Album: The Color Before the Sun (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Claudio Sanchez wrote this song in anticipation of the birth of his son, who was born on June 8, 2014. Claudio and his wife, Chondra Echert named their baby boy Atlas. Sanchez explained to TeamRock: "We named him Atlas because he was going to be the guide and the map to this new chapter in our life. I wrote the song before he was born. I was so excited and I couldn't wait to meet him, but I also knew that inevitably I was going to have to leave him for my job and what I do. So that's basically what this song is about: although I'm leaving him, he'll be the anchor that will allow me to remember where home is, and no matter where I am in the world he will be with me. Home doesn't have to be a structure that sits somewhere, you see. It's just the comfort of family, I think."

    A video of the Coheed and Cambria frontman playing the song was uploaded to the band's YouTube channel on August 25, 2014.
  • Claudio admitted he's only begun to understand the song's full meaning once he started to prepare for going on tour with Coheed And Cambria. "At the time, I could only imagine the feelings I'd have for him when I'd have to leave for tour," he explained. "I didn't truly understand the power and relevance of the song's sentiment. Now, after having him in my life for almost three months and with Neverender just a few weeks away, I'm starting to feel it. This will be my first tour away from Atlas. And sure, it will be hard, but it's all for him. I'd like to share that song with you."
  • Sanchez said regarding the song's instrumentation: "With the opening riff I was trying to echo a lullaby, and when the band kicks in I wanted the song to feel energetic, happy and hopeful because I was excited about having a son. I'd already written the introspective question that ended Side A, and so I wanted Side B to start off with a rocker."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.