Barthel and Carter were friends since junior high school. Barthel pursued a visual arts degree while Carter formed the experimental band Grand Habit. In the summer of 2007 they reunited and worked on finishing some beat ideas Carter made earlier. The duo was originally called Charlie Everywhere when performing around the Saratoga Springs area on the local label Sub-Bombin Records. When they signed to BBE Records they changed the name to Phantogram, to avoid legal issues.
In March 2009, they self-released a five song EP, Phantogram EP, which featured four songs that ended up being on the full length. In the same year they released another EP, Running From the Cops on BBE Records.
The band's debut album Eyelid Movies was released in September 2009, on BBE Records in Europe, and in February 2010, on Barsuk Records in the US. The album received generally favorable reviews. The singles "Mouthful of Diamonds", "When I'm Small" and "As Fas As I Can See" supported the album.
Phantogram have supported acts such as Metric, The xx, J-Live, Brazilian Girls and have toured with The Slip, Zero 7 and Minus the Bear.
Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter were inspired by artists like J Dilla, Serge Gainsbourg, My Bloody Valentine, Madlib, Sonic Youth, The Beatles and David Bowie.
In 1 November 2011, the band issued the EP Nightlife. This EP includes the single "Don't Move".
The duo collaborated with Big Boi from OutKast on three songs from his second studio album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors: "Objectum Sexuality (feat. Phantogram)", "CPU (feat. Phantogram)" and "Lines (feat. A$AP Rocky & Phantogram)". Phantogram are also credited as producers for the song "Objectum Sexuality".
Official site: http://www.phantogram.net
Lights
Phantogram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't realize why I'm living alone
And I feel awake
Awake I've never felt before on my own
I know there's something wrong inside your heart
I should've cut my losses long before I knew you
Before your time
This world of ours
And they know that it's true now
And I loved someone
I get to lay around and dream on my own
And I feel that there's not a thing
I pour the gasoline to burn on my own
My memories full of only black & blue
I should've cut my losses long before I knew you
You did a light show
Before your time
This world of ours
And they know that it's true now
You did a light show
Before your time
This world of ours
And they know that it's true now
And they know that it's true now
I know, I know, I know, I know it's too late
I tried, won't last
You know that I have control
The stars will fade
And you don't have to die alone
You did a light show
Before your time
This world of ours
And they know that it's true no
You did a light show
Before your time
This world of ours
And they know that it's true no
The lyrics to Phantogram's song "Lights" seem to be about a relationship that has gone wrong or ended badly. The first verse, in particular, suggests that the singer is feeling lonely and perhaps a bit confused about why they are alone. They seem to be experiencing something new and different, and even though they love the sun (a symbol of warmth and positivity), they cannot fully understand why they are living in solitude. The second verse strengthens this impression, as the singer reflects on a lost love and the memories of pain that still linger. The lines "My memories full of only black & blue / I should've cut my losses long before I knew you" hint at some form of abuse or emotional distress in the past, which the singer wishes they had avoided. Despite this regret, the singer acknowledges that their former partner had something special about them, symbolized by the "light show" they did before their time. This light show could represent the good times, the beauty of the world, or the unique qualities of the relationship.
The chorus is the most repeated part of the song, and it reinforces the idea that something special was lost when the relationship ended. The "light show" becomes a refrain, a phrase that seems to hold some kind of power over the singer and the world around them. The repeated "and they know that it's true now" could be interpreted as an acknowledgement of the value of what was lost or as a warning to others not to make the same mistakes. There is a sense of regret and longing in the lyrics, tempered by resignation and acceptance. The final lines convey a sense of hope and redemption: the stars may fade, but the singer does not have to die alone. The overall impression is one of reflection, mourning, and a recognition of the power of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
And I love the sun
I appreciate the light and positivity that the sun brings.
But I can't realize why I'm living alone
Despite enjoying the sun, I struggle to understand why I am alone.
And I feel awake
I feel a sense of alertness and newfound awareness.
Awake I've never felt before on my own
This level of clarity and consciousness is new to me when I am by myself.
I know there's something wrong inside your heart
I recognize that there is an issue within your inner being.
I should've cut my losses long before I knew you
I should have parted ways with you before getting too involved.
You did a light show
You put on a spectacle or display of lights.
Before your time
You did it before it was common or trendy to do so.
This world of ours
The world in which we exist.
And they know that it's true now
Others now recognize and accept the truth of your actions.
And I loved someone
I had affection and admiration for someone.
I get to lay around and dream on my own
I am now able to relax and daydream alone.
And I feel that there's not a thing
I have a sense that nothing is happening.
I pour the gasoline to burn on my own
I instigate my own destruction or self-sabotage.
My memories full of only black & blue
My reminiscences are only of negative and painful experiences.
You did a light show
You put on a spectacle or display of lights.
Before your time
You did it before it was common or trendy to do so.
This world of ours
The world in which we exist.
And they know that it's true now
Others now recognize and accept the truth of your actions.
And they know that it's true now
Others now recognize and accept the truth of your actions.
I know, I know, I know, I know it's too late
I am aware that it is too late for change or reconciliation.
I tried, won't last
Despite my efforts, the situation is not sustainable.
You know that I have control
You are aware that I have power or influence in this situation.
The stars will fade
Eventually, even the things that seem permanent will disappear.
And you don't have to die alone
You do not have to experience loneliness and isolation.
This world of ours
The world in which we exist.
And they know that it's true no
Others now recognize and accept the truth of the situation.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: SARAH BARTHEL, JOSHUA CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind