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.
12-Tidal Wave
Owl City Lyrics
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'Cause I believe you'd unfold your paper heart and wear it on your sleeve
All my life I wish I broke mirrors instead of promises
'Cause all I see is a shattered conscience staring right back at me
I wish I had covered all my tracks completely
'Cause I'm so afraid, is that the light at the far end of the tunnel or just the train
Lift your arms, only heaven knows where the danger grows
And it's safe to say there's a bright light up ahead and help is on the way
I forget the last time I felt brave, I just recall insecurity
'Cause it came down like a tidal wave and sorrow swept over me
Depression please cut to the chase and cut a long story short
Oh please be done, how much longer can this drama afford to run
Fate looks sharp, severs all my ties and breaks whatever doesn't bend
But sadly then, all my heavy hopes just pull me back down again
I forget the last time I felt brave, I just recall insecurity
'Cause it came down like a tidal wave and sorrow swept over me
Then I was given grace and love
I was blind but now I can see
'Cause I've found a new hope from above
And courage swept over me
It hurts just to wake up whenever you're wearing thin
Alone on the outside
So tired of looking in
The end is uncertain
And I've never been so afraid
But I don't need a telescope to see that there's hope
And that makes me feel brave
The lyrics of Owl City's Tidal Wave capture the feeling of being overwhelmed by life and the subsequent search for hope and courage to overcome the struggles. The first verse expresses a wish to understand and be understood by someone, to be vulnerable and wear one's heart on their sleeve. The reference to breaking mirrors instead promises highlights the regret of one's actions and the consequences that come with them. The second verse speaks about the feeling of insecurity and vulnerability when life feels like a tidal wave crashing down, and how it takes a toll on one's mind and soul. The chorus attempts to find hope in the darkness by acknowledging that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it will get better soon.
The third verse speaks about depression and the will to end the torment that comes with it. The reference to destiny being sharp and severing ties signifies the pain of letting go and moving on. The fourth verse highlights the helplessness that comes with depression, and how hopelessness pulls one back even when they try to rise. However, the chorus changes in the last segment, where the singer rekindles hope and speaks about how a newfound hope from above gives them strength to overcome their fears and difficulties. And the last lines of the song speak about how hope gives courage and makes them feel brave.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I could cross my arms and cross your mind
I wish I could be on your mind every time so that you could open up your heart and wear your emotions on the sleeve.
'Cause I believe you'd unfold your paper heart and wear it on your sleeve
I believe that you have a soft heart that you keep hidden and that you would let it out if you felt comfortable.
All my life I wish I broke mirrors instead of promises
I wish I had caused physical damage to mirrors instead of breaking promises that caused emotional distress.
'Cause all I see is a shattered conscience staring right back at me
I am unable to forgive myself for my past mistakes, and my guilty conscience continues to haunt me which makes me feel more vulnerable.
I wish I had covered all my tracks completely
In hindsight, I wish I had taken extra steps to avoid attention and blame for my actions.
'Cause I'm so afraid, is that the light at the far end of the tunnel or just the train
I'm scared and unsure of whether the glimmer of hope I see in the distance is real or just another disaster waiting to happen.
Lift your arms, only heaven knows where the danger grows
Be ready and alert to new dangers, although the outcome is unknown at the moment.
And it's safe to say there's a bright light up ahead and help is on the way
Hope and assistance are on the way, and everything will work out for the best.
I forget the last time I felt brave, I just recall insecurity
I haven't felt courageous in a long time, but my insecurities continue to hold me back.
'Cause it came down like a tidal wave and sorrow swept over me
My emotions flooded up suddenly and uncontrollably, and all the sadness overwhelmed me.
Depression please cut to the chase and cut a long story short
Depression is a long and painful process, and it would be a relief if it could end sooner.
Oh please be done, how much longer can this drama afford to run
A plea for relief from the prolonged pain and stress that depression brings.
But sadly then, all my heavy hopes just pull me back down again
Despite optimism, hopelessness continues to weigh me down and bring me back to reality.
Then I was given grace and love
I was bestowed and felt the love that gave me the strength and courage to continue.
I was blind but now I can see
I was blind to the good in the world before, but it suddenly became clear to me, and I see hope.
'Cause I've found a new hope from above
I found hope in a higher power that gave me strength and purpose.
And courage swept over me
My newfound hope gave me the strength and bravery to overcome my fears and anxieties.
It hurts just to wake up whenever you're wearing thin
It is painful to wake up and function when you feel overwhelmed and emotionally drained.
Alone on the outside so tired of looking in
Feeling isolated and left out of social and emotional connection makes me weary.
The end is uncertain and I've never been so afraid
The future is unpredictable and unknown, and the uncertainty of the future fills me with dread.
But I don't need a telescope to see that there's hope
I don't need to search far to see that there is still hope and positivity to be found in life despite the challenges I face.
And that makes me feel brave
The realization that hope is present makes me feel brave and resilient enough to keep going.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, PACIFIC ELECTRIC MUSIC
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN, ADAM YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind