Moby found commercial and critical success with his fifth album Play (1999), which, after receiving little recognition, became an unexpected global hit in 2000 after each track was licensed to films, television shows, and commercials. It remains his highest selling album with 12 million copies sold. Its seventh single, "South Side", featuring Gwen Stefani, remains his only one to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 14. Moby followed Play with albums of varied styles including electronic, dance, rock, and downtempo music, starting with 18 (2002), Hotel (2005), and Last Night (2008). His later albums saw him explore ambient music, including the almost four-hour release Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016). Moby continues to record and release albums; his twenty-first studio album, Resound NYC, was released in May 2023.
In addition to his music career, Moby is known for his veganism and support for animal rights and humanitarian aid. He was the owner of TeaNY, a vegan cafe in Manhattan, and Little Pine, a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles, and organized the vegan music and food festival Circle V. He is the author of four books, including a collection of his photography and two memoirs: Porcelain: A Memoir (2016) and Then It Fell Apart (2019).
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby
Discography
Moby (1992)
Ambient (1993)
Everything Is Wrong (1995)
Animal Rights (1996)
Play (1999)
18 (2002)
Hotel (2005)
Last Night (2008)
Wait for Me (2009)
Destroyed (2011)
Innocents (2013)
Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016)
These Systems Are Failing (2016)
More Fast Songs About the Apocalypse (2017)
Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt (2018)
Long Ambients 2 (2019)
All Visible Objects (2020)
Live Ambient Improvised Recordings Vol. 1 (2020)
Reprise (2021)
Ambient 23 (2023)
Resound NYC (2023)
That's When I Reach for My Revolter
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once I had my dreams
But all of that is changed now
The truth begins again
The truth is not that comfortable, no
Mother taught us patience
The virtues of restraint
Father taught us boundaries
I'm trying to protect my unity
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when it all gets blown away
That's when I reach for my revolver
The spirit passes by this way
A friend of mine once told me
His one and only aim
To build a giant castle
And in it sign his name
Sign it with complete community
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when it all gets blown away
That's when I reach for my revolver
The spirit passes by this way
Now that the sky is empty
And that is nothing new
Instead they look upon us
When they tell me
That we're nothing
I say!
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when it all gets blown away
That's when I reach for my revolver
The spirit passes by this way
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when it all gets blown away
That's when I reach for my revolver
The spirit passes by this way
Moby's "That's When I Reach for My Revolver" is a song about the ongoing struggle of trying to maintain one's ideals while being confronted with the harsh reality of the world. The first stanza is about losing one's faith in the heroes and dreams of their youth as they come to terms with the truth of life. The following stanza shows the singer's upbringing, where they were taught patience and restraint, and the importance of boundaries and knowledge. However, despite being taught these virtues, the singer still struggles to protect their unity.
The chorus, "That's when I reach for my revolver", represents a turning point for the singer. It is the moment where they feel compelled to take action and break free from their apathy towards the world's problems. It is a call for revolution, a symbol of the singer's desire for change. The repeating line "The spirit passes by this way" adds a spiritual dimension to the song, suggesting that the singer is inspired by something greater than themselves.
Later on, the song speaks to the idea of achieving greatness and leaving a lasting legacy. The friend of the singer wants to build a giant castle and sign his name, indicating a desire for immortality. But the singer suggests that true community comes from putting aside individual desires and working for the greater good.
Finally, the last stanza references the devaluation of humanity by those who hold power. The singer rebukes this notion, declaring that they are not nothing. The repetition of the chorus conveys the urgency and determination of the singer's call to action.
Overall, "That's When I Reach for My Revolver" is a song about the struggle to reconcile the world's harsh realities with one's own ideals. It is a plea for change, a call to arms for revolution and unity against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I had my heroes
In the past, I held people in high regard and considered them as role models.
Once I had my dreams
In the past, I had aspirations and ambitions.
But all of that is changed now
However, over time things have changed, and those heroes and dreams are no longer relevant or realistic.
The truth begins again
I am facing the reality of the situation once more.
The truth is not that comfortable, no
The truth can be difficult to accept and deal with.
Mother taught us patience
Our mother instilled in us the value of being patient.
The virtues of restraint
She also taught us to exercise self-control and limit our actions.
Father taught us boundaries
Our father taught us the importance of setting boundaries.
The knowledge we must go
We were taught the necessity of moving on and sometimes leaving things behind.
I'm trying to protect my unity
My goal is to maintain the peace and unity among those around me.
That's when I reach for my revolver
The only option left to me is to take drastic action.
That's when it all gets blown away
In the process, everything is destroyed or lost.
The spirit passes by this way
The essence of life can be fleeting and difficult to grasp.
A friend of mine once told me
Someone I know once shared with me.
His one and only aim
His singular, ultimate goal.
To build a giant castle
Was to construct an enormous dwelling.
And in it sign his name
And to put his mark on that creation.
Sign it with complete community
Include within it everyone he considered part of his community.
Now that the sky is empty
Today, there is nothing to marvel at in the sky.
And that is nothing new
This is not an unusual occurrence.
Instead they look upon us
Instead, others observe and judge us.
When they tell me
When they inform me.
That we're nothing
That we lack substance or worth.
I say!
I protest!
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gergelypasztorkicsi7854
Once I had my heroes
Once I had my dreams
But all of that is changed now
They've turned things inside out
The truth is not that comfortable, no
And mother taught us patience
The virtues of restraint
And father taught us boundaries
Beyond which we must go
To find the secrets promised us, yeah
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when it all gets blown away
That's when I reach for my revolver
The spirit fights to find its way
A friend of mine once told me
His one and only aim
To build a giant castle
And live inside his name
Cry and whispers sing in muted pain
A friend of mine once told me
His one and only aim
To build a giant castle
And live inside his name
Cry and whispers sing in muted pain
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when it all gets blown away
That's when I reach for my revolver
The spirit fights to find its way
Tonight the sky is empty
But that is nothing new
Its dead eyes look upon us
And they tell me we're nothing but slaves
That's when I reach for my revolver
(...but slaves)
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when I reach for my revolver
That's when I reach for my revolver
And in it sign his name
@yathinkinc
Moby asked the crowd what song he should play next at this show in Ohio and a friend of mine shouts out the name of this song. Moby replies, "oh really?, ok" and proceeded to blow the roof off the place.
@RockandrollNegro
And then everyone clapped?
@chaddeez8446
They don't call him Moby for nothing cuz there she blows😋
@ricardo3221
He's named after his great-grandfather Melvin book Moby Dick
@robmcafee9162
That whole album was incredible....I like all moby but that one was so different. Couldn't believe his evolution as a musician
@weSteh
@@robmcafee9162 it was the only good album... he just became a woke loser beta after that ...
@omarvgarcia
This song never gets old.
@ethansloan
Animal Rights is still my favorite Moby album!
@tingelingn3242
100%
@ProgBartleby
Excellent cover. Moby delivers the angst.