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).
One At A Time
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm on my knees, I'm fumbling through my pockets for my keys
One at a time, mama please
I'm only lonely through the night, I'm sweating, fretting through the flight
I'm out of the sight, I'm crying, I am flying like a kite
One at a time, out of sight
One at a time, one at a time, one at a time, one at a time
I'm only floating on the breeze, sweet dreams are falling from the trees
I'm on my knees, I'm fumbling through my pockets for my keys
One at a time, mama please
I'm only lonely through the night
The lyrics of Unknown Mortal Orchestra's "One At A Time" describe a state of confusion and discomfort experienced by the singer. The song begins with a metaphorical image of the singer floating on the breeze, with sweet dreams falling from the trees. However, the singer is also on their knees, fumbling through their pockets for their keys "one at a time." This image suggests a sense of disorientation and loss of control, where the singer is unable to find a way out of their current state.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer describing a state of loneliness and anxiety. They are "sweating, fretting" through the flight, crying and flying like a kite. The line "one at a time, out of sight" suggests that the singer is overwhelmed, with too many things to deal with at once. By asking for things "one at a time" the singer is hoping for clarity and simplicity, a way to deal with their problems in a more manageable way. The repetition of the phrase "one at a time" throughout the song emphasizes this desire for simplicity and clarity, while also suggesting a sense of desperation and urgency.
Overall, "One At A Time" is a song about feeling lost and overwhelmed, and the need for simplicity and clarity when dealing with difficult emotions. It is a reminder to take things slowly, one step at a time, in order to find a way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm only floating on the breeze, sweet dreams are falling from the trees
I'm in a carefree state, with good thoughts falling around me like nature's gifts.
I'm on my knees, I'm fumbling through my pockets for my keys
I'm clumsily searching for my belongings with urgency.
One at a time, mama please
I need to go through each item separately and calmly before moving on.
I'm only lonely through the night, I'm sweating, fretting through the flight
I'm anxious and distressed, experiencing the physical symptoms of fear.
I'm out of sight, I'm crying, I am flying like a kite
I am hidden from view, feeling emotional and overwhelmed, almost like I'm floating aimlessly.
One at a time, out of sight
I need to take things step-by-step in order to regain control.
One at a time, one at a time, one at a time, one at a time
Repeating this phrase emphasizes the importance of slowing down and taking things one at a time.
I'm only floating on the breeze, sweet dreams are falling from the trees
This repeated line emphasizes the idea of being in a peaceful and easy state.
I'm on my knees, I'm fumbling through my pockets for my keys
This line repeats the initial sense of disarray and panic, indicating a need to pause and take things slowly.
One at a time, mama please
Once again emphasizing the need to approach things calmly and methodically.
I'm only lonely through the night
Repeating this line suggests a sense of isolation or fear that persists despite moments of calm.
Contributed by Violet L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.