Signal Hill emerged in the fall of 2004 from the cluster of noise and competitiveness so famously known as the music scene of Los Angeles's urban sprawl. Tim Cooper (drums) and Dave Masters (guitar), having known each other only in passing in Phoenix, met with Rishi Arora (guitar) and Brian Vasallo (bass). Immediately, camaraderie and bonds were formed through shared experiences and appreciation for musical influences such as indie rock, instrumental/post-rock, electronic music, jazz and more.
The band performed in earnest at local house parties and small clubs with touring groups. Shortly after the release of a limited-run demo and following a small west coast tour with friends You.May.Die.in.the.Desert and Strangers Die Everyday, the band realized the potential behind their music. The trajectory of the band’s popularity resulted in the first five-song SELF-TITLED EP release, successfully spreading the group’s name nationally.
Almost immediately, the group followed up with the well-received full-length, MORE AFTER WE’RE GONE. The album’s 12 tracks reached a growing fan base, and garnered licensed-use through a number of mediums that include movie trailers, novel previews and non-profit films. After sharing the stage in the US with bands such as Caspian, Beware of Safety, This Will Destroy You, Balmorhea, and many others, the band decided to head over to Australia to play with new friends All India Radio and SleepMakesWaves. The name Signal Hill along with the acclaimed full-length had gained international notice.
However with years of momentum, the reality of life set in with the group. Rishi was accepted at the University in Edinburgh in Scotland, and Dave began incubating his move to Brooklyn, New York with his wife. This only opened a new chapter for this group of friends that refused to let the distance between them dwarf their creative potential. The group soon managed to share creative ideas and muster a limited print EP, rightfully titled DISTANCE.
After years, Signal Hill had managed to hold on to its core of players, as it has always been motivated behind the concept of four best friends sonically connected to play what is in their hearts and minds. After a number of short tours, many shows and an anthology of releases that include a number of limited 7-inches, Signal Hill now establishes itself as a bi-coastal band calling both Los Angeles and New York City home.
The distance between these four individuals has not interfered with their ability to play shows or, most importantly, write music. The recent completion of their new and second full-length album, CHASE THE GHOST is a reflection of the time each band member has experienced prior to and during the formation of Signal Hill, through friendships, old and new relationships and family. Nine dynamically unique tracks transition into each other like a well-formed storyboard that tells a tale as different to each listener as it is to each band member.
** Vinyl is limited to 100 copies (clear) and 150 copies (white) on 140-160g virgin vinyl. 18pt (350gsm) gate fold jacket w/5mm spine and full color semi-gloss machine varnish finish packaged in poly bag **
01 the fantastic hours
02 collide us
03 corners
04 bauhaus balconies
05 van gogh sky
06 the pacifc northeast
07 imaginary friend #2
08 imaginary friend #7
09 chase the ghost
Official website: http://signalhillmusic.com/
The Cat's In The Cradle
Signal Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you."
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."
My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."
Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."
I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu,
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
It's been sure nice talking to you."
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."
The Cat's in the Cradle is a poignant song about a father who is too preoccupied with life and work to spend time with his son, and how this neglect takes a toll on their relationship as they grow older. In the first verse, the singer talks about his son's birth but notes that he wasn't always present because he had other obligations, like bills to pay and planes to catch. He later regrets how fast his son grew up, saying he was talking before he even knew it, and that he was going to be like him when he grew older.
The chorus metaphorically represents the son's childhood through the "cat's in the cradle" and the "silver spoon," suggesting that he was well-cared-for and had everything he needed materially but lacked meaningful time with his father. The second verse describes how, as the son grew older, he asked his father to teach him how to throw a ball, but the father couldn't because he had other things to do. The third verse goes on to say that when the son has grown up and moved away, the father calls him to catch up, but the son is too busy with his own life and responsibilities.
This song is a poignant reminder of the importance of spending time with loved ones and how the lack of such quality time can damage relationships. It's crucial always to remember that our actions can have profound effects on those around us, especially our children.
Line by Line Meaning
A child arrived just the other day
Recently, my child was born
He came to the world in the usual way
My child was born in the normal manner
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
I had obligations to keep, such as work and expenses
He learned to walk while I was away
My child reached milestones without me being present
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
My child grew up quicker than I anticipated
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
My child admired and aspired to be like me
You know I'm gonna be like you."
My child values and aims to emulate my behavior
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Symbolic lyrics representing childhood and wealth
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
Further symbols of childhood and fantasy
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
Conversation between father and child, uncertain about reunion
But we'll get together then.
Future plans of spending time together
You know we'll have a good time then."
Anticipation of enjoying each other's company
My son turned ten just the other day.
My child celebrated his tenth birthday recently
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
Grateful for a gift from me and eager to spend time together
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I declined his request to play with him due to other priorities
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok.
My child's understanding of my responsibilities
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed,
While disappointed, he remained happy and hopeful
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
My child still looks up to me and wishes to be like me
You know I'm gonna be like him."
Reiterating his plans to imitate my actions
Well, he came from college just the other day,
My child returned home from college recently
So much like a man I just had to say,
He had matured significantly since I last saw him
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
Expressing my pride in him and desire to spend time together
He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
Declining my request but appearing happy to see me
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
Requesting the car keys, indicating his newfound independence
See you later. Can I have them please?"
He planned to leave soon but asked politely for the keys
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
Another conversation about an uncertain reunion
But we'll get together then, dad.
Still planning on future time together
You know we'll have a good time then."
Reiterating our desire to enjoy each other's company
I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I've retired and my child has left home
I called him up just the other day.
I recently contacted my child
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
Expressing my desire to see him
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
He wants to see me but is busy with work and family
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu,
Explaining his current struggles with work and family life
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
Despite everything, he still values our conversations
It's been sure nice talking to you."
Expressing his enjoyment in our conversation
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
Reflecting on our conversation
He'd grown up just like me.
Realizing that my child has become like me
My boy was just like me.
Noting the similarities between us
Contributed by Olivia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.