Goodness Gracious is a self-produced affair, written, recorded and mixed by Sowersby in his home studio before being mastered by John Lee (Laura Jean, Lost Animal, Totally Mild) at Phaedra Studios. Sonically, Goodness Gracious trades in Wonderer’s experimental headphone psychedelia for something at once more intimate and expansive, full to the brim with chiming guitars, glittering loops and warped, cinematic strings.
Sowersby says of Goodness Gracious: “I began working on this album in an exploratory way, recording for recording’s sake until an album began to naturally take form. Along the way I found some sounds that it feels like I’ve been hearing in my head for years. The result is 11 songs that document a period of change, about what we look to for guidance, comfort and stability in uncertain times”
Autumnal
Sunbeam Sound Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Endless fascination with your life
Wind down the existential grasses for awhile
Live while the feeling is alive
Time seems to fly when you are living in your head
Picking all the pieces back apart
If you're not doing anything today
Clear your head, don′t worry kid
You'll make it out alive
And what a joy it is to be that way
The lyrics to Sunbeam Sound Machine's song "Autumnal" speak to the idea of being present and engaged in the world around us. The first stanza urges the listener to open their eyes and take in the beauty and wonder that surrounds them. It suggests that there is endless fascination in one's own life if they allow themselves to truly experience it. The line "wind down the existential grasses for awhile" encourages the listener to take a break from overthinking and analyzing their existence, and instead, to live in the moment while it is still alive.
The second stanza acknowledges the tendency to get caught up in one's thoughts and introspection, suggesting that time seems to pass quickly when lost in one's own head. The line "picking all the pieces back apart" conveys the idea of analyzing and dissecting every aspect of life, which can sometimes hinder the ability to truly enjoy and appreciate it.
The chorus of the song offers a message of optimism and encouragement. It questions the importance of understanding oneself and emphasizes the need to take action and live in the present. The lines "clear your head, don't worry kid, you'll make it out alive" convey a sense of reassurance and remind the listener that they have the ability to overcome any challenges they may face. The final line, "and what a joy it is to be that way," celebrates the joy and fulfillment that can be found in embracing the present moment and living life fully.
Overall, "Autumnal" encourages listeners to step away from overthinking, live in the present, and find joy in the simplicity of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Think of the world around you, open up your eyes
Take a moment to reflect on the beauty and complexity of the world, and be present in the moment.
Endless fascination with your life
Find endless wonder and curiosity in your own experiences and existence.
Wind down the existential grasses for awhile
Take a break from contemplating deep philosophical questions and just live in the present moment.
Live while the feeling is alive
Seize the opportunity to fully experience and embrace the current emotions and sensations.
Time seems to fly when you are living in your head
When you're lost in your thoughts and not fully engaged in the present, time passes quickly.
Picking all the pieces back apart
Analyzing and dissecting the different components and aspects of life.
What's to begin from understanding what you are
There's no point in solely understanding oneself without taking action or making a difference.
If you're not doing anything today
If you're not actively engaging in something meaningful or productive at this moment.
Clear your head, don't worry kid
Relax your mind, let go of anxieties, and don't stress, my friend.
You'll make it out alive
You will overcome challenges and difficult situations, and come out stronger in the end.
And what a joy it is to be that way
It's truly delightful and fulfilling to live life in such a present, engaged, and carefree manner.
Writer(s): Paul Maurice Kelly, Damian Robinson, Linda Janssen, David Carnoval, Marco Simec
Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.