Owl City - Up All Night Lyrics
Lyrics
I fell in love with a ghost
Out, under the moonlight
You took my hand and held me close
For once I was alright
I cried and the tears fell from my eyes
Like a waterfall
And I swear I could feel you in my arms
But there was no one there at all
You were my clarity, I swear
All alone in a daydream
Yeah there was magic in the air
And you were right here beside me
Held down like an angel with no wings
I wanna fly again
I just can't get you off my mind
And now I'm gonna be up all night
Whoa oh oh oh
It's tearing me up inside
I just can't get you off my mind
I tossed and turned in the end
With no one to talk to
I searched again and again
But I never found you
I cried and the tears fell from my eyes
Like a waterfall
And I swear I could feel you in my arms
But there was no one there at all
You were my clarity, I swear
All alone in a daydream
Yeah there was magic in the air
And you were right here beside me
Held down like an angel with no wings
I wanna fly again
I just can't get you off my mind
And now I'm gonna be up all night
Whoa oh oh oh
I'm gonna be up all night, whoa oh oh oh
I'm gonna be up all night
I don't wanna say goodbye
Its tearing me up inside
I just can't get you off my mind
And now I'm gonna be up all night
Whoa oh oh oh
I'm gonna be up all night, whoa oh oh oh
I'm gonna be up all night
I don't wanna say goodbye
Its tearing me up inside
I just can't get you off my mind
You were my clarity, I swear
All alone in a daydream
Yeah there was magic in the air
And you were right here beside me
Held down like an angel with no wings
I wanna fly again
I just can't get you off my mind
And now I'm gonna be up all night
(Gonna be up all night)
(And now I'm gonna be up all night)
A whisper on the air
Made my heart rate fall
When I heard you call
And I swear, I could hear your voice in my ear
But there was no one there at all
Video
Owl City - Up All Night (Official Visualizer)
Meaning & Inspiration
Owl City's "Up All Night," released on August 1, 2014, delves into a profound exploration of longing and the lingering presence of a cherished, yet absent, individual. The song paints a vivid picture of someone caught in the throes of memory, where the ethereal connection felt with this person transcends physical presence, leaving them in a state of sleepless introspection. The lyrics describe a love that felt so real, experienced "under the moonlight" and "held close," bringing a sense of peace that was once fleeting but then became a powerful solace. This sense of being "alright" is contrasted with the stark reality of solitude, where tears fall "like a waterfall," mirroring the overwhelming emotion of experiencing someone's presence and yet finding "no one there at all." This paradox of feeling deeply connected to someone who is no longer physically present speaks to the enduring power of love and memory, a theme that resonates with the spiritual yearning for connection.
The song's narrative powerfully articulates a sense of clarity and magic that this absent person brought, describing it as being "all alone in a daydream" where "there was magic in the air." This feeling of having someone "right here beside me," even when they are not, highlights the profound impact they had on the narrator's perception of reality. The imagery of being "held down like an angel with no wings" suggests a desire to rise above the current state of sorrow and to "fly again," but the inability to let go of this memory keeps them grounded in their wakefulness. The repeated refrain, "I just can't get you off my mind, and now I'm gonna be up all night," encapsulates the central struggle—a sleepless vigil fueled by an unyielding remembrance. This emotional intensity can be understood through the lens of seeking divine comfort and guidance during times of deep emotional strain, much like the psalmist who cried out, "Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am lonely and afflicted" (Psalm 25:16). The longing for a presence that brings clarity and peace echoes the scriptural promise of God's steadfast love and presence, even in moments of perceived absence. The feeling of being torn apart from within ("It's tearing me up inside") is a testament to the depth of this emotional landscape, a reminder of how profound connections can leave an indelible mark on the soul. The song’s concluding lines, where a "whisper on the air" evokes the person's voice, further emphasize the phantom sensations that keep the narrator tethered to the past, searching for an echo of what once was, a feeling that can mirror the human desire to hear God's voice in the quiet moments, seeking reassurance and divine connection when feeling lost or alone.