Brothers Oliver and Chris Wood grew up in Boulder, CO, and both left the area after graduating from high school, Oliver moving to Atlanta while Chris ended up in New York. Oliver, a guitarist, discovered he had a knack for writing songs and formed the blues-based King Johnson, which continues to do frequent gigs on the Southern circuit. Chris, a bassist, began playing jazz and rock in New York, eventually teaming up with John Medeski and Billy Martin to form the successful jazz-funk trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. The brothers began jamming together at family functions, and the duo's roots-inflected blend of blues, folk, and rock quickly took shape. They privately released the Live at Tonic EP, which was drawn from their first-ever public concert at New York's Tonic venue on March 5, 2005. Signed to Blue Note Records, the Wood Brothers released their debut album, Ways Not to Lose, in 2006. The album, which features drummer Kenny Wollesen on five tracks, was produced by John Medeski and recorded at Allarie Studios in Shokan, NY.
Atlas
The Wood Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I just woke up from a dream
So far away
And it's no accident I landed here
Eyes wide open and seein' clear
I have come a long long way
I am wiser now
I shouldn't try to hold his world up
He said, "Boy you got some muscle
That you have never used
All you got to do is go ahead and wake up"
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Aphrodite
Well her suitcase was my burden
For so long
She said, "Boy you got some heart and soul
But that's not what your love is for
Lay your burden down and we'll both be stronger"
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
I am stronger now
My man Atlas told me
I shouldn't try to hold his world up
Said, "Boy you got some muscle
That you have never used
All you got to do is go ahead and wake up"
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
The Wood Brothers' song "Atlas" is a powerful representation of personal growth and learning to let go of the burdens we carry. The song begins with the singer realizing that he has come a long way from where he started, both physically and emotionally. He has learned to see clearly and is no longer far away in a dream. He acknowledges that he has landed here on purpose and that he is not alone in his journey. He has the support of his friend Atlas, who tells him not to try to hold up his world. Instead, he needs to recognize the strength that is already within him and wake up to his full potential.
The singer then reflects on carrying the burden of Aphrodite's suitcase for so long. He has a kind heart and soul, but he realizes that his love isn't meant to carry the weight of someone else's baggage. In fact, it's only weighing him down, and he needs to lay it down in order for both himself and Aphrodite to be stronger. The chorus repeats the message that the singer has already learned: Don't try to hold someone else's world up, and don't let anyone try to hold yours up either.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the message that the singer is stronger now, having learned to let go of burdens that aren't his to carry. The imagery of Atlas, who in Greek mythology held up the weight of the world, serves as a metaphor for the burdens that we often feel responsible for carrying. The singer's journey of personal growth and realizing his inner strength is a relatable and inspiring theme that many listeners can connect with.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah!
Expressing excitement and praise
Well I just woke up from a dream
Just realizing something important
So far away
The realization is distant in time or place
And it's no accident I landed here
The realization was destined or intentional
Eyes wide open and seein' clear
Fully aware and understanding the situation
I have come a long long way
The journey to understanding was difficult and lengthy
I am wiser now
Having gained knowledge and experience
My man Atlas told me
Referring to a wise mentor or teacher
I shouldn't try to hold his world up
Should not try to take on too much responsibility
He said, "Boy you got some muscle
Referring to the inner strength and ability
That you have never used
The strength has been untapped so far
All you got to do is go ahead and wake up"
Recognize and use your inner strength
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't take on too much responsibility for others
Aphrodite
Referring to a love interest or desire
Well her suitcase was my burden
Taking on someone's emotional baggage
For so long
Holding onto the emotion for an extended period
She said, "Boy you got some heart and soul
Referring to the emotional capacity
But that's not what your love is for
Realizing that love cannot solve all problems
Lay your burden down and we'll both be stronger"
Release the emotional burden and move forward
I am stronger now
Having let go of emotional burden and moving forward
Don't you try to hold my world up
Do not take on too much responsibility for others
Don't you try to hold my world
Avoid shouldering too much burden for others
Don't you try to hold my world up
Refusing to take on the burden of others
Don't you try to hold my world
Refusing to take on the responsibilities of others
Don't you try to hold my world up
Standing up for oneself and saying no
Don't you try to hold my world
Refusing to let others dictate one's life
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@meidaslisa4469
I try never to miss a show we know all their songs!
@niftykeentypedog
CRIMINALLY underrated band!
@321sandspur
Just got the pre order. As usual, you guys had me thinking and praying.
@justkaron
Love this. Will be checking out more.
@dr05guitar
the tempo is cookin on this one! nice
@senorjuan2479
Chris is mind-blowingly good on that bass!
@jaygribbin6790
Love it
@dougs3716
I need a Chris Wood/Les Claypool bass off in my life
@MACKHAWKSS
goose sent me here
@andrewharmless8627
I've been listening to the wood brothers longer than goose but goose as well sent me to this particular song haha.