The Flaming Lips are known for their lush, multi-layered arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which typically feature animal suits, puppets, streamers, video projections and complex stage light configurations.
In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die". In 2006, Oklahoma City named a street Flaming Lips Alley in their honor.
The group recorded several albums and EPs for Restless Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they scored a #9 hit on the Billboard Alternative charts (and #55 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart) in 1994 with "She Don't Use Jelly". Although it would be their only hit single, the band has maintained critical respect and, to a lesser extent, commercial viability with sonically majestic albums such as 1995's Clouds Taste Metallic, 1999's The Soft Bulletin, 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and 2006's At War with the Mystics. The Flaming Lips' 12th studio album, Embryonic, was released in October of 2009. A complete cover of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon was released in May 2010. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, their collaborative album which features artists like Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave and Erykah Badu, was released on Record Store Day, April 2012.
Their next studio album, tentatively titled The Terror, will be released in January 2013.
Their song "Do You Realize??" is the official State Rock Song of Oklahoma.
www.flaminglips.com
Ashes in the Air
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're fucked up in the good way and I'm fucked up in the bad
You and me, we thought we were so smart
We thought we could outrun them but they had robot dogs
You and me, we're both in the same hole
But you dream of ways of leaving and I get used to the cold
All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere
You and me, we heard a sudden thud
But you ran in to save them and I didn't give a fuck
You and me, our egos made from fires
Burning all our flesh off 'til we're skeletons duelling with wires
All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere
All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere, oh
You and me saw the light of the ship get crossed
But it was up above us, it left us where we was
You and me have learned that love is true
If you ask me how I know it, I'll never lie to you
All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere
All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere, oh
The Flaming Lips' song Ashes in the Air tells the story of two individuals who are both dealing with their own personal struggles. They both share a common understanding that they are both damaged, but they deal with it in different ways. The first verse talks about how the two are both messed up, but one is messed up in a good way, while the other is messed up in a bad way. It is an interesting juxtaposition, signifying that people deal with their problems in different ways, and everyone's problems are different.
The second verse talks about their failed attempts to escape from their problems, as they realize that they are both stuck in the same hole. However, while one dreams of finding ways to escape their problems, the other has become accustomed to their problems and has learned to live with them. This contrast between hope and acceptance represents the inner conflict that people often face when trying to overcome their problems.
The chorus, "All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere," suggests that everyone has their own set of problems and difficulties, and that we are all interconnected as human beings. The song ends on a positive note, with the idea that the two individuals have learned the true value of love.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me, we're both so fucked up
Both you and I have personal issues or problems that have significantly affected our lives.
You're fucked up in the good way and I'm fucked up in the bad
You may have flaws or imperfections, but they are endearing or desirable. My issues, however, are detrimental or undesirable.
You and me, we thought we were so smart
Both you and I were confident in our intelligence or abilities.
We thought we could outrun them but they had robot dogs
We believed that we could avoid or escape from our problems, but they caught up to us, or were more insidious than we anticipated.
You and me, we're both in the same hole
Both you and I are in similarly difficult situations or facing the same issues or obstacles.
But you dream of ways of leaving and I get used to the cold
You have aspirations or hopes for a better situation, while I have become accustomed to the harsh realities of our current situation.
All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere
Our problems or issues are so prevalent and serious that they can be sensed or noticed by anyone, anywhere.
You and me, we heard a sudden thud
Both you and I experienced or heard a sudden, jarring noise or event.
But you ran in to save them and I didn't give a fuck
You responded heroically or selflessly to the sudden event, while I was apathetic or indifferent to it.
You and me, our egos made from fires
Both you and I have egos or self-perceptions that are forged from our passions or zeal.
Burning all our flesh off 'til we're skeletons duelling with wires
Our egos or self-perceptions are so intense or all-consuming that they have stripped away or destroyed our physical bodies, leaving us as animated skeletons fighting with cords or cables.
All the ashes in the air, you can hear us anywhere
Our physical and mental destruction is so extensive that it can be felt or noticed by anyone, anywhere.
You and me saw the light of the ship get crossed
Both you and I observed a bright, illuminating object or phenomenon that was obstructed or disrupted.
But it was up above us, it left us where we was
The object or phenomenon we observed was in a higher or unattainable place, and it ultimately abandoned or disregarded us.
You and me have learned that love is true
Both you and I have discovered that love is genuine or authentic.
If you ask me how I know it, I'll never lie to you
If you inquire about or doubt my knowledge or understanding of love, I will always be truthful or sincere in my response.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Steven Drozd, Wayne Coyne, Justin Deyarmond Vernon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theneedledrop
WHAT
@kefka40
Ahh, Wayne never ceases to deliver on the awesome weirdness. This managed to make one of my favorite songs from the album even better for me.
@gawdspeed
the editing at 2:28 is BEAUTIFUL. matches the energy of that hook. damn!
@buckeyee3
Holy shit..im literally speachless
@sneakyrabbits
Glad to see you guys are still causing seizures and bad trips
@TrancendTechno
it can never be unseen.
@103kristofer
the flaming lips being themselves no big deal.
@UrLocalPizzaMan
THIS VIDEO IS LSD SMOKING A JEFFREY!
@Neilodeath04
Hahahaha!!!!!!! I fucking love you Wayne! Don't ever give in! Why does art always have to be safe? Best of luck from a long time loyal fan.
@philippecuenoud2949
Poor man's ashes to ashes.