Based in Seattle, Lerner handled most of the instrumental duties on his band's debut, Telekinesis!, which was produced by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla and released in spring 2009. Telekinesis then launched a tour in support of the record, with auxiliary members Chris Staples, David Broecker, and Jonie Broecker filling out the lineup. On the 2010 EP Parallel Seismic Conspiracies, Lerner took over production duties, but for his next full LP, 12 Desperate Straight Lines, he was back to working with Walla. For the tour that accompanied the release, Lerner formed a new band with Jason Narducy on bass and Cody Votolato on guitar. Lerner's third outing under the Telekinesis moniker, 2013's Dormarion, found the one-man band enlisting the help of Spoon drummer/producer Jim Eno.
Lerner spent the next two years immersing himself in the world of vintage synths and keyboards in anticipation of the band's retro synth pop-heavy fourth studio album, Ad Infinitum, which dropped in September 2015. Lerner struck a balance between the clean electronic textures of Ad Infinitum and the more organic approach of his earlier work on the album Effluxion, released in February 2019.
Biography by Andrew Leahey
You Turn Clear in the Sun
Telekinesis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the spring time we were done
Is it any wonder that I didn't run?
No math equations
Could tell you what went wrong
I could see straight through you
You turn clear in the sun
Let's start all over, let's go back to square one
And I could sit and wonder
About where I went wrong
I can go out Friday and try to have fun
You say nothing and I know it's true
You say nothing and it comes right back to you
I hope he treats you better, I hope that he'll take you out
I hope he supports you when there's no one around
I guess I'm gone forever, I guess I moved to a new town
So I won't forget you, I'm writing it down
You say nothing and I know it's true
You say nothing and it comes right back to you
Was it you or was it me?
Was it you or was it me?
Was it you or was it me?
Was it you or was it me?
The lyrics to Telekinesis's song "You Turn Clear in the Sun" depict a failed relationship that began with love in the summer but ended in the spring. The singer questions what went wrong in the relationship but realizes that no math equations could provide an explanation for their breakup. The line "I could see straight through you, you turn clear in the sun" is particularly poignant, suggesting that the singer sees their former lover for who they really are now that the relationship has ended. The singer also expresses a desire to start over, suggested by the lyrics "let's go back to square one," but ultimately concludes that they never loved their former partner, nor has anyone else captured their heart.
The chorus of "You say nothing and I know it's true" highlights the lack of communication between the former couple, as their silence speaks volumes. The singer wishes their former love well with someone who will treat them better and support them, acknowledging their departure from the picture. Yet, the chorus repeats the question "was it you or was it me?" hinting at the ambiguity of the relationship's end and the difficulty in assigning blame.
Overall, "You Turn Clear in the Sun" depicts a failed relationship that is both relatable and emotional. The song's lyrics highlight the complexity of human relationships and the difficulty in understanding when love is no longer enough.
Line by Line Meaning
We fell in love this summer
Our love blossomed during the summer and was strong initially
By the spring time we were done
Our love was short-lived and ended quickly
Is it any wonder that I didn't run?
Despite sensing the end of our relationship, I didn't try to run from it
No math equations
There's no formula or calculation to explain what went wrong between us
Could tell you what went wrong
I can't logically explain why our love ended
I could see straight through you
I was able to see your true colors
You turn clear in the sun
Your true self was revealed
Let's start all over, let's go back to square one
Let's try to rebuild our relationship from the beginning
I never loved you, I've never loved anyone
I realize now that I never truly loved you, or anyone else for that matter
And I could sit and wonder
I could spend hours wondering where our relationship went wrong
About where I went wrong
I blame myself for the end of our relationship
I can go out Friday and try to have fun
I'll try to move on by going out and having fun
You say nothing and I know it's true
Your silence confirms my suspicions
You say nothing and it comes right back to you
Your lack of communication reflects back on you
I hope he treats you better, I hope that he'll take you out
I wish the best for you and hope that your next partner treats you well
I hope he supports you when there's no one around
I hope your next partner is there for you even when no one else is
I guess I'm gone forever, I guess I moved to a new town
I accept that our relationship is over and I've moved on
So I won't forget you, I'm writing it down
I want to remember this relationship and what I've learned from it
Was it you or was it me?
We both played a role in the end of our relationship
Was it you or was it me?
We both share the blame for our failed relationship
Was it you or was it me?
I'm still unsure who to blame for the end of our relationship
Was it you or was it me?
I'm giving us both equal weight in the end of our relationship
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Lerner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind