After having huge success with Thriving Ivory and following their self-titled Wind-up Records debut album on June 24, 2008 - the album reached #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart on the strength of certified Gold single "Angels on the Moon,” selling over 500,000 copies; they were also chosen by VH1 as a “You Oughta Know” artist, and their second studio album, Through Yourself & Back Again which was released on September 14, 2010, their relentless touring schedule took a toll on the band.
While on the road in support of Through Yourself & Back Again, personal issues arose and keyboardist Scott Jason decided to part ways with the band. The remaining three band members continued with the tour. It was during a stop in New York when Clayton, Drew and Paul met with Gregg Wattenberg and Derek Fuhrmann to do a writing session. ‘“Holding my Breath” was the first song we wrote together,” said Drew Cribley. On subsequent trips throughout 2011 Clayton, Drew, Gregg and Derek wrote four more songs. “When we were deciding whether or not these songs would be the next Thriving Ivory album, we felt like the group was moving in a new direction,” said Cribley. They felt they something special immediately starting to build and with this new burst of adrenaline and creativity, Midnight Cinema was born forming what hastaken shape into the five-song EP – Midnight Cinema..
“The hardest part of the transition process was coming up with a band name,” said Drew Cribley. When they were Thriving Ivory their music was mostly piano driven. Now with Midnight Cinema they wanted something different to match their evolution as both a band and as songwriters. “There has been so much anticipation and excitement from our fans for new music over the last two years, it kind of reminded us when fans line up to see a midnight movie premiere, the excitement and anticipation of seeing a first showing so that’s where the name Midnight Cinema popped into our minds,” said Cribley. “This is our first showing to our loyal fans that have been waiting for new music.”
During their time off from touring and recording, the band wanted to get back to their roots and their "normal" lives spending time with family and friends, working and going back to school all while still getting together to write songs, go to shows, as well as to take the occasional band camping trip. They’re ready to show their loyal fans and the world the music they’ve created. So get in line and get ready to listen to Midnight Cinema.
Counting Down
Midnight Cinema Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just wanna get to know ya
We could disappear just say the word
If you have the time maybe we could talk
Wait up for the sunrise
Watch the city burning from the rooftops
Cross our hearts and hope to die
One day we're gonna leave this all behind
We were searching for a place we could never find
But when the sun comes up at dawn
Take me home
And when the moments come and gone
Take me home
I was never trying to be a hero
I just wanted you to turn around
Cause we could die tonight and you would never know
If I don't say this now
Cause we were gonna leave this all behind
Driving down the coast in '99
We were so close I could taste it
But some promises are made for breaking
But when the sun comes up at dawn
Take me home
And when the moments come and gone
Take me home
Cause all the stars are burning out
And our time is counting down
All we have is here and now
We're counting down
We're counting down
I was never out to save the world
(Please tell me we're just dreaming)
But we could live tonight just say the word
(Please tell me we're just dreaming)
But when the sun comes up at dawn
Take me home
And when the moments come and gone
Take me home
But when the sun comes up at dawn
Take me home
(Please tell me we're just dreaming)
And when the moments come and gone
Take me home
(Please tell me we're just dreaming)
Cause all the stars are burning out
(Take me home)
And our time is counting down
All we have is here and now
(Take me home)
We're counting down
We're counting down
The lyrics to "Counting Down" by Midnight Cinema convey a sense of urgency and a desire to connect with someone. The singer of the song is not interested in saving the world or being a hero, but instead just wants to get to know the person they are singing to. They express a willingness to disappear with this person, to escape the world for a while and just talk. The rooftop imagery suggests a sense of freedom and possibility.
The singer seems to be trying to seize the moment and make a connection before it's too late. They acknowledge that we all have a limited amount of time, that the stars are burning out and our time is counting down. The repeated refrain of "take me home" suggests a desire for intimacy and connection, as well as a desire to escape from the world and its problems.
The song seems to be about the fleeting nature of connections and the importance of making the most of the time we have in the present. It's a reminder to appreciate the people and experiences that we have in our lives, and to hold onto them tightly while we still can.
Line by Line Meaning
I was never out to save the world
I never needed a heroic figure to be. I'm content to simply know you.
I just wanna get to know ya
I desire a connection with you above all else.
We could disappear just say the word
If we're together, we're free to leave this world behind.
If you have the time maybe we could talk
We could spend some time together and learn more about each other.
Wait up for the sunrise
Let's stay up all night staring at the stars and the sky.
Watch the city burning from the rooftops
We could watch the city come alive from a bird's eye view.
Cross our hearts and hope to die
Promise.
One day we're gonna leave this all behind
We'll find a new life where we don't have to worry about anything else.
Driving down the coast in '99
We were looking for somewhere we couldn't find.
We were searching for a place we could never find
We were looking for something that didn't exist.
But when the sun comes up at dawn
When the new day begins.
Take me home
Bring me back to reality.
And when the moments come and gone
When this moment of peace is over.
Take me home
Bring me back to reality.
I was never trying to be a hero
I never needed to be anyone's savior.
I just wanted you to turn around
I just needed you to notice me.
Cause we could die tonight and you would never know
Life is unpredictable, and I wanted to express my feelings just in case.
If I don't say this now
I might never get the chance to say it again.
Cause we were gonna leave this all behind
We were determined to leave this place behind forever.
We were so close I could taste it
We were so close to a new life that I could almost taste it.
But some promises are made for breaking
Sometimes promises made with the best intentions can't be kept.
Cause all the stars are burning out
Our time is running out.
And our time is counting down
Our time is limited, and we need to make the most of it.
All we have is here and now
We only have the present moment, so let's make it count.
We're counting down
We're running out of time, and we need to act fast.
Contributed by Evan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.