This New Jersey native was initially inspired by England's take on the soun… Read Full Bio ↴This New Jersey native was initially inspired by England's take on the sound of Detroit, but eventually tracked techno back to its Motor City innovators. When he began listening to music, however, it was the sound of early-'80s synth heroes like Devo, Severed Heads and New Order alongside early hiphop, jazz and 60's Hindi film soundtracks.

Geist released his first 12" (via Dan Curtin's innovative Metamorphic label) while studying at Oberlin College in 1994. He formed Environ soon after, releasing powerful statements of purpose which showed his affinity for the more emotive strains of disco, techno, soul and all flavors in between. His debut album was released in 1997 and licensed to EastWest/Warner.

Geist continues to run Environ today. A highly-regarded remixer and producer both solo and as half of Metro Area, Geist has lent his touch to a wide range of artists including Hugh Masekela, Telex, Erlend Øye and The Rapture.

Detroit
Morgan Geist Lyrics

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Can
Can you recall
That night
We drove to the stars

Black
Black was the world
But lights

We saw from afar

Lights
This city's dimmed light
Your face
So soft in the glow
Miles
We've travelled so far
Listening to the radio

Now
Here in my mind
Colder
Colder than snow
I
Remember that night

Feelings I no longer know
Detroit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Morgan Geist's song "Detroit" evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past memory. The song revolves around a specific night and experience shared between two individuals. The mention of "driving to the stars" suggests a sense of adventure and possibility, emphasising the romanticism of the moment. The world is described as "black", highlighting the darkness or unknowns in life, but the distant lights offer a glimmer of hope and inspiration from afar.

The lyrics then shift focus to the city of Detroit itself, describing its dimmed light. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the decline or struggles faced by the city, but in the context of the song, it may also symbolize the fading memory or connection between the two individuals. The mention of listening to the radio while traveling signifies a shared experience and the soundtrack to their journey.

As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the memory is now confined to the singer's mind. The word "colder" highlights a sense of loss or distance. The singer remembers the night but no longer feels the same emotions associated with it, indicating a sense of detachment or moving on. The mention of Detroit in the closing line adds a sense of significance and perhaps represents a greater theme of longing or lost connections.

Overall, the lyrics of "Detroit" capture a bittersweet moment of reminiscence and reflection, conveying a mixture of hope, nostalgia, and fading memories.

Line by Line Meaning

Can
Is it possible

Can you recall
Do you remember

That night
The specific evening

We drove to the stars
We ventured towards the celestial bodies

Black
Dark

Black was the world
The world was engulfed in darkness

But lights
However, there were illuminations

We saw from afar
We perceived them in the distance

Lights
Illuminations

This city's dimmed light
The faint glow of this urban area

Your face
The countenance of yours