After spending months crafting their new songs Sick City's long awaited full-length album, NIGHTLIFE, is scheduled for release September 18. Youngson gives a glimpse into what fans can expect. "We like to say our music is 60% evil 40% pop. Kind of a joke... but actually very accurate. All I really want is to make the kids clap their hands, dance and maybe think a little bit on the way."
In March, Sick City headed to Atlanta, Georgia where they recorded NIGHTLIFE at Tree Sound Studios with producers Kenneth Mount & Zach Odom (Cartel, Jimmy Eat World). According to guitarist Dave Grabowski working with Kenneth and Zach was a match made in rock and roll heaven. "It was amazing to work with people who shared the same vision of big drums, and sweet all around tone. They helped us focus some of our songs and got us stoked to be there every day." Bassist TJ Stevenson concurs, "Every single element of this album sounds better than I envisioned it."
Winnipeg, Manitoba's Sick City formed in early 2005 with Josh Youngson (vocals), Joel Neufeld (drums), Dorian Paszkowski (guitar), Dave Grabowski (guitar) and T.J Stevenson (bass) and they released their 5 song EP, "Where Do We Go From Here" the same year. Joel, who is the brother of Comeback Kid frontman Andrew Neufeld, secured the band their first show opening at the CD release party for Comeback Kid's "Wake The Dead." A year later they played to a crowd of 800 dancing fans for their own EP release party. According to Stevenson, "there isn't a show to date that we all haven't been drenched in sweat by the end. We put on a show that lets people know how much we love to do this."
http://sickcitymusic.com
Moving Not Moving Forward
Sick City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shit rent pay for the view
I do it all for you and the skyline that shines though
It's too early, I'm cold, it's late, hit snooze
Wrap me in skin and prove everything I have to lose
Forget respect, we're way beyond that
Big house, white fence, nice cars
Not that I find those flaws.
It's just your future, not ours, I'm not jaded.
I find solace in your arms
You can not fight this charm
So baby drop your guard
Well I got this one thing baby, yeah you ought to know
(Yeah you ought to know)
Well I got this one baby, I'll be fine.
It's all mine so just let go
Yeah I got this one this baby
And I'm showing to you
Well I got this one thing baby, and it's all for you now.
The lyrics of Sick City's Moving Not Moving Forward convey a sense of conflicted feelings about the pursuit of success and the sacrifices that come with it. The song shows the singer's willingness to work hard to achieve their goals for the sake of their loved one, despite the toll it may take on their well-being. The opening line, "Let's move baby, shit rent pay for the view" indicates that the singer is willing to make sacrifices such as living in a less than perfect apartment for the sake of their dreams. The opening also implies that the singer's primary motivation is the "view", what may potentially lay before them if they work hard enough.
The second line, "I do it all for you and the skyline that shines though" reinforces this idea, depicting the singer's romantic view of the city and the potential for them to succeed within it. However, the following lines, “It’s too early, I’m cold, it’s late, hit snooze / Wrap me in skin and prove everything I have to lose” suggest the singer is starting to struggle with maintaining motivation and determination when faced with the harsh reality of what it takes to make it. The following line "Forget respect, we're way beyond that" reinforces this idea, showing the singer's disillusionment about the traditional path to success.
The second verse describes the singer's rejection of the conventional markers of success such as luxurious possessions, expressing a desire to live in the present and find solace in the arms of their loved one. This is further emphasized by the chorus, where the singer asserts their confidence in having "this one thing" that will see them through to success, invoking the idea of the feeling being the only requirement for happiness. Overall, the song speaks to the complex and often conflicting emotions that come with striving for greater things.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's move baby,
Let's continue on with our current situation, my dear.
Shit rent pay for the view
Despite the high cost of rent, it is worth it to have a good view.
I do it all for you and the skyline that shines though
I make sacrifices to provide for your happiness and our beautiful view.
It's too early, I'm cold, it's late, hit snooze
I am tired and not ready to face the day yet.
Wrap me in skin and prove everything I have to lose
Hold me tight and remind me of what I stand to lose in life.
Forget respect, we're way beyond that
We do not need the approval of society or others, our relationship is strong enough on its own.
I'm not crazy
I assure you, I am not insane.
Big house, white fence, nice cars
Materialistic possessions do not appeal to me.
Not that I find those flaws.
However, I do not despise those that do have those possessions.
It's just your future, not ours, I'm not jaded.
I do not want to hold you back from achieving your own dreams and goals.
I find solace in your arms
Being in your embrace brings me comfort.
You can not fight this charm
You cannot resist my irresistible charm.
So baby drop your guard
Let your defenses down and allow yourself to be vulnerable with me.
Well I got this one thing baby, yeah you ought to know
I have a secret that I need to share with you.
(Yeah you ought to know)
(It's important that you know.)
Well I got this one baby, I'll be fine.
I can handle this situation on my own.
It's all mine so just let go
This is my issue to handle, so do not worry about it.
Yeah I got this one this baby
I have everything under control.
And I'm showing to you
I am proving to you that I can handle it.
Well I got this one thing baby, and it's all for you now.
This secret is something that will benefit you, my love, and is my gift to you.
Contributed by Charlotte B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.