2010 found Cowles relocated to Fort Collins, CO, locked away in a basement studio. He emerged with a spirit on his breath and a collection of songs in hand. The 2011 full-length Cards With Cheats spread quickly from ear to ear as things of worth tend to do. The album marked the beginning of a sound carving itself out in Cowles heart: doo-wop, soul, alt-country lament. Written from the deeper places most ignore but You Me & Apollo seems to go with an unsettling strut, impossible to ignore.
Bringing the songs of the album to the stage required a band, and so a band was gathered. Bonds were formed, knots tied, blood oaths taken. 2012 finds You Me & Apollo - the band - with a refined sound and songs to serve up on a series of 7-inch records. They are moonlight and they are bright lights. They're in the woods and they're on the strip. They are heartache and they are vengeance. They are swagger and stomp. You Me & Apollo are headlong into the deep desert, and you're going with them.
Open Doors
You Me & Apollo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The time when you and I would talk a little more
To each other face to face, through love and war
Well I hope there will always be an open door, for me
But I know
That home is just some place I always leave behind
It's with me everywhere I go and I close my eyes
I know someday I'll catch you in the by and by, I know
Dear mother
I know I have been away for far too long
Dear mother
Hope you understand it when you hear this song
'Cause you taught how to be right in a world gone wrong
Gone wrong
But it ain't
It ain't how long you live, it's how you live your life
Burn bright until the grave don't shy away from the light
'Cause I won't waste my days
I will use my time
My time
My time
Dear father
I know I have been away for far too long
Dear father
I know you'll understand it when you hear this song
'Cause you taught how to be right in a world gone wrong
Gone wrong
I recall
The time when you and I would talk a little more
To each other face to face, through love and war
Well I hope there will always be an open door for me
In "Open Doors", You Me & Apollo reminisces about the past and the deep connections he once shared with people who were dear to him. He acknowledges that he has been away for too long and that he always leaves home behind. However, he hopes that there will always be an open door for him. He speaks directly to his parents, thanking them for teaching him how to navigate a world that often goes wrong. From these heartfelt lyrics, we can assume that You Me & Apollo is someone who deeply values family and meaningful relationships.
The song's chorus echoes the sentiment that it's not how long you live, but how you live your life that's important. You Me & Apollo vows to live passionately and use his time wisely. He won't waste his days and will instead take advantage of every opportunity to make an impact.
"Open Doors" is a beautiful, soulful ballad that touches on universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics are imbued with a sense of longing and regret but are ultimately hopeful, as You Me & Apollo resolves to make the most of the time he has left.
Line by Line Meaning
I recall
Remembering a past time
The time when you and I would talk a little more
A time when two people conversed more often
To each other face to face, through love and war
Communicating in person, amidst both good and bad times
Well I hope there will always be an open door, for me
Wishing for a continued welcome
But I know
Acknowledging a contrasting reality
That home is just some place I always leave behind
Admitting to constant departure from a defined physical space
It's with me everywhere I go and I close my eyes
Feeling a sense of home regardless of location, even with eyes shut
I know someday I'll catch you in the by and by, I know
Understand the inevitability of reconnecting eventually
Dear mother
Addressing a maternal figure
I know I have been away for far too long
Recognizing a prolonged absence
Hope you understand it when you hear this song
Expressing oneself through music in absence
'Cause you taught how to be right in a world gone wrong
Crediting mother with moral guidance in turbulent times
But it ain't
Contradicting a perceived cliché or societal norm
It ain't how long you live, it's how you live your life
Emphasizing quality over quantity of life experiences
Burn bright until the grave don't shy away from the light
Encouraging living boldly with no regrets
'Cause I won't waste my days
Resolving to not squander time
I will use my time
Promising to put time and effort toward meaningful endeavors
Dear father
Addressing a paternal figure
I know I have been away for far too long
Recognizing a prolonged absence
I know you'll understand it when you hear this song
Expressing oneself through music in absence
'Cause you taught how to be right in a world gone wrong
Crediting father with moral guidance in turbulent times
I recall
Again remembering a past time
The time when you and I would talk a little more
Recalling a period of more communication
To each other face to face, through love and war
Reflecting on good and bad times shared in person
Well I hope there will always be an open door for me
Expressing a continued desire for a welcoming reception
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALECIA MOORE, DALLAS GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GravityBee1
Wow this is wild!
@KodenameKrusty
They do catch you right between the ears don't they.
@philconnolly4429
Still my favourite Audotree session. Bought the albums and the a t-shirt hours after discovering the vids. Shame they split up as sure they could have made it big.
@stephenkemp9306
Great seeing you guys making it this far from ft. collins already!
@sgtshane
groovy tune
@jleigh2413
You have to wear a vest to be in their band.