Local Natives – Airplanes

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Send "Airplanes" Ringtone to Cell

The desk where you sit inside of a
frame made of wood
I keep those chopsticks you had from when
you taught abroad in Japan

I love it all so much
I call
I want you back

I did not know you as well
as my father knew you
every question you took the
time to sit and look it up in the
encyclopedia

I love it all so much
I call I want you back

It sounds like we
would of had a great deal to say
to each other
I bet when I leave
my body for the sky the wait will
be worth it

Send "Airplanes" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by nylon1979

Track duration: 03:58

"Airplanes" as written by Kelcey Paul Ayer, Matthew James Frazier, Ryan Clinton Hahn, Andrew Jeffrey Hamm, Taylor David Rice

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Airplanes song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The line "I did not know you as well
    as my father knew you" makes me think its about the death of his mother. And mentioning leaving the body for the sky is saying he wants to be with her again
    Flag Jamesvozzion October 28, 2011   Link
  • +5
    Song Meaning:Hello Everyone! I hate to give away the full meaning behind the song, as I really like seeing everyone's interpretation (and believe they created the song so other people could color it with their own meaning).. But I am a family friend of one of the band members and can shed some light on the meaning behind this song for those of you who are curious!

    This song is about Kelcey Ayer's grandfather, who passed away before he was old enough to get to really know him personally. Kelcey's father, whom is a pilot (hence the airplanes title), would often tell him stories about the grandfather he didn't get to truly know. His grandfather was a devoutly religious person, and spent some of his youth as a missionary in Japan (the chopsticks were a reminder of his time there). What is left of his grandfather now are these great stories and pictures framed throughout the house. Kelcey admires his grandfather and often things that if he were still around, they would have had a lot of stories to share and memories to create with one another. He looks forward to the day that they will be reunited in heaven.

    Hope that helps clear things up!
    Flagged Faroreswindon October 06, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:If you listen to the first minute or so they tell you what the song is about.
    youtube.com/…
    Flag lovelocalnatives11on May 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I assume the first couple lines is referring to a picture of the person.
    Flag MissMeggoon March 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song might be about his mother.
    Flag afrikon March 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:is this about his mom?
    Flag afrikon March 13, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:When I read the lyrics I just started bawling. My grandad passed when I was very young, but I remember he had this big desk where he used to do his crosswords and I miss him so much!
    Flag Beautifullywaistedon December 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Check the Article

    culturebully.com/…

    -the longing for a loved one, never met
    Flag weaknessofamanon December 08, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:I know this song is about a dead grandfather, but it definitely helps during a bad breakup.

    I want you back.
    Flag indiewinraron September 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:freakin AMAZING!!
    Flag Nadia9789on August 20, 2010   Link

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