For My Sunday Song #82, “Angels on the Moon” by Thriving Ivory is the one I wanted to share this week.  The song was the first single ever released by Thriving Ivory back in March 2008 and actually went Gold in the U.S.  It was a minor hit, but it was a song that stuck with me and moved me in someway.  I became a huge fan of their music as a result.

The song itself can mean so much and people can interpret the meaning differently as there is no set meaning I can find.  For me, it feels like the person is struggling with life and they are in a dark place. He seems lonely, but wants to live and hope people will know his name or at least who he is.  He is ready to break free and live, enjoy life and feel that sunshine on his skin.

The person also talks about people leaving us too soon and when he dreams he sees those that have left before us.  He even shouts out those that were lost in the 9/11 attacks with the line “This is to New York City angels /And the rivers of our blood”.  The loss of those before him, make him want to live that much more.  The song could mean something different to someone else, but this is my take.

The song is a ballad and what I really love about the sound is Clayton Stroope’s vocals.  He has such a unique quality to his vocals.  They are so soothing and inviting to me and you can’t help but feel everything he is singing.  It is also one of those voices you either love or you don’t, but for me I love his sound, his delivery and everything about it.

A found an interview with the Scott Jason, the songwriter, on Songfacts.com and he states the following:

“What initially started it is, was when I was back in college, I was like 20 years old, and it was right around the time that DVD players and surround sound systems were coming out and getting popular. And my roommates and I had rented the U2 DVD, Live From Slane Castle, in their hometown, and I just remembered we were watching it and they played this song called ‘Where The Streets Have No Name.’ And it was just touching, and emotionally moving, and I just had goosebumps the whole time. And then that’s when I knew this is what I want to do, I want to be able to write something that can touch me – touch other people the way that that touched me and moved me, connected with me. And so that was kind of the initial trigger.”

I think he succeeded in writing a song that touched people  because this one touched me.

Sit back, give it a listen and I hope you enjoy!  Happy Sunday!!

“Angels on the Moon”

Do you dream
That the world will know your name
So tell me your name
And do you care
About all the little things
Or anything at all
I want to feel
All the chemicals inside
I want to feel
I want a sunburn
Just to know that I’m alive
To know I’m alive

And don’t tell me if I’m dying
‘Cause I don’t want to know
If I can’t see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don’t wake me ’cause I’m dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon

And do you believe
In the day that you were born
Tell me do you believe
And do you know
That every day’s the first
Of the rest of your life

And don’t tell me if I’m dying
‘Cause I don’t want to know
If I can’t see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don’t wake me ’cause I’m dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon

This is to one last day in the shadows
And to know a brother’s love
This is to New York City angels
And the rivers of our blood
This is to all of us
To all of us

And don’t tell me if I’m dying
‘Cause I don’t want to know
If I can’t see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don’t wake me ’cause I’m dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon

Yeah you can tell me all your thoughts
About the stars that fill polluted skies
And show me where you run to
When no one’s left to take your side
Don’t tell me where the road is
‘Cause I just don’t want to know
No I don’t want to know

And don’t tell me if I’m dying
Don’t tell me if I’m dying, yeah
Don’t tell me if I’m dying

Written by: Scott Jason and Clayton Stroope