The seeds of Starcrawler were sown at Grand Arts High School when Arrow de Wilde met Henri Cash and he asked her to join the fledgling music project he'd started with Austin Smith. As the daughter of musician Aaron Sperske (Beachwood Sparks, Ariel Pink) and photographer Autumn de Wilde -- along with her experience as a model for Teen Vogue and a spot in a Lena Dunham-directed Bleachers video -- her popular culture credentials were already established. Taking up lead vocal duties, she, along with Cash (guitar) and Smith (drums), swiftly recorded the first Starcrawler single, "Ants." Tim Franco was enlisted on bass shortly thereafter, and the single was picked up by Elton John for his Beats 1 radio show.
Cash and de Wilde became the band's primary songwriters, and they gigged extensively across L.A. with psych-rock revivalists the Lemon Twigs. Starcrawler rapidly built a reputation for their wildly campy and theatrical performances. De Wilde made prolific use of fake blood on-stage -- no doubt a nod to her hero Ozzy Osbourne -- and often donned a hospital gown or a straitjacket for shows. At an in-store set at Amoeba Music, the band was introduced to Beck's ten-year-old daughter Tuesday, who would later appear in the cover art for Starcrawler's debut record in a blood-stained dress. They spent 2017 touring hard, appearing at the Foo Fighters' Cal Jam in San Bernardino, Echo Park Rising in L.A., and the Joshua Tree Happening Desert Daze. Their live performances caught the eyes and ears of Ryan Adams, who went on to record the band's first album to analog tape at his own Pax-Am Studio. Their self-titled debut long-player was released by the independent label Rough Trade in January of 2018. After a long round of touring in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom, Starcrawler headed back to the studio to cut their second album. Produced by Nick Launay, Devour You was issued in October 2019 and featured a bigger and more robust sound that matched the bombast of their songs.
Stranded
Starcrawler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for the answers in an empty row
I can't go nowhere
But it seems like I always do
Everybody seems to have a place to go
I'm just driving looking for a home
You turned into me like a dream
That I thought I knew
Stranded on the side of a one-way street
The stars in her eyes won't shine on me
Whisper in the night hoping someone sees
Shine on me, shine on me
Stranded on the side of a one-way street
The stars in her eyes won't shine on me
Whisper in the night hoping someone sees
Shine on me, shine on me
I met a racetrack girl at a bus stop
Was running from someone
But she says she's not
Her button nose was cold and her
Eye was black and blue
Gets no sleep, so she used my bed
Thought she'd have a room and a newlywed
You turned into me like a dream
That I thought I knew
But now I wanna be with you
Stranded on the side of a one-way street
The stars in her eyes won't shine on me
Whisper in the night hoping someone sees
Shine on me, shine on me
Stranded on the side of a one-way street
The stars in her eyes won't shine on me
Whisper in the night hoping someone sees
Shine on me, shine on me
Oh, won't you shine on me?
Shine on me
Oh, won't you shine on me?
Stranded on the side of a one-way street
The stars in her eyes won't shine on me
Whisper in the night hoping someone sees
Shine on me, shine on me
Stranded on the side of a one-way street
The stars in her eyes won't shine on me
Whisper in the night hoping someone sees
Shine on me, shine on me
Oh, won't you shine on me?
Shine on me
Oh, won't you shine on me?
The song "Stranded" by Starcrawler talks about being lost in life and searching for something that seems unattainable. The green light and black night symbolize ambiguity and uncertainty, while the empty row refers to the lack of direction or sense of purpose. The artist feels like they're always on the move but never actually get anywhere. They encounter a racetrack girl who is running from someone and takes refuge with the artist. The artist is drawn to her but feels like they're both trapped and stranded in life. The stars in her eyes won't shine on the artist, implying that their future is uncertain, and they're unable to find their way home or to a brighter future. The artist hopes for someone to shine on them, which could be interpreted as finding guidance, love, or acceptance.
The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they could reflect the feeling of being stuck in a cycle without a clear direction in life. The ambiguity of the green light and black night, as well as the empty row, could symbolize confusion and aimlessness. The artist is searching for a home, love, and acceptance but seems unable to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
Green light, black night, no one knows
The world is uncertain and confusing; nobody knows what the future holds.
Looking for the answers in an empty row
Searching for meaning and purpose, but finding nothing.
I can't go nowhere
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
But it seems like I always do
Despite feeling trapped, life keeps moving on.
Everybody seems to have a place to go
Feeling left out and alone while everyone else has direction in life.
I'm just driving looking for a home
Searching for a sense of belonging and a place to call home.
You turned into me like a dream
Meeting someone who seems to be the answer to all of life's problems, like a dream come true.
That I thought I knew
Assuming that this person was perfect and would make everything better.
But now I wanna be with you
Having a strong desire to be with this person, regardless of the uncertainties in life.
Stranded on the side of a one-way street
Feeling stuck in a one-sided relationship or situation.
The stars in her eyes won't shine on me
Feeling unimportant and neglected by someone who was once thought to be the answer to all problems.
Whisper in the night hoping someone sees
Yearning for validation and recognition from others, even if it's just a whisper in the night.
Shine on me, shine on me
Desperately seeking love and acceptance from others.
I met a racetrack girl at a bus stop
Meeting someone with a lot of baggage and unfinished drama, despite hoping for a fresh start.
Was running from someone
Having unresolved issues and someone or something to escape from.
But she says she's not
Denying any problems or issues to make it seem like everything is okay.
Her button nose was cold and her eye was black and blue
Seeing physical signs of abuse and pain, perhaps from a past lover or situation.
Gets no sleep, so she used my bed
Being taken advantage of and used by someone in a vulnerable state.
Thought she'd have a room and a newlywed
Assuming that things would work out and that a future with this person was possible.
Oh, won't you shine on me?
Pleading for love and validation from others.
Shine on me
Repeating the need for others to shine light on their life and make them feel important.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RobotSwine
The more I listen to them, the more I like them. Hope they get really big. Need more Rock like this in the world.
@howmuchdidthatcost
Liked them from the first song I heard. Hoping the best for them.
@SuperPsycho731
That's the spirit 💀
@SuperPsycho731
RII DA SLAYER pretty sick is awesome. They have another song I like too but it's really heavy and I can't remember the name of it.
@koeldorf9592
me too
@chrisharris2418
Believe me ... STARCRAWLER will be the SAVIORS of ROCK and ROLL !!! ... Arrow 💘 is a true ROCK GODDESS and Henri is a natural ROCK and ROLL six string LORD and MASTER ... they have only scratched the surface of the incredible abilities of their talent and the whole band is synchronicity at its best they are so tight and so able to create amazing rock and roll like we have not seen in decades ...it is my sincere belief that STARCRAWLER will eventually RULE THE WORLD !!! 💘🎸💘🎸💘🎸💘🎸💘🎸✨✨✨✨✨✨
@jlthompson8
This is the best Starcrawler song yet in my opinion. They just keep writing better songs as they go. Love it!
@migjtyalfie4501
i agree
@mattmartinez9281
I’m an old headbanger. This band makes me smile. Way to go STARCRAWLER! Best wishes for the recognition you deserve. Stay true to your sound. ♥️
@deborahhenderson149
And------ I am a REALLY old headbanger but will continue to embrace new music until i am 6 foot under. Cannot believe Starcrawler has been around since 2015. Wish them all the luck in their young, progressing lives. Have fun kids. Keep rocking! Peace and love from Deb in Newcastle, England.