In 1996, Oversoul 7 came together as members Geri Soriano-Lightwood, Ramin Sakurai, (Bassist)) Kiran Shahani, and (Guitarist) Rick Torres released "Nothing Like Tomorrow" and "What's the Deal" on two compilations on the Moonshine Music dance label. After the Moonshine releases, Oversoul 7 signed a demo deal with A&M records recording demos of "Truth From Fiction", "Never the Same", and "Last Girl on Earth", all songs which ended up on the now classic "Supreme Beings of Leisure" debut album (released on Palm Pictures label).
The release of the first Supreme Beings of Leisure album sold over 250,000 units with very little promotional touring. Instead, SBL opted to use the internet to market and promote the album, becoming the first band ever to do a "Virtual Internet Tour", and was among the first to use Flash animation for their videos, making them the first true "Internet Band" of the new millennium.
After the release of their debut album, the group disbanded. The core duo of Soriano-Lightwood and Sakurai, however, released the second SBL album "Divine Operating System" shortly thereafter in 2002. In 2003, SBL left Palm Pictures, taking a three year hiatus, releasing various remixes and appearing on various other artists' albums. In 2006, Supreme Beings of Leisure started writing material which coalesced into a new album, the highly anticipated 11i.
The Light
Supreme Beings Of Leisure Lyrics
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I'm not awake there's no alarm
The hills aflame behind me
As the ash seeps through my window
My mother's voice spills out of me like vinegar
Seems I just can't stop
My fight a burning beacon
Dare I let it shine this bright
If you could take my youth
And hold it in your hand
Then you'd understand
It falls through it's just sand
No sense in holding on
The current's much too strong
Extinguish all those silly dreams
**Did you turn out the light?
You wonder through the day
Did you turn out the light?
I used to be consumed for hours
Without consequence
Burning at both ends
With blasphemous indifference
Yes just like you
I was just like you
If you could take my youth
And hold it in you hand
Then you'd understand
It falls through it's just sand
No sense in holding
The current's much too strong
Extinguish all those silly dreams
Supreme Beings Of Leisure's song, The Light, opens with imagery of a morning routine. The kettle is on, but the singer is not fully awake, and there was no alarm. The hills outside the singer's window are on fire, and ash is coming into the room. Then, it transitions into the singer's internal monologue. The singer thinks about their mother's voice, which is described as sour like vinegar. The singer feels like they cannot stop fighting, and their fight is compared to a burning beacon. However, the singer questions if they should let their light shine this brightly.
Next, the song jumps to a chorus-like section where the singer asks the audience if they turned off the light. The light is considered to be a metaphor for one's youth or one's dreams. The singer feels that both have slipped through their hands like sand, and there is no way to hold on to them. The current is too strong, and it is pointless to resist it. Therefore, the singer encourages the extinguishment of all silly dreams.
The song ends with a reminder that the singer used to be consumed in the same way as the audience, but they have now realized that nothing lasts forever. The message seems to be about the importance of letting go of things that do not serve us well and accepting the fleeting nature of life. The use of fire and light imagery throughout the song emphasizes the idea of transience, as fire consumes whatever is in its path and light can be easily turned off.
Line by Line Meaning
Morning breaks the kettle's on
Starting a new day, making coffee in the morning.
I'm not awake there's no alarm
Feeling tired and waking up without an alarm clock.
The hills aflame behind me
Seeing the sunrise in the distance, casting a fiery glow on the surrounding hills.
As the ash seeps through my window
Smelling smoke or ash from a nearby fire coming through the window.
My mother's voice spills out of me like vinegar
Remembering harsh words from one's mother that can't be forgotten.
Seems I just can't stop
Feeling like one can't stop thinking or doing something.
My fight a burning beacon
Feeling passionate about a cause, with a strong desire to fight for it.
Dare I let it shine this bright
Wondering if it's wise to be so passionate and visible in one's beliefs.
If you could take my youth
And hold it in your hand
Then you'd understand
It falls through it's just sand
No sense in holding on
The current's much too strong
Extinguish all those silly dreams
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of youth, and the futility of holding onto unrealistic dreams that are easily washed away by the strong currents of life. Advising to let go and move on.
Did you turn out the light?
Asking oneself if they have closed the door on something, or given up on something before it was fully realized.
You wonder through the day
Going through the day, wondering if something could have been done differently.
I used to be consumed for hours
Without consequence
Burning at both ends
With blasphemous indifference
Yes just like you
I was just like you
Remembering a time when one was carefree and could engage in activities for long periods of time without any negative outcomes, with a dismissive attitude towards negative consequences. Acknowledging that others have gone through the same behavior.
Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.