The band released their debut self-titled album, Young the Giant, on 25 January 2011, which was preceded by a digital-only release in October 2010. The first single, "My Body," reached #5 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, and a second single, "Cough Syrup," reached #3 on the same chart.
Previously, the band was known as The Jakes. They released a 7 song EP, Shake My Hand, in 2008, which including two songs ("Garands" and "Cough Syrup") now on the current self-titled album Young the Giant.
Islands
Young the Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Underwater
Near your island
Off the coast
I know
Five ways
You were my lover
Incantation
In rhyme
Oh, what if the whole world finds you waiting
Oh, as it can so long now have
Oh, I thought you knew that I'd be coming
The way you move, a foreign groove, at night
I could never
I could never hold you
Watch it rise and where you hide your pearl
Feel the tide low where you cast those stones you wear
When no one's home, do they feel cold on your bones
All the years I miss your warmth
Have you missed my warmth?
On your island
The lyrics of the song Islands by Young the Giant evoke a feeling of longing and heartache, with the lead singer reflecting on his past relationship with someone he loved deeply. The opening lines suggest that he spent five days underwater near her island off the coast. The next line references five ways in which she was his lover, perhaps indicating that their relationship was complex and multi-faceted. The use of the word "incantation" suggests a magical quality to their relationship, as though they shared a special bond or connection. The phrases "off the tide" and "in rhyme" both suggest a sense of rhythm or flow, perhaps referring to the ebb and flow of their relationship, with moments of closeness followed by times of distance and separation.
The chorus of the song suggests that the singer is still deeply invested in the relationship, and imagines the two of them being reunited after a long separation. He wonders if she is still waiting for him, and seems almost surprised that she might be. The line "the way you move, a foreign groove, at night" suggests that there is something mysterious and alluring about her that he finds irresistible.
Line by Line Meaning
Five days
It has been five days since I last saw you.
Underwater
Perhaps you're living underwater, isolated and secluded.
Near your island
I am close to the place where you are.
Off the coast
I am near the shoreline away from the city.
I know
I am certain of my feelings towards you.
Five ways
I had several options or courses of actions, but I chose you.
You were my lover
We shared a deep emotional and physical connection.
Incantation
You possess some sort of magical power or effect on me.
Off the tide
Maybe you've become detached from society, living on the fringes of the sea.
In rhyme
Perhaps everything about you is in perfect harmony or balance.
Oh, what if the whole world finds you waiting
I wonder what would happen if the world discovered where you are.
Oh, as it can so long now have
It's been too long since I've seen you.
Oh, I thought you knew that I'd be coming
I assumed you knew that I would come back for you.
The way you move, a foreign groove, at night
The way you walk or dance seems unfamiliar and exotic to me, especially in the dark.
I could never
It was always impossible for me.
I could never hold you
I could never keep you close to me, hold you in my arms.
Watch it rise and where you hide your pearl
I see the sun as it comes up and wonder where you're hiding your secret treasure.
Feel the tide low where you cast those stones you wear
I can sense the tide going out where you've let go of the things that held you back.
When no one's home, do they feel cold on your bones
I wonder if you feel lonely or disconnected when you're all alone.
All the years I miss your warmth
I've been longing for your warmth for years.
Have you missed my warmth?
I wonder if you've been yearning for my love and affection as well.
On your island
I am thinking of you and your life on the island.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ERIC MATTHEW CANNATA, FRANCOIS PAUL COMTOIS, JACOB JOHN TILLEY, PAYAM REZA DOOSTZADEH, SAMEER GADHIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@abdalaez
Five days
Underwater
Near your island
Off the coast
I know
Five ways
You were my lover
Incantation
Off the tide
In rhyme
Oh, what if the whole world finds you waiting
Oh, as it can so long now have
Oh, I thought you knew that I'd be coming
The way you move, a foreign groove, at night
I could never
I could never hold you
Watch it rise and where you hide your pearl
Feel the tide low where you cast those stones you wear
When no one's home, do they feel cold on your bones
All the years I miss your warmth
Have you missed my warmth?
On your island
@VAMPIREGIRL0121
Lyrics
Five days
Underwater
Near your island
Off the coast
I know
Five ways
You were my lover
Incantation
Off the tide
In rhyme
Oh, what if the whole world finds you waiting
Oh, as it can so long now have
Oh, I thought you knew that I'd be coming
The way you move, a foreign groove, at night
I could never
I could never hold you
Watch it rise and where you hide your pearl
Feel the tide low where you cast those stones you wear
When no one's home, do they feel cold on your bones
All the years I miss your warmth
Have you missed my warmth?
On your island
🗻
@henoksol
😊☺😇🤩😍 Loved this song
Five days
Underwater
Near your island
Off the coast
I know
Five ways
You were my lover
Incantation
Off the tide
In rhyme
Oh, what if the whole world finds you waiting
Oh, as it can so long now have
Oh, I thought you knew that I'd be coming
The way you move, a foreign groove, at night
I could never
I could never hold you
Watch it rise and where you hide your pearl
Feel the tide low where you cast those stones you wear
When no one's home, do they feel cold on your bones
All the years I miss your warmth
Have you missed my warmth?
On your island
@estherbjerga523
This is one of those songs that feels exactly as it was meant to. It takes you far away, to another world.
@thewhatness
This song demonstrates a haunting level of restraint. You can tell there is so much emotion behind the lyrics, but Sameer keeps his delivery airtight. And the melancholy of him crooning at the end is enough to give me chills.
@lambdillion4610
I find the restraint mentioned to be for one, representation of repressed desire and emotion, especially to his love ('I thought you knew that I'd be coming", "I could never hold you"), but also, more importantly, the gentle vocals help allow the song to not just be heard as a song, but also as a poem, which is evidenced by the beautiful lyrics rich in metaphor :)
@miraxterrik
For the past 10 or so years i have kept coming back to this song. I don't think i would ever forget it. There is something about it, something otherworldly.
@dagourdfather
13 years of this song, and it still does exactly what I need it to.. eases the suffering, makes me feel when I can no longer, many long nights, many long drives stuck on this song. Forever grateful for this album ❤
@johneli495
This takes me to another place. Listened to it a hundred times on loop
@ismeldalopez3540
John Eli .
@charlieburris338
John Eli sho does my friend, sho does.
@alexff7
All the years I've missed your warmth
@cherrypie414
Fun fact, Sameer was a creative writing major so that is why their songs have very deep and unique meanings. I love them so much and if you've never seen them live you should go to one, you will not be disappointed.