They are signed to the Saddle Creek label. Lead singer/songwriter Joe Knapp appeared on albums of other bands, such as Fevers and Mirrors by Bright Eyes, before releasing Son, Ambulance's debut album -- a split with Bright Eyes called Oh Holy Fools. Since then, they have released three more albums: Euphemystic (2001) and Key (2005), and, most recently, Someone Else's Déjà Vu (2008), their first release as Son Ambulance (without the comma). Other credited musicians for Son Ambulance include Robert Little on bass, Jeff Koster on drums, Jeff Tafolla on keyboards, James Cuato on saxophone, and Daniel Knapp on piano/keyboards. Jenna Morrison provides backing vocals on many tracks.
Horizons
Son Ambulance Lyrics
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Searching for change.
There's a man in the mirror,
His hair's turning grey.
His first (?) crashing through the air, constant despair
And I lost my copy of Vanity Fair.
Now that you've come this far,
(come this far)
(Who you are)
Horizons
With eyes staring wide open, an African child
He taught me how to blink and I couldn't smile.
Then I spoke to the silence drawn with a (?), fade with a laughter
From the well of clear water, the remnants of hope echoed after
Now that hating's been done
(the hating's done)
And you've no qualms with anyone
(no qualms with anyone)
Horizons
The lyrics of Son Ambulance's song Horizons portray a sense of existential crisis and searching for one's identity. The first verse describes the singer's search for change, both literally in their pocket and metaphorically in their life. They also observe themselves in the mirror, noticing their hair turning grey, which adds a sense of aging and the realization of the passage of time. The line "His first crashing through the air, constant despair" may imply a feeling of panic and hopelessness that can come with this realization.
The chorus then asks the listener whether they can accept who they are now that they have come this far. This question is particularly important for people who are questioning their identity or may be experiencing an existential crisis. The mention of horizons in the chorus can imply the idea of looking towards the future and seeking something beyond what one can currently see.
The second verse shifts focus to an African child who taught the singer how to blink but couldn't make them smile. This metaphor may imply that even though the singer learned a practical skill, they still could not find happiness or fulfillment. The following lines describe speaking to silence and fading with laughter, which may suggest a moment of clarity or enlightenment, where the singer has found hope after experiencing emptiness and despair.
Overall, Son Ambulance's Horizons conveys a message of self-awareness, questioning one's identity, and searching for hope in the face of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a hand in my pocket
I'm feeling restless and uncertain
Searching for change.
I'm seeking something new but not sure what that is
There's a man in the mirror,
I'm looking at myself deeply
His hair's turning grey.
I'm getting older and feeling a sense of mortality
His first (?) crashing through the air, constant despair
I'm struggling to overcome challenges and feeling hopeless at times
And I lost my copy of Vanity Fair.
I'm experiencing a sense of loss and lack of guidance
Now that you've come this far,
After all that's happened to me
(come this far)
Can you accept who you are?
Will I embrace my true self?
(Who you are)
Horizons
Looking forward and finding new perspective
With eyes staring wide open, an African child
I had a profound realization or interaction with a person unlike myself, expanding my worldview
He taught me how to blink and I couldn't smile.
I'm trying to connect with others but am struggling to show emotion
Then I spoke to the silence drawn with a (?), fade with a laughter
I experienced a moment of inner peace followed by joy
From the well of clear water, the remnants of hope echoed after
I discovered a source of positivity amidst adversity
Now that hating's been done
After all the negativity and conflict
(the hating's done)
And you've no qualms with anyone
I've let go of anger and resentment towards others
(no qualms with anyone)
Horizons
Continuing to move forward, embracing life's possibilities
Contributed by Dominic E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cdubzhappy
i used to watch this video without ads.. i ordered a single shirt from saddlecreek about seven years ago and tim kasher sent me a post-it note thanking me. i didn't save it (i should have). But now look, I'm sad. And few things tear at my self. I love saddle creek. I don't want them to surrender to this shit. They've been a part of me for as long as I can remember myself. I still love them, but really..............
sundaramaji
that was a really beautiful evocative video. exquisite mood. well done, joe.
Nini
saddle creek records has all the best underrated bands
Leo Mb
obrigado por esse vídeo amigo, valeu. brasil
Cdubzhappy
i'm back and i still love you.
Homemade Crazy
Agreed
DavidofOcala464
nice..
iamcoolalot
cool song, bad video.
Warren Tenney
Son, Ambulance has got to be the worst name ever concocted.
Andy Trullinger
Hey dude, this is funny. I was a huge fan of the Omaha scene when it was really bursting with great bands, and the subsequent success of Bright Eyes, Saddle Creek and the excellent music that's come out of there. And I was aware of the fact that Joe Knapp's reason for the name was, like you said, his 2 priorities...his son and his band Ambulance. But I just always assumed the play on words was on purpose! Your comment sort of demystifies it, lol. But I guess it's time I knew the truth...I read too much into it, :) Thanks, Samuel. Cheers.