Band member Adam Granduciel (born Adam Granofsky in Dover, Massachusetts) moved from Oakland, California to Philadelphia in 2003, where he met Kurt Vile and began playing music with him. They began playing as The War on Drugs in 2005, and self-released a demo EP. While Vile and Granduciel formed the backbone of the band, they had a number of accompanists early in the group's career, before finally settling on a lineup that added Charlie Hall as drummer/organist, Kyle Lloyd as drummer and Dave Hartley on bass. Granduciel had previously toured and recorded with The Capitol Years, and Vile has several solo albums. The group gave away its Barrel of Batteries EP for free early in 2008. Their debut LP for Secretly Canadian, Wagonwheel Blues, was released in 2008.
Reviewers of the band's music make note of its Americana overtones. The group's sound has been described as influenced by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and My Bloody Valentine.
The lineup underwent several changes, and by the end of 2008, Kurt Vile, Charlie Hall, and Kyle Lloyd had all exited the group. Granduciel and Hartley were joined by drummer Mike Zanghi as the group slimmed to three members.
After Zanghi's exit in 2010, Steven Urgo took over drum duties and Robbie Bennett joined on keys.
An Ocean in Between the Waves
The War on Drugs Lyrics
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Been working every day
I watch you as you hesitate
Walking through the rain
I bet against the company, again
They try to redefine
Everything that I know and love
Gotta know you're mine
Yeah
Feel the way that the wild wind blows through the room
Like a nail down through the heart
That just don't beat the same anymore
That might as well be gone
I'm in my finest hour
Can I be more than just a fool?
It always gets so hard to see
Right before the moon
Far away, ma, there's a black sun rising overhead
There's a moon through the midnight rain
How can I surround myself in time and time again?
How can I be free?
Just wanna lay in the moonlight
And see the light shine in
See you in the outline
It never gets too dark to find
Anybody at any time
I'm at the darkened hillside
And there's a haze right between the trees
And I can barely see you
You're like an ocean in between the waves
(Waiting, waiting)
(Come on, storming)
(Got to rise)
(Got to rise as it gets to the hill)
(Breathe in)
(You've got to lean it up against)
(On my mind on this fast slide)
(And you can't go back again)
(I got to rise as it gets to the hill)
(Once more, oh, alright)
(I keep waiting)
(You've got to lean on my chest)
(Come on)
('Cause I can't go back again)
(You've got to rise as it gets to the hill)
(Once more, I lean, once more)
(I'm waiting)
(I'm leaning up against)
(One more)
(Yeah, I can't go back again)
(You've got to rise as it gets to the hill)
(Once more, woo)
(I'm waiting)
(I'm waiting)
The lyrics of "An Ocean in Between the Waves" reflect a yearning for connection and freedom, but also the struggle that comes with achieving them. The singer is a traveling man, who has been working hard and watching someone hesitating, possibly a lover or a friend. He has a tendency to bet against the company which tries to redefine everything that he knows and loves. The uncertainty and the longing are portrayed particularly well in the chorus, where the wild wind blowing through the room is compared to a nail down through the heart, emphasizing how much the singer is affected by feelings of uncertainty and disconnection. The dream of being more than just a fool is also expressed, as the singer fights to be seen as meaningful and valuable, even though it's often hard to see the way forward. The freedom that he seeks is ultimately summed up in the lines: "Just wanna lay in the moonlight and see the light shine in, see you in the outline." The singer wants to bask in the beauty of life and to be fully present to those whom he loves, without being held back by fear or limitations.
Overall, the lyrics of "An Ocean in Between the Waves" convey a sense of struggle, but also hope. The singer is searching for connection and freedom, but he is also fighting against forces that try to redefine his reality. He is affected deeply by uncertainty and disconnection, and yet he keeps pushing forward, driven by his desire to find meaning and joy in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Run away, I'm a traveling man
I am a wanderer and a drifter, with no permanent home
Been working every day
I have been toiling endlessly, without respite or rest
I watch you as you hesitate
I observe you as you waver, unsure of which path to take
Walking through the rain
Trudging through adversity, facing hardships head-on
I bet against the company, again
I took a risk and went against the established order, as I have in the past
They try to redefine
They are attempting to change the meaning of things, to suit their own ends
Everything that I know and love
All that I hold dear and familiar is being altered
Gotta know you're mine
I need to be reassured that you belong to me
Feel the way that the wild wind blows through the room
Sense the uncontrolled and unpredictable forces around us
Like a nail down through the heart
Piercing pain, deep emotions that cannot be ignored
That just don't beat the same anymore
Things have changed irreversibly, never to be the same again
That might as well be gone
What once existed has ceased to be, like it never even existed at all
I'm in my finest hour
I am reaching the pinnacle of my strength and ability
Can I be more than just a fool?
Is there a possibility of me being something more than a simpleton?
It always gets so hard to see
The path ahead is often obscured and difficult to discern
Right before the moon
Just before the crest of the night, when everything is at its darkest
Far away, ma, there's a black sun rising overhead
There is a portentous and ominous sign looming in the distance
There's a moon through the midnight rain
A beacon of hope shines through the darkness and the despair
How can I surround myself in time and time again?
How can I repeatedly immerse myself in this environment?
How can I be free?
What can I do to liberate myself from the constraints of the present circumstances?
Just wanna lay in the moonlight
All I desire is to rest and bask in the gentle light of the moon
And see the light shine in
Allow the radiance of the surroundings to illuminate my being
See you in the outline
Be able to discern your figure amidst the shadows
It never gets too dark to find
Even in the deepest and most obscure darkness, there is always a glimmer of light to be found
Anybody at any time
Anyone can find what they seek, if they know how and where to look
I'm at the darkened hillside
I find myself in a place enveloped by shadows and steep slopes
And there's a haze right between the trees
A misty and obscure curtain occludes the view, distancing what lies beyond the woods
And I can barely see you
You are almost imperceptible, as if you were a mirage
You're like an ocean in between the waves
You are akin to an immense manifestation of energy, bursting with potential, but shrouded in mystery
(Waiting, waiting)
(Anticipating what's to come)
(Come on, storming)
(Charging forward with ferocity)
(Got to rise)
(Must ascend and reach the zenith)
(Got to rise as it gets to the hill)
(Need to climb higher as the situation becomes more challenging)
(Breathe in)
(Inhale deeply to acquire inner strength)
(You've got to lean it up against)
(You must rely on support from others)
(On my mind on this fast slide)
(My thoughts race as I face the instant changes occurring around me)
(And you can't go back again)
(The choices made cannot be undone, and their consequences must be faced)
(Once more, oh, alright)
(Repeat the action with renewed vigor, as it is deemed necessary)
(I keep waiting)
(Impermanence breeds a desire to wait for the winds of change)
(You've got to lean on my chest)
(You must depend on me for support and strength)
(Come on)
(Indicating encouragement and urgency)
('Cause I can't go back again)
(Acceptance of irreversible consequences, unable to return to where it all began)
(Once more, I lean, once more)
(Repeatedly rely on and trust in others to persevere and move forward)
(I'm waiting)
(With each passing moment, scrutiny increases and anxiety mounts)
(I'm leaning up against)
(Placing my full weight and trust on my supporters)
(One more)
(One more push, one more attempt, one more chance)
(Yeah, I can't go back again)
(Realization of the finality of certain choices, the inability to retrace one's steps)
(You've got to rise as it gets to the hill)
(As the obstacles mount, persevere and rise to meet the challenges)
(Once more, woo)
(One more time, with enthusiasm and vigor)
(I'm waiting)
(Perpetual anticipation and readiness to act, as the future is unwritten)
(I'm waiting)
(Unwavering commitment and patience, as the journey continues)
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Songtrust Ave
Written by: Adam Granofsky
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind