“Feeding the machine” (2004), the first full length album, confirmed and furthered the expectations generated by “Rockin’ Rio”, and international acclaim ensued. They were praised by James Murphy, LCD Soundsystem’s mentor, and by some of the most influential Blogs like Fluxblog and One Louder. The band was then invited to perform at the reknowned New York radio station WFMU, on the Cherry Blossom Clinic show by Terre T., as well as headlining the second edition of the “Electronic Bible” compilation by the British White Label Music. They were also, that year, one of the best sellers in reference shops like Other Music and Insound.
With the steady growth of interest in the band, things happened naturally. They have supported bands like Artic Monkeys, Soulwax, Liars, Simian Mobile Disco, Love is All, TV on the Radio, Gossip, Chemical Brothers, LCD Soundsystem and Justice, amongst others, and performed in cities like New York, Austin (South by Southwest), London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona (Primavera Sound and Razzmatazz) and Bilbao, as well as a 6 date mini tour in Italy. Their second album, “Side Effects” (2006), licensed in Spain by Pupilo Records, showed the work of a band that continuously strives to improve, where the drum machine gave way to live drums.
In 2008 X-Wife release a 7" advance single off their new album "Are you ready for the blackout?", their best thus far, a record in which X-Wife assert themselves with a musical language and sound that is all their own, with a unique aesthetic coherence that is both modern and timeless.
"Are you ready for the blackout?" has been voted among the year's best releases by Blitz magazine and Lisbon's Radar FM, and is being received enthusiastically around the world, as witnessed by the reactions from tastemaker Blogs: Silence is a Rhythm Too writes, "They sing in English and they are as good as any number of their musical peers (CSS/LCD Soundsystem/The Rapture/DFA 1979"; Ohh! Crap says, "They kinda remind me of The Rapture faggy coolness but with a CSS quirky energy - something the members of Hot Chip would have on their iPods." Ear it now comments, "(It's) Not very often that Portugal contributes musicians to the global music scene (at least not that I find because I'm sure there are plenty of quality musicians there) but here is X-Wife taking us back to the indie genre.", placing the band amidst the best that is out there today, anywhere in the world of new music.
Headlights
X-Wife Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We stayed awake in this ghost town
On a night like this maybe there's nothing to fear
It's all good, It's all good
Coming back on a straight line (headlights are flashing)
No secret codes, no traffic signs (heading towards me)
On a night like this maybe there's nothing wrong with it
(headlights are rushing)
Headlights pointing straight at me
The dead sonds of reality
On a night like this maybe there's nothing else in here
It's all gone, it's all gone
Coming back on a straight line (headlights are flashing)
No secret codes, no traffic signs (heading towards me)
On a night like this maybe there's nothing wrong with it
It's all good, It's all good
(headlights are rushing)
(headlights are flashing)
(heading towards me)
Headlights I see nothing but headlights
They're pointing out to the starry eyes
They're pointing out to the moonlight
The song "Headlights" by X-Wife is a melancholic yet reflective track that delves into the feeling of being in a desolate place with only the headlights of a car as a source of light. The song opens with the singer admitting that they do not know what is happening, but they are wide awake in a ghost town. The use of the word "ghost" connotes that the singer is in a place with no life or activity, highlighting their isolation. They acknowledge that there is nothing to fear, and all is well. The constant flashing of the headlights on the straight road signifies the monotony that the singer is experiencing. The second verse continues with this idea, stating that there are "no secret codes, no traffic signs" and that there is "nothing wrong with it." This emphasizes the circular nature of their situation, and they have accepted that things are the way they are.
However, as the song progresses, the singer's tone changes. They state that the dead sounds of reality are surrounding them, with only the headlights guiding their direction. The headlights, which were previously a symbol of comfort, are now the only reminder of their loneliness. Furthermore, the lyrics state that everything is gone, no longer referencing that things are good. The repetition of "headlights are flashing, heading towards me," emphasizes the increasing feeling of claustrophobia and entrapment. The last line of the song, "they're pointing out to the moonlight," shows that even though the headlights are pointing the way, the singer is still lost and unable to find a way out.
Overall, the song "Headlights" by X-Wife is a contemplation of loneliness and the monotony of life. The lyrics illustrate the cyclical nature of their situation, where the flashing lights of the headlights offer some solace but ultimately leave the singer feeling trapped and helpless.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what was going down
Uncertainty about the events that were taking place
We stayed awake in this ghost town
Being attentive in a deserted and eerie place
On a night like this maybe there's nothing to fear
Feeling fearless during a particular night
It's all good, It's all good
Everything's alright
Coming back on a straight line (headlights are flashing)
Returning through a straight path while facing bright lights
No secret codes, no traffic signs (heading towards me)
It's a straightforward approach towards her
On a night like this maybe there's nothing wrong with it
Thinking that there's nothing wrong with the situation on this night
headlights are rushing)
The lights are coming towards the artist in a fast-paced motion
Headlights pointing straight at me
The headlights are directly shining on the artist
The dead sonds of reality
The actuality of the moment is harsh
On a night like this maybe there's nothing else in here
Thinking that there's nothing else besides the current situation
It's all gone, it's all gone
Everything has vanished
Headlights I see nothing but headlights
Only focusing on the headlights
They're pointing out to the starry eyes
The lights seem to be showing attention towards shining eyes or hope
They're pointing out to the moonlight
The headlights show the way through the bright moonlight
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.