While some subsequent Sleep Station albums have been recorded with a full band (After the War, The Pride of Chester James), others have essentially been David Debiak solo albums (Von Cosel, The Blood of Our Our Fathers), featuring very little, if any, instrumentation other than David Debiak's own guitar playing.
Sleep Station is known for its concept albums; to date, all Sleep Station releases have called "rock operas" by some critics. David Debiak himself, however, has stated that he is not trying to tell a story in his songs, stating in a MySpace bulletin "Every record I have done as Sleep Station has been thematic in its nature, not trying to tell a story but just create a mood". Unconventional love affairs and war are common lyrical themes in Sleep Station's music.
Following the release of the album After the War in 2004, Sleep Station went on hiatus, with David Debiak starting a side project, New London Fire, with his brother Jason Debiak.
In 2008, Sleep Station returned from hiatus with the album The Pride of Chester James, an album about a fictional circus drifter who shows up in a small town.
After The War
Sleep Station Lyrics
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Always the same, as you would, my minds in pieces awaiting the change. Always the break, you could call, and forget the secrets you kept, after the war.
As I flew away I looked back just to see the ground, hopeless in my vision, I never had the chance to say goodbye. I could see that the world is getting small, faces I remember, farther from these ghosts I climb.
Always the same, as you would, my minds in pieces awaiting the change. Always the break, you would fall, and forget the secrets you kept, after the war.
I can see the grin that you always tried to hide, you left it here for certain, in my heart where it will die. Standing in between I can feel the spaces small, you left me without reason, the best has left us all.
Always the same, as you would, my minds in pieces awaiting the change. Always the break, you would call, and forget the secrets you kept, after the war.
The lyrics of Sleep Station's "After the War" depict a sense of emotional estrangement and loss. At first, the singer expresses regret and surprise at having hurt someone, and describes how they had never quite grasped the nuances of that person's personality until it was too late. As the song progresses, the singer reflects on a departure and subsequent feeling of disconnection from the world, with the people they used to know and love becoming increasingly distant. They remember the happy moments with a sense of sadness, describing how they can never express their goodbyes or truly come to terms with the loss that they have experienced.
The lyrics themselves are quite simple, yet evocative; they convey a feeling of melancholy and bereavement that is both relatable and poignant. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "always the same" and "after the war," add to the sense of sameness and circularity that seems to permeate the singer's experience. In contrast, the occasional moments of change or surprise - the "blink" that seemed to indicate something more beneath the surface, or the "grin" that was finally revealed - suggest that there may be something deeper and more complex going on that is not fully articulated in the lyrics.
Overall, "After the War" is a beautiful and moving song that speaks to the universal themes of loss, regret, and disconnection. Its haunting melody and poetic lyrics make it a powerful example of how music can convey complex emotions and experiences in a way that words alone cannot.
Line by Line Meaning
I just said you could listen for a while, I never meant to hurt you, I never knew that I could feel.
I allowed you to be around me, unknowingly causing you pain, as I didn't know how deeply I could experience emotions.
I never saw you blink when you would smile, your arms would always open, your face bright, as it would change.
You consistently exuded joy and kindness, seeming to remain unwavering throughout any challenges thrown your way.
Always the same, as you would, my minds in pieces awaiting the change. Always the break, you could call, and forget the secrets you kept, after the war.
My mind is constantly fixated on the past, waiting for something to shake me out of my stagnation. You were able to move forward and leave the past behind, even though it meant leaving behind the secrets you kept.
As I flew away I looked back just to see the ground, hopeless in my vision, I never had the chance to say goodbye. I could see that the world is getting small, faces I remember, farther from these ghosts I climb.
Leaving this place behind, I felt hopeless and unable to say my goodbyes. As I move away, faces and memories seem to fade into the distance.
I can see the grin that you always tried to hide, you left it here for certain, in my heart where it will die. Standing in between I can feel the spaces small, you left me without reason, the best has left us all.
Although you tried to conceal your true emotions, I can remember the joy and happiness you brought into my life. Now, I feel like there is a void where you used to be, leaving me wondering why you had to go and feeling like we've lost something special.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GARY MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind