Chad Petree and Jeremy Dawson grew up in Oklahoma and were involved in previous music projects together, including the soundtrack for the videogame Grand Theft Auto III in 2000 and Cloud2Ground. After relocating to Los Angeles, California in 2004, the two recruited vocalist Carah Faye Charnow and drummer Mikey Martin.
Their debut album, We Are Pilots was originally released in January 2005, though versions of the album featuring different cover art and tracklisting would be released later the following year. Three singles were issued: "Le Disko", "You Are the One" and "Rainy Monday". We Are Pilots received a Grammy Award nomination on 6 December 2007 in the category of Best Electronic/Dance Album, but lost to The Chemical Brothers.
The band's second studio album, Season of Poison, was released on 4th November 2008, with Sisely Treasure as vocalist. They have released two singles from their second album: "Ghost Town" and "Ricochet!".
In 2009, Shiny Toy Guns released "Major Tom", a Peter Schilling cover.
In 2011, Carah Faye Charnow returned to Shiny Toy Guns. In addition, Daniel Johansson also joined the band on guitar, synth and bass. In March 2011, the band released a new single "The Sun", available to download for free.
In May 2012 the band announced that Daniel Johansson left the band.
Band Members:
Current members
Carah Faye Charnow – vocals, synth (2004–2008, 2011–present)
Gregori Chad Petree – vocals, guitar (2002–present)
Jeremy Dawson – synths, bass (2002–present)
Mikey Martin – drums (2004–present)
Former members
Daniel Johansson – guitar, synth, bass (2011–2012)
Sisely Treasure – vocals (2008–2010)
Ursula Vari – vocals (2004)
Official site: http://www.shinytoyguns.com
We Are Pilots
Shiny Toy Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naked broken pieces
From the madness in what you do
The fingers point right back at you
What about my problems?
The people try to solve them
I guess I'm under the weather
Hello mother, some news for you
I'm really not that crazy
Hello father, I'm curious
Why you think there's something wrong with me
Sunday I cried all night
And it hurt so bad
But if you try to understand
This is who I am
Color coated sweetness
Swords beneath my clean dress
I'm making sense of shattered dreams
'Cause I want you to be proud of me
What about my problems?
The people try to solve them
I guess I'm under the weather
Since no one else belongs here with me
Hello mother, some news for you
I'm really not that crazy
Hello father, I'm curious
Why you think there's something wrong with me
Sunday I cried all night
And it hurt so bad
But if you try to understand
This is who I am
The lyrics of Shiny Toy Guns' song "We Are Pilots" convey the struggles and inner turmoil of the lead vocalist. The opening line, "Holding close my secrets / Naked broken pieces," speaks to the vulnerability and emotional nakedness that comes with sharing one's deepest struggles. The next phrase, "From the madness in what you do / The fingers point right back at you," could be interpreted as the lead singer feeling like they are being judged and blamed for their issues instead of being given support and empathy.
The chorus highlights the singer's frustration with feeling misunderstood and alone in their struggles. They reach out to their parents, saying, "Hello mother, some news for you / I'm really not that crazy / Hello father, I'm curious / Why you think there's something wrong with me." The repetition of "hello" suggests that the singer is reaching out for validation and understanding from those closest to them but feels that they are not being heard.
The second verse continues with the theme of feeling like an outsider, saying, "I'm making sense of shattered dreams / 'Cause I want you to be proud of me." This line suggests that the singer may have a strong desire to please others and gain their approval, even at the expense of their own mental health. Ultimately, the chorus repeats the same sentiment, with the singer crying all night and wishing that others could understand and accept them for who they are.
Overall, "We Are Pilots" is a powerful reflection on the struggles of mental health and the importance of feeling heard and validated. Through its poignant lyrics and haunting melody, the song conveys a sense of vulnerability and raw emotion that is both relatable and cathartic.
Line by Line Meaning
Holding close my secrets
I am keeping my secrets close to myself
Naked broken pieces
I am vulnerable and shattered
From the madness in what you do
I am affected by the chaos you bring to my life
The fingers point right back at you
Your actions have a repercussion and you are the one to blame
What about my problems?
What will you do about the issues I am facing?
The people try to solve them
Others want to fix my problems for me
I guess I'm under the weather
I am feeling unwell or not my best
Since no one else belongs here with me
I feel lonely and isolated
Hello mother, some news for you
I have something to tell you, mother
I'm really not that crazy
I am not insane
Hello father, I'm curious
Dad, I am wondering
Why you think there's something wrong with me
Why do you believe that I am not normal?
Sunday I cried all night
On Sunday night, I wept for hours
And it hurt so bad
The pain was excruciating
But if you try to understand
If you make an effort to empathize
This is who I am
This is my true self and I cannot change it
Color coated sweetness
I appear charming and innocent
Swords beneath my clean dress
I am hiding sharp weapons underneath my seemingly flawless exterior
I'm making sense of shattered dreams
I am trying to comprehend my broken aspirations
'Cause I want you to be proud of me
I am doing so because I crave your approval
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JEREMY DAWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind