Empire of the Sun is a relatively new electronica duo, formed in 2007 out of Sydney by Nick Littlemore and Luke Steele. In a way, they’re pretty much what you’d expect from an electronic group, but they surprise you by hitting you with an 80’s-style sound that is almost reminiscent of the late, great George Michael and Culture Club. That, and they look really cool, too:
Like, really, really cool. (Left: Steele, Right: Littlemore)
Anyway, I’m not typically a fan of music that can only be described as electronic/dance, but I’m hugely into these guys. The thing they have, that I adore, is their emotional lyricism, and how so many of their songs are love songs. I absolutely adore love songs of all types, no matter their genre, so I just had to give them a chance. And let me just say, I was simply floored. Their music is just so well done, put together so beautifully, and their lyrics are forever tugging on my heartstrings. So, here I’ve compiled a list of their best unexpectedly tender ballads.
1. Half Mast (Walking on a Dream)
The lyrics that make this song worth loving:
“Hear me now, I'm down on knees and praying
Though my faith is weak
Without you, so please, baby please, give us a chance
Make amends and I will stand until the end
A million times, a trillion more
Oh, oh, oh, honey I need you round, I know, I know,
Smile baby, don't cry
I will only fly with you by my side
Baby, I'm cornered now
Baby, don't push me out
Lately, I walk in doubt
Maybe it's crashing down
Baby, can you save it now?”
2. We Are the People (Walking on a Dream)
The lyrics that make this song worth loving:
“We lived an adventure,
Love in the summer,
Followed the sun till night,
Reminiscing other times of life
For each every other
The feeling was stronger
The shock hit eleven, got lost in your eyes
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me
But I know I try,
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?”
3. Without You (Walking on a Dream)
The lyrics that make this song worth loving:
“Hey now,
Come on,
Take my heart in your hands
And I,
I get that feeling
When we're apart,
I get the teaching that I can't be without you,
Without you, babe”
4. DNA (Ice on the Dune)
The lyrics that make this song worth loving:
“Rewind, be my DNA,
Don't wanna fade away
Rewind, there's no yesterday
It's our discovery
Dreamtime, it's a special place
Let's keep each other awake
Our hearts, now they beat the same”
5. Awakening (Ice on the Dune)
The lyrics that make this song worth loving:
"Is there a part of me, that’s part of you?
If I shed a tear, baby, do it then
Is there a part of me that goes to you?
Is there a part to you I haven’t seen?
Give it up and I don’t know why,
You are never rising
I just wanted you
Will I show you a part is over me?
You’re my life,
You’re my life,
You’re my life"
6. I’ll Be Around (Ice on the Dune)
The lyrics that make this song worth loving:
“So I made up my mind,
I'll be around for a while,
You can bet on your life,
I'll be around for a while
Time after time,
I'll be around,
This love tonight,
It will be around for a while”
7. Wandering Star (Dumb And Dumber To: OST)
The lyrics that make this song worth loving:
“Just me and you,
What I see in you
I remember too
Never stopped
Looking now at you
What I really do
Just one look on you
Don't leave me now
Wandering stars might fade away, but you
Know that the Sun is here to stay
I'll be the one to tell you
'Cause you walk the line
Between sugar and divine,
My sweet diamond”
Empire of the Sun certainly placed themself in a league of their own, because after the initial electric shock from their powerful techno beats, you begin to listen further and hear the words, feel the emotion seeping out and dripping off the sounds of their incredibly unique albums. They’re really worth a shot, especially if you’re into lyrics of love and unafraid of some funky, unparalleled rhythm.
