Wolf Parade released their eponymous debut EP in 2003 with only Spencer, Dan and Arlen performing on it. After Hadji joined the group, they released another independent, self-titled EP in 2004. They were signed to Sub Pop by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse and released their first widely-distributed record, Wolf Parade EP. In September 2005 their debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary was released.
Apologies to the Queen Mary was given this name because, as in rock and roll tradition, Wolf Parade trashed the Queen Mary hotel. It was said that they trashed the hotel worse than any band before them.
Their second album, At Mount Zoomer, was released June 17, 2008, and third, Expo 86 on July 5, 2010. On November 29th 2010 Wolf Parade called an indefinite hiatus.
The haitus ended when the band released Cry Cry Cry on Oct 6, 2017.
Shine a Light
Wolf Parade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't sleep, I don't sleep, I don't sleep 'til it's light
Some folks float, some are buried alive
There is an awful sound, this haunted town
And it will not, it will not, it will not just be quiet
Some ghosts sink, some will get called to the light
In a bus, on a bus back home to you
And that's fine, I'm barely alive
It's just a matter of time, no one gets out alive
And I'm content, I'm content, I'm content to be quiet
Some will sink, some will get called to the light
You know our hearts beat time out very slowly
You know our hearts beat time
They're waiting for something that'll never arrive
You know our hearts beat time out very slowly
You know our hearts beat time
They're waiting for something that'll never arrive
I keep my head uptight, I make my plans at night
And I don't sleep, I don't sleep, I don't sleep 'til it's light
Some folks float, some are buried alive
With our little boots, we built another world
Where we're chain, chain, chain, chain, chained to the light
That's fine, our blood is alive
You know our hearts beat time out very slowly
You know our hearts beat time
They're waiting for something that'll never arrive
The first verse of this song seems to speak to the singer’s relentless work ethic and perpetual drive to plan ahead. The line “Some folks float, some are buried alive” could refer to the idea that some people seem to effortlessly coast along in life, while others are more burdened by the responsibilities that come with living deliberately. The “awful sound” in the haunted town could represent the anxieties and worries that the singer is unable to escape from. However, the singer also seems to recognize that death will come for everyone eventually, and in the chorus, declares that he is content to be quiet and patiently wait for his fate.
The second verse offers more insight into the singer’s everyday life, spending his days working a boring office job before commuting to his loved one. The line “And that’s fine, I’m barely alive” shows an acceptance of a mundane existence, as long as he has someone to come home to. The repetition of the phrase “Some will sink, some will get called to the light” reinforces the idea that death is inevitable, and that some will handle it better than others.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep my head uptight, I make my plans at night
I am constantly thinking ahead and trying to prepare for what's to come.
And I don't sleep, I don't sleep, I don't sleep 'til it's light
I am so focused on my plans that I am willing to sacrifice sleep and work through the night to achieve them.
Some folks float, some are buried alive
People react to the haunting sound of this town differently. Some try to escape by tuning out, while others are consumed by it.
There is an awful sound, this haunted town
The sound of the town is unsettling and eerie, and it is difficult to ignore.
And it will not, it will not, it will not just be quiet
The sound of the town persists and cannot be silenced.
Some ghosts sink, some will get called to the light
People react to the haunting sound of this town differently. Some are dragged down by it, while others are lifted up and freed from it.
I spend boring hours in the office tower
I work in a mundane job in a large building.
In a bus, on a bus back home to you
I travel home from work by bus.
And that's fine, I'm barely alive
My life is mundane and uneventful, but I am content with it.
It's just a matter of time, no one gets out alive
Death is inevitable, and we cannot escape it.
And I'm content, I'm content, I'm content to be quiet
I am at peace with my mundane life and am not seeking excitement or adventure.
Some will sink, some will get called to the light
People react to the haunting sound of this town differently. Some are dragged down by it, while others are lifted up and freed from it.
You know our hearts beat time out very slowly
Our hearts are beating, but we are not fully alive and experiencing life to the fullest.
They're waiting for something that'll never arrive
We are all waiting for something that we will never fully achieve or attain.
With our little boots, we built another world
Despite our mundane lives, we have come together to create a unique and special world for ourselves.
Where we're chain, chain, chain, chain, chained to the light
We are bound to our creation and the source of our inspiration.
That's fine, our blood is alive
Despite our mundane lives, we are still alive and full of vitality and creativity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Arlen Thompson, Daniel William Howard Boeckner, Hadji Bakara, Spencer Kyle Krug
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MoKone5
I keep my head up tight
I know my plans at night
And I don't sleep I don't sleep I don't sleep 'til it's light
Some folks float some are buried alive
There is an awful sound
This haunted town
It will not it will not it will not just be quiet
Some ghosts sink some will get called to the light
I spend boring hours in the office tower
In a bus on a bus back home to you and
That's fine I'm barely alive
It's just a matter of time
No one gets out alive
And I'm content, I'm content, I'm content to be quiet
Some will sink some will get called to the light
You know our hearts beat time out very slowly
You know our hearts beat time they're waiting for something that'll never arrive
You know our hearts beat time out very slowly
You know our hearts beat time they're waiting for something that'll never arrive
I keep my head up tight
I make my plans at night
And I don't sleep I don't sleep I don't sleep 'til it's light
Some folks float and some are buried alive
With our little boots, we built another world
Gonna chain, chain, chain, chain, chain, chain to the light
That's fine our blood is alive
You know our hearts beat time out very slowly
You know our hearts beat time they're waiting for something that'll never arrive
@lolimontheinternet
This is easily the best Wolf Parade song.
@ruend
Totally agree.
@alexanderclaylavin
They have so many ludicrously listenable songs, but sure
@Dr.JeremyDunks
Lol
@MicroSoftner
I thought this is a new band 2023 ? Just pop up on my new playlist ....
@drewforeman5025
this song means a lot to me. incredible lyrics along with the amazing crescendo always takes my breath away.
@calowenby1654
It is a great song.
@TheBelcherMan
Don't judge them on their $10K budget video, this band might be the greatest band I've ever had the pleasure to see perform live. Sheer brilliance.
@SchoolrejecT
oh man, that was the best visualization of depression I've ever seen. far out
@shoobz6007
Wow, I never thought of the song and the vid like that, but yea, I get what you're saying!