-INCORRECT TAG, PLEASE SEE 'THE WOOD BROTHERS' AND CORRECT YOUR TAGS
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Brothers Oliver and Chris Wood -- the Wood Brothers -- grew up in Boulder, CO, and both left the area after graduating from high school, Oliver moving to Atlanta while Chris ended up in New York. Oliver, a guitarist, discovered he had a knack for writing songs and formed the blues-based King Johnson, which continues to do frequent gigs on the Southern circuit. Chris, a bassist, began playing jazz and rock in New York, eventually teaming up with John Medeski and Billy Martin to form the successful jazz-funk trio Medeski, Martin & Wood. The brothers began jamming together at family functions, and the duo's roots-inflected blend of blues, folk, and rock quickly took shape. They privately released the Live at Tonic EP, which was drawn from their first-ever public concert at New York's Tonic venue on March 5, 2005. Signed to Blue Note Records, the Wood Brothers released their debut album, Ways Not to Lose, in 2006. The album, which features drummer Kenny Wollesen on five tracks, was produced by John Medeski and recorded at Allarie Studios in Shokan, NY. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Atlas
Wood Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hallelujah!
Well I just woke up from a dream
So far away
And it's no accident I landed here
Eyes wide open and seein' clear
I have come a long long way

I am wiser now

My man Atlas told me
I shouldn't try to hold his world up
He said, "Boy you got some muscle
That you have never used
All you got to do is go ahead and wake up"

Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world

Aphrodite
Well her suitcase was my burden
For so long
She said, "Boy you got some heart and soul
But that's not what your love is for
Lay your burden down and we'll both be stronger"

Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world

I am stronger now
My man Atlas told me
I shouldn't try to hold his world up
Said, "Boy you got some muscle
That you have never used
All you got to do is go ahead and wake up"

Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world
Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world

Don't you try to hold my world up
Don't you try to hold my world

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wood Brothers' song Atlas speaks of the realization and acceptance of one's limitations and strengths, with the help of the mythical figure Atlas. The singer of the song wakes up from a dream and acknowledges that he has come a long way, both physically and emotionally. He credits this growth to the wisdom shared by Atlas, who advises him to stop trying to hold up the weight of the world. Atlas recognizes the singer's strength, encouraging him to use it in a different way, rather than trying to shoulder the burden of his world alone.

The lyrics also introduce the character of Aphrodite, whose suitcase was once the singer's burden. She advises him to lay down his burdens and rely on the strength and support of others. The reference to these two mythological figures emphasizes the idea that even in the world of gods and goddesses, there are limits to what one can do alone. The song encourages the listener to recognize their own limits and strengths, and to seek out support when needed.

Overall, the lyrics of Atlas showcase the Wood Brothers' unique blend of folk, blues, and soul music with an introspective and thoughtful message about the power of acknowledging one's limitations and the importance of relying on others for support.

Line by Line Meaning

Hallelujah!
Expressing joy and praise, a feeling of elation

Well I just woke up from a dream
Having gained a new perspective, awakening from a previously held belief or way of thinking

So far away
A long distance traveled, both physically and emotionally

And it's no accident I landed here
Awareness of past experiences and choices leading to the current situation

Eyes wide open and seein' clear
Perception and understanding of the true reality, without illusions or delusions

I have come a long long way
A journey of personal growth and development, overcoming challenges and obstacles

I am wiser now
Having gained knowledge and experience, having learned from past mistakes

My man Atlas told me
Referring to the Greek mythological figure, symbolizing strength and endurance

I shouldn't try to hold his world up
Recognizing that one cannot bear the weight of the world alone, that it takes teamwork and support

He said, "Boy you got some muscle
Acknowledging personal strength and potential

That you have never used
Realizing untapped abilities and untapped potential

All you got to do is go ahead and wake up"
Encouragement to take action and utilize one's strengths, to fully wake up to one's potential

Don't you try to hold my world up
Asserting the boundary that no one can bear the weight of the world alone, that it requires support and teamwork

Aphrodite
Referring to the Greek goddess of love, symbolizing emotional significance and weight

Well her suitcase was my burden
The emotional baggage of a past relationship, carrying it around and allowing it to weigh one down

She said, "Boy you got some heart and soul
Acknowledging personal emotions and compassion

But that's not what your love is for
Realizing the importance of boundaries and self-respect, that love should not be self-sacrificing to the point of exhaustion

Lay your burden down and we'll both be stronger"
Encouragement to let go of emotional baggage, to not let it hold oneself down, and to strengthen both parties

Don't you try to hold my world up
Asserting the boundary that no one can bear the weight of the world alone, that it requires support and teamwork

I am stronger now
Emphasizing personal growth and development, having learned from past experiences

Said, "Boy you got some muscle
Reiterating personal strength and potential

That you have never used
Reiteration of recognizing untapped abilities and potential

All you got to do is go ahead and wake up"
Reiteration of the need to take action and utilize one's strengths, to fully wake up to one's potential

Don't you try to hold my world up
Reiteration of the boundary that no one can bear the weight of the world alone, that it requires support and teamwork

Don't you try to hold my world
Reiteration of the boundary that no one can bear the weight of the world alone, that it requires support and teamwork

Don't you try to hold my world up
Reiteration of the boundary that no one can bear the weight of the world alone, that it requires support and teamwork

Don't you try to hold my world
Reiteration of the boundary that no one can bear the weight of the world alone, that it requires support and teamwork

Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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