Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “8105” by Moving Mountains
‘8105’ by Moving Mountains finds its lyrical inspiration in the band’s home city of Poughkeepsie, New York. The overarching theme of the song is that of preservation of identity in the face of adversity. The band conveys this sentiment through vivid and powerful imagery, such as the image of searching through a faded photograph, and the chorus which states “We only want what we can remember and keep”.
The song starts with a subdued acoustic guitar riff before shifting to a fuzzier, more distorted electric guitar sound. The sound of the electric guitar symbolizes the chaos of the outside world, and acts as a reminder that the values and identities of the people of Poughkeepsie are constantly under threat. The verse then speaks of searching for something, and “chasing a ghost”. This symbolizes that no matter how much one searches, they may never truly find what they are looking for.
The chorus begins with an uplifting message: “We only want what we can remember and keep”. In this lyric, the band is acknowledging that while bad things may happen, there is something more powerful in remembering what was once there. Keeping the memories of a place alive is a powerful way to preserve its identity.
The second verse speaks of “pirates in the night” and how “sails stretch out for miles and miles”. This symbolizes the journey of the band, and of those who come from Poughkeepsie. By taking courage and standing up to the outside world, those from Poughkeepsie can make their own mark on the world.
The final chorus reiterates the theme of the song, that “we only want what we can remember and keep”. Moving Mountains conveys this message through powerful songwriting that can be interpreted in different ways. The ultimate goal of ‘8105’ is to warn the people of Poughkeepsie not to forget their past, and to stand up and protect it.