The band has performed at many national festivals including Coachella, Stagecoach, Summerfest, Bumbershoot, and Pickathon. In 2011, they performed at several large folk festivals such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival and 2011 ROMP roots and branches. They are scheduled to play the Sasquatch Festival, Bonnaroo, All Good Music Festival, Newport Folk Festival, and Lollapalooza in 2012.
2014 saw the release of Trampled by Turtles's seventh studio album, Wild Animals, on July 15th. The band tapped Alan Sparhawk, from the band Low, to produce Wild Animals. Sparhawk's influence is evident in the band's seemingly more alternative, high lonesome sound. The night of Wild Animals' release, TBT made their second appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. On August 16th, Trampled by Turtles headlined a sold out show at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO.
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Darkness and the Light
Trampled By Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but I'm Minnesota's son
Even when the cold winds blow
in the darkness and the light
And the young folks search for meaning here
and the old folks know there's none
Out your window you can see the world
And the stars at night
why do they make you cry?
Don't you think that I'll be coming home?
Well it's not like Sunny, Monterrey in all the Steinbeck books you read
Where the hobos know the secrets and the law turns their head
We are as close to paradise even though you might not hear it said
And the Methodists all bring a dish to share with the ashes on their head
And when the sun's in the sky
we'll have a class outside
Why do you think that I can be so cold?
I'm not scared of much here anymore
wait, friends, that was a lie
'Cause I'm scared to death of losing you
to be alone, high and dry
And I know you worry
about time and money
but don't you know those things, they come and go?
"Darkness and the Light" is a song by Trampled by Turtles that explores the feelings of homesickness and alienation in the context of the contrast between different places and moments in life. The lyrics of the song suggest that, although Colorado may seem like a beautiful and exciting place, the singer of the song still identifies as being from Minnesota and experiences a sense of disconnection from the people and the environment around them. The line "even when the cold winds blow in the darkness and the light" echoes this idea of being rooted in a place and a culture, despite the challenges and the changes that come with time.
The song's chorus reflects on the power of nature and the passing of time to inspire melancholy feelings and a sense of longing. The singer notices the stars at night and wonders why they make them cry, illustrating the emotional weight of the celestial views. The line "don't you think that I'll be coming home" suggests a desire to reconnect with familiar spaces and people, despite the uncertainty of the future. The verses that precede and follow the chorus paint vivid pictures of the landscapes and communities that the singer finds themselves in, highlighting the differences and similarities between the places that they call home.
Overall, "Darkness and the Light" is a thoughtful and evocative song that speaks to the universal experiences of displacement, nostalgia, and the search for meaning. Through its carefully crafted lyrics and subdued instrumentation, the song captures a mood of introspection and hopefulness, inviting the listener to reflect on their own sense of belonging in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Colorado was so nice
Colorado was nice, but I still identify as a Minnesotan
but I'm Minnesota's son
I hold Minnesota close to my heart despite being away
Even when the cold winds blow
No matter what kind of hardship I face
in the darkness and the light
During the good and bad times
And the young folks search for meaning here
Youth are looking for purpose in this place
and the old folks know there's none
However, elders understand there may be no real meaning to find
Out your window you can see the world
You can see the world just by looking outside
Babe, it's turning, and it's gone
Life passes quickly, constantly changing
And the stars at night
At night, the stars
why do they make you cry?
Can evoke sadness or emotion
Don't you think that I'll be coming home?
Do not worry, I will return
Well it's not like Sunny, Monterrey in all the Steinbeck books you read
This place is not like the romanticized setting in Steinbeck's literature
Where the hobos know the secrets and the law turns their head
This is not a place where people easily find secret knowledge or escape legal repercussions
We are as close to paradise even though you might not hear it said
This place is almost like paradise, despite not being discussed as such
And the Methodists all bring a dish to share with the ashes on their head
Here, people of the Methodist faith come together with food, despite having ash on their heads from Ash Wednesday
And when the sun's in the sky
During the daytime
we'll have a class outside
Learning can happen outdoors
Why do you think that I can be so cold?
I may appear unfeeling
I'm not scared of much here anymore
I am less fearful of this place
wait, friends, that was a lie
Actually, I am afraid of something
'Cause I'm scared to death of losing you
I fear losing someone dear to me
to be alone, high and dry
Leaving me without companionship or support
And I know you worry
I understand your concerns
about time and money
Specifically about financial and temporal matters
but don't you know those things, they come and go?
These issues are temporary and subject to change
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID PATRICK CARROLL, DAVID PAUL SIMONETT, ERIK ROBERT, RYAN DAVID YOUNG, TIMOTHY POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind