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.
Twilight
Mobius Band Lyrics
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They will know it's wrong to be right
It's the only way
They'll ever get paid
I will teach them to lie
I will keep my shit office job
Sidelined dreams have run from the law
Not to aim too high
I will keep the shit job
Some folks tell me I'm a fool
But I just work here I don't make the rules
I'll admit I once had hope
But I was smoking lots of dope
And it's all part of getting older
I have read there was once a time
When we all didn't just toe the line
But you can't believe
Everything you read
I will toe that line
I will teach my children to lie
They will know it's wrong to be right
It's the only way
They'll ever get paid
I will teach them to lie
My friends tell me I'm a fool
But I just work here I don't make the rules
I will say that I'm alarmed
But it's too easy to do harm
And there's already too much damage done
The lyrics of Mobius Band's song "Twilight" reflect on the inherent compromises one makes in life as they grow older. It suggests that the society we live in requires us to be dishonest to get ahead, to lower our aspirations, and to conform to societal beliefs. The opening lines of "I will teach my children to lie, They will know it's wrong to be right," immediately challenge traditional values of honesty and rightfulness. The singer believes that lying is necessary for his children's financial prosperity, indicating a deep-seated disillusionment with the system he lives in.
The second verse speaks of the singer's realization that his youthful dreams of success have taken a backseat to his boring office job. He acknowledges that one should not aim too high, and sometimes the path to success involves settling for unfulfilling work. The line "not to aim too high," signifies submission to the everyday monotony of life. The chorus repeats the opening lines of the song, establishing an unyielding rhythm that emphasizes the importance of deception in the singer's world.
The third verse reflects on a more naive past, when everything seemed plausible and attainable. However, the singer realizes that conformity to societal norms is a crucial factor for success. The lyrics "But you can't believe everything you read, I will toe the line," reinforces the thought that the singer is determined to conform. The song ends with the singer coming to terms with his shortcomings and accepting the fact that he has already done enough damage to the world as it is.
Line by Line Meaning
I will teach my children to lie
I will pass on the understanding that truth isn't always the best option
They will know it's wrong to be right
Instructing them that being honest doesn't always lead to success
It's the only way
Through deceit, they will gain an advantage in life
They'll ever get paid
Without it, they will struggle in a world that values cunning
I will keep my shit office job
I'll stick with the mundane because chasing ambitious projects is futile
Sidelined dreams have run from the law
Unfulfilled aspirations must be silenced or risk destroying the status quo
You should always try
Striving for greatness can yield more harm than good
Not to aim too high
Be realistic in your expectations if you want to avoid disappointment
Some folks tell me I'm a fool
People criticize me for my beliefs
But I just work here I don't make the rules
I'm merely a pawn that follows the will of others
I'll admit I once had hope
I used to have aspirations
But I was smoking lots of dope
They were delusions brought on by a distorted perception
And it's all part of getting older
Maturation involves surrendering unrealistic fantasies
I have read there was once a time
Some accounts suggest history was characterized by more individualism
When we all didn't just toe the line
We weren't so conformist and complacent
But you can't believe
Don't be naive and gullible
Everything you read
Question and scrutinize information provided to you
I will toe that line
I'll conform to societal norms even if they're repressive
My friends tell me I'm a fool
Even my companions condemn me for my choices
I will say that I'm alarmed
I recognize the danger that surrounds us
But it's too easy to do harm
Trying to fix things can cause more grisly outcomes
And there's already too much damage done
The risks involved with changing the way the world works are too high
Contributed by Allison I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.