The second album, Joy 1967-1990, was released in 1990. A single taken from the second album, Special One, featured Kim Deal on backing vocals.
The last album, Rev, was released in 1992, and was performed by a band comprising Julian Klepacz (drums) and Jack Daley (bass) with Ralske on vocals and guitar.
Ralske has gone on to do solo work, and has also produced albums for such bands as Rasputina. He currently resides in New York City and is focused on a merging of video visual art and sound. One of his video display installations, MoMA display screens, is on permanent display in the lobby of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
Staring At The Sun
Ultra Vivid Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the time has finally come
it seems insane for me to go on
I've only just begun
the image flicker faster
the image rip and bend
and then I looked up at the sky
but when that song begins to play
I just can't bear to look away
I hear it now
so tell me what it feels like
you tell me dearest one
she turns around and takes her shades off
and says
it's like staring at the sun
well an accident in progress
the smell of burning hair
I told her twice to take it easy
but she just didn't care
but when that song begins to play
I just can't bear to look away
I hear it now
so tell me what it feels like
you tell me dearest one
she turns around and takes her shades off
and says
it's like staring at the sun
but when that song begins to play
I just can't bear to look away
don't you feel it now
so tell me what it feels like
you tell me dearest one
she turns around and takes her shades off
and says
it's like staring at the sun
like staring at the sun
like staring at the sun
The opening lines of Ultra Vivid Scene's song "Staring at the Sun" suggest that something significant is about to happen, with the sun shining brighter and the time finally coming. However, the singer feels as though it might be insane to continue on, having only just begun. As the image flickers faster and the image rips and bends, the singer looks up at the sky, knowing that this is the end. But then the song begins to play, making it impossible for the singer to look away. The chorus repeats this sentiment, as the singer asks what it feels like, and the response is that it's like staring at the sun.
The second verse introduces an accident in progress, with the smell of burning hair and a warning to take it easy. But the person didn't listen and just didn't care. Again, the song begins to play, and the singer can't bear to look away. The chorus repeats once more, with the singer asking what it feels like and the response being that it's like staring at the sun.
The lyrics of "Staring at the Sun" seem to suggest an overwhelming and almost dangerous pull toward something, represented by the sun and the song. It's almost as if the singer knows that what is happening isn't necessarily good for them, but they can't help but be drawn in, like staring at the sun. The repetition of the chorus and the almost dreamlike quality of the song as a whole give it a haunting feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
the sun is shining brighter
The brightness of the sun has intensified
the time has finally come
The moment that has been anticipated has arrived
it seems insane for me to go on
Continuing seems irrational
I've only just begun
The journey has only just started
the image flicker faster
Images are moving quickly
the image rip and bend
The images are distorted
and then I looked up at the sky
The singer directs their attention to the sky
I knew this was the end
The artist realizes that the end is near
but when that song begins to play
The artist is referring to a particular song
I just can't bear to look away
The artist can't resist watching
I hear it now
The singer hears the song mentioned earlier
so tell me what it feels like
The artist wants to know how it feels
you tell me dearest one
The singer is addressing someone they care about
she turns around and takes her shades off
A woman the singer is talking to removes her sunglasses
and says
The woman speaks
it's like staring at the sun
The experience is like looking directly into the sun
well an accident in progress
The situation is going poorly
the smell of burning hair
Burning hair is being smelled
I told her twice to take it easy
The singer warned someone twice to be careful
but she just didn't care
The person the artist was trying to warn was indifferent
don't you feel it now
The artist asks if the other person can feel it
like staring at the sun
The experience is like looking directly into the sun
Contributed by Alaina G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.