Young also records under the names Sky Sailing, Port Blue, Color Therapy, Insect Airport, Seagull Orchestra and his own name, Adam Young.
Young started out making music in 2007 in his basement in his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, United States, later developing a following through his MySpace profile before being signed to Universal Republic. Young has released seven albums under the Owl City moniker: "Maybe I'm Dreaming" (2008), "Ocean Eyes" (2009), "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (2011), "The Midsummer Station" (2012), "Mobile Orchestra" (2015), "Cinematic" (2018), and "Coco Moon" (2023). Young's 2009 single "Fireflies" reached #1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and The Netherlands. His second major hit, 2012's "Good Time" featuring Carly Rae Jepsen reached #8 in the US and #1 in New Zealand.
He was also once a member of Windsor Airlift and Swimming with Dolphins, both of which he is no longer involved with.
03-Hello Seattle
Owl City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the hills and highlands
I fall asleep in hospital parking lots
And awake in your mouth
Hello Seattle, I am a manta-ray
Deep beneath the blue waves
I'll crawl the sandy bottom of Puget Sound
Hello Seattle, I am the crescent moon
Shining down on your face
I will disguise myself as a sleeping pill
And descend inside of you
Hello Seattle, I am a cold seahorse
Feeling warm in your sand
I sing about the tide and the ocean surf
Rolling in the evening breeze
Hello Seattle, I am an albatross
On the docks and your boats
I sail above your inlets and interstates
Through the rain and open wind
Hello Seattle, I am an old lighthouse
Throwing beams of bright lights
Red in the morning, blue in the evening sun
Taking heed from everyone
Hello Seattle, I am a mountaineer
In the hills and highlands
I fall asleep in hospital parking lots
Take me above your light
Carry me through the night
Hold me secure in flight
Sing me to sleep tonight
Take me above your light
Carry me through the night
Hold me secure in flight
Sing me to sleep tonight
The song "Hello Seattle" by Owl City is essentially a love letter to the city of Seattle. The lyrics are written in first-person from the perspective of various creatures as a way to express how the city makes them feel. The mountaineer falls asleep in hospital parking lots and awakes in Seattle's mouth, showing the connection one can make with the city despite its size. The manta-ray constructs its summer home in Puget Sound, implying that Seattle is a place of refuge and security. The crescent moon descends inside the listener, implying that Seattle has a way of becoming a part of those who visit it. The cold seahorse sings about the tide and ocean surf, connecting the listener to nature, while the albatross flies above Seattle's inlets and interstates, showcasing the city's beauty and modernity combined. Finally, the old lighthouse is inspired by everyone, highlighting that the city is a place of equality.
Each verse in the song expresses a different experience with a connection to Seattle, showcasing how the city can be viewed as magical and connect everyone to nature. The verses are concluded with a consistent refrain, indicating that Seattle is not only magical but also a safe haven that leaves a lasting impression. The lyrics demonstrate how Seattle and nature can be intertwined and how this combination can elevate the human experience. The song also showcases Owl City’s preference for electronic pop with whimsical and poetic lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Seattle, I am a mountaineer
I am an adventurer seeking new heights and experiences
In the hills and highlands
I explore the rugged terrain and breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Northwest
I fall asleep in hospital parking lots
I am exhausted and find myself seeking refuge in unexpected places
And awake in your mouth
I am drawn to the vibrant energy and excitement of Seattle
Hello Seattle, I am a manta-ray
I am a creature of the sea, at home in the depths of Puget Sound
Deep beneath the blue waves
I am far from the surface world, immersed in tranquility
I'll crawl the sandy bottom of Puget Sound
I explore the undersea landscape, finding beauty in unexpected places
And construct my summer home
I create a place of comfort and safety in this unknown world
Hello Seattle, I am the crescent moon
I am a symbol of beauty and light shining down on the city
Shining down on your face
My radiance illuminates the people and places of Seattle
I will disguise myself as a sleeping pill
I offer tranquility and calm to the restless and weary
And descend inside of you
I bring peace and solace to those in need
Hello Seattle, I am a cold seahorse
I am a creature of the sea, but I find warmth and comfort in Seattle
Feeling warm in your sand
I am content and happy in the city's welcoming atmosphere
I sing about the tide and the ocean surf
I celebrate the natural rhythms and beauty of the sea
Rolling in the evening breeze
The sea's constant movement and energy is ever present in my thoughts
Hello Seattle, I am an albatross
I am a bird of the sea, soaring over the city with ease and grace
On the docks and your boats
I am at home on the water, watching over the ships and boats of Seattle
I sail above your inlets and interstates
I explore the city's unique geography, from the water to the roads
Through the rain and open wind
No matter the weather or obstacles, I am free to roam and explore Seattle
Hello Seattle, I am an old lighthouse
I am a beacon of hope and guidance, watching over the city's waterways
Throwing beams of bright light
My light shines brightly, providing safety and security to those at sea
Red in the morning, blue in the evening sun
My light changes with the time of day, a beautiful metaphor for the passage of time
Taking heed from everyone
I am ever vigilant, watching over Seattle and everyone within
Take me above your light
I seek to be uplifted and inspired by Seattle's energy and vibrance
Carry me through the night
I want to be protected and comforted as I navigate the unknown
Hold me secure in flight
I need safety and stability as I explore new horizons
Sing me to sleep tonight
I crave the solace and peace that Seattle offers, now and always
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM R. YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
H.A Forid
Hello Seattle, I am a mountaineer
In the hills and highlands
I fall asleep in hospital parking lots
And awake in your mouth
Hello Seattle, I am a manta ray
Deep beneath the blue waves
I'll crawl the sandy bottom of Puget Sound
And construct a summer home
Hello Seattle, I am the crescent moon
Shining down on your face
I will disguise myself as a sleeping pill
And descend inside of you
Hello Seattle, I am a cold seahorse
Feeling warm in your sand
I sing about the tide and the ocean surf
Rolling in the evening breeze
Hello Seattle, I am an albatross
On the docks and moored boats
I sail above your inlets and interstates
Through the rain and open wind
Hello Seattle, I am an old lighthouse
Throwing beams of bright lights
Red in the morning, blue in the evening sun
Taking heed for everyone
Hello Seattle, I am a mountaineer
In the hills and highlands
I fall asleep in hospital parking lots
Take me above your light
Carry me through the night
Hold me secure in flight
Sing me to sleep tonight
Take me above your light (Hello Seattle)
Carry me through the night (I am a mountaineer, in the hills and highlands)
Hold me secure in flight (I fall asleep in hospital)
Sing me to sleep tonight (parking lots, and awake in your house)
.....................--------------------
Wake me if you're out there
Through the glass in my bedroom window
In the bushes far below
I thought I saw an unfamiliar shadow
Among the ones I so clearly know
I've been sleeping with the night light unplugged
With a note on the rocking chair
That says, "I'm dreaming of the life I once loved,
So wake me if you're out there."
Living close to the ground
Is seventh Heaven 'cause there are angels all around
Among my frivolous thoughts
I believe there are beautiful things seen by the astronauts
So wake me if you're out there!
Wake me if you're out there
In the dust on my cellar staircase
A pair of footprints followed me
I saw a flicker in the fake fireplace
Blinked again but there was nothing to see
I've been leaving all the windows unlocked
With a basket by the oak tree
'Cause I'll be pickin' up the acorns that fall off
If you'll be climbing up to meet me
Living close to the ground
Is seventh Heaven 'cause there are angels all around
Among my frivolous thoughts
I believe there are beautiful things seen by the astronauts
Wake me if you're out there
I keep my knees black and blue
'Cause they often hit the hard wood floor
(Wake me if you're out there)
And I believe so
I'm not praying to the ceiling anymore
I've been sleeping with the night light unplugged
With a note on the rocking chair
That says, "I'm dreaming of the life I once loved,
So wake me if you're out there."
Living close to the ground
Is seventh Heaven 'cause there are angels all around
Among my frivolous thoughts
I believe there are beautiful things seen by the astronauts
The indications reveal
(Wake me if you're out there)
That few of us realize life is quite surreal
So if you're dying to see
I guarantee there are angels around your vicinity
So if you're dying to see
I guarantee there are angels around your vicinity
BoyDanny93
This give me chills. Almost all of Owl City's songs gives me chills.
i have a dream :)
Same
OwlCityMP3
+BoyDanny93 Chills run down my spine, as our fingers entwined
Shho13
I love the rock touch he adds to his songs when he plays live... That Telecaster really sounds great...
Reinald
Not only his songs' tune are calm and nice, the lyrics means a lot of conotation, it makes it 10000x OWLSOME
Justin Wells
The song "Hello Seattle" have an awesome beat. Love the intro of the song. The lyrics sound like poetry and imagination.
Jerry Chan
BEST VOICE IN THE WORLD LOVE YOU OWL CITY~!!
maggie
when i listen to angels it makes me feel a way i never feel when listening to anything else. it’s so weird bc i want to cry but i can’t and it’s just .. i can’t explain it. the raw energy in that song and all his other songs i just can’t. this is real music and creation. i love owl city ❤️
M J
he's like an angel singing
Sigmarune
if only he was in my vicinity