Pilot
Notwist Lyrics


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He's living next to rails.
He can tell you things of different cars and trains.
Now he's trying the whole day to switch off time
By causing train-delay.

Could be enough if only he's the pilot once a day.

Not a word to compensate.
Not a sentence to describe this desperate state.
Not a Picture to compare.
We step into a room of opaque air.





Could be enough if only we are pilots once a day.

Overall Meaning

In "Pilot," The Notwist uses descriptive lyrics to paint a vivid picture of a man who lives next to railway tracks and has a deep connection to trains. He spends his days trying to delay trains by any means possible, perhaps out of a desire to control time. The lyrics then shift to a more universal message, suggesting that we all sometimes feel trapped in a desperate state with no adequate language or imagery to compensate. The repeated refrain of "could be enough if only we are pilots once a day" suggests that having control over our own lives or even just having a small amount of power can be enough to alleviate feelings of helplessness and desperation.


The song's lyrics may be interpreted in various ways, but one possible interpretation is that it explores the human need for control and power in order to feel secure and meaningful. The singer characterizes himself as someone who can influence time by delaying trains, which may represent his struggle to gain control over a life that he feels is slipping away from him. By wishing to be a pilot, he may be seeking the power to fly away from his problems or to take charge of his own life, even if it's only for a fleeting moment.


Overall, "Pilot" is a reflection on the human experience of navigating feelings of powerlessness and the desire for control. The song's lyrics suggest that even small gestures of control or power can be enough to balance out our emotional scales and help us feel more stable and secure.


Line by Line Meaning

He's living next to rails.
The singer of the song resides in close proximity to railway tracks.


He can tell you things of different cars and trains.
The singer has a vast knowledge regarding different types of cars and trains.


Now he's trying the whole day to switch off time
The singer attempts to escape time's constraints throughout the entirety of his day.


By causing train-delay.
The artist causes train delays in his attempt to evade time's limitations.


Could be enough if only he's the pilot once a day.
The artist feels as though being a train pilot for a single day would satisfy his desires.


Not a word to compensate.
There is no word or phrase capable of making up for the singer's struggles.


Not a sentence to describe this desperate state.
The singer's situation is so dire that no sentence can properly illustrate it.


Not a Picture to compare.
Even visual aids are insufficient in portraying the artist's plight.


We step into a room of opaque air.
The listener is taken into an environment of dense, impenetrable atmosphere.


Could be enough if only we are pilots once a day.
The song concludes with the assertion that allowing individuals to assume the role of a pilot for just one day could provide solace to their struggles.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@DanielMclarty

He's living next the rails
He can tell you things of different cars and trains
Now he's trying the whole day
To switch off time by causing train delay

Could be enough
If only he's the pilot
Once a day

Could be enough
If only he's the pilot
Once a day

Not a word to compensate
Not a sentence to describe this desperate state
Not a picture to compare
We step into a room of opaque air



@sorgin6469

He's living next the rails
He can tell you things of different cars and trains
Now he's trying the whole day
To switch off time by causing train delay
Could be enough
If only he's the pilot
Once a day
Could be enough
If only he's the pilot
Once a day
Not a word to compensate
Not a sentence to describe this desperate state
Not a picture to compare
We step into the room of opaque air
Could be enough
If only we are pilots
Once a day

Auteurs-compositeurs : Markus Acher, Michael Anton Acher, Martin Gretschmann.



All comments from YouTube:

@danielsmith9866

I remember buying this album ( on cd ) when it came out. I was so confused as it seemed like it was the best album I had ever heard, but I couldn’t except that it was. It really was amazing tho and still is in 2022!!

@Amalgam80

I remember when this came out. This album is linked to a time in my life. Happy to say I own the CD.

@olympiquedetango

Same

@coreyspradley3883

same here

@vkubica

Same ❤️

@jeffbrinks1774

Big work. Love that vibe so much

@opusmatur4765

This is actually my favorite album since I was four years old. Magical music that has shaped the atmosphere of my life.I will never lose my admiration for this magnificence.

@oktopussy9628

I hope don't damage your sense of individuality by saying that Neon Golden is the most important album for me as well.
I connect so much memories about my family and about me in different stages of life with their music,it's crazy.
Have you checked out their other work?

@markfarley9653

This is magical. It's also really danceable, has quite a 70's disco groove to it. These guys soak it up from everywhere. There's dub here too.

@dez-m

I heard that too! Almost screamed a bit as someone who grew up in NC California!!!

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