Formed in Los Angeles in 1979, the band relocated to San Francisco and were swiftly signed to Howie Klein's independent label, 415 Records, on the strength of their demo version of "Everywhere That I'm Not," the song that would remain the band's signature tune.
Heartbeats and Triggers (415/Columbia 1982), produced by David Kahne, was a college-radio hit and contained the hit single "Everywhere That I'm Not". The second album, 1983's No Time Like Now featured the hit "Un-Alone". The band was struggling to break away from the tight new wave formula and started to on their lush, third album from 1985 produced by Ed Stasium, simply titled Translator. As the decade wore on, the band became increasingly interested in exploring psychedelia, and their live shows were often three-hour affairs. Their final album (also produced by Stasium), Evening of the Harvest (1986), was the sound of a band that had matured and was their most realized statement. Everywhere That I'm Not -- A Retrospective was released by Columbia in 1986. Two more CD retrospectives were released on the band, Translation on Oglio and Everywhere That We Were -- The Best of Translator by Columbia Legacy in 1995 and 1996, respectively. All four of the band's original albums are available on CD and on iTunes. The band reunited at the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin in 2006 for three very well-received shows. More reunion shows are being planned for 2009 & 2010.
Steve Barton now has a band called Steve Barton And The Oblivion Click. It is a trio with Steve, Robbie Rist (Cousin Oliver from The Brady Bunch) and Derrick Anderson (current Bangles bassist). Their new 20-song CD called "Gallery" is out on Spectra Records. All of the former Translator members still play music. Drummer Dave Scheff recently toured the U.S. and UK with Dead Kennedys. Robert Darlington is a published poet, whose collection "Ether" is now available. Larry Dekker continues to add his melodic solid bass playing to a variety of bands.
Everywhere
Translator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out on the avenue.
But I guess, it was just someone
Who looked a lot like I remeber you do.
In a bar, making a choice.
But, no. It was just someone
Who sounded a lot like I remeber you do.
'Cause that's impossibe, that's im...
That's impossibe, that's imposs...
That's impossibe, that's impossible.
'Cause you're in New York, but I'm not.
You're in Tokyo, but I'm not.
You're in Nova Scotia, but I'm not.
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
I'm Not, I'm Not, I'm Not.
I thought I felt your touch.
In my car on my clutch.
But I guess, it was just someone
Who felt a lot like I remeber you do.
'Cause that's impossibe, that's im...
That's impossibe, that's imposs...
That's impossibe, that's impossible.
'Cause you're in New York, but I'm not.
You're in Tokyo, but I'm not.
You're in Nova Scotia, but I'm not.
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
I'm Not, I'm Not, I'm Not.
(Instrumental Break)
I thought I saw you.
Out on the avenue.
But I guess, it was just someone
Who looked a lot like I remeber you do.
I thought I felt your touch.
In my car, bu no such luck.
No. I guess, it was just someone
Who felt a lot like I remeber you do.
'Cause that's impossibe, that's im...
That's impossibe, that's imposs...
That's impossibe, that's impossible.
'Cause you're in New York, but I'm not.
You're in Tokyo, but I'm not.
You're in Nova Scotia, but I'm not.
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
(Oh, Come On!)
(Oh, Yeah, Yeah!)
You're Everywhere That I'm Not
You're Everywhere That I'm Not
You're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
The song "Everywhere That I'm Not" by Translator is about the feeling of missing someone and constantly being reminded of them through everyday experiences. The singer thought they saw the person they were missing on the street and heard their voice in a bar, but it turned out to be just someone who looked or sounded like them. The chorus repeats the idea that the person they are missing is "everywhere that I'm not" - they are in different locations and the singer is left feeling like they cannot escape the memories.
The repetition of "that's impossible" throughout the verses emphasizes the frustration and helplessness the singer feels in not being able to be with the person they miss. The instrumental break provides a moment of reflection and contemplation on the situation.
Overall, the song captures the universal experience of missing someone and the constant reminders that even when we try to move on, the memories remain.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I saw you.
Out on the avenue.
But I guess, it was just someone
Who looked a lot like I remeber you do.
The singer mistook someone on the street for their lost love, who they still remember vividly.
'Cause I thought I heard your voice.
In a bar, making a choice.
But, no. It was just someone
Who sounded a lot like I remeber you do.
The singer thought they heard their ex-partner's voice in a bar, but it was just someone who sounded like them.
'Cause that's impossibe, that's im...
That's impossibe, that's imposs...
That's impossibe, that's impossible.
The singer knows that they can't actually be seeing or hearing their ex-partner, as they are in different locations.
'Cause you're in New York, but I'm not.
You're in Tokyo, but I'm not.
You're in Nova Scotia, but I'm not.
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
I'm Not, I'm Not, I'm Not.
The singer's ex-partner is in different places around the world, which makes it impossible for them to be together. The refrain emphasizes this distance, making it clear that the singer is not where their ex-partner is.
I thought I felt your touch.
In my car on my clutch.
But I guess, it was just someone
Who felt a lot like I remeber you do.
The singer thought they felt their ex-partner's touch in their car, but it turned out to be someone who felt similar.
You're Everywhere That I'm Not
You're Everywhere That I'm Not
You're Everywhere That I'm Not
Yeah, you're Everywhere That I'm Not
The repeated line underscores the central theme of the song: the distance between the singer and their ex-partner. The ex-partner is everywhere but where the singer is, reminding them of what they've lost.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: S BARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikkalinka9781
NEVER in a million years did l think l would hear this song again! THANK YOU! 63 yrs old & song is still friggin GREAT! l Love it.
@frankthecoach
Mikka Linka I’m 61 and frigging luv this song
@victorshipley1707
@@frankthecoach HAHAHAHA ....OH HELL YA........
@mcalles2518
I'm 61 only, I like it, but I don't know how the original. But now, I will try to find it. Jaja. Saludos FROM España.
@billb502003
I am almost 70 and I can't get enough of it Remember it well Love this music!
@tinamarconi4890
I'm 67 and so Glad to hear this again!!! Love it!
@bassmanapprel
Absolutely loved this song back when it was originally released, and still do. Ah yes... back when Rock, Punk, Ska & New Wave ruled. 😁
@berniekellman405
They were our private, San Francisco Beatles for a minute in 1983. I will always love them. They have a bunch of great songs
@maggievandyke814
I remember this song like yesterday. And I'm 66! One of my very favorites.
@DonaldTurner
I keep coming back to this song.. so many years later. so amazing