The Soft Hills was started in Seattle by singer/songwriter Garrett Hobba in 2007. They have released five records, touring the US and Europe. The new album "Departure" was released in March 2014 on Tapete Records, followed by a European tour.
Phoenix
The Soft Hills Lyrics
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We can journey to the end of the night.
We can look for treasures, of our own delight.
You can crush it up any way you want,
You can churn it into something new.
In the misty morning, I'll be here with you.
He throws his riches to the open road.
There's too many wheels turning round,
Kill the engine, we're slowing down.
Please be kind to my son,
The phoenix flies like a comet above
And the poetry runs like an ocean of blood,
Oh my God!
Fire and ashes: this whole town's gonna bleed.
The fever passes, but I'm still down on my knees,
Darling please.
You can walk with me anytime you want,
Cause there's really no place to arrive.
Just enjoy the scenes and you'll be doing fine.
Try to wipe the dust from your sister's eyes,
But it always comes down to you,
When you look inside you'll see you're broken too.
Poverty's the wise man's gold,
He throws his riches to the open road.
There's too many wheels turning round,
Kill the engine, we're slowing down.
The Soft Hills' song Phoenix is a thought-provoking piece about life's journeys and self-discovery. The opening verse is an invitation to ride along on a journey through the night, seeking treasures and delights. The second verse speaks to the power of transformation, suggesting that one can take anything and turn it into something new. The misty morning might represent the dawn of a new day or a fresh start, as the singer promises to be there.
The concept of poverty as wise man's gold is an interesting one, implying that material wealth is not the key to happiness or success. The notion that the wise man throws his riches to the open road is also thought-provoking, perhaps suggesting that he is willing to let go of possessions in order to find something greater. The chorus repeats the idea that there are too many wheels turning, a metaphor for the fast-paced, rat-race-like nature of modern life. The solution is to slow down, to kill the engine, and to take time to reflect instead of constantly pushing forward.
The bridge introduces the phoenix, a symbol of rebirth and renewal. The poetry runs like an ocean of blood, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the intense emotions that accompany the creative process. The chorus repeats again, this time with the added urgency of fire and ashes and the singer on their knees. The final verse emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, acknowledging that no matter how much we try to help others, we all have brokenness within us.
Line by Line Meaning
You can ride with us anytime you want,
You are always welcome to join us on our journey.
We can journey to the end of the night.
We can explore the depths of our own mind and soul.
We can look for treasures, of our own delight.
We can search for what truly makes us happy.
You can crush it up any way you want,
You have the freedom to make your own choices and decisions.
You can churn it into something new.
You can transform your experiences into something positive.
In the misty morning, I'll be here with you.
Through the highs and lows, I will always be by your side.
Poverty's the wise man's gold,
Having nothing can sometimes be the greatest treasure.
He throws his riches to the open road.
He values experiences over material possessions.
There's too many wheels turning round,
Life can feel overwhelming with too many things happening at once.
Kill the engine, we're slowing down.
Take a moment to pause and reflect.
Please be kind to my son,
I am protective of my child and want them to be treated well.
The phoenix flies like a comet above
The ability to rise from the ashes and transform oneself is powerful.
And the poetry runs like an ocean of blood,
Creative expression can be deeply emotional and powerful.
Oh my God!
Expressing awe and amazement at the beauty of life.
Fire and ashes: this whole town's gonna bleed.
Disaster and destruction can bring people together.
The fever passes, but I'm still down on my knees,
Recovery takes time and can be difficult.
Darling please.
A plea for comfort and support.
You can walk with me anytime you want,
Let's continue our journey together.
Cause there's really no place to arrive.
Life is about the journey, not the destination.
Just enjoy the scenes and you'll be doing fine.
Find joy in the little things and life will be good.
Try to wipe the dust from your sister's eyes,
Help those around you to see the beauty in life.
But it always comes down to you,
Ultimately, you are responsible for your own happiness.
When you look inside you'll see you're broken too.
Everyone has their own struggles and imperfections.
Contributed by Nolan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Robinbrevard
GP would dig this. Meanwhile, is Garrett's spirit animal getting out of hand in this video? Think I'm gonna have to rewatch a few times to get it...