They started as an electronic dance music project in 2003 in Berlin, but have since slowly developed into a band with no programmed elements. Their German record label is Bubbles. Their debut album Dreams was released on June 21, 2006 in Germany. In July 2007, Modular Records signed them to their UK imprint and the band played their first UK performance with New Young Pony Club at the London Astoria in September 2007. The album was released in the UK with the single Burning in November 2007. The Band released their second album, Rules, in March 2009. It was recorded in a newly built studio located on Punta Burros, Nayarit, Mexico.
Their single "1517" was also featured in the soundtrack of the video-game FIFA 10.
The band started The Whitest Boy Alive + The New Wine tour in April, 2009, visiting Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden. In 2011 the band travelled to China with promoters Split Works.
In June 2014, the band announced via their Facebook page that they "are no longer composing or playing together as The Whitest Boy Alive."
They reactivated in 2019.
Above You
The Whitest Boy Alive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every doorbell has its code
With a stare it can be opened
Now you have it now you don't
There are buildings there are people
Walk around and look up to
Every swallow has its season
By the rythm of your language
By the sparkle in your stride
Talk in riddles or be candid
With a shield or open wide
The lesson you must learn
No one could ever teach
Open up and reach for the stars
Above you
Above you
If you have a way of knowing
Every river can be crossed
Lose the sparrow that had landed
For the one that never was
There's a song for every dreamer
As they climb over this fence
Trading roses for the real world
As the second week commences
Where no one has control
Where the young clipse the old
Predjudice and wisdom
All the same
I want you
I want you
The Whitest Boy Alive's "Above You" is a song about the battle for belonging and finding one's place in the world. The opening lines describe the struggle to gain acceptance and belonging, with every doorbell having its own code that needs to be deciphered in order to gain access. However, the song goes on to suggest that finding one's place is more than just gaining access - it's about finding a sense of purpose and meaning.
The lyrics use vivid imagery to describe the various challenges people face in their quest for belonging. The line "Every swallow has its season, every gallow has its noon" suggests that everything in life has its time and place, and that acceptance and belonging are no exception. The second verse talks about the importance of finding one's own voice and being true to oneself, whether that means speaking in riddles or being candid.
The chorus of the song urges the listener to reach for the stars and to believe in oneself. The lesson that needs to be learned, according to the lyrics, is that there is no one who can teach you how to find your place in the world - it's something you need to discover for yourself.
Line by Line Meaning
In the battle for belonging
When trying to fit in and belong somewhere,
Every doorbell has its code
There are certain ways to be accepted by others in different situations,
With a stare it can be opened
Just by giving a look, a person can achieve acceptance,
Now you have it now you don't
This feeling of acceptance can be fleeting and temporary,
There are buildings there are people
In the world, there are structures and individuals,
Walk around and look up to
By walking around and observing, we can learn from others and be inspired,
Every swallow has its season
In life, there are different seasons for different experiences,
Every gallow has its noon
Everything that has a beginning also has an end,
By the rhythm of your language
The tone and pace of the way you speak can convey different meanings,
By the sparkle in your stride
The energy and confidence in your step can also communicate your personality and goals,
Talk in riddles or be candid
When communicating, you can either be cryptic or straightforward with your message,
With a shield or open wide
You can either be defensive or open when interacting with others,
The lesson you must learn
The most important thing you need to know is,
No one could ever teach
There is no guaranteed way for someone else to teach you this lesson,
Open up and reach for the stars
Rather, you need to open yourself up to new experiences and strive towards your goals,
Above you
Your aspirations lie above you rather than below you,
If you have a way of knowing
If you have a method of discerning the right path,
Every river can be crossed
Any obstacle can be overcome with the right approach and mindset,
Lose the sparrow that had landed
Let go of things that are holding you back,
For the one that never was
So you can focus on new opportunities that had not yet been considered,
There's a song for every dreamer
There is an experience or outlet for every person no matter what their aspirations are,
As they climb over this fence
As they work to overcome various obstacles or limitations,
Trading roses for the real world
Leaving behind unrealistic or overly optimistic perspectives for more pragmatic ones,
As the second week commences
As time progresses and new challenges arise,
Where no one has control
There are situations in life where nobody has total authority or dominance,
Where the young clipse the old
In certain circumstances, the younger generation may gain the upper hand over their elders,
Prejudice and wisdom
Despite the differences between people's backgrounds and experiences, everyone has the potential to be wise,
All the same
Despite differences demonstrated between people, they are essentially the same,
I want you
The singer has strong feelings of desire and longing for someone,
I want you
The singer has strong feelings of desire and longing for someone,
Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.