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.
Air Traffic
Owl City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To wherever those wings take us
The atmosphere is crawling with airlines
That wind through the clouds
And look down on the crowds
Relax your back and let the noise
Sing you to sleep in my arms
If you awake before we arrive I will carry you down
And I won't make a sound
The scent is strong as we move on
And breathe in the pristine crime scene
The false veneer is old like a substitute volunteer
From, oh, some other year
I'm just a shell as far as I can tell
So I paint my eyes a light green
The silver beams are twirling and swirling throughout your dreams
Like air traffic streams
The song "Air Traffic" by Owl City is about escaping from reality and traveling through the skies with a loved one. The first stanza sets the scene for what is about to happen, as the singer and their partner take off on a flight. The bird represents the airplane, and they are going to any destination that the wings will take them. The atmosphere is crawling with airlines, which could be a metaphor for the busy world below. However, in the sky, they can look down on the crowds and leave their worries behind. The next two lines describe the comfort of the journey, as the noise of the airplane engine sings them to sleep. Finally, the singer promises to carry their partner down without making a sound if they awaken before they arrive.
The second stanza continues the dreamy mood of the song, as the scent is strong as they move on. This could be the smell of planes, the air, or even the smell of their partner. The pristine crime scene could refer to the immaculate sky they are traveling through. The false veneer could relate to the superficiality of the world below, and how it's not as perfect as the sky. The singer paints their eyes green, which could represent a feeling of envy or a desire for the freedom and peace that they are currently experiencing. The last line compares the morphing silver beams to air traffic streams, linking the theme of the song to the view from the airplane window.
Overall, the song "Air Traffic" is about the escape from the hustle and bustle of the world and enjoying a peaceful journey through the sky with a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
The bird is here and we are off
We have begun our journey with excitement and anticipation, eagerly waiting to see where the wings will take us.
To wherever those wings take us
We have no specific destination but trust the bird to take us to the right place, wherever that may be.
The atmosphere is crawling with airlines
The sky is filled with various airlines, moving through the clouds and carrying passengers to their destinations.
That wind through the clouds
The airplanes move swiftly through the clouds, tracing their paths in the sky.
And look down on the crowds
From high above, planes can observe the masses of people going about their daily lives.
Relax your back and let the noise
Allow yourself to unwind and let the sounds of the aircraft lull you into a state of relaxation.
Sing you to sleep in my arms
As we fly, rest your head on my shoulder and drift off to sleep to the hum of the plane.
If you awake before we arrive I will carry you down
If you wake up before we land, I will hold you closely and safely guide you off the plane.
And I won't make a sound
I will keep silent as we land to ensure your continued peaceful rest.
The scent is strong as we move on
As we travel, we notice and breathe in the distinct smell of our surroundings.
And breathe in the pristine crime scene
We inhale the pure, untouched atmosphere, as though witnessing a crime before it has been tainted by contaminants.
The false veneer is old like a substitute volunteer
The façade presented to us is old, like a replacement volunteer who lacks the same passion and dedication as the original.
From, oh, some other year
Perhaps this old veneer is from a different time, no longer relevant to the present moment.
I'm just a shell as far as I can tell
As we travel, I can't help but feel like a mere vessel, carrying us through this experience.
So I paint my eyes a light green
To add some color to my seemingly blank facade, I adorn my eyes with a gentle green hue.
The silver beams are twirling and swirling throughout your dreams
The silver beams of the aircraft's lights seem to dance and move in hypnotic patterns, becoming a part of your dreams.
Like air traffic streams
As we fly, we become a part of the larger system of air traffic, flowing along with other planes and passengers to our final destination.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam R. Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind