Son Volt formed after the breakup of the band Uncle Tupelo, owing to the simmering creative differences between songwriters Farrar and Jeff Tweedy. The group's members lived in Minneapolis, St Louis, and New Orleans at the time. Son Volt is often considered the closest continuance of Uncle Tupelo's Alt-country/Americana sound and musical legacy. Jeff Tweedy would steer his post-Uncle Tupelo group Wilco towards more adventurous sonic territory - and greater critical and commercial success - in a move that has sharply divided fans.
Farrar has released albums under his own name and the Son Volt nameplate, though there is little continuity in supporting band members. After a strong initial showing with 1995's Trace, the original Son Volt lineup released two more records before going on permanent hiatus in 1999. After the original members were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of a reunion, Farrar put together a new version of Son Volt in 2004. The revived Son Volt has regained its creative footing with 2005's confident Okemah and the Melody of Riot. Son Volt went on to release "The Search" in the Spring of 2007.
Atmosphere
Son Volt Lyrics
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With spit in your heart
Slow diamond's no laughter
Sweep the hellhound trail
Translate the faces
Wash off the dust
Smoke plume twilight
Prairie-burnt eyes tell the hell and break through the lens
Feed the buildings by the coast a flagrant dance
Wounded in the world by a single twist of hate
It's all over now
You're headed for the atmosphere
Pick up the blessings
Meet the new sky
Supposed to live up to
The speculation din
Getting that old time feeling again
Madmen on both sides of the fence
Melody of riot in the wilderness of oxygen
Mercy on the waterfall mist
In the middle-class sea
The lyrics to Son Volt's song Atmosphere are rife with metaphors and strong imagery that evoke a sense of despair and hopelessness in the current state of the world. The opening line "Love is the pavement with spit in your heart" speaks to the notion that love, often seen as a positive force, can be tainted or sullied by the harsh realities of life. The following line "Slow diamond's no laughter" suggests that even beauty and luxury can bring no joy in this bleak environment.
The second stanza urges the listener to "translate the faces" and "wash off the dust" - perhaps suggesting that we need to look harder at the people and things around us to truly understand and combat the issues at play. The line "American tears" invokes a sense of national tragedy or widespread grief. The third stanza may be referencing environmental destruction ("Prairie-burnt eyes") and societal unrest ("Wounded in the world by a single twist of hate").
As the song progresses, there is an almost apocalyptic tone to the lyrics. Phrases like "Madmen on both sides of the fence" and "Melody of riot in the wilderness of oxygen" paint a picture of chaos and destruction. However, there is also a glimmer of hope with lines like "Pick up the blessings" and "Meet the new sky" - suggesting that we must find positivity and strength even in the darkest of times.
Overall, Atmosphere is a deeply introspective and thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to confront the difficult realities of our world while also finding ways to remain optimistic and hopeful.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is the pavement
Love is everywhere, just like the pavement beneath our feet
With spit in your heart
Despite having negative feelings, such as anger or sorrow, in your heart
Slow diamond's no laughter
Life is not always enjoyable, even if its beauty is apparent
Sweep the hellhound trail
Overcome the difficulties in life and leave the past behind
Translate the faces
Understand the emotions behind the people's expressions
Wash off the dust
Cleanse yourself of impurities in order to feel pure and new
Smoke plume twilight
The end of the day, with the sun setting, is often accompanied by smoke
American tears
Sadness, disappointment, or distress felt by Americans
Prairie-burnt eyes tell the hell and break through the lens
People from the plains have seen much hardship, breaking down illusions of paradise
Feed the buildings by the coast a flagrant dance
Vibrant and lively cities by the coast inspire joy and energy
Wounded in the world by a single twist of hate
Hate can cause tremendous harm in the world
It's all over now
Something has come to an end
You're headed for the atmosphere
You are moving on to something new, exciting, or unknown, like a spaceship leaving Earth's atmosphere
Pick up the blessings
Notice and cherish the good things in life
Meet the new sky
Explore new horizons and possibilities
Supposed to live up to
Pressures or expectations to fulfill a certain standard
The speculation din
The noise and confusion of rumors or guesses
Getting that old time feeling again
Feeling nostalgic or reminiscent of past experiences
Madmen on both sides of the fence
Extremists or crazies are present in any group or debate
Melody of riot in the wilderness of oxygen
A chaotic and discordant sound or event in an otherwise peaceful or free environment
Mercy on the waterfall mist
A sense of kindness, forgiveness, or grace in a natural setting
In the middle-class sea
A metaphorical sea of average or ordinary people
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAY FARRAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind