I love Owl City. If you discuss music with me, I will undoubtedly mention, in that annoying high-pitched voice, “Isn’t Owl City the best?”
But my like of Owl City progresses beyond why I like many other popular artists and songs on the radio. Most songs are simply catchy or they have a nice beat and while Owl City is catchy, it transcends that.
Owl City is operated by one man: Adam Young. I find this in and of itself rather impressive. One young guy coming up with the lyrics, music and beats for all these incredible songs. Yes he does have other people sing sometimes but for the most part it is a one man show.
Adam Young, the man, is a vegetarian punner who “loves God.” He’s cute-looking and witty, what’s not to like? But, if you are stalkerish like me, you may read your favorite artist’s blogs. I read Adam Young’s and find it endearing and sweet. Adam has no trouble admitting his faults; in fact he intends to insult himself more often than not. He is not proud about his success, grateful sure but he never acts like he deserved all of this. He genuinely seems to care about family and friends and though he obviously has been exposed to the world of pop stars who continue to come up with more scandalous outfits and songs to keep in the spotlight, Adam rejects all that.
That really is why I think I find Owl City’s music so appealing. Sometimes the lyrics are criticized for being “childish” and “nonsensical” but I find his lyrics impressive. Adam has seen the world, with its ugly, cruel words and ugly, cruel people and he has not sunk to their level. His lyrics are child-like yes. He talks about saying goodbye to fireflies in one of his most popular songs but he does so tastefully and sweet. He has been able to maintain an idealistic view of the world throughout his life. That’s pretty darn hard to do nowadays.
When I watched his music video for Umbrella Beach I have to admit I was a tad bit disturbed. ( I would recommend watching the music video before you continue reading this) At the first viewing, the video shows a young boy fixing up a small toy car and putting wings on it, the ending shows his friends helping to push him and the “flying car” off a cliff at the beach. Then the video ends. I remember blinking in stunned shock at the computer screen, waiting for something else to appear but no, the music was over and so was the video. Scrolling down to the YouTube comments I saw, amidst the atrocious grammar, comments that were also shocked at the ending. They wondered why Adam Young had decided to show a small boy committing suicide in his video. At first, I agreed with them. Young’s lyrics certainly don’t sound as if he’s trying to talk about small children being disillusioned but then, what was the video all about?
That’s when it hit me, and perhaps I’m interpreting it wrong but…
Adam Young knows that you can view the world two ways. When something bad happens you can curse God for making it that way, or accept that it’s part of your journey in life. I think Adam is using the video to ask you how you interpret life. On viewing the music video, I immediately thought the boy had died. Instead of being willing to believe that he could fly away into the sunset. Why should I think this way?
Why are we so unwilling to believe that a small boy could make a flying car? Why don’t we dream and wish for some small bit of magic and excitement in our lives? Why do we interrupt things with the harsh ugly reality of life?
Adam Young held onto and nourished the idealistic, sweet view of life people usually lose before they even enter high school. And this idealistic view he shares with the whole world through his beloved, quirky music.
I love Owl City. And I love it’s message.
Adam Young lives in the real world. He certainly is not in denial, or maybe, he is just a bit. But can’t we all have just a bit of denial in our lives?
