Ambition was never the Pastels' strong suit, and luck was rarely on their side; as the group's members -- now including bassist Martin Hayward and drummer Bernice Simpson -- devoted their primary focus to their studies, new music appeared only sporadically and to little notice, on a seemingly random series of labels. After 1983's "I Wonder Why" was released on Rough Trade, they moved to Creation, where they hit their stride with the 1984 drone-pop gems "Something's Going On" and "A Million Tears." After one further single, 1985's "I'm Alright with You," the Pastels split with Creation, moving to the tiny Glass label. In 1986, their track "Breaking Lines" appeared on the influential C-86 collection assembled by the New Music Express, transforming the anorak movement into an overnight media sensation quickly accompanied by intense critical backlash.
Regardless of prevailing musical trends, however, the Pastels soldiered on: after recruiting one-time Shop Assistants keyboardist Aggi Wright, they recorded the 1986 single "Truck Train Tractor," followed by Crawl Babies and Comin' Through. Finally, in 1987 the group found time to assemble an LP, Up for a Bit with the Pastels, followed in 1988 by Suck on the Pastels, a collection of unreleased Creation-era material. In 1989, former Vaselines frontman Eugene Kelly and ex-Shop Assistant David Keegan joined the fold for Sittin' Pretty, the final LP to include Superstar, Hayward, and Simpson. The remaining duo of Pastel and Wright expanded to include Katrina Mitchell for the 1991 collaboration Jad Fair and the Pastels, followed by the 1994 EP Olympic World of Pastelism. Their third album, Mobile Safari, was released in 1995 by Domino in the U.K. (which began a long-running alliance) and Up Records in the U.S. It featured a lineup including longtime band associates Norman Blake and Gerald Love (both from Teenage Fanclub) and ex-Shop Assistant guitarist David Keegan, and a guest appearance from Luna's Dean Wareham.
Their next album, 1997's Illumination, was issued by the same configuration of record labels and featured a similar lineup, only with the addition of guitarist Jonathan Kilgour and guest shots from Belle & Sebastian's Isobel Campbell and pianist Bill Wells. A remix album, Illuminati, was released in 1998 and featured reworks of tracks by Kevin Shields, Stereolab, Cornelius, and other A-list indie rockers. This burst of recognition and activity was derailed when Wright decided to leave the band in 1998, throwing Mitchell and Pastel into a spin. Instead of jumping back into making music right away, the band went on hiatus while figuring things out. The duo next formed Geographic Records in 2000 as an offshoot of Domino, and began releasing records by friends (Future Pilot AKA, International Airport) and obscure acts (Nagisa Ni Te, Maher Shalal Hash Baz.) The band reappeared at last in 2003 with the mostly instrumental soundtrack for the film The Last Great Wilderness. The album was produced by the Sea and Cake's John McEntire and featured International Airport's Tom Crossley along with a vocal feature for Jarvis Cocker. A friendship with Japanese band Tenniscoats led to their next release, 2009's collaborative effort Two Sunsets. The core band was expanded to include Crossley and Mitchell's sister Alison, with Love still there, too. With the record label slowing its pace and releasing one album a year, the band turned toward recording an album of their own, and in 2013 their fifth record, Slow Summits, was released. McEntire was again in the producer's chair and guitarist John Hogarty had joined the ranks. Also on board as guests were To Rococo Rot's Stefan Schneider and Robert Lippok, as well as Norman Blake (again), and original bandmember Annabel Wright. (c)Jason Ankeny
2) An American 50s pop group formed by Dee Irwin while he was serving in the military. Consisted of DiFosco "Dee" T. Ervin Jr. himself, Richard Travis, Tony Thomas and Jimmy Willingham. They toured widely until splitting up in 1959.
Flightpaths To Each Other
The Pastels Lyrics
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Are we closer to the world at night?
The city scape is neon draped
It's so late, are you awake?
Secret watchers of the world
Follow flight paths to each other
There's so much air when you're not there
Night-time heavy breathing
Feel your senses reeling
Hear my heart beating
(It's for you)
The lyrics to The Pastels' song "Flightpaths To Each Other" evoke a sense of longing and connection, set against the backdrop of aircraft buzzing, airport lights, and a neon-draped cityscape. The opening lines reflect on the idea of proximity and how the world feels closer at night. The bustling, vibrant atmosphere of an airport and the illuminated cityscape create a sense of anticipation and excitement.
The following lines introduce the concept of secret watchers of the world who use flight paths to find each other. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the way people navigate relationships and connections. The vastness of the sky and the freedom it represents are contrasted with the absence of the person being addressed. In their absence, the air feels empty, and the singer asks the listener to think of them, emphasizing the yearning for a connection that is currently distant.
The chorus delves further into the emotional aspect of the song, describing a night filled with heavy breathing and senses reeling. The beating heart signifies the intensity of emotions, emphasizing that it is all for the listener. This lyrical choice adds a layer of intimacy and vulnerability to the song, suggesting a deep desire to be heard and felt.
Overall, "Flightpaths To Each Other" is a beautifully introspective song that explores themes of distance, longing, and the yearning for connection. It captures the emotions and thoughts that arise in moments of separation and heightens them through vivid imagery and heartfelt descriptions.
Line by Line Meaning
Aircraft buzz, airport lights
The sound of airplanes and the bright lights of the airport symbolize the constant movement and connection in our lives.
Are we closer to the world at night?
During nighttime, when distractions are few, we can reflect on our connection to the world and our place in it.
The city scape is neon draped
The vibrant cityscape illuminated by neon lights represents a unique atmosphere where we can feel alive and connected.
It's so late, are you awake?
In the late hours, we wonder if the people we care about are also awake, creating a sense of longing and desire for connection.
Secret watchers of the world
We are all secretly observing and paying attention to each other, even when we may not realize it.
Follow flight paths to each other
We navigate our own journeys in life, sometimes intersecting with others and forming connections along the way.
There's so much air when you're not there
When someone we care about is absent, the surrounding space feels empty and suffocating, emphasizing their importance in our lives.
The sky is free, think of me
As we look up at the vast, unrestricted sky, we hope that others will think of us and remember our presence, creating a bond that transcends physical limitations.
Night-time heavy breathing
The deep and intense breathing during the night symbolizes the heightened emotions and desires we experience in intimate moments.
Feel your senses reeling
Intense emotions and physical sensations overwhelm us, making us temporarily lose control, engrossed in the moment.
Hear my heart beating
We long for our loved ones to hear the rhythm of our heart, a symbol of our deep affection and desire for them.
(It's for you)
Everything we do, all our emotions and efforts, are dedicated to the person we love, conveying our unwavering devotion.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID KEEGAN, STEPHEN MCROBBIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind