Porcupine Tree started out as a "fake" band, the only real member being multi-instrumentalist Steven Wilson. Wilson's first two releases, Tarquin's Seaweed Farm (1989) and The Nostalgia Factory (1990), were both released on cassette tapes. In addition to the band's trademark psychedelic sound, these two tapes also contained heavy ambient and pop influences. Wilson's favorite tracks were then compiled into the CD On the Sunday of Life... (1991), while the more ambient-leaning tracks were also collected in Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape (1994). The first of these two featured many new versions of songs.
Wilson then went on to release Voyage 34 (1992) and Up the Downstair (1993), which refined the sound of the previous albums and removed the pop influences. Both of these were later re-released, the first as Voyage 34: The Complete Trip (2000), which included an extra two remixes (a total of four), while Up the Downstair was remastered at 2005 with real drums added in place of the drum-machine beats.
The Sky Moves Sideways (1995), often considered the band's best album by long-time fans, largely uses the spacey nature of previous albums. By the time of Signify (1996) Wilson had a full band at his disposal: Chris Maitland (drums), Colin Edwin (bass), and Richard Barbieri, formerly of Japan, on keyboards.
The band's next two albums, Stupid Dream (1999) and Lightbulb Sun (2000), saw them take on a more alternative rock-oriented sound, while still drawing influence from as far back as Up the Downstair. During this period, the band garnered increasing recognition, both in their home country and abroad. Finally, they were signed to Lava Records (a major American record label) in time for the release of In Absentia, with Gavin Harrison replacing Chris Maitland on drums. This album shows high metal influences, due in part to Wilson's work with Opeth on their album Blackwater Park. The band continued this sound for their 2005 release, Deadwing, which has the heaviest and most noticeable metal influences.
In April 2007, the band released Fear of a Blank Planet, an album clearly influenced by the post-rock genre, but also sees them expanding the metal side of their music, yet still remaining true to older facets of the band's sound.
In April, 2007, the band embarked on a six-month world tour in support of Fear of a Blank Planet, one that included Europe, the U.S., Japan, and Australia. The new album was featured, and the show featured the films and projections by the band's long-time visualist Lasse Hoile.
Fear of a Blank Planet is already the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album of the band's career, charting high in most countries (even giving the band their first top-forty album in their home country). Porcupine Tree spent most of 2007 on tour promoting the album, and a new EP Nil Recurring containing material left over from the album-writing sessions was released on the band's own label Transmission in September.
The band started recording their tenth studio album The Incident in February 2009. This was confirmed by the band, posting this message on their official website: "Writing for the next PT studio record is well underway, with the band recently spending two weeks scheduled in the English countryside working on new tracks. Recording of these pieces and a new 35 minute SW song cycle were due to start in February..." A tour was announced on the band's website and MySpace, along with dates, following release of the new album. Around March and April, Wilson commented the 35-minute song kept evolving and now it has become a 55-minute song, occupying the entire disc.
On 20 May 2010, Porcupine Tree released their second live concert film on DVD and Blu-ray, titled Anesthetize. It was recorded live on 15 and 16 October 2008 in the Netherlands at the 013 Tilburg venue.
On 17 June 2010, the band announced on their website that a new live album titled Atlanta, recorded during the tour of Fear of a Blank Planet at the Roxy theatre, Atlanta, on 29 October 2007, would be released in a near future. This album was released via online distribution only, without any class of physical format; all the sale proceeds were donated to Mick Karn for his treatment against cancer.
In June 2012, Wilson re-emphasised his continued focus on his solo career.
On November 1st, 2021, the band announced their eleventh studio album Closure / Continuation, to be released in June 2022 on Music For Nations, along with their first single in over 12 years, Harridan. The release is the first without bassist Colin Edwin since he joined the band in 1993.
Half Light
Porcupine Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such a long night
Pick up that key
Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
Is it me?
Do I look beautiful in the half light?
It's been so long
Years have gone
Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you
Porcupine Tree's song Half Light is a soulful, introspective journey where the singer is searching for a sense of belonging and acceptance. "Such a pale light, such a long night" sets the tone for the entire song, where the singer is lost in darkness, seeking a way out. The line "Pick up that key, don't drop your gaze in your coffee" could be interpreted as the singer getting a chance to unravel the truth, and they should not miss the opportunity. They should instead try to look around and be aware of their surroundings.
The line "Is it me? Do I look beautiful in the half light?" suggests that the singer is unsure of themselves and is seeking validation from their surroundings. The singer is finding it hard to accept themselves, and the pale light is further indicative of their insecurities, half-concealed and shallow. They are looking for someone to help them and the lines "Hold me please, stay with me, and I will sleep" are indicative of that.
The remainder of the song is the singer finding some solace in a fleeting moment. "I will go now, but I will be with you. Hold my gaze, hold me inside you" suggests that the singer knows that they might not find the place they belong in just yet, but they have found someone who understands them. They might leave but will always stay intertwined with the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Such a pale light
The light is dim and lackluster. It suggests a melancholic or gloomy atmosphere.
Such a long night
The night is seemingly endless, long enough to evoke a feeling of despair or grief.
Pick up that key
This can be interpreted as a call for action or a suggestion to take control of a situation. The key may represent a solution or a way out.
Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
This may imply the need to stay alert or vigilant, not to be lost in thought or distraction.
Is it me?
This raises a question about one's identity, worth or relevance to someone else, or doubts about oneself.
Do I look beautiful in the half light?
This may reflect the desire to appear in a certain way, to be seen in a favorable light, or to have one's beauty or worth recognized.
It's been so long
This expresses a sense of time passing, of something being missed or forgotten, or a feeling of nostalgia.
Years have gone
This reinforces the idea of a long period of time that has elapsed, and may further suggest a deep sense of loss or longing.
Since I belonged
This hints at a disconnect or a sense of not belonging, of being excluded or left out of something or somewhere.
Hold me please
This is a plea for comfort or emotional support, a sign of vulnerability or distress.
Stay with me
This may express a fear of being alone, a desire for companionship or reassurance, or an emotional attachment to someone.
And I will sleep
This suggests a sense of safety or comfort, of being able to let go and rest, or of finding peace in someone's presence.
I will go now
This implies a departure or a farewell, and may carry different connotations depending on the context.
But I will be with you
This reassures the other person that the singer will still be there in some way, perhaps in memory, spirit, or love.
Hold my gaze
This can be interpreted as a request for attention, connection, or intimacy, or as a challenge or a test of sincerity.
Hold me inside you
This is a metaphor for being deeply understood, valued, or cherished, and for leaving a lasting impression on someone's heart or soul.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: COLIN EDWIN BALCH, GAVIN RICHARD HARRISON, RICHARD BARBIERI, STEVEN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@magal669
My dog died in my arms two months ago, he was only 6 years old… that song reminds me those moments when he looked at me while he took his last breaths, “Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you”
I miss you so much, I wish to spend just one more minute with you…
RIP Snow
@avinashsingh-sp4nj
Lyrics
Such a pale light
Such a long night
Pick up that key
Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
Is it me?
Do I look beautiful in the half light?
It's been so long
Years have gone
Since I belonged
Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you
@goodnightkiss5008
Such a pale light
Such a long night
Pick up that key
Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
Is it me?
Do I look beautiful in the half light?
It's been so long
Years have gone
Since I belonged
Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you
Omg such a beautiful, touching and perfect piece of art. I miss PT so much. Goosebumps all over.
@Prizzy999
No words can describe how beautiful this song is. And Wesley's voice, well....Steven always know how to make his songs even better live, he surrounds himself with the best musicians/vocalists.
Goosebumps all the way.
@spandanhetfield
All the magic of this version comes from Wesley's vocals in my opinion. That guy is so so talented.
@Ujjwal772
+Spandan Madan I think he's quite underrated being alongside Steven and Gavin in the band. Same goes for the synth. All are remarkable musicians and their coming together is the divinity named Porcupine Tree!
@ayurbhatta8861
True.
@nikunjkaushik4
+Ujjwal Kumar actualy evrbdy in PT are awsem.....each one hav there own significanc....for ex. john weasley is a goood sound enginner.....that steven is not...and steven is a brilliant producer that weasley is not...!!\m/ hav fun
@indrasismitra6484
you put that really nice dude....slow clap
@SmartKidofTrains
That and that live-only beautiful solo.
@magal669
My dog died in my arms two months ago, he was only 6 years old… that song reminds me those moments when he looked at me while he took his last breaths, “Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you”
I miss you so much, I wish to spend just one more minute with you…
RIP Snow
@enriquediaz4632
When I first listened this song I was with a beautiful girl who told me that this song reminded her to her ex. I went out with her for a little while, but it didn’t work out. She was still depressed for the recent rupture. I fell in love, and she just couldn’t feel anything. I don’t blame her, I’ve been there. Every time I listen to this song I think of her and all the good times we lived. I hope she is okay, and I always will remember her like one of the best things that ever happened to me.
@PintordeBatallas
Eres una buena persona. Me has traído al recuerdo una historia mía, de años de escribirnos y compartirnos música (sí, Porcupine Tree entre ella), de querernos muchísimo... y que al final no pudo ser. Las historias pueden terminar pero el amor vivido siempre será precioso.