The band named "Odds" was formed in Vancouver in 1987 by Craig Northey (voc… Read Full Bio ↴The band named "Odds" was formed in Vancouver in 1987 by Craig Northey (vocals, guitar), Steven Drake (guitar, vocals), Doug Elliott (bass) and Paul Brennan (drums). The band played frequently in Los Angeles and later signed to Zoo Records. The album Neopolitan appeared in 1991; it was followed by "Bedbugs", which featured the radio hit "Heterosexual Man." In 1996 the band released "Good Weird Feeling" which went platinum in their native Canada. Paul Brennan left the group, Pat Steward (drums) joined the band. "Nest" followed in 1997 and had a US top 40 hit with "Someone Who Is Cool." In March 1999, Northey left the band to pursue a solo career. During their 8 year hiatus Odds members appeared on albums for Colin James, Northey Valenzuela (with Jesse Valenzuela of Gin Blossoms), Matthew Good, Bryan Adams and Strippers Union (with Rob Baker of the Tragically Hip). Northey performed and recorded film and TV scores for comedy troupe "Kids in the Hall".

In 2007 the former members, minus Steven Drake and adding Murray Atkinson (guitar) reformed under the name "The New Odds", whose MySpace page claimed the new group sounds "a little bit like Odds only not quite." The album Cheerleader was issued by the band under this name. By 2009 the band moved back to their original moniker "Odds"

See more at their http://www.oddsmusic.com website.

Radios of Heaven
Odds Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now I rush to the finger of light
I guess I tore my head off
I hope there's something waiting for me
To make my exit pay-off
Taste, and smell, and touch
Have faded from pollution
As a last resort, I chose the stupidest solution
The first thing I did when I got in gate

Was crank up the left-hand dial
I got there first
The track star seemed to take a while
Now I can dance like Nureyev
With these wings on my body
St. Peter complains that it's too loud down in the lobby
And I hear the voice of God
He's brilliant on the microphone
And the radio in heaven
Can make a heathen feel at home
All these notes flying out play havoc with my heart
Every word sung is both emotional and smart
There's a gorgeous sunset
Happening on the airwaves
I really want you to hear this song one day
So you behave
And I hear the voice of God
He's brilliant on the microphone
And the radio in heaven

Can make a heathen feel at home
At home

Overall Meaning

"Radios of Heaven" by the Odds is an intense and thought-provoking song that leaves a deep impression on the listener's mind. The first lines, "Now I rush to the finger of light, I guess I tore my head off," seem to describe a death or near-death experience, where the singer is rushing towards a bright light, which could possibly be the metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel. The next couplet, "I hope there's something waiting for me, to make my exit pay-off," hints at the singer's need for validation after their life ends, and they're waiting to see if there's something waiting for them when they die.

The next lines, "Taste, and smell, and touch, have faded from pollution, as a last resort, I chose the stupidest solution," seem to express the singer's regret for their choices in life that led to the pollution of their senses. They also seem to refer to the singer's decision to take the desperate gamble of going towards the bright light, which may not yield anything substantial. The following lines, "The first thing I did when I got in gate was crank up the left-hand dial, I got there first, the track star seemed to take a while," depict the singer's hurriedness and impatience to reach their destination in the afterlife.

The song progresses to describe the singer's newfound ability to dance, akin to Nureyev, with wings on their body, in the afterlife. The singer is also able to hear the voice of God, who sounds "brilliant on the microphone." They also speak of the Radio in Heaven that can make any heathen feel at home. The song ends with imagery of a gorgeous sunset happening on the airwaves, and the singer wishing for someone they care about to hear this song and "behave."

Line by Line Meaning

Now I rush to the finger of light
I am eagerly moving towards the light, hoping it will take me to a better place.

I guess I tore my head off
I made a reckless decision without thinking of the consequences.

I hope there's something waiting for me
I am optimistic that there is a reward for my journey.

To make my exit pay-off
I want to ensure that my departure from this life is worthwhile.

Taste, and smell, and touch
My senses have been diminished by pollution and other environmental factors.

Have faded from pollution
My senses are not as sharp and vivid as they once were due to the environmental conditions.

As a last resort, I chose the stupidest solution
I made a foolish choice as a final attempt at solving my problems.

The first thing I did when I got in gate
Upon arriving at my destination, I immediately took action.

Was crank up the left-hand dial
I turned the dial to increase the volume.

I got there first
I arrived before anyone else.

The track star seemed to take a while
Others took longer to arrive than I did.

Now I can dance like Nureyev
I am now unrestricted and free to move, like a famous ballet dancer.

With these wings on my body
I now have the ability to fly.

St. Peter complains that it's too loud down in the lobby
Even St. Peter, who guards the gates of heaven, finds my music too loud.

And I hear the voice of God
I am hearing God's voice speaking to me.

He's brilliant on the microphone
God is an excellent speaker.

And the radio in heaven
There is a radio station in heaven.

Can make a heathen feel at home
Even those who don't practice religion can enjoy the radio station in heaven.

All these notes flying out play havoc with my heart
The music is very emotional and has a strong impact on my feelings.

Every word sung is both emotional and smart
The lyrics are both intelligent and moving.

There's a gorgeous sunset
I can see a beautiful sunset.

Happening on the airwaves
The radio is transmitting the beautiful sunset.

I really want you to hear this song one day
I hope to share this incredible experience with someone else.

So you behave
I hope that the listener will be well-behaved in order to appreciate the song.

At home
Feels like home in heaven.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CRAIG WILLIAM ANDREW NORTHEY, DOUG ELLIOTT, PAUL BRENNAN, STEVEN DRAKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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