The Apples in Stereo currently consist of Robert Schneider (vocals, guitar), Eric Allen (bass), John Hill (rhythm guitar), John Ferguson (keyboards) and John Dufilho. Schneider writes the most of the band's music and lyrics. Their debut release was 1995's Fun Trick Noisemaker (with Jim McIntyre on bass).
Longtime drummer Hilarie Sydney left the band in 2006, performing her last show at the Athens Popfestival.
Robert Schneider has side projects: Marbles, Ulysses, Thee American Revolution and a new kids music project under the name Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine. He does a lot of commercial composition and film score work.
John Hill also plays guitar in Dressy Bessy.
Bill Doss, who had been the band's keyboardist since 2007, died on July 30, 2012. Doss was also the singer, songwriter and guitarist for The Olivia Tremor Control, the sole member of The Sunshine Fix, and an original member of the Elephant 6 collective.
One of their most popular songs, "Signal In The Sky," was created for and featured in episode 46 of The Powerpuff Girls.
They are best known for their bright, catchy lyrics and 60s pop/rock sound that often provokes comparisons to The Beatles, ELO and The Beach Boys.
Their major influences include The Velvet Underground and The Beach Boys.
Skyway
The Apples in Stereo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fortified with a hunting knife
Before you find out if you survive
Questioning marks have turned into scars
For the record you remember the few, yeah,
Who for a second time you bid adieu
Forty days in the neon haze
You follow the skyway
You follow your right-of-way
You follow the streets and the cars
And the shadows and the stars.
Forty lessons you may hear from the sun, now
You never listened to a single one
Falling leaves whisper like thieves
Not that you mind you live on stolen time
You follow the skyway
You follow your right-of-way
You follow the streets and the cars
And the shadows and the stars.
Fists loaded with a furious disdain
Your ferocity will be your shame
Fast motion like a curious flame
The best I can do is to turn my back on you
You follow the skyway
You follow your right-of-way
You follow the streets and the cars
And the shadows and the stars.
You follow the skyway
You follow your right-of-way
You follow the streets and the cars
And the shadows and the stars.
Streets and the cars and the shadows and the stars
The Apples In Stereo's song "Skyway" is a contemplative piece that's ripe with existential themes. The lyrics seem to be addressing someone who is questioning the validity of their life, wondering if they will survive. It's said that they've already questioned their life forty times, and are now held aloft by a hunting knife, preparing for what may come. The questioning marks that once dotted their mind have now turned into scars, the physical manifestation of their vulnerability.
Throughout the song, we're told of the person's journey to find meaning. They remember those that they've lost along the way, the ones who've slipped away before they got to fully know them. They've been wandering in a "neon haze," with their dreams festering and draped in ambiguity. Yet even with this sense of aimlessness, they continue to follow. They follow the "skyway," the "right-of-way," the "streets," "cars," "shadows," and "stars." They're searching for something, but it's not entirely clear what.
As we near the end of the song, we're presented with an image of someone who is brimming with fury, fueled by their disdain for the world. They're like a "fast motion" flame, too curious for their own good. The singer can only turn their back on them, unable to offer any comfort or solace. And yet they still press on, following the path that's been laid out for them.
Overall, "Skyway" seems to ask us to consider what it means to be alive, to search for purpose, and to accept the scars that come with living.
Line by Line Meaning
Forty times you may question your life
You may go through a lot of introspection before figuring out what you want out of life.
Fortified with a hunting knife
You may feel like you need to arm yourself in order to face life's challenges.
Before you find out if you survive
You won't know if you're capable of overcoming life's difficulties until you face them head on.
Questioning marks have turned into scars
Your struggles and doubts may leave lasting emotional marks.
For the record you remember the few, yeah,
There are only a few people who have made a lasting impact on you.
Who for a second time you bid adieu
You've had to say goodbye to those people more than once.
Forty days in the neon haze
Your life may feel like a blur of chaos and uncertainty.
Festering dreams are dressed in vagaries
Your hopes and aspirations may be clouded by ambiguity and uncertainty.
You follow the skyway
You're trying to find your way through life.
You follow your right-of-way
You're sticking to your own path, despite any obstacles.
You follow the streets and the cars
You're keeping in step with the world around you.
And the shadows and the stars.
You're navigating both the dark and light aspects of life.
Forty lessons you may hear from the sun, now
You may have to learn a lot of important lessons before you're successful.
You never listened to a single one
You might have ignored advice and wisdom in the past.
Falling leaves whisper like thieves
Change can be sneaky and unexpected.
Not that you mind you live on stolen time
You're aware of the fleeting nature of life and the need to make the most of every moment.
Fists loaded with a furious disdain
You may feel angry and resentful about your struggles.
Your ferocity will be your shame
Your anger and bitterness may end up doing more harm to yourself than to others.
Fast motion like a curious flame
You might feel like you're moving quickly and with purpose.
The best I can do is to turn my back on you
Sometimes it's best to walk away from negativity and hostility.
Streets and the cars and the shadows and the stars
The world around you is full of both wonder and danger.
Contributed by Henry H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dzungle$
on Pine Away
I lost a way
Finally
Now here i am
Here is some Jazz Fest
Car is in the Hood
At Dam (ok)
There will be sleep..hey
I have red light
No oil..i hope i will ride
To nearest Gasoil..(tomorow)
Dzungle$
on Dots 1-2-3
Parkin at Dam
Jazz at Pub