So far, Metric has released eight studio albums: Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (2003), Live It Out (2005), Grow Up and Blow Away (2007), Fantasies (2009), Synthetica (2012), Pagans in Vegas (2015), Art of Doubt (2018), and Formentera (2022).
Besides Metric, Emily Haines and James Shaw also perform with Broken Social Scene. Joules Scott-Key and Joshua Winstead have their own side project, Bang Lime. Emily Haines released her debut album Cut in Half and Also Double in 1996 and two records under the moniker Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton: the album Knives Don't Have Your Back in 2006 and the 6-track EP What Is Free to a Good Home? in 2007. She also has been a guest on albums by Stars, The Crystal Method, KC Accidental, Delerium, The Stills and Jason Collett.
Emily Haines was born in New Delhi, India and raised since the age of 3 in Peterborough, Ontario. The daughter of poet Paul Haines grew up as a dual citizen of Canada and India. Her father would often make cassettes of rare and eclectic music for his daughter to listen to and her early influences included Carla Bley and Robert Wyatt. By her teens she followed her parents' footsteps by attending the Etobicoke School of the Arts. There she met Amy Millan and Kevin Drew, with whom she would later collaborate in hHead. Haines and Millan briefly formed their first band around 1990 while at ESA and with songs later written and recorded while at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver in 1992–1993, at Toronto in 1995 and at Concordia University in Montreal in 1995–1996, Haines distributed in 1996 an early effort called Cut in Half and Also Double with a limited number of copies.
James Shaw was born in the UK. He was a student at a Boston music school and was friends with Torquil Campbell, a vocalist who would later form Stars and Chris Seligman, the future synthesizer player of Stars. Torquil had plans to move to New York City and on his suggestion Shaw applied to Juilliard Music School and moved to New York with him. In 1998, Shaw and Torquil returned to Toronto, where Haines met Shaw through mutual friends in the local music scene. Shaw moved to Montreal where Haines was still living and the two worked on filling out each other's projects. The first song made by Shaw and Haines was "Butcher" and eventually they had completed in 1998 several other tracks in their home studio, gathered on Mainstream EP, a collection of demos with an overall downtempo and electronic feel.
In the fall of 1998, Shaw moved back to New York City, this time accompanied by Haines, Campbell and Seligman. There they shared a loft in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. During their two-year stay at the loft, Haines and Shaw were erstwhile room mates with future members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liars and TV on the Radio.
Haines and Shaw set off to London in early 2000 and signed a publishing deal with Chrysalis Records. With the help of producer Stephen Hague, Metric worked on a new batch of New Wave/electropop drum-machine paced songs that would form the nucleus of their debut album. The effort dubbed Grow Up and Blow Away, revealed a more musically-layered and mature sound than the earlier Mainstream EP. Haines and Shaw completed the album in April 2001 and by this time had found a label for their release, Restless Records. The album was delayed for years by their record label.
The band performed in New York in early Spring and late Summer 2001, personally circulating handmade CD-R copies of their unreleased music to fans at shows and by mail, eventually giving the music away for free on the internet. Metric at the time was for the most part a studio band and live shows approximated the synthesizer-centered and drum-machine driven sound of the recordings. In the same year they issued a 5-track EP entitled Static Anonymity and two promo singles: "Grow Up and Blow Away" and "Raw Sugar".
In the winter of 2001, Metric had gained two new bandmates: the drummer Joules Scott-Key (born in Flint, Michigan) and the bass player Joshua Winstead. Joules Scott-Key was attending college in Texas was in town with his friend Joshua Winstead performing in the local music scene. Scott-Key and Winstead had known each other for about a decade and they met Shaw and Haines at the Brooklyn loft and at local performances.
On 2 September 2003, Metric released their first official studio album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? on Last Gang Records. The album was received with positive reviews and it has gone gold in Canada. They released 2 singles from the album, "Combat Baby" and "Dead Disco".
On 27 September 2005, the band released their second studio album, Live It Out on Last Gang Records. The album was well received and has since gone twice platinum in Canada, selling over 200,000 units. They issued 4 singles: "Monster Hospital", "Poster of a Girl", and "Empty". The band has toured the world extensively for several years. They also opened for The Rolling Stones in NYC.
On 26 June 2007, Last Gang Records released Metric's 2001 album Grow Up and Blow Away, after purchasing the rights to the album from band's previous label. In 2007 they released a live EP entitled Live at Metropolis followed a year later by a DVD with the same name featuring a concert recorded from Montreal.
On 7 April 2009, Metric released their fourth album Fantasies on their own label, Metric Music International. In the US it debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers and peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200, in Canada it debuted at #13 on the Canadian Albums Chart and peaked at #6 and in Australia, the album debuted at #48. The album received mostly positive reviews and it's their most successful record to date. They released 6 singles: "Help I'm Alive", "Front Row", "Gimme Sympathy", "Sick Muse", "Gold Guns Girls" and "Stadium Love".
Amazon.com listed Fantasies in eleventh in its "Best Albums of 2009" list. This album was a shortlisted nominee for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize and also won two Casby Awards, the NXNE favourite new indie release award and favourite new album award. On 18 April 2010, the album won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year at the 2010 Awards, as well as the band winning Group of the Year.
On 27 October 2009, Metric released a 5-track EP called Plug In Plug Out containing acoustic versions of five songs from Fantasies. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Metric, along with several other Canadian music acts, came together in Vancouver to re-record K'Naan's song "Wavin' Flag" to benefit Haiti in a movement called Young Artists for Haiti.
In 2010, the band contributed to Twilight: Eclipse movie soundtrack with a song entitled "Eclipse (All Yours)". In the same year, a previously unreleased song "Black Sheep" was used on the soundtrack of the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. In 2011, Metric issued the live EP iTunes Session.
On 18 September 2015, Metric released their sixth album, Pagans in Vegas.
On September 21, 2018, Metric released their seventh album, Art of Doubt.
On July 8, 2022, Metric released their eighth album, Formentera .
On October 13, 2023, Metric released their ninth album, Formentera II.
EPs
Mainstream EP (1998)
Static Anonymity (2001)
Live at Metropolis (2007)
Plug In, Plug Out (2009)
Spotify Acoustic EP (2010)
Spotify Covers EP (2010)
iTunes Session EP (2011)
The Shade EP [Cassette only] (2015)
were featured in:
3 films
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Cosmopolis
"Handshakes" and "Gold Guns Girls" were used as a radio soundtrack in Test Drive Unlimited.
Official site: http://www.ilovemetric.com
Twilight Galaxy
Metric Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you wanted to dream.
Did they warn you, better shape up
If you want to succeed
I don't know about you, who are they talking to?
They aren't talking to me.
I'm higher than high
I'm doing it wrong
And singing along
Go higher than high, lower than deep
Keep doing it wrong and singing along
Did I ask you for attention
When affection is what I need
Thinking sorrow is perfection,
I'd wallow 'til you told me
There's no glitter in the gutter,
There's no twilight galaxy.
Go higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Keep doing it wrong, oh
Singing along, oh
I'm higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Doing it wrong, oh
And singing along, oh
I'm alright, c'mon baby
I've seen all the demons that you've got.
If you're not alright, now c'mon baby
I'll pick you up and take you where you want
Anywhere you want
Anywhere you want
Anywhere you want
Anything you want
I'm higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Doing it wrong, oh
And singing along, oh
Higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Doing it wrong, oh
Singing along, oh
The lyrics of Metric's "Twilight Galaxy" reflect a sense of rebellion against societal norms and expectations. The lines "Did they tell you, you should grow up / When you wanted to dream" express frustration towards those who discourage others from pursuing their dreams. The following line "Did they warn you, better shape up / If you want to succeed" further emphasizes this push towards conformity and warns against deviating from the norm. However, the singer pushes back and questions who "they" are even talking to, as they don't feel confined by these expectations.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "Go higher than high, lower than deep / Keep doing it wrong and singing along," which can be interpreted as a call for individuality and breaking away from societal norms. The next verse explores the idea of seeking love and attention, and realizing that wallowing in sorrow will not lead to true fulfillment. The final chorus reiterates the desire to break free, singing "I'm alright, c'mon baby / I've seen all the demons that you've got" and offering support for those who may also be struggling to find their place in the world.
Overall, "Twilight Galaxy" is a song that encourages its listeners to embrace their individuality, reject conformity, and pursue their passions despite societal pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Did they tell you, you should grow up
Were you told to abandon your dreams and conform to societal expectations?
When you wanted to dream
When you had hopes and aspirations
Did they warn you, better shape up
Were you given a stern warning to improve your behavior?
If you want to succeed
In order to achieve your goals
I don't know about you, who are they talking to?
I don't relate to the message they're sending, who is their intended audience?
They aren't talking to me.
Their words don't apply to me personally.
I'm higher than high
I'm feeling euphoric and alive.
Lower than deep
I'm feeling down and lost.
I'm doing it wrong
I'm not following the usual path of success.
And singing along
But I'm still embracing life and enjoying myself.
Keep doing it wrong and singing along
I'm committed to being true to myself and living my best life, regardless of convention.
Did I ask you for attention
Did I want your focus purely for validation?
When affection is what I need
What I really desire is affection and love.
Thinking sorrow is perfection
Believing that pain and sadness are beautiful and desirable.
I'd wallow 'til you told me
I'd stay stuck in those negative feelings until you helped me see differently.
There's no glitter in the gutter
There's no glamour or beauty in the depths of despair and poverty.
There's no twilight galaxy.
There's no escape from the hardships of life, but there is still beauty to be found.
I'm alright, c'mon baby
I'm okay, let's go.
I've seen all the demons that you've got.
I know you're struggling and I understand.
If you're not alright, now c'mon baby
If you're struggling, let me help you.
I'll pick you up and take you where you want
I'll support you in pursuing your dreams and finding happiness.
Anywhere you want
Anywhere in the world.
Anything you want
Anything your heart desires.
Higher than high, oh
Feeling ecstatic.
Lower than deep, oh
Feeling hopeless.
Singing along, oh
Embracing life's ups and downs with joy.
Doing it wrong, oh
Living a non-traditional life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Emily Haines, James Shaw, Joshua Winstead
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raquel
Did they tell you, you should grow up
When you wanted to dream.
Did they warn you, better shape up
If you want to succeed
I don't know about you, who are they talking to?
They aren't talking to me.
I'm higher than high
Lower than deep,
I'm doing it wrong
And singing along
Go higher than high, lower than deep
Keep doing it wrong and singing along
Did I ask you for attention
When affection is what I need
Thinking sorrow is perfection,
I'd wallow 'til you told me
There's no glitter in the gutter,
There's no twilight galaxy.
Go higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Keep doing it wrong, oh
Singing along, oh
I'm higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Doing it wrong, oh
And singing along, oh
I'm alright, c'mon baby
I've seen all the demons that you've got.
If you're not alright, now c'mon baby
I'll pick you up and take you where you want
Anywhere you want
Anywhere you want
Anywhere you want
Anything you want
I'm higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Doing it wrong, oh
And singing along, oh
Higher than high, oh
Lower than deep, oh
Doing it wrong, oh
Singing along, oh
Gevurahel
Did they tell you
You should grow up
When you wanted
To dream
Did they warn you
Better shape up
If you want to
succeed
I don't know about you
Who are they talking to
They're not talking to me
(2x)
I'm higher than high
Lower than deep
I'm doing it wrong
Singing along
Did I ask you
For attention
When affection
Is what I need
Thinking sorrow
was perfection
I would wallow
Till you told me
There's no glitter in the gutter
There's no twilight galaxy
(2x)
Go higher than high
Go lower than deep
Keep doing it wrong
Keep singing along
I'm alright
Come on baby
I've seen all
The demons
That you've got
If you're not alright now
Come on baby
I'll pick you up
And take
Take you were you want
Anywhere you want
Anyway you want
Anyway you want
Anything you want
I'm higher than high
Lower than deep
I'm doing it wrong
Singing along
(2x)
Go higher than high
Go lower than deep
Keep doing it wrong
Keep singing along
DevotionToChaos
Instability
Frailness
Fluctuate over my head
Just before I get to suffocate
The ground keeps moving beneath my feet
The world is shaking me
Spinning me around
I don't want to go just yet
To disappear
Full of regret
Having nothing built
The good days leave
Or they never even were
The good people go
Or they never even came
The bad days are here
Or they always were
I cannot tell the right from wrong no more
Cannot spell out where I'm heading
Cannot do anything while the road is breaking apart
With every footstep
I cannot keep going
stefflovesjb123
Love this song :)
Metric has a unique sound. I love it.
emptyfile9
"I'm alright, c'mon baby
I've seen all the demons that you've got."
Hits so hard even a decade later...hello from east Europe to all the nice people listening to this
Devouerer Of Mustard Eater Of Lasagne
East Europe is in fact Europe but east
stereomike111
a golden line
Clarissa 4lenzah
This song should have millions of views... if you are a musician this song is so good on so many levels
Secound Boyfriend
No doubt, one of the best from metric!
Hans
Fantasies is one of the best albums ever invented
Marjar
This sounds like a lonely drive home at 12 in the morning from a really bad day at work while it's sprinkling out
Luke R
Everyone who likes this.. we're brethren. I wonder what else we have in common, besides good taste in music? Keep on keeping on, my kindreds. ♥️
ShiGGleZz
Most likely nothing my man lol but I'll cheers to good jams