Under the moniker Youth Lagoon, Powers has unveiled a trilogy of studio albums, each offering a distinct introspective journey into his personal hopes and fears. His inaugural creation, "The Year of Hibernation," exposes the intricacies of anxiety and psychological dysphoria. This debut album serves as a candid portrayal of the labyrinthine corridors of the mind, providing listeners with a unique window into Powers' innermost sentiments.
Powers' sophomore release, "Wondrous Bughouse," ventures into the realm where the physical and spiritual intersect. Here, Youth Lagoon's music metamorphoses into an otherworldly landscape, a sonorous exploration mirroring the complex interplay between tangible reality and ethereal dimensions.
In a departure from his earlier themes, "Savage Hills Ballroom," the conclusive chapter of Youth Lagoon's trilogy, embraces discomfort rather than evading it. This album germinated from Powers' nocturnal explorations through the suburbs of Idaho, reflecting society's tendency to present flawless facades. "Savage Hills Ballroom" showcases a musical and visual evolution, born from an unflinching engagement with one's vulnerabilities and blemishes. The album captures Powers' realization that genuine human connection thrives not in perfection, but in the shared experience of imperfection.
Powers' decision to draw the curtains on the Youth Lagoon project in early 2016 marked a pivotal juncture in his artistic odyssey. He characterized the trilogy as a journey through an isolated and solitary spectrum, a terrain he had outgrown. This denouement signaled Powers' yearning to explore new creative vistas beyond the confines of his past work.
The trajectory of this evolution gains poignancy when juxtaposed with a personal tragedy. While touring Europe, Powers received the shattering news of a dear friend's drowning in a local river. This heartbreaking incident catalyzed a profound shift in Powers' songwriting approach. He came to recognize the intricate threads that bind humanity and the uniqueness found within flaws. This awakening infused "Savage Hills Ballroom" with a renewed perspective, giving birth to an album that encapsulates the beauty emerging from embracing vulnerabilities.
The collaboration with co-producer/engineer Ali Chant for "Savage Hills Ballroom" prompted Powers to cross continents, relocating to Bristol, UK. The album's creation unfolded meticulously within Toybox Studios, a subterranean recording haven housed in a vaulted Georgian basement. This transformative experience in an unfamiliar land fueled the evolution of Youth Lagoon's sonic identity and creative vision.
Bobby
Youth Lagoon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and told me evil things
like a demon I cant find
but I named you.
I named you.
standing over my
bed you opened up
and I blame you.
I blame you.
I will not hear you out
you tried to drown me once
at the bottom of the lake
I jumped off
this rope's gone
Bobby sung it all
Brother you know me
But it's come to stop your gun
Your spirit
Won't be there.
Remember
When we were kids on road trips
And your family was pissed
And the whole town, we all scared them
And I lay there
Put a spring into my head
The lyrics to "Bobby" by Youth Lagoon are dark and moody. The first two lines describe a demon that has taken residence in the singer's mind, whispering evil things to him. Despite being unable to locate the demon physically, the singer has given it a name - Bobby. The second verse describes a more vivid interaction with Bobby. The demon stands over the singer's bed and opens "up," leading to the singer's apparent death. This time, the singer blames Bobby for his demise.
The final verse depicts a conversation between two brothers, with one, presumably Bobby, admitting to singing their woes to anyone who will listen. The other brother interjects, urging Bobby to stop killing with his gun. It's unclear whether this is a literal gun or a metaphor for Bobby's words. The line "remember when we were kids on road trips," brings a nostalgic tone to the song but also hints at a dark past where Bobby and the singer scared their families and townspeople. The final line of the song, "put a spring into my head," is something of a mystery, but it seems to suggest that the singer is ready to move on from the demons of his past.
Line by Line Meaning
You camped out in my mind
You invaded my thoughts and refused to leave my headspace.
and told me evil things
You whispered negativity and malice into my consciousness.
like a demon I cant find
You haunted me like an elusive demon that I couldn't get rid of.
but I named you.
But I finally gave a name to this evil entity that has tormented me.
I named you.
I gave you a title that you will henceforth be known by.
standing over my
Hovering above my bed, looking down on me menacingly.
bed you opened up
You finally revealed your true nature and motives to me in that moment.
and I wont wake up this time
I won't be able to escape this nightmare, no matter how much I want to.
and I blame you.
You are the cause of this torment and I hold you responsible for it.
I blame you.
You are solely at fault for all the bad things that have happened to me.
I will not hear you out
I refuse to listen to anything you have to say or explain.
you tried to drown me once
You made a deliberate attempt to harm me and almost succeeded.
at the bottom of the lake
You dragged me down into the depths of despair and suffocation.
I jumped off
In order to escape your grasp, I had to take matters into my own hands by leaping off the edge.
this rope's gone
There's nothing left to hold onto or restrain me anymore, so I am free to break away from you.
Bobby sung it all
Bobby, who has witnessed and experienced everything, can testify to the truth of all of this.
Brother you know me
You, my brother, should understand me and my struggles more than anyone else.
But it's come to stop your gun
But now, it's time for you to end your harmful actions and intentions.
Your spirit
Your soul and mind.
Won't be there.
Will not be present or able to hurt me anymore.
Remember
Recalling a specific memory from the past.
When we were kids on road trips
A time when we were young, innocent, and carefree, on family vacations.
And your family was pissed
But at times, your family members were angry or upset, causing tension.
And the whole town, we all scared them
Our wild and reckless behavior brought fear to the whole town where we lived.
And I lay there
And I laid there, helpless and vulnerable.
Put a spring into my head
Your actions and presence created a sense of restlessness and agitation in me, like a coiled spring in my mind.
Writer(s): Trevor Powers Copyright: Trevor Powers Publishing
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mr.goodboi2780
One of the best songs I've ever heard. One of the best albums I've ever heard. Always keep coming back. This album represents my life so much. This nostalgic bubble of happy-sad. My brain always subconsciously comes back here.
@strangeoccurrence8127
This song stuck with me since I've first heard it years ago, and every now and then I'm like, I need to listen to Bobby, and here we are.
@mr.goodboi2780
Same, always come back to haunt me in a good way.
@demianin
at his show in sf tonight he said the song was about his brother, who helped him with his anxiety throughout his life but eventually got married and moved away. it was incredible moving hearing it live. class act.
@TopherPVFC
music that makes you happy to be sad
@artaviousbonds3403
I'm Late, But This Song Is My Favorite, So At Peace & Ease, When I Listen To This... Awesome Youth Lagoon..
@AnnaKlesh
this is my favorite song
@zuhranurseitova1702
Anna Kleshman ❤❤❤
@user-oh5nc2rj9q
Anna Kleshman 💕💕💕
@heath5765
анетька ты тута