A performance by The Milk Carton Kids is a quiet and intricate affair. The duo have enjoyed intently listening audiences across the country and abroad in their respective solo careers, but an even greater sense of urgency and demand of attention is palpable now that they've come together as The Milk Carton Kids. Their songs are written together, but you won't know there is more than one author. Â Their history together spans only one short year, but you won't know that either. They stand close together when they play, facing each other and using microphones instead of plugging their guitars in. And if they looked more alike, they'd fool you that they were brothers.
Their songs disguise the youth of the members of the band. Befittingly, so do the old guitars they play and old clothing they wear. But to be sure, The Milk Carton Kids have something new to present: harmonies & minimalist instrumentation which are a clear reference to times passed, but with an eye intently on the future; a perspective on coming-of-age in the eye of a present-day storm; and the chronicling of an American struggle for simplicity, at least musically. To present it they use two guitars and two voices, they labor over the arrangements, they record themselves live, and they release their music on their own label, and for free.
As solo artists they have 10 releases between them. As a band their career is off to an auspicious start. Starting from a highly regarded position among their peers, they've opened for the art-piano-pop critical darling Vienna Teng, Grammy nominated friend and fan Sara Bareilles, and now will take to the entire U.S. and Canada this summer supporting one of the consummate songwriters of their generation, Joe Purdy. Despite the decision to stick to acoustic guitars in their own show, both Ryan and Pattengale are multi-instrumentalists and will also comprise Purdy's backing band, joining him on bass, pedal steel guitar, piano, and harmonies.
Their first collaborative release, RETROSPECT, is a live album due out March 15th, 2011, that represents the culmination of the past year of live performance. A collection of songs from each of their solo careers, written separately but reinterpreted and performed as the duo now called The Milk Carton Kids, RETROSPECT will be released under the name "Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan".
The first official release of The Milk Carton Kids, entitled PROLOGUE, comprised of original songs written by the duo for this project. It was released in 2011 on their own Milk Carton Records.
I Was Alive
The Milk Carton Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A great escape from a white lie
Thought death was a surprise
I looked around and I
I was alive
Sweat running down in fine lines
A vision flashing by a lifetime
I looked around and I
I was alive
I know a fire by the smoke rise
The tremble in your voice on the other line
Pass me over in the blue night
I looked around and I
I was alive
I was alive
I saw a dream rising in your eyes
To carry with you down to the other side
Took a picture in the fading light
I looked around and I
I was alive
A pixel glowing in a child's eyes
See them laughing, I say goodbye
I miss you like the starry sky
I looked around and I
I was alive
I rode away in the sunrise
A great escape from a white lie
Thought death was a surprise
I looked around and I
I was alive
The lyrics of The Milk Carton Kids' song "I Was Alive" capture various moments and emotions, showcasing a sense of introspection and self-realization.
In the first verse, the singer describes riding away in the sunrise, suggesting a metaphorical escape from a falsehood or deception. They believed that death would bring a surprising revelation, but instead, when they looked around, they found themselves alive. This could represent a turning point or a moment of awakening, where the individual realizes the importance of life and the need to embrace it fully.
The second verse depicts a state of heightened awareness and intense emotions. The sweat running down in fine lines symbolizes physical exertion and intensity, while a vision flashing by a lifetime implies a momentary glimpse into the entirety of existence. The singer feels like a decoy placed in the line of fire, possibly indicating vulnerability or being used as a pawn. However, they discover their existence amidst these trials and tribulations and acknowledge that they are alive.
The third verse delves into the dynamics of a relationship. The singer recognizes the signs of a fire by the smoke rise, suggesting an intuitive understanding of underlying emotions or conflicts. The trembling in the other person's voice indicates vulnerability or emotional distress communicated through a phone call. While feeling overlooked or undervalued in the darkness of the night, the singer realizes their own presence, once again affirming their own life.
The final verse encapsulates a series of bittersweet experiences. The singer witnesses a dream rising in someone else's eyes, possibly symbolizing hope or aspirations being fulfilled. However, the fading light suggests an inevitable end or loss. They take a picture as a memento, highlighting the transience of life and the fleeting nature of happy moments. Looking around, they find themselves once again alive, but with a tinge of longing and missing someone, akin to missing the vastness and beauty of the starry sky.
Overall, "I Was Alive" explores themes of escape, self-realization, and the recognition of life's preciousness. It underscores the importance of embracing our own existence, appreciating the moments of joy, and acknowledging the emotions and connections that make us feel truly alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I rode away in the sunrise
I set off on a journey at dawn
A great escape from a white lie
A thrilling escape from a deceitful act
Thought death was a surprise
Believed that death comes unexpectedly
I looked around and I
I glanced around and realized that
I was alive
I was truly living
Sweat running down in fine lines
Perspiration trickling down in delicate streaks
A vision flashing by a lifetime
A glimpse of a whole lifetime passing by
Was a decoy in the firing line
I was a distraction targeted for attack
I know a fire by the smoke rise
I recognize the presence of a fire from the rising smoke
The tremble in your voice on the other line
The quiver in your voice when we spoke on the phone
Pass me over in the blue night
Neglect me in the tranquil darkness
I saw a dream rising in your eyes
I witnessed a dream emerging in your gaze
To carry with you down to the other side
To hold onto and bring along with you through life's challenges
Took a picture in the fading light
Captured an image in the diminishing illumination
A pixel glowing in a child's eyes
A tiny dot emitting light in the eyes of a youthful soul
See them laughing, I say goodbye
Observing their laughter, I bid farewell
I miss you like the starry sky
I long for you as much as the vast, celestial sky
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Joey Ryan, Kenneth Pattengale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harveyjones1245
Lyrics
I rode away in the sunrise
A great escape from a white lie
Thought death was a surprise
I looked around and I
I was alive
Sweat running down in fine lines
A vision flashing by a lifetime
Was a decoy in the firing line
I looked around and I
I was alive
I know a fire by the smoke rise
The tremble in your voice on the other line
Pass me over in the blue night
I looked around and I
I was alive
I was alive
I saw a dream rising in your eyes
To carry with you down to the other side
Took a picture in the fading light
I looked around and I
I was alive
A pixel glowing in a child's eyes
See them laughing, I say goodbye
I miss you like the starry sky
I looked around and I
I was alive
I rode away in the sunrise
A great escape from a white lie
Thought death was a surprise
I looked around and I
I was alive
@coltonaallen
Oh... my... goodness! I am going through a very difficult time in my life right now, and for those six minutes and twenty seven seconds, I was in absolute peace. Such an amazingly serene and beautiful song.
Thank you, Joey and Kenneth!
@WasApfels
THAT - is why I believe in a higher power
@YuraMaltsev
Thank you guys for the soulful music!!! ( Hope to get to your concert someday! From Russia with love)
@AngelCastelar
Love this this gorgeous song... such a beautiful feeling, both raw and peaceful. The depth here makes this my fave on this new album and I can't wait to hear it live. 🔄
@scottdur3810
Another banger of an album as usual can’t wait to see y’all in Nashville next month! Come to Atlanta next time there’s plenty of small venues here as well!
@sweetoliveweddings6111
we will be in Nashville as well - looking forward!
@Srvtecej
Amazing song. Puts me in a good place.
@harveyjones1245
Lyrics
I rode away in the sunrise
A great escape from a white lie
Thought death was a surprise
I looked around and I
I was alive
Sweat running down in fine lines
A vision flashing by a lifetime
Was a decoy in the firing line
I looked around and I
I was alive
I know a fire by the smoke rise
The tremble in your voice on the other line
Pass me over in the blue night
I looked around and I
I was alive
I was alive
I saw a dream rising in your eyes
To carry with you down to the other side
Took a picture in the fading light
I looked around and I
I was alive
A pixel glowing in a child's eyes
See them laughing, I say goodbye
I miss you like the starry sky
I looked around and I
I was alive
I rode away in the sunrise
A great escape from a white lie
Thought death was a surprise
I looked around and I
I was alive
@danielboyd3779
Gorgeous!
@amyward3902
Missing you tonight so bad