The band is a duo comprised of Elenor Rayner (vocals and lyrics) and Pete Crane (music) who met in 2002.
Their debut album Glass was released by European label Black Flames Records in 2005 resulting in great reviews worldwide, and in 2006 The Crystalline Effect released the Blurred Edges EP independently. The Crystalline Effect is also a live entity and have played dozens of gigs all over Australia.
In 2006, Black Flames Records closed down. Now The Crystalline Effect have found a new home on Advoxya Records.
Blue Sea
The Crystalline Effect Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can’t be still 'cause this building shakes
And it feels like there are words written on my skin
And there are cages that line the street
And there are warnings of running too deep
And I know now this is how it begins…
To someone lost inside
To someone standing between reason and the deepest blue sea
Slices have been torn from me
Pieces have been ripped from me
Parts of me have been replaced by fear
And you stand outside the square
And you looking in
And you don’t know the damage that begins…
To someone lost inside
To someone deep inside their mind
To someone standing between reason and the deepest blue sea
I am released
I am released
I know there must be shades of grey
But I just see one way…
The lyrics in The Crystalline Effect's song Blue Sea seem to be describing a sense of restlessness and unease. The singer is unable to sleep and can't remain still because of the shaking of the building they are in. They feel as though there are written words on their skin and there are cages lining the street, warning of running too deep. It appears that the singer is feeling trapped and inhibited in some way, and they seem to be aware that this unease is the beginning of something.
The second stanza portrays a feeling of being torn and broken apart. The singer describes having pieces of themselves ripped away, replaced by fear. They seem to be in a state of dissociation or disconnection from reality, and they note that those outside their experience cannot fully understand what it feels like to be in that situation. The repeated refrain of "to someone lost inside, to someone deep inside their mind, to someone standing between reason and the deepest blue sea" emphasizes the singer's sense of isolation and disconnection.
Towards the end of the song, the singer notes that they are released, but also acknowledges that there must be shades of grey in life, even if they cannot see them. The overall mood of the song is one of unease, restlessness, and disconnection, portraying a sense of being trapped by one's own mind and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I can’t sleep now, I must stay awake
The singer is experiencing extreme alertness and cannot seem to fall asleep.
I can’t be still 'cause this building shakes
The singer is anxious and cannot remain composed because the building is vibrating.
And it feels like there are words written on my skin
The singer feels like there are significant messages that are imprinted on them.
And there are cages that line the street
The artist is surrounded by people who are trapped and cannot move forward.
And there are warnings of running too deep
The artist is conscious that taking risks might have unfavourable outcomes.
And I know now this is how it begins…
The singer is anticipating the start of a challenging situation.
To someone lost inside
This sentiment relates to someone who is feeling confused and disorientated.
To someone deep inside their mind
This reflects on someone who is introspecting and analysing their innermost feelings and emotions.
To someone standing between reason and the deepest blue sea
This line speaks to someone who is balancing their rational mindset while also facing daunting circumstances.
Slices have been torn from me
The artist has experienced significant loss and is left with many incomplete parts.
Pieces have been ripped from me
The singer has endured substantial damage and is missing essential components.
Parts of me have been replaced by fear
The artist has been traumatised and is systematically losing parts of their identity to anxiety and apprehension.
And you stand outside the square
The singer's reference to the word 'square' implies a space that is comfortable and safe, and the use of the pronoun 'you' implies that there are people watching from afar.
And you looking in
This sentence underscores that the spectators are curious and observing the impact of the catastrophe from a distance.
And you don’t know the damage that begins…
The singer believes that onlookers are unable to comprehend the depth of the adversity they are experiencing.
I am released
The artist is free from the difficulties and struggles that they were experiencing previously.
I know there must be shades of grey
The artist understands that the world is complex and multifaceted, and not everything is black and white.
But I just see one way…
Despite being aware of the complexities of the world, the singer feels like there is only one option to take.
Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.