When I first heard the song “Fireflies,” I thought it was Relient K, who I consider one of my favorite bands of all time.  It turns out that I wasn’t far off of the mark.  Not only was Relient K frontman and song-writer Matthew Thiessen a co-writer on both “The Bird and The Worm” and “Tidal Wave,” but he also provides vocals to “Cave In,” “The Bird and The Worm,” “Tidal Wave” and “Fireflies!”  Somehow I knew that Relient K had something to do with it.

I’m looking forward to hearing more Owl City, now, as he seems to be very talented.  I just hope that his being ranked #1 for a song doesn’t make him into a one-hit-wonder.  I think, though, that if he sticks to his guns and doesn’t let it all go to his head, he could have a long and fruitful career in front of him.

Sometimes, when an artist gets this big, this fast, they are stuck in a box that they created, and are unable to change, or experiment with their music too much.  Matt Thiessen had about four albums before Relient K was finally discovered by a mainstream record label.  And those four albums were nothing short of brilliant.  They had already proven, with each album, that they could do many styles of music, but all sounding like Relient K.

When people hear new music by Owl City, they’re going to want more of the same, while also wanting different stuff.  I think he’ll be able to overcome the rut by continuing to be creative in both lyrics and music, instead of succumbing to pressure and releasing the same song with different lyrics, like Nickelback.

Fireflies
by Adam Young (Owl City)

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep

‘Cause they’d fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You’d think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems

‘Cause I’d get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
‘Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I’m far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I’m weird ’cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell

But I’ll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
‘Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

Related Posts

• May 25, 2005 -- Song: Mood Rings
• August 14, 2004 -- The Journey to Finding God’s Will
• June 17, 2004 -- Song: Hidden Track
• February 18, 2004 -- Song: I Celebrate The Day
• February 17, 2004 -- Song: Softer To Me