Members : Jacques Barbéri, Denis Frajerman, Philippe Perreaudin
2) Palo Alto are a four-piece based in Manchester and Leeds, and were formed in 2001. You might say they were a indie-alternative-experimental-post-rock kind of band.
They released the early LP “All Fall Down”. Later years saw the release of the “Still EP” (2002) and “Wades In To Water” (2003) on Manchester’s Valentine Records. More recently “Every Way To Fall” has raised it’s head. More releases are promised to follow. They can be found at www.myspace.com/paloaltoband.
Alas, Palo Alto are no more (2005)... But don't fear, you can catch Elaine and Paul in The Declining Winter.
Monolith
Palo Alto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a man not a prisoner
Walking in the tightrope beneath me
Making your way underneath to the front porch
How did you know I would be there
Come out at once
I'm out of time
Come out at once yeah
What's that you say
I'm a man with a fools voice
Making those angels in the sand
Taking what's mine and believing what is yours
How did you know it was me there
Come out at once
I'm out of time
You're gonna find out how
Come of age
Big mistake
Can't afford this attitude
Its a rubber made
Things at stake
Counted more what I can do
Its a common thing
Things we take
Looking for what I came through
Its a monolith
Make it wait
Can't afford this attitude
I'm out of luck
I'm out of time
Making me sell some more friends with your fingers
Having some fun with your mouth
Taking what's yours and what's mine well you figure
How did you know how to give in
I'm gonna find out how
Come of age
Big mistake
Can't afford this attitude
Its a rubber-made
Things at stake
Counted more what I can do
Its a common thing
Things we take
Looking for what I came through
Its a monolith
Make it wait
Can't afford this attitude
I'm out of luck
I'm out of time
Taking the same road
The lyrics to Palo Alto's song "Monolith" seem to be about a person who is struggling to assert their own identity and maintain their freedom in a world that is constantly putting pressure on them to conform. The line "What's that you say, I'm a man not a prisoner" suggests that the singer feels trapped or oppressed in some way, perhaps by society's expectations or by their own internal struggles. They are walking the tightrope of life, precariously balancing between their own desires and the expectations of others.
The line "Making your way underneath to the front porch, How did you know I would be there?" could be interpreted as someone trying to subtly manipulate the singer, possibly to get them to do something they don't want to do or to convince them to give in. The singer is aware of this manipulation, and urges the other person to come out and be direct with them.
The chorus reinforces the idea that the singer feels like they are under pressure and that they can't keep up. "I'm out of time" suggests that they are overwhelmed and struggling to keep everything together. They are faced with a "monolith" - something seemingly insurmountable - and it's waiting for them to take it on. But as the song progresses, the singer seems to find strength in their resistance, suggesting that they are ready to fight back against whatever is holding them down.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that you say
Asking for clarification
I'm a man not a prisoner
Rejecting the idea that he is trapped or helpless
Walking in the tightrope beneath me
Navigating a difficult situation
Making your way underneath to the front porch
Describing someone approaching his home
How did you know I would be there
Questioning how the person knew where to find him
Come out at once
Demanding the person reveal themselves
I'm out of time
Feeling rushed or unable to wait
I'm a man with a fools voice
Acknowledging his own foolishness or lack of credibility
Making those angels in the sand
Creating something beautiful but temporary
Taking what's mine and believing what is yours
Accusing someone of being selfish and dishonest
How did you know it was me there
Questioning how the person recognized him
You're gonna find out how
Suggesting he will make the person regret their actions
Come of age
Growing up or maturing
Big mistake
Acknowledging an error in judgment
Can't afford this attitude
Rejecting a negative, unproductive mindset
Its a rubber made
Comparing something to a rubber object that can bend or change shape
Things at stake
Recognizing that there is something important to lose
Counted more what I can do
Focusing on his own abilities and strengths
Its a common thing
Stating that something is not unusual or unexpected
Things we take
Acknowledging the things we can't help but desire or pursue
Looking for what I came through
Searching for meaning or purpose in past experiences
Its a monolith
Comparing something to a large, immovable object
Make it wait
Delaying or avoiding something difficult
I'm out of luck
Feeling unlucky or destined to fail
Taking the same road
Acknowledging that he is repeating a pattern or habit
Making me sell some more friends with your fingers
Accusing someone of manipulating others for their own gain
Having some fun with your mouth
Implying that the person is speaking carelessly or insincerely
Taking what's yours and what's mine well you figure
Accusing someone of taking advantage of both of them
I'm gonna find out how
Promising to uncover the truth or seek revenge
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES GRUNDLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind