In late 2010 the band's bandcamp account featured their single ‘Ffunny Ffrends’, a sort of alien beatnik pop music that echoed 60s psychedelia and krautrock minimalism with just a hint of gentle weirdness that suggested its roots might equally lie in the verdant indie of the equally distant New Zealand scene.
Ruban Nielson is a New Zealand native who transplanted to Portland, Oregon, USA with his band The Mint Chicks. UMO was a project conceived as Ruban’s escape hatch to a new musical dimension where his vision of junkshop record collector pop could be realised in a sound that recalled Captain Beefheart, Sly Stone and RZA jamming on some kids TV theme too dark to ever be broadcast.
The eponymous UMO debut album was released in 2011 on Fat Possum Records, followed by II (2013), Multi-Love (2015), Sex & Food (2018), IC-01 Hanoi (2018) and V (2023).
From the Sun
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Lyrics
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It can put a gun your hand, it can put a gun your hand
If you need to you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun, you can get away from the sun
If you need to you can get away from the sun
If you need to you can throw away the only one
I'm so tired, I can never lay down my head
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
But I can never quite reach the phone, but I can never quite reach the phone
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
I'm so lonely, I've gotta eat my popcorn all alone
Isolation can put a gun your hand
It can put a gun your hand, it can put a gun your hand
If you need to you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun, you can get away from the sun
If you need to you can get away from the sun
If you need to you can throw away the only one
The lyrics to Unknown Mortal Orchestra's song "From the Sun" are about feelings of isolation and loneliness that can lead to self-destructive behavior. The repetition of the line "Isolation can put a gun in your hand" highlights the danger of being disconnected from others and feeling trapped in one's own thoughts. The line "If you need to, you can get away from the sun" could be interpreted as the singer suggesting that one should try to remove themselves from their current situation if it is causing them harm. The line "If you need to, you can throw away the only one" further emphasizes the idea of removing toxic influences from one's life, even if it means losing someone or something important.
The second verse describes the exhaustion and frustration of being alone, unable to reach out for help. The repetition of the line "I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone" underscores the sense of helplessness that can accompany feelings of isolation. The line "I've gotta eat my popcorn all alone" paints a vivid image of solitary sadness.
Overall, the lyrics of "From the Sun" are a poignant reflection on the dangers of isolation and the importance of seeking support when needed.
Line by Line Meaning
Isolation can put a gun your hand
Being isolated can drive a person to such desperation that they may become dangerous to themselves or others
It can put a gun your hand, it can put a gun your hand
The repetition underscores the danger and severity of the situation
If you need to you can get away from the sun
If life becomes too overwhelming, it's okay to take a break and step away from the stresses causing harm
You can get away from the sun, you can get away from the sun
In this metaphor, the sun represents whatever is causing pain or stress, and reiterates that it's possible to remove oneself from the harmful situation
If you need to you can get away from the sun
Repeating this line underscores the importance of stepping away when necessary
If you need to you can throw away the only one
In extreme situations, a person may need to cut ties with someone they love or care about, for the sake of their own wellbeing
I'm so tired, I can never lay down my head
The fatigue and exhaustion is so intense that it feels impossible to get any rest or relaxation
I can never lay down my head, I can never lay down my head
Repeating the line emphasizes the distress caused by the inability to rest or relax
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
The loneliness is intense, but for some reason it's difficult to reach out for help or connection
But I can never quite reach the phone, but I can never quite reach the phone
Repeating the line emphasizes the frustration and helplessness of being unable to reach out
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
Repeating this line underscores the importance of reaching out for help even when it feels impossible
I'm so lonely, I've gotta eat my popcorn all alone
The loneliness is so intense that even a simple pleasure like eating popcorn becomes a solitary, unhappy experience
Isolation can put a gun your hand
The song circles back to the initial metaphor, emphasizing once again how dangerous and harmful isolation can be
It can put a gun your hand, it can put a gun your hand
Repeating the line drives home the importance of seeking connection and help to avoid the desperate isolation that can lead to harm
If you need to you can get away from the sun
The song ends on a hopeful note, reiterating that it's possible to step away from what's causing harm and pain
If you need to you can throw away the only one
The final line emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the difficult choices someone in that position may need to make
Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@leonsalgeuro
Isolation can put a gun your in hand
It can put a gun in your hand
It can put a gun in your hand
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can throw away the only one
I'm so tired, but I can never lay down my head
I can never lay down my head
I can never lay down my head
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
I can never quite reach the phone
I can never quite reach the phone
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
I'm so lonely, I've gotta eat my popcorn all alone
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Isolation can put a gun your in hand
It can put a gun in your hand
It can put a gun in your hand
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can throw away the only one
@pressubu
[Verse 1]
Isolation can put a gun your in hand
It can put a gun in your hand
It can put a gun in your hand
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can throw away the only one
[Verse 2]
I'm so tired, but I can never lay down my head
I can never lay down my head
I can never lay down my head
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
I can never quite reach the phone
I can never quite reach the phone
I'm so lonely, but I can never quite reach the phone
I'm so lonely, I've gotta eat my popcorn all alone
Yeah, yeah, yeah
[Verse 1]
Isolation can put a gun your in hand
It can put a gun in your hand
It can put a gun in your hand
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can get away from the sun
If you need to, you can throw away the only one
@maxresdefault5568
Isolation can put a gun in your hand
It can put a gun your hand x2
If you need to you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun x2
If you need to you can get away from the sun
If you need to you can throw away the only one
I'm so tired but I can never lay down my head
I can never lay down my head x2
I'm so lonely but I can never quite reach the phone
I can never quite reach the phone x2
I'm so lonely but I can never quite reach the phone
I'm so lonely I've gotta eat my popcorn all alone
Isolation can put a gun in your hand
It can put a gun your hand x2
If you need to you can get away from the sun
You can get away from the sun x2
If you need to you can get away from the sun
If you ned to you can throw away the only one
@lukewatts2689
just discovered this song and band and wow this hits hard during this quarantine.
@markgolden3675
The chord structure of this song has changed my life
@valeriacastaneda3906
what is it?
@racouont451
same
@mettehansen947
Metoo
@KRyder5150
It’s amazing. At first listen, I didn’t quite know if I liked it but it only took a second time. Hooked!
@xinyangdu8337
I love those chords! It is taking me to a different dimension！
@georgekush349
how are these guys not more famous? One of my favorite bands ever.
@JessieRaeM
George Kush same!! they are one of my favorite bands.. their sound is just incredible
@ihate2danimationprofiles895
George Kush
They're Starting