After growing Skyharbor as one of India's biggest rock bands with songwriter Keshav Dhar, including taking the stage with acts such as Lamb of God and Deftones, the pair collaborated on Tompkins' new Contemporary Pop project with progressive and experimental music at its heart.
'Atone', the new album from WMBB, is masterfully built on organic, textured and cinematic sounds, with two opposing themes of loss and hope. Tompkins explains - "Whilst songs like "Tempest" and "Atone" focus on faith and forgiveness, others like "Rising Sun" and "An Ocean Away" linger on love and nostalgia; throwing the listener into a bygone world of having less and caring more. The front cover artwork captures the beauty of nature and the harsh realities of life: power and dominance. White Moth Black Butterfly represents that very same struggle."
The album was recorded across the globe at studios in India, the UK, US and Taiwan, bringing in their international roster of performers. This included the band's other writers: Randy Slaugh, the producer and string arranger for Skyharbor in the US, who has also worked with Devin Townsend, Architects and Periphery; and co-singer and lyricist Jordan Turner.
Paradise
White Moth Black Butterfly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Disappearing deep into the night
Satisfied so freely
With a desperation to ignite
Are you waiting for a chance to shine
In a different life, in a better time?
You should belong to me, taken from the world
Wish I could set you free but now you 're too far gone
Wish I could set you free but now you're too far gone
We are lucky people
Living in a world of paradise
These never ending pleasures
Will disappear one day into the light
Are you waiting for a chance to shine
In a different life, in a better time?
You should belong to me
Taken from the world
Wish I could set you free but now you 're too far gone
Wicked eyes on me setting fire to the world
Wish I could set you free but now you're too far gone
You should belong to me
Taken from the world
Wish I could set you free but now you 're too far gone
Wicked eyes on me setting fire to the world
Wish I could set you free but now you're too far gone
The lyrics to White Moth Black Butterfly's song "Paradise" revolve around a deep longing for something unattainable. The opening lines, "We are broken people / Disappearing deep into the night," suggest a sense of desperation and hopelessness. The second line, "Satisfied so freely / With a desperation to ignite," hints at a sense of complacency that masks a deeper need for something more fulfilling.
The chorus reflects this longing and sense of loss even more strongly: "Are you waiting for a chance to shine / In a different life, in a better time? / You should belong to me, taken from the world / Wish I could set you free but now you're too far gone." The repetition of the phrase "too far gone" reinforces the idea that some thing, person or opportunity has been lost indefinitely. The music itself, with its delicate piano and ethereal vocals, contributes to the dreamlike, wistful quality of the song.
However, the second half of the song provides a different perspective. "We are lucky people / Living in a world of paradise / These never-ending pleasures / Will disappear one day into the light." The lyrics acknowledge the fleeting nature of these pleasures and the possibility of losing what one holds dear. The chorus is repeated again, but with a sense of resignation rather than longing. The phrase "You should belong to me, taken from the world" takes on a different meaning- not as a desperate plea, but as a recognition that everything and everyone is transient.
Overall, "Paradise" is a contemplative, introspective song that examines the nature of longing, loss and the fleeting nature of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
We are broken people
We are individuals who have been shattered by life's experiences.
Disappearing deep into the night
We are fading away into darkness, perhaps seeking refuge from our problems.
Satisfied so freely
We are easily pleased or content with what we have, but it may not necessarily be what we truly desire.
With a desperation to ignite
We are filled with a longing to spark a change, to ignite a passion or purpose in our lives.
Are you waiting for a chance to shine
Do you yearn for an opportunity to showcase your talents or abilities?
In a different life, in a better time?
Perhaps, in an alternate reality or a better era, you could have been or done something different.
You should belong to me, taken from the world
You should be mine, removed from the chaos and struggles of the world.
Wish I could set you free but now you 're too far gone
I wish I could liberate you from your worries and woes, but it seems as though it is too late.
Wicked eyes on me setting fire to the world
Perhaps, there are envious or malicious individuals who are watching me, trying to bring me down or ruin my reputation.
We are lucky people
We are fortunate to live in a world that offers us many rewards and pleasures.
Living in a world of paradise
We are currently dwelling in a place of delight and contentment.
These never ending pleasures
These joys are seemingly boundless and everlasting.
Will disappear one day into the light
Although, one day, these pleasures will come to an end and we will have to face the truth and reality of our lives.
You should belong to me
Again, you should be mine, perhaps indicating a possessive or obsessive desire for something or someone.
Taken from the world
Removed from the world's troubles, pain, or suffering.
Wish I could set you free but now you 're too far gone
Again, expressing the desire to liberate something or someone from their struggles, but it may be too difficult or impossible to achieve this goal.
Wicked eyes on me setting fire to the world
Repeating previous line, insinuating the presence of negative or harmful influences in one's life.
Wish I could set you free but now you're too far gone
Reiterating the helplessness and desire to save or release someone from their burdens, but it seems too late to do so.
Writer(s): ben ansaldo, daniel tompkins, keshav dhar
Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BenyoBoy
Damn you Daniel! This song is catchy, I always want to sing it while listening, what of course makes me feel embarrassed, how bad my voice is and ruin this track's atmosphere. :D
Steffan Istan
Casual reminder to listen to it again :P
Varie
This is one of the best songs I have ever heard. Constantly on replay
j hirst
I still love this song. Very excited for the new stuff!
Jonathan Lane
Awesome work man, this is some beautiful music
Pablo Zanardi
Just great. I've been listening to pretty much everything you do Dan. You're amazing. Keep it up. Hopefully one day I'll be able to take one of your classes.
Brendan Lucero
Bravo Daniel!! You truly are a high caliber musician
Antonio Junior Gonçalves
Beautiful song, Daniel! Ill listen 10000 times! :)
Portal of Sanity
Awesome work man. Keep on \m/
lucio bianchini
I love this song. Ri-fa-dos.