Named after a section of the book 'White Noise', written by postmodernist author Don DeLillo, the group incorporates string instruments and keyboards along with a standard rock lineup of guitar, drums, and bass guitar. Their style takes in a variety of influences from classic rock and roll to arcane-sounding art rock to tuneful indie pop and more. They have been signed to Majordomo Records for many years; on March 4, 2009, the band signed to Island Records.
Formed in the wake of a series of personal tragedies in the life of front-man Mikel Jollett, the band has gathered a reputation for one of the most exciting and energetic live shows in years. Stomping, screaming, wailing, crooning through bony rock songs and enormous dark anthems, the band embodies the desire to live life fully in the face of a world saturated with media and fear. The Cali five-piece's eponymous debut EP includes nods to rock music's most transcendent tidbits: subtle references to the sad-eyed melancholy of The Cure, the balled-fist intensity of The Fall, and the art school disaffection of the Velvet Underground.
The Airborne Toxic Event released their second album, All At Once on April 26, 2011. Songfacts reports the band explaining: "It's called 'All at Once' because the songs deal with the idea of sudden change—how life generally doesn't change incrementally. Your parents die, a child is born, the airplane shakes, a former love from a former life walks casually by you on the street, and suddenly everything is different. We live in the quiet passages between these extraordinary moments of change. It's exhilarating. It's terrifying. It can be monstrously disfiguring. It can be potentially redemptive."
Wrong
The Airborne Toxic Event Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know if it's right. I don't what you're asking.
When you laugh and you say, "I was only joking."
And it still feels wrong. I'm always asking these questions:
"Are you just playing dumb? Or trying to get a reaction?"
When you laugh and you say, "I was only joking."
Isn't it funny how they feel so much like dreams?
Am I trying too hard, oh I'm not trying at all
I see it in your eyes, I feel it in my bones,
You coming out tonight? We gonna end up alone?
Just so I could pretend I was only joking.
We got our eyes on screens, all of these dope machines.
Isn't it funny how they feel so much like dreams?
Am I trying too hard, oh I'm not trying at all...
I got three or four things I've always wanted to tell you.
I got two or three secrets I don't think you could handle.
A little closer to me, I was never joking.
Come a little closer to me, I was never joking.
The lyrics of the song Wrong by The Airborne Toxic Event revolve around the feelings of confusion and uncertainty in a relationship. The singer is trying to understand the intentions and motives of their partner, who often leaves them wondering if they are serious or not. The lines "You keep me up some nights, trying to figure what you mean. I don't know if it's right. I don't what you're asking" represent the confusion and indecision that the singer feels while trying to make sense of their partner's words and actions. The lyrics further suggest that the singer is grappling with their own emotions and questions the authenticity of the relationship. The refrain, "And it still feels wrong" indicates the singer's uncertainty about the relationship and their partner's intentions. Their partner insists that they were only joking or playing around, but it's unclear if that was genuinely the case.
The lyrics also reference the influence of technology on our relationships and how it has altered our perception of reality. The line "We got our eyes on screens, all of these dope machines. Isn't it funny how they feel so much like dreams?" suggests that technology has made it difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. The singer wonders if they are trying too hard to understand their partner or if they are not trying at all. The song ends with the lines "I got three or four things I've always wanted to tell you. I got two or three secrets I don't think you could handle. A little closer to me, I was never joking. Come a little closer to me, I was never joking" suggesting that the singer desires emotional intimacy with their partner and wishes to reveal their true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
You keep me up some nights, trying to figure what you mean.
I find it hard to sleep because I am trying hard to understand your thoughts and intentions.
I don't know if it's right. I don't what you're asking.
I am confused and unsure if my actions and assumptions about you are correct.
When you laugh and you say, "I was only joking."
You use humor and sarcasm to deflect the heavy topics being discussed, making it harder for me to understand you.
And it still feels wrong. I'm always asking these questions: "Are you just playing dumb? Or trying to get a reaction?"
Despite the light tone, our conversations leave me with a nagging feeling that something is amiss, and I can't help but wonder if you are hiding something or manipulating me.
We got our eyes on screens, all of these dope machines. Isn't it funny how they feel so much like dreams?
We are too focused on technology and virtual realities to notice the blurred line between illusion and reality.
Am I trying too hard, oh I'm not trying at all
I am unsure if my efforts to connect with you are overbearing or not enough.
I see it in your eyes, I feel it in my bones, You coming out tonight? We gonna end up alone?
I sense a mutual attraction between us, but I fear that it may only lead to loneliness and disappointment.
Just so I could pretend I was only joking.
I use humor to hide my true feelings and intentions, just like how you do.
I got three or four things I've always wanted to tell you. I got two or three secrets I don't think you could handle.
I have things to confess and share with you, but I am not sure if you can handle them or if it will change how you see me.
A little closer to me, I was never joking.
I want to be closer to you and share my true self with you, without any pretense or humor.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Catwomai
All my young life
I’ve been trying to say
Just one thing right
And now
We’ve come to the day
You’re here in my arms
I don’t know what to say
I believe I was wrong
Probably most of my life
Or I'm just hearing it wrong
I’m just watching the fire light
I see the look in your eyes
Am I trying too hard?
Am I doing this right?
So I fall
I fall down to my knees
I’m not easy to soothe
I’m never easy to please
I believe I was wrong
Probably most of my life
Or I'm just hearing it wrong
I’m just watching the fire light
I don’t care if it’s right
I know your friends are opposed
But we’ve still got tonight
We’ll just keep our eyes closed
I believe I was wrong
Probably most of my life
Or I'm just hearing it wrong
I’m just watching the fire light
I don’t care if it’s right
I know your friends are opposed
But we’ve still got tonight
We’ll just keep our eyes closed
Santiago Correa Jara
Lyrics😎
All my young life
I’ve been trying to say
Just one thing right
And now
We’ve come to the day
You’re here in my arms
I don’t know what to say
I believe I was wrong
Probably most of my life
Or I'm just hearing it wrong
I’m just watching the fire light
I see the look in your eyes
Am I trying too hard?
Am I doing this right?
So I fall
I fall down to my knees
I’m not easy to soothe
I’m never easy to please
I believe I was wrong
Probably most of my life
Or I'm just hearing it wrong
I’m just watching the fire light
I don’t care if it’s right
I know your friends are opposed
But we’ve still got tonight
We’ll just keep our eyes closed
I believe I was wrong
Probably most of my life
Or I'm just hearing it wrong
I’m just watching the fire light
I don’t care if it’s right
I know your friends are opposed
But we’ve still got tonight
We’ll just keep our eyes closed
musefanrubio0189
Took me a long time to get used to this song. But after experiencing it live it was fucking amazing! These guys don't create music, they create art!
meesterkennedy
This music video will forever hold a place in my heart, really this whole concert. I remember going to the concert that they filmed this at and I was lucky enough to get a hand shake from Mikel at the end of the night. It's the best memory, experience, and birthday I will ever have.
Amy Fielder
I was there too. It will also be special to me. What a fun night.
cornel maris
I have no idea why some people are not liking this song. I think it is great, it builds and builds , you feel the emotion , it makes me want to yell it out and sing along
da broncobabe
I was at this concert in Denver when they made this video. You can see all of us jumping and screaming when he opens the door to the audience. Still brings me chills today!!
Amy Fielder
I was there too.
Michael Thompson
They just want to make fantastic music and be themselves regardless of so-called “genres” and on this album, even when they go a bit different and techno,they once again totally nail it. Utterly special and magnificent ❤
zb sanders
I love this video, the visuals match the song perfectly. He is such a great performer. I love how he lets the music take over him and you get the sense he sings while experiencing the emotions he is singing about. He is intense. Not like openly intense, like the song says “not easy to soothe and not easy to please.” What I do love about this guy’s soul…after listening to his lyrics and reading his memoir…is he is endlessly deep. I imagine that if was able to talk to him it would be a three day conversation diving deeper and deeper….it would completely shock me if I met him in real life and it was small talk.
Alan Donnelly
TATE are my favourite band in the world and I have to admit when I first heard this I wasn't sure about it, it was quite different but after a few listens I got that usual shivers down the spine feeling I got from all their other songs. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best band currently making music today. All Hail The Airborne Toxic Event 🙏
Jennifer Pitts
This song will never get old!! Gives me goosebumps everytime! 💖💖