Mobius Band was an electronic rock trio, based in Brooklyn, NY and signed t… Read Full Bio ↴Mobius Band was an electronic rock trio, based in Brooklyn, NY and signed to Ghostly International. The band began when members Noam Schatz, Ben Sterling and Peter Sax met as students at Wesleyan University. After graduation, they moved to Shutesbury, Massachusetts to hone their sound. Following the self-released and mostly instrumental EPs One, Two, and Three, Mobius Band were signed to Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Ghostly International in 2004, becoming the electronic label’s first rock-based act.

Their first Ghostly release was the City Vs. Country EP in March 2005, which earned critical acclaim for its fusion of pop songs with electronic flourishes, paralleling the work of contemporaries like The Notwist and The Postal Service. The first Mobius Band full-length is August 2005’s The Loving Sounds of Static, which takes the ideas of City Vs Country further, adding a lyrical focus on coming of age and disillusionment with modern America.

Mobius Band's second full-length album, Heaven, was released on October 2, 2007 by Misra Records and Ghostly International.

Philadelphia
Mobius Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you're on the block
You better watch your back
Some one might sneak up
Thirsty for what you have

you ride around on a little bike
Casting your lot around
Philadelphia, you got it on lockdown

but there's no way that this atmosphere
Won't corrode with fear
On those milky nights
You're spending with that bike

my man what was that sound
Stratching the walls around
Your hear is hanging down

you know that its just a trick of light
The days and nights that crowd up your sun
Philadelphia, Philadelphia

ain't it funny how times can change
Arrangements re-arrange
The man you trust with your life
Is looking at you sideways now
In a week you'll be off the street
A coup with the cops and the beats
My man you were slipping up

you know its all over now

The days turn dark and streetlights come on
Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Overall Meaning

The Mobius Band’s “Philadelphia” is a song that paints a picture of the worrisome and unpredictable life on the streets of Philadelphia. The lyrics highlight the danger and trepidation that come with living in certain neighborhoods where one has to be constantly vigilant to stay safe. The first verse illustrates the precariousness of the situation, warning people to watch their backs as someone might try to steal from them at any moment. The song’s narrator then introduces a character who rides a bike to get around, navigating the tough streets of Philadelphia. The chorus reinforces the idea that the city is challenging to navigate, and often fear pervades the air, especially on “milky nights.”

The second verse brings to light the tentative nature of Philadelphia, where appearances and perceptions may not always align with reality. The singer describes the singer’s fear blocking out his surrounding sounds when a random noise jarringly rips through the stillness. The man is relieved to find out it’s just a trick of light, but the shift in the tone of the song remains unsettling. The song continues with the singer remarking on the uncertainties in life, where arrangements can crumble, and trust may positively dissipate. By the song’s end, there is a sense of closure, dark and foreboding, as the singer realizes his time on the streets has come to an end.

Line by Line Meaning

If you're on the block
If you're in the neighborhood

You better watch your back
Be aware of your surroundings

Some one might sneak up
Someone might approach you stealthily

Thirsty for what you have
Wanting what you possess

you ride around on a little bike
You move on a small bicycle

Casting your lot around
Wandering around to see what's going on

Philadelphia, you got it on lockdown
Philadelphia, you have it all under control

but there's no way that this atmosphere
Nevertheless, this environment

Won't corrode with fear
Will not be eroded with anxiety

On those milky nights
During the dimly lit nights

You're spending with that bike
You're spending with your bike

my man what was that sound
My friend, what was that noise

Stratching the walls around
Scratching the walls nearby

Your hear is hanging down
Your head is hanging low

you know that its just a trick of light
You know that it's only an illusion caused by lighting

The days and nights that crowd up your sun
The days and nights that darken your world

Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Philadelphia

ain't it funny how times can change
It's humorous how times can alter

Arrangements re-arrange
Situations change around

The man you trust with your life
The person you rely on the most

Is looking at you sideways now
Is now looking at you suspiciously

In a week you'll be off the street
In a week, you'll be off the streets

A coup with the cops and the beats
A rebellion with the cops and the music

My man you were slipping up
My friend, you were making mistakes

you know its all over now
You know it's all finished now

The days turn dark and streetlights come on
The days become darker, and the streetlights turn on

Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BARRY ADAMSON, HOWARD DEVOTO, JOHN E DOYLE, JOHN MC GEOGH, DAVID TOMLINSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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