The band was started in 1995 by Gary Olson, Edward Powers and Javier Villegas with an album called "Marlborough farms". Adding and subtracting a couple of members they have recorded five albums since then:
With Jeff Baron and Jennifer Baron added to the lineup they released Beverley Atonale in 1997.
Powers left the band, and the remaining members, with San Fadyl and Sasha Bell of The Essex Green and solo act Finishing School, embarked on a United States tour.
With a more stable lineup, the band released The Albemarle Sound in 1999, as well as added violinist Julia Rydholm, also of The Essex Green, to the lineup. In 2001, Argyle Heir was released, and the band released a self-titled album in 2003, which was recorded in their own Marlborough Farms studio.
In April 2006, Fadyl began fighting serious asthma attacks. On the 26th of April 2007, he passed away due to one such attack.
The band released their sixth album, Can't Wait Another Day, on June 5, 2007.
Today Knows
The Ladybug Transistor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we sail to the sound
And your name, not see them
You wouldn't know them right away
Today knows that you swell all around me
What it means, what it leads to again, well
You can't see the ordinary maps
Counting threes through the window
Imitation glass
That's been scratched in code
To be read by someone else
Today knows that you swell all around me
What it means, what it leads to again well
You can't see, the ordinary maps they're pointing
To places you go, baby
The Ladybug Transistor's song "Today Knows" is a dreamy and introspective tune that seems to speak to both the beauty and the obscurities of life. The lyrics begin with an observation of how slow the day is moving, as if time itself is gently gliding and the singer is lost in thought while sailing. The line "And your name, not see them, you wouldn't know them right away" suggests perhaps a sense of disorientation or forgetfulness, as the singer can't recall names or faces with ease.
The chorus then enters with a lovely melody that sings out "Today knows that you swell all around me," as if implying that the present moment is somehow infused with an otherworldly energy that is hard to pinpoint or understand. The lyrics then turn to acknowledging the mysteries of life, as the ordinary maps and places we know are not always enough to guide us. There is a sense of yearning for something more, a desire to break away from the mundane and discover new paths that are unknown but promised to be worthwhile.
The verse that follows describes the act of counting threes through a window with imitation glass that has been scratched in code to be read by someone else. The image is intriguing as it suggests a secret communication through symbolic means. The chorus is repeated, and the song ends with "To places you go, baby" as if to encourage the listener to always seek out new adventures and pathways in life.
Line by Line Meaning
As the day is so slow
The day is dragging on and time seems to be moving slowly.
And we sail to the sound
We're traveling towards a sound or melody that's guiding us somewhere.
And your name, not see them
Your name might not be immediately recognizable to everyone.
You wouldn't know them right away
It might take some time to get to know someone or something fully.
Today knows that you swell all around me
There's something happening today that's causing me to feel overwhelmed by a strong emotion or feeling.
What it means, what it leads to again, well
I'm not entirely sure what this emotion or feeling means or where it might take me next.
You can't see the ordinary maps
The usual or expected paths and routes aren't applicable or helpful in this situation.
With no places to go and you know, you know
Despite there being no clear path forward, I still have some sense of direction or intuition that keeps me going.
Counting threes through the window
Passing time by looking out a window and counting objects or elements around us.
Imitation glass
The material used in the window may not be authentic or real.
That's been scratched in code
The window has been marked or written on in a form of language that's difficult to decipher or understand.
To be read by someone else
The code or markings might not be intended for me, but for someone else to interpret or understand.
The ordinary maps they're pointing
The usual or predictable sources of guidance and direction.
To places you go, baby
These sources of guidance will only lead us to where we've already been or where we're expected to go, rather than somewhere new or unexpected.
Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.