They then landed opening slots on shows for Broken Social Scene, DFA 1979, and Hot Hot Heat, and received the honor of Best Unsigned Band at the 2002 North by Northeast music conference (Canada’s version of SXSW in the U.S.). Soon after, Pilate inked a deal with indie MapleMusic Recordings, which then released their full-length debut, Caught by the Window, in 2003. The album produced two hits on national radio and MuchMusic, as the guys toured North America, Australia, and Japan. Their follow-up, Sell Control for Life’s Speed, appeared back at home in mid-2006, after which the band changed its name to Pilot Speed.
Their first album under their new name "Wooden Bones" was released April 28th, 2009
Merchandise and news is available from their Official site.
Open arms
Pilot Speed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've left your mark upon this land
You've pushed it hard
Because you can look to your children
You've said four words that we won't speak
For they don't share in our disease
We've made our vows
Is there a sound that it makes
'Cause I couldn't hear how hearts break
We trusted few
And watched them fall
We closed our eyes
And we fly into the wide open arms of the light
For some it's so clear
They know the people at their feet
We'll trust the mouse that talks so sweetly in all of Iceland
To see the blood upon our hands
We couldn't help but understand
We've made our vows
We've played you wrong
Is there a sound that it makes
'Cause I couldn't hear how hearts break
We trusted few
And watched them fall
We closed our eyes
And we fly into the wide open arms of the light
They never told us why
There's people still missing in our minds
There's people still missing in our minds
There's people still missing in our minds
Our lives are fading things
Hey brother, are you out there?
My hope's alive within
Hey brother, are you out there?
Our lives are fading things
Hey brother, are you out there?
My hope's alive within
Hey brother, are you out there?
Our lives are fading things
Hey brother, are you out there?
My hope's alive within
Hey brother, are you out there?
Our lives are fading things
The lyrics to Pilot Speed's song "Open Arms" reflect a sense of reflection and introspection. The opening line, "My son you're old now," suggests that the singer is addressing someone who has grown older and more experienced. They acknowledge the individual's impact on the world and describe how they have "pushed it hard." This is followed by a cryptic reference to "four words that we won't speak" which the singer implies is a shared experience with the listener.
The second verse continues the theme of trust and betrayal. The singer admits that they have "played [the listener] wrong" and expresses a sense of guilt or regret for some unnamed past wrongdoing. Despite this, they still believe in the power of love and connection. The final lines of the song suggest a hopefulness for the future, as the singer reaches out to someone they address as "brother" and expresses a desire to connect.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it is about the pain of past mistakes and the attempt to find redemption through love and connection. The references to "missing" people and the blood on their hands imply a sense of guilt, while the repeated refrain "our lives are fading things" suggests an underlying fear of mortality. At the same time, the song also celebrates the power of human connection, as seen in the lines "we fly into the wide open arms of the light."
Line by Line Meaning
My son you're old now
The singer is addressing someone who is mature and has left a significant impact on the world.
You've left your mark upon this land
The person being addressed has made a lasting impression on the world.
You've pushed it hard, Because you can
The person has worked hard to achieve their goals and has been able to do so because of their abilities.
Look to your children
The artist is advising the person to consider the future generations and their actions' impact on them.
You've said four words that we won't speak, For they don't share in our disease
The artist has elected not to reveal something that was spoken, but it is linked to the dysfunction or negative elements associated with their society.
We've made our vows, We've played you wrong
The singer or their community has failed and broken promises to the person being addressed.
Is there a sound that it makes? Cause I couldn't hear how hearts break
The singer is questioning whether there is an audible indication that someone's heart is breaking following a transgression because it was not noticeable to them.
We trusted few, And watched them fall
The artist put their faith in a select few people, but they failed in some way causing harm or misfortune.
We closed our eyes, And we fly into the wide open arms of the light
The artist retreats into ignorance or hope, escaping from the world's problems and hopes for a better place where they can be free.
For some it's so clear, They know the people at their feet
The person being addressed may not comprehend the depth of their achievements or their impact on others because they have never been at a lower place.
We'll trust the mouse that talks so sweetly in all of Iceland
The singer is metaphorically referencing that people are not always forthcoming with their goals or who they actually are, using mice as a symbol of vulnerability.
To see the blood upon our hands, We couldn't help but understand
The artist or their community has done something regrettable that has harmed an innocent person or group, causing a realization of their wrongdoing.
They never told us why, There's people still missing in our minds
There are still mysteries the singer or their community cannot solve, which causes them to continually reflect on the situation.
Our lives are fading things, Hey brother, are you out there?
The singer is recognizing the impermanence of living things and is calling out to someone they want to connect with.
My hope's alive within, Hey brother, are you out there?
The singer is expressing positivity and optimism amidst uncertainty and continuing to reach out to the person they want to connect with.
Contributed by Christian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
glenneth kenneth
i bought this album the day it came out, however i lost it some years ago. the song reminds me ov my cousin he died from suicide he was my brother my hero to this day. everytime i play this song i tear up a bit because there are never answers to everything just to accept things as they are and move on. this song makes me a stronger person each time i listen to it. he probably thinks im some fool right now laughing at me from the otherside lol RIP beau. thank you so much for uploading this!!
Jorge347
I feel u man, It feels like all the hope and love in ur life is gone