A
band’s “sound” is sometimes characterized by a specific instrument, such as the
jangly 12-string guitar of early releases from The Byrds. Other times, the “sound”
is based on a distinctive framework, such as the minimalist Bluesy Garage Rock
of The White Stripes. For Blue October, their songs have wide-ranging musical styles
and lyrical messaging, but the unifying energy lies in the charismatic, deeply
emotional vocal deliveries.
Blue
October’s 2006 album “Foiled” exemplifies the diversity. In
celebration of the twenty-year anniversary, the band is sharing videos of selected
songs, releasing the first-ever vinyl of the album, and touring in Europe and
then North America. Scheduled visits include San Francisco and Sacramento. The
full schedule of the FOILED tour is available at https://www.blueoctober.com/tour-dates.
“Hate
Me” showcases the 2006 album. The song is an admission of drug addiction
and depression, as well as an urging to “hate me so you can finally see
what’s good for you.” The song begins with an actual voicemail from the
mother of frontman Justin Furstenfeld. She expresses concern in her voicemail
as to whether Justin has been taking his medications.
Blue
October recently shared a new video for “18th Floor Balcony,” which is
also from the “Foiled” album. In contrast to “Hate Me,”
the song is about vulnerability, trust, and that rare moment of finally
feeling safe enough with someone to open up. Yet, the video is dark and open to
interpretation, perhaps because fans of Blue October understand and embrace
pain that is part of appreciating the emotional experiences relating to the band's music. The video shows Justin watching himself from afar while he creates, then
investigates, and finally sanitizes and mourns a murder of a loved one – as if witnessing
relationship destruction caused by your dependence on drugs.
In
March, the band shared a new music video for "Congratulations"
which kicked off the anniversary year. That video is also included in this post.
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| Blue October at The Fillmore in San Francisco 2017 |
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| Blue October at Mountain Winery 2024 |
“18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueoctober
Website: http://www.blueoctober.com/
Lyrics of “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October
I close my eyes
And I smile, knowing that everything is alright
To the core, so close that door
Is this happening?
My breath is on your hair, I'm unaware
That you opened the blinds and let the city in
God, you held my hand
And we stand
Just taking in everything
And I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
So we talked about mom's and dad's
About family pasts
Just getting to know where we came from
Our hearts were on display
For all to see
I can't believe this is happening to me
And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours
That I was so yours for the taking
I'm so yours for the taking
That's when I felt the wind pick up
I grabbed the rail while choking up
These words to say and then you kissed me
I knew it from the start
My arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
And I'll try to sleep
To keep you in my dreams
'Til I can bring you home with me
I'll try to sleep
And when I do I'll keep you in my, dreams
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
So here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, yeah
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
No, we're not going to sleep, sleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, we're both
Flying away
Website: http://www.blueoctober.com/
Lyrics of “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October
I close my eyes
And I smile, knowing that everything is alright
To the core, so close that door
Is this happening?
My breath is on your hair, I'm unaware
That you opened the blinds and let the city in
God, you held my hand
And we stand
Just taking in everything
And I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
So we talked about mom's and dad's
About family pasts
Just getting to know where we came from
Our hearts were on display
For all to see
I can't believe this is happening to me
And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours
That I was so yours for the taking
I'm so yours for the taking
That's when I felt the wind pick up
I grabbed the rail while choking up
These words to say and then you kissed me
I knew it from the start
My arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
And I'll try to sleep
To keep you in my dreams
'Til I can bring you home with me
I'll try to sleep
And when I do I'll keep you in my, dreams
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
So here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, yeah
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
No, we're not going to sleep, sleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, we're both
Flying away
“18th
Floor Balcony” by Blue October
