I clean my rocket
We'll go flying today
And we'll hit the pockets
Of warm and crispy air
Oh we flee the scene of our little crime
We feel so free
But the hounds of law they bite our heels
As we retreat
Up to the planets, up to the bodies of the galaxy
Of the galaxy we fly, we feed, we suck, we bleed, we need...
[Repeat 4X]
If I clean my rocket (clean your rocket)
And we'll hit the pockets
The lyrics to M83's song "Up!" can be interpreted as a metaphorical journey into the unknown, where the singer and their companion embark on a daring adventure, leaving behind any troubles or past mistakes. The "rocket" can be interpreted as a vehicle, symbolizing the singer's attempt to escape from reality and reach a higher, more transcendent state of being. The lyrics mention loading pistols, which can be interpreted as the singer being prepared to face any danger or obstacle that comes their way.
The line "We ride so well" can be interpreted as the singer's confidence in their ability to navigate through the unknown. The line "We feed, we suck, we bleed, we need" can be interpreted as the singer's willingness to experience all aspects of life, both good and bad. The phrase "warm and crispy air" could be interpreted as a feeling of comfort and exhilaration while flying through the galaxy.
The second verse suggests that the singer and their companion are being pursued by the "hounds of law," implying that they are wanted fugitives who are fleeing from their past. However, they refuse to let their troubles hold them back, as they continue onward to explore the wonders of the galaxy.
Overall, the lyrics of "Up!" are a celebration of freedom, transcendence, and the human spirit's thirst for adventure and exploration.
Line by Line Meaning
If I clean my rocket
If I prepare my spacecraft
We'll go flying today
We will travel through the air today
And we'll hit the pockets
And we will encounter areas of
Of warm and crispy air
Warm and fresh air
Oh you lovely boy you smell so sweet
Oh, how attractive you are and you have a pleasant scent
We ride so well
We travel smoothly
And we load our pistols as we perch upon
And we prepare our weapons as we rest on
My razor wings
My sharp-edged wings
Up to the planets, up to the bodies of the galaxy
We ascend to the various celestial objects within the Milky Way
We fly, we feed, we suck, we bleed, we need...
We travel, we consume, we draw liquids, we lose fluids, we require...
Oh we flee the scene of our little crime
Oh, we escape from the place where we committed a minor offense
We feel so free
We experience a sense of liberation
But the hounds of law they bite our heels
However, the authorities are pursuing us relentlessly
As we retreat
As we move away from the location
Of the galaxy we fly, we feed, we suck, we bleed, we need...
Within the galaxy, we travel, we consume, we draw liquids, we lose fluids, we require...
If I clean my rocket (clean your rocket)
If I prepare my spacecraft (prepare your spacecraft)
And we'll hit the pockets
And we will encounter areas of
Of warm and crispy air
Warm and fresh air
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANTHONY GONZALEZ, MORGAN KIBBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Taylor
THIS ALBUM WILL NEVER GET OLD <3 <3
Maurice
First heard this song at the Dior spring 2010 show. Been obsessed since
Ida, I'm a woman traps inside a man's body
Lily D, Magdalena, Tanya, Heloise, Ksenia
Larissa Santos
Yes!
Vale Gae
Galliano ♥️
Nick 2000
Me too!😆 I only recently discovered it again yesterday!
Carmen Gisele
yesss ksenia was closing the show with the pink dress
Ronald Green
She has such an angelic voice. The music is mezmerizing!!1
mandaloolu X
Love this song... So pretty. Reminds me of autumn in the airy crisp mountains when all the colors burst out.
Raymundo sanchez
M83 es algo de lo mejor que e escuchado en toda mi vida.