Via Audio was formed in 2003 in between classes at the infamous Berklee College of Music in Boston. After releasing a self-titled EP on the small independent Kill Normal Records in 2004, the band first garnered attention when Death Cab for Cutie’s guitarist Chris Walla dubbed them his “new favorite band,” in his column for Under the Radar Magazine. Â
They soon after caught the attention of Spoon drummer Jim Eno, who would become their longtime producer, collaborator and comrade. With Eno’s help behind the board, Via Audio released their first full-length, Say Something, in 2007 on California-based indie label Sidecho Records. Pitchfork Media described Say Something as having “such a beautiful gloss over everything that it sticks, hurts, and feels delicious" and the album received accolades from Spin, Nylon, Under the Radar, Alternative Press, theTripwire, and Stereogum, among others. The band has since toured the U.S. and Japan alongside the likes of Spoon, White Rabbits, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Ha Ha Tonka, and Modern Skirts, making appearances at the South By Southwest, Monolith, and CMJ festivals.Â
Shutting themselves up again in Eno’s Austin, Texas home studio in 2009, the group tackled their latest songbook- the lo-fi electronics of “Digital,” the soul-infused funk of “Goldrush,” the ethereal surf-lament of “Wanted,” the glittery R&B pop of “Babies”- as Eno carefully and artfully crafted different sonic palettes for each unique song on Animalore. The result is an album that plays like a pop-up book for adults, bursting with vivid colors and secret corridors at the turn of every page.Â
Modern Day Saint
Via Audio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So bright, the lights, no fear in us
But then we get inside
For the perky ride
Then we all look back
At the strange attack
Oh no!
He’s much too young
Don’t say good bye, don’t say good night
Come inside by the pound
Waiting for this crowd
They’ll all draw in without expecting
A broken body, the band’s finale
Now all surround, this body going down
In this small town
Precious light don’t decide his night
Put aside your needs for just one night
Yeah, he doesn’t have to (see you)
Not everybody (needs to)
And we wander back
Hanging on out your spirits
Running dry
Don’t say good bye, don’t say good night
Come inside by the pound
Waiting for this crowd
They’ll all draw in without expecting
A broken body, the band’s finale
Now all surround, this body going down
A broken body, the bands finale
And they’ll all surround, this body going down
The song "Modern Day Saint" by Via Audio is a powerful commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the impact we have on each other as individuals. The opening lyrics suggest a sense of excitement and energy, as the singer looks forward to a "perky ride" ahead. However, this youthful optimism is quickly undercut by the ominous phrase "strange attack", which suggests that something is amiss. The sudden death of a young person is then lamented, with the plea "Please don't take this one" indicating a sense of helplessness in the face of life's unpredictability.
Despite this tragedy, the song offers a glimmer of hope in the form of a plea to "put aside your needs for just one night" and come together in celebration of the deceased's life. The repeated refrain of "don't say goodbye, don't say goodnight" reinforces this sense of community and the importance of staying together in the face of adversity. Ultimately, the final lines of the song paint a poignant picture of a collective mourning process, with "this body going down" surrounded by loved ones.
Overall, "Modern Day Saint" is a sobering meditation on the fragility of life and the power of community to provide comfort in times of tragedy. Via Audio's emotive vocals and evocative lyrics combine to create a deeply affecting musical experience.
Line by Line Meaning
This life is so mysterious
Life is full of mysteries that we find hard to fathom
So bright, the lights, no fear in us
The world seems like a place of excitement and adventure, devoid of any fears
But then we get inside
Once we delve deeper into life, we realize the complexity of it
For the perky ride
We try to enjoy life, despite its complexities
Then we all look back
Eventually, we reflect on how far we have come
At the strange attack
And find ourselves battling unusual situations
Oh no!
Alas!
He’s much too young
Someone too young is taken away from us
Please don’t take this one
We plead that fate doesn't take away someone close to us
Don’t say good bye, don’t say good night
We desperately want to hold on to someone, not let them go
Come inside by the pound
Everyone gathers together in mourning
Waiting for this crowd
Anticipating the arrival of mourning guests
They’ll all draw in without expecting
People will come to console, without knowing what to expect
A broken body, the band’s finale
The death of a person signifies the end of a certain phase or event
Now all surround, this body going down
Mourners gather to pay their respects
Precious light don’t decide his night
The person's fate shouldn't be determined by external factors
Put aside your needs for just one night
This is a time for selflessness and putting others first
Yeah, he doesn’t have to (see you)
It's not about being seen, but being there to show support
Not everybody (needs to)
The act of consoling is not mandatory for everyone
And we wander back
Our minds drift to other memories and other times
Hanging on out your spirits
We try to hold on to our emotions and composure
Running dry
But eventually, our emotions and composure start to fade
A broken body, the bands finale
The death of one member marks the end of the band's era
And they’ll all surround, this body going down
People gather around to express their condolences
Contributed by Aiden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jcjvm
Love it!
Don Ramos
Great song and I like the video. Good Work!
stainedboxerz
i glad i found this video..i love the song now :D thank you...
Ryan Shaw
im diggin' it!
loneshark2000
well done vid ! Tim congrats on 99 dollar videos. Wish I had something to submit ! Hope this site blows up ! Any way I can help ? Any way I can collect a W-2 from ya ? haha !
Georgia Kincaid
applause !! applause!!!
mtganimemiikefan
this is the coolest