The Southland's debut album, Influence of Geography, was released in June 2005. They tour regularly, and have supported artists such as Toots & The Maytals, O.A.R., Gavin DeGraw, Tristan Prettyman, Jem, Virginia Coalition, Steel Pulse, and As Fast As. The song Shadow from the album Influence of Geography appeared on NBC-TV's Scrubs in late February 2006.
Jed Whedon has had a number of other musical projects, including co-writing Dr. Horrible - a musical that he also orchestrated, Jed Whedon and the Willing, and most recently This Girl.
Miles
The Southland Lyrics
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One bag carries all that we have, sad, but it made it easy
I'll play you cards for a drink in the dining car, you owe me one anyway
These eyes only just goin wide, time for anything everyday
Chorus:
210 miles an hour, watching the lightening delay
That was then now I keep your picture just to remind me
Last drop, smoke alone on a rooftop, down, up above the crazies
Gone by, I'm still actin so shy, uptown, wanna come and save me?
I swear I had seen you step out of a cab, tricks that your mind plays
These eyes only just growing wise, time can make things just disintegrate.
Chorus:
210 miles an hour, watching the lightening delay
That was then now I keep your picture just to remind me
Who knew you'd have things so heavy, there's barely a bright side to see
I say I'll come to the rescue with perfect timing
Bridge:
On the riverbed, all names were set in steel
Lookin in from the outside, everybody's down
On the riverbed, all names were set in steel
Lookin in from the outside everybody's doooooooooown
(Reverb/back-play in the background)…
Chorus:
210 miles an hour, watching the lightening delay
That was then now I keep your picture just to remind me
Who knew you'd have things so heavy, there's barely a bright side to see
I say I'll come to the rescue with perfect timing
The Southland's song "Miles" tells a story of a person traveling on a train, reflecting on their past experiences and struggling to move on from a former love. The lyrics paint vivid pictures of the journey, starting with the singer looking out of the train windows, reminiscing about their life till then. They only have one bag with them, indicating they are either escaping, moving on, or just simplifying their life. They seem open to meeting people, offering to play cards for a drink, and taking time for simple pleasures. However, their mind keeps going back to a lost love, and they keep their picture to remind them. The song ends with a bridge mentioning the riverbed and how everybody is down from the outside looking in. The singer is convinced they will come to the rescue of their former lover with perfect timing, suggesting they still hold hopes of a reconciliation.
"Miles" is a compelling song with emotional depth, capturing the melancholy of being alone on a journey, reflecting on the past and facing uncertainty about the future. It emphasizes the importance of carrying mementos of loved ones, the bittersweet memories that we hold onto and the resilience and hope we muster to move on. The vocals and the music aptly convey the emotions of the song, with a melancholic feel and a subtle drumbeat, evoking the rhythm of train travel.
Line by Line Meaning
Sights white, out of either glass side, I head pivot slowly
Slowly, I turn my head to take in the white scenery passing by on either side through the windows.
One bag carries all that we have, sad, but it made it easy
We have very little, everything we have fits into a single bag. It's heartbreaking, but it makes things simpler.
I'll play you cards for a drink in the dining car, you owe me one anyway
Let's play cards and make a bet- if I win, you buy me a drink in the dining car, which you should do anyway because you owe me.
These eyes only just goin wide, time for anything everyday
I'm young and eager to experience new things, and there's always something to do each day.
210 miles an hour, watching the lightening delay
Traveling at an extreme speed of 210 miles per hour, observing the lightning storm causing a delay in travel.
That was then now I keep your picture just to remind me
I hold onto your image to remember the past, as things have changed since then.
Last drop, smoke alone on a rooftop, down, up above the crazies
Finishing a drink and smoking alone on a building rooftop, detached from the activity below where everyone seems to be going crazy.
Gone by, I'm still actin so shy, uptown, wanna come and save me?
Time has passed, but I'm still reserved and hesitant. In the city's upscale area, could you possibly come rescue me?
I swear I had seen you step out of a cab, tricks that your mind plays
I thought I saw you stepping out of a taxi, but it was just my mind playing tricks on me.
These eyes only just growing wise, time can make things just disintegrate.
As time passes, I'm only now starting to understand more about the world. Time can also cause things to fall apart.
Who knew you'd have things so heavy, there's barely a bright side to see
I never realized how much you were struggling, and it's hard to find anything good in this dark situation.
I say I'll come to the rescue with perfect timing
I promise to be there for you and save you just as the situation demands it.
Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.