The Portland, OR quartet made up of Ryan Carroll (vocals), Eric Block (guitars), Russ Ellis (bass) and Paul Hardie (drums) have a unique chemistry fueled by their shared love of motorcycles, guitar pedals and building things (like their practice space, personalized recording equipment, and lights!)
Ryan and Eric have been performing together since 2003. The duo launched Ten Million Lights in 2009 after the implosion of their band Saturna during a west coast tour with Bob Mould. Soon they welcomed Emily Logan (Urban Wildlife) into the fold and in 2010 the trio debuted their self-titled record. They began regularly gracing stages of the Pacific Northwest like Doug Fir, Wonder Ballroom, and The Star Theater in Portland, as well as Neumos and The Sunset Tavern in Seattle opening for bands like The Shivas, Pete International Airport (Pete from The Dandy Warhols), The High Violets, and shortly thereafter enlisted Russ Ellis (The Scotch Greens) on bass and drummer Scott Smith (The Pink Snowflakes).
In 2015 they went into Revolver Studios (Ty Segal, King Tuff, Joel Gion, David J) to begin work on their follow up LP, Sour Oranges which was mixed by Russ’s brother Brian Ellis (Astra, Black Moth Super Rainbow) and mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk (Wooden Shjips, Crocodiles, Moon Duo). Ten Million Lights released Ephemera, an EP compiling remixes and covers from the three-piece era and in 2018, the five-piece released the Bellicose EP, the Sour Oranges full-length and the Drummer’s Dream EP featuring covers the band performed at Nuggets Night. Later that year, Scott returned to his native Olympia, and Emily decamped to Seattle. Ten Million Lights responded by recruiting Paul Hardie (The Separatists, The Addiction Dream); a drummer with the gusto to help take the band in a heavier direction.
In the spring of 2020, sequestered in the shadows of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the progresive movements brought on by social injustice, 10ML finished the Shine So Bright EP, showcasing an emotional rollercoaster of desperation, rage, hope and finally peace.
Mayday
Ten Million Lights Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How long
Moving through space
Light from a dead star
We’re made in its place
Long gone
Ephemeral half-life
Without any trace
Neutrons (free neutrons)
Pervasive in space
Transition to new states (transitioning)
Spontaneous change
Bounce back (resilience)
Don't lose any sleep
Don't hold your breath yet
Remember to breathe
Don’t go away
Don’t slip away
Never runaway
Oh yeah
Don't float away
Don't drift away
Better plan to stay
Oh yeah
So wrong
People in pain
You could've died
Left me with everything
Who am I
To say when you've suffered enough
Letting you go
To choose your fate
The lyrics to Ten Million Lights' song "Mayday" touch upon themes of existence, impermanence, resilience, and the complexity of relationships. The opening lines evoke a sense of time passing, with the reference to "moving through space" and being "made in its place" by the light of a dead star. This suggests that our existence is interconnected with the larger cosmic forces.
The next verse introduces the idea of being "out of phase" and having an "ephemeral half-life" without leaving any trace. This could represent the fleeting nature of life itself, where we may feel like we're barely present and leaving no lasting impact. The mention of neutrons and their transition to new states suggests the constant change and transformation that occurs in the universe, mirroring the human experience of growth and evolution.
The chorus emphasizes resilience and the importance of not losing hope. It advises against floating, drifting, or slipping away, urging the listener to plan to stay and not let go. This could be seen as a reminder to hold on to one's purpose, values, and relationships even in difficult times.
The final verse reflects on the complexity of relationships and the pain of letting someone go. The singer questions their own authority to determine when another person has suffered enough, ultimately acknowledging the necessity of allowing someone to choose their own fate.
Overall, "Mayday" presents a contemplative and introspective perspective, weaving together cosmic and human experiences to convey a message of resilience, hope, and the importance of embracing change and allowing individuals to determine their own path.
Line by Line Meaning
Mayday
A distress signal indicating an emergency situation.
How long
Questioning the duration or extent of something.
Moving through space
Continuously progressing or navigating through life's challenges.
Light from a dead star
Hope or inspiration derived from past experiences or individuals who are no longer present.
We're made in its place
We're shaped and influenced by the energy and influence of those who have come before us.
Long gone
Far removed or departed from a previous state or situation.
We're out of phase
Not in sync or in harmony with the surrounding circumstances or environment.
Ephemeral half-life
A short-lived and transient existence or period of significance.
Without any trace
Leaving no evidence or indication behind.
Neutrons (free neutrons)
Particles existing in space that represent potential for change or transformation.
Pervasive in space
Widespread and ever-present in the cosmic realm.
Transition to new states (transitioning)
The process of evolving or adapting into different forms or circumstances.
Spontaneous change
Change occurring naturally or unexpectedly without external influence.
Bounce back (resilience)
The ability to recover or rebound from setbacks or adversity.
Don't lose any sleep
Not allowing worries or anxieties to disturb one's peace of mind.
Don't hold your breath yet
Not anticipating an immediate resolution or outcome.
Remember to breathe
A reminder to pause, take a moment, and find solace in the simplicity of breathing.
Don't go away
A plea or request for someone to not depart or leave.
Don't slip away
A desire for someone to not gradually fade or become distant.
Never runaway
The importance of facing challenges or difficulties head-on rather than avoiding or escaping them.
Oh yeah
Expressing affirmation or agreement.
Don't float away
A plea to remain grounded, focused, and connected amidst life's uncertainties.
Don't drift away
The need to maintain a sense of direction and purpose, avoiding aimlessness or losing oneself.
Better plan to stay
Recognizing the importance of commitment and perseverance instead of giving up or running away.
So wrong
Acknowledging an error or mistake.
People in pain
Empathy towards individuals who are experiencing suffering or hardship.
You could've died
A realization of the potential consequences or severity of a situation.
Left me with everything
Being left with a significant burden or the weight of responsibility.
Who am I
Questioning one's authority or right to make judgments or decisions on behalf of others.
To say when you've suffered enough
Acknowledging that it is not our place to determine the extent or limit of someone's pain or suffering.
Letting you go
Allowing someone to pursue their own path or make their own choices.
To choose your fate
Granting someone the autonomy to determine their own destiny or future.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music
Written by: MITCH WONG, PAUL DUNCAN, RYAN ELLIS, TEDD TJORNHOM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind