A trailblazer in the Philippine indie scene, Reese has brought her music to international shores like Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, and the USA. “A Song About Space” from her debut album “Arigato, Internet!” was chosen by NASA for their historic #LaunchAmerica campaign videos.
In 2018, she opened for Paramore's Tour Four and garnered praise from frontwoman Hayley Williams. She also opened for Oh Wonder’s Ultralife Tour in Manila, and has shared the stage with artists such as The Temper Trap, LANY, Purity Ring and Explosions in the Sky.
She takes slices of life and spin them into head-bopping melodies and heartwarming confessionals. With her signature wit and vocal looping prowess, Reese commands the stage and connects with people who appreciate general weirdness, injected into pop earworms.
In May 2021, she released her highly anticipated sophomore album, Time Well Spent.
Islands
Reese Lansangan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back here asking me why
I've spent nights
Bleeding myself dry
I'm fighting beasts, I'm climbing trees and towers
I'm whole, alive and breathing, that's what matters
Gotta let you go, oh, oh-oh
But when I do my mind just keeps on finding a way
To you, again
Self-control won't help me so
Don't come running back
Back
Back
If you don't need to stay
Just stay away, don't come back
Back
Back
Empty hands, knees to the ground
Better watch me pray
That I won't give
My honesty away
'Cause when I say "be gone" my stubborn tongue is faking
My heart won't echo sounds my mouth is making
And I want to hold you but my body's moving away
Gotta let you go, oh, oh-oh
But when I do my mind just keeps on finding a way
To you, again
Self-control won't help me so
Don't come running back
Back
Back
If you don't need to stay
Just stay away, don't come back
Back
Back
Back
Back
If you don't need to stay
Just stay away, don't come back
Back
Back
Say goodbye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the islands that we made
To the ocean that's calling my name
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
To the ocean that's calling
The lyrics of Reese Lansangan’s “Islands” depicts the struggle of trying to move on from a past love. The singer acknowledges the difficulty of letting go and the temptation of reverting back to the familiar, but ultimately chooses to stay true to themselves and not allow their heart to be swayed. This is demonstrated through the lines “I want to hold you but my body’s moving away, gotta let you go”, where the singer recognizes the need to distance themselves to heal from the pain of the past love. The repeated chorus of “don’t come running back” emphasizes the singer’s resolve to move on and not be swayed by any returning feelings of nostalgia or the other person.
The second verse further emphasizes the struggle in letting go and the need for self-control. This is demonstrated through the lines “my heart won't echo sounds my mouth is making”, where the singer struggles to reconcile their physical actions and their true feelings. The repetition of “bye to the islands that we made, to the ocean that’s calling my name” signifies the finality of the break up and the need to move on and leave behind the memories and places associated with the past love.
Overall, “Islands” is a beautiful and honest portrayal of the struggle in moving on from a past love, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you come
Don't ask me why
Back here asking me why
Returning to ask me why
I've spent nights
I have spent many nights
Bleeding myself dry
Wearing myself out completely
I'm fighting beasts, I'm climbing trees and towers
Enduring great hardship
I'm whole, alive and breathing, that's what matters
I am alive and that is most important
I want to hold you but my body's moving away
I desire to be with you, but something is holding me back
Gotta let you go, oh, oh-oh
I need to say goodbye
But when I do my mind just keeps on finding a way
Even when I let you go, I still think about you
To you, again
I am drawn to you
Self-control won't help me so
My willpower is not strong enough
If you don't need to stay
If you do not have to be here
Just stay away, don't come back
Please stay away from me
Empty hands, knees to the ground
In a vulnerable position
Better watch me pray
I am praying for strength
That I won't give
I will not give in
My honesty away
My integrity and honesty
'Cause when I say "be gone" my stubborn tongue is faking
I do not really mean it when I say 'be gone'
My heart won't echo sounds my mouth is making
I do not feel the same as what I am saying
Say goodbye to the islands that we made
Let us say goodbye to our memories
To the ocean that's calling my name
The ocean is a metaphor for a new life
Bye to the earth that we have claimed
Leaving the place we used to call our own
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Reese Lansangan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edenformaggio4733
Things I noticed on this new MV!:
<b> 1: Reese is getting into a new phase of music, I love this genre now, I think whatever musical style they would put Reese in to, she wouldn't just fit in, she'd SLAAAAAY IT!
<b> 2. THE VISUALS AND AESTHETIC? I live for it, it's my fuel bruh.. Reese never failed to amaze me with her MV's (as usual) it's not Reese if it's not aesthetic.
<b> 3. TUMABA NA TALAGA YUNG CHEEKS NI ATE REESE.. ANG CUTE-CUTE NYA TULOY
and lastly,
<B> 4. The guy's cute tho, hahaha..
@reeselansangan
THANK YOU to those who tuned in to watch the Youtube premiere of Islands!!!
So proud of this track, this video, and everyone behind ISLANDS. Please take time to read the description box!
@squaferpng312
i love the vibe of this song!!
@paulgo2717
Is that Morse code? S.O.S? XD
@Abie1421
Sugooooi 😍
@vccreative8637
As always, sounds international. And now she sounded like a bit of EDM or RNB -ish.. Lovely experiment Reese. Truly versatile is your talent. Keep it up. We are just here all the way and subscribed to your channel. :)
@ishipalotapiplye9182
Damn the feels rn
Luv the song so much 💖
@r0b
THIS IS SO NICE. both song and visuals. great job!
@alvillapando9738
:0
@paul2415
owO
@norkiahmagbuhos8171
I love how it was all green and just leaves with the guy, then at the end, it was suddenly filled with flowers as if she finally blooms when she let go of him.