Born and raised in Massachusetts, Lopatin is the son of Russian Jewish emigrants from the former Soviet Union, both with musical backgrounds. Some of his first experiments with electronic music were inspired by his father’s collection of dubbed jazz fusion tapes and his Roland Juno-60 synthesizer, an instrument that has since been used extensively by Lopatin in the studio and on-stage. Lopatin attended Hampshire College in Massachusetts before moving to Brooklyn, New York to attend grad school at Pratt Institute, studying archival science. During that time, he became involved in Brooklyn's underground noise music scene.
In January 2017, a collaboration between Oneohtrix Point Never and FKA twigs was confirmed. In 2017, Oneohtrix Point Never provided the soundtrack for the film Good Time, directed by Ben & Josh Safdie. He won the Soundtrack Award at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival for his work on the film, which included a collaboration with singer Iggy Pop entitled "The Pure and the Damned." The film's soundtrack was released via Warp on August 11, 2017.
Long Road Home
Oneohtrix Point Never Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We realize that the soul grows
We just deny that the truth is untold
No one to rally us forth
I don′t know why I don't wanna transform
Taking the long road home
Doesn′t the sea look so empty?
Even my dreams kissed in digital gloss
It′s my reality
I don't know why I don′t wanna transform
Taking the long road home
I don't know why I don′t wanna transform
Taking the long way home
Alone
I don't
I don′t know why I don't wanna
I don't know why I don′t wanna
I don′t know why I don't wanna
I don′t know why I don't wanna transform
The lyrics to Oneohtrix Point Never's song Long Road Home appear to be a reflection on the human experience. The first stanza suggests that the singer and their community don't rely on the idea that there is nowhere to go - they acknowledge that the soul is always growing and evolving. However, they deny that there is one specific, untold truth that should guide them. The line "No one to rally us forth" suggests a lack of collective direction and purpose, leaving individuals to navigate the journey of life on their own.
The second stanza raises questions about the nature of reality and the singer's place in it. The imagery of the sky and sea being maps and empty spaces respectively hint at the vastness of the universe and the potential insignificance of human existence. The reference to "dreams kissed in digital gloss" suggests a disconnect between the singer's experience of reality and their inner experience, as if there is a screen between them and the world.
The refrain "I don't know why I don't wanna transform, taking the long road home" speaks to a reluctance to embrace change and suggests that the path to self-discovery and growth may be a lengthy one. The repetition of the phrase creates the impression of being stuck in a cycle, unsure of how to break free. The final line "alone" underscores the sense of isolation and uncertainty that pervades the song.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't rely on "There's nowhere to go"
We are not dependent on any external force or direction as we understand that progress and growth come from within.
We realize that the soul grows
We understand that personal development and spiritual advancement come from within ourselves.
We just deny that the truth is untold
We reject the notion that there are universal truths that cannot be discovered or understood by individuals.
No one to rally us forth
We have no external motivators or leaders to push us forward, we are self-driven.
Doesn't the sky look like maps to our house?
The expansiveness of the sky reminds us of the vastness of the world and our place within it.
Doesn't the sea look so empty?
The vastness of the sea can be both awe-inspiring and isolating.
Even my dreams kissed in digital gloss
Even our innermost thoughts and aspirations can be influenced and mediated by technology and digital culture.
It's my reality
The digital realm and its influence are just as much a part of our reality as the physical world.
I don't know why I don't wanna transform
The artist is uncertain why they resist change despite seeing the potential benefits.
Taking the long road home
They are choosing to take a slower and possibly more difficult path towards personal growth and change.
I don't know why I don't wanna transform
The singer reiterates their uncertainty about why they resist change.
Taking the long way home
They continue to choose the path of personal growth and development that may take longer than expected.
Alone
Despite the lack of external motivators or leaders, the singer is content to progress on their own path towards personal growth and change.
I don't
The singer acknowledges their own limitations and areas of uncertainty.
I don't know why I don't wanna
The singer is still grappling with their own resistance to change.
I don't know why I don't wanna
Their lack of understanding of their own resistance is still present.
I don't know why I don't wanna
The artist continues to question their own motivations and fears regarding personal growth and change.
I don't know why I don't wanna transform
The singer concludes that they still do not fully understand their own resistance to change.
Writer(s): Daniel Lopatin, Caroline Elizabeth Polachek
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jerk001
We don't rely on "There's nowhere to go"
We realize that the soul grows
We just deny that the truth is untold
No one to rally us forth
I don't know why I don't wanna transform
Taking the long road home
Doesn't the sky look like maps to our house?
Doesn't the sea look so empty?
Even my dreams kissed in digital gloss
It's my reality
I don't know why I don't wanna transform
Taking the long road home
I don't know why I don't wanna transform
Taking the long way home
Alone
I don't
I don't know why I don't wanna
I don't know why I don't wanna
I don't know why I don't wanna
I don't know why I don't wanna transform
@poljoprivrednikkk
guys really live in apartments like this and don’t see any issue
@dear_saturn
@EchoRaRa especially when all things lose definition over time.
@tem9470
Same. My apartment is just a large window, a slightly smaller doorway, and small opening no one can go through and just a white prism standing up straight. The door way leads to an exact replica of the room and goes like this endlessly so that's cool.
@VANITAS555
Imagine living in the r plus seven room
@casperchristiansen2458
Beat me to it
@Kishgofu
what's the issue?
@jeroen89
This is the kind of music videos that used to creep me out on MTV... I love it
@HEATSEEKER00
Its pretty weak
@silvercruiser
What if we kissed 🙈❤️
In the R Plus Seven Room 😳🥴
@dear_saturn
🥺