Bastille

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
It's a quarter past midnight
As we cut through the city
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the streets are getting restless
Good times, bad decisions
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a quarter past midnight
And the sirens are mending some hearts
But we're the losers on the back seats
Singing "Love Will Tear Us Apart"

[Pre-Chorus]
It's a quarter past midnight
Still avoiding tomorrow
It's a quarter past midnight
But we're just getting going

[Chorus]
We keep on running
Running through a red light
Like we're trying to burn the night away
Away-way, oh, away-way, oh

[Post-Chorus]
This is my favourite part, oh
Help me piece it all together, darling
Before it falls apart, oh
Help me piece it all together
[Verse 2]
It's a quarter past midnight
And the speakers are blowing
Yeah, yeah, we want the bodies on the billboards
Not the lives underneath them
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and now we're crawling up the walls again
And it's a quarter past twelve
And you said we'd leave this place in dust
And fall from heaven straight through hell
We never know what we have
We never knew what we had

[Chorus]
We keep on running
Running through a red light
Like we're trying to burn the night away
Away-way, oh, away-way, oh
Why are we always chasing after something
Like we're trying to throw our lives away?
Away-way, oh, away-way, oh

[Post-Chorus]
This is my favourite part, oh
Help me piece it all together, darling
Before it falls apart, oh
Help me piece it all together
[Bridge]
(I can't remember, I can't remember
I can't remember, I can't remember)
It's a quarter past midnight
And the secrets are flowing
Our lips are getting looser
I don't know what I'm saying
We never knew what we had
I never know what I've had

[Chorus]
We keep on running
Running through a red light
Like we're trying to burn the night away
Away-way, oh, away-way, oh
Why are we always chasing after something
Like we're trying to throw our lives away?
Away-way, oh, away-way, oh

[Post-Chorus]
This is my favourite part so
Help me piece it all together, darling
Before it falls apart
Help me piece it all together

Quarter Past Midnight by Bastille is a song that takes listeners through a journey of staying out late and experiencing the vibrant and lively world of the night in a city. The song presents a blend of guitar, drums, and electronic sounds while the tempo slows down before picking back up during the chorus, making it an energetic song that captures the rush and excitement of a night out. The song has been described by the band's front-man, Dan Smith, as a "nighttime" song, which is a perfect description of its ambiance and sound.

About Quarter Past Midnight

The song starts with a reflective tone about staying up late and being in a different world, then it leads us in with upbeat instrumentation. Bastille's lead singer, Dan Smith, describes the song's lyrics as an attempt to capture that moment of a night out, where some people are heading back home, and others are just getting started. The song speaks of being in someone’s car, driving through the bustling city and taking in the excitement of the night, with the parallel universe that exists and a different set of people that are out and about.

Quarter Past Midnight’s lyrics and sound are a perfect representation of those late nights out, where everything seems possible, and nothing is going to slow you down. The musical arrangement of the song itself gives off a dance-like vibe, making it the perfect tune to dance away the night to with its catchy chorus that will have you rhythmically moving to the music. The song showcases the beauty of the night in a city where people are out and about, with an ambitious and energizing tempo that amplifies the thrill of the moment.

Bastille's front-man, Dan Smith, promoted the song in the week leading up to its release primarily on his Twitter account. The song, as suggested by its name, Quarter Past Midnight, hints at a time when people are ready to party, dance, and make unforgettable memories. Dan teased the song by sharing a series of clocks leading up to 00:15 in the night, referring to the song's name. A few days later, he tweeted a short instrumental cut of 20 seconds to keep the fans curious and wondering what magical tune the band is brewing. Later, Dan revealed that the single was set to premier on BBC Radio 1 as the "Hottest Record In The World."

The energy and environment created by the song's instrumentation, guitar, drums, and electronic sounds, back up a well-written piece of art that is surely set to make its way onto many playlists. The song's lyricism is of different perspectives, with some lyrics reflecting on not wanting to go to sleep and wishing that the night could go on forever, while others are about the rush of the night and the thrill of making the most out of it. The song is mostly upbeat and fast-paced, providing listeners with an escape from reality, which is refreshing as well as exhilarating.

The apocalyptic party record, an album the song Quarter Past Midnight belongs to, is a depiction of these apocalyptic party scenes that Dan envisioned and wanted to share with the world. The title itself gives an insight into what the album projects, and the song's upbeat and vibrant tone supports the overall vision and theme. As described by the band's drummer, Chris Wood, the song is 'hectic,' which perfectly captures its energy and overall feel.

Quarter Past Midnight by Bastille is a song that aptly encompasses the buzz, excitement, and thrill associated with a night out in a bustling city. The song presents a fresh and dynamic approach to the nightlife experience, creating a sense of escapism through an exhilarating tempo and immersive lyrics. The song is a joy to listen to, and as one listens, they will inevitably find themselves lost in the thrill of the moment, envisioning the beauty of the night in a city where people are out and about, and everything seems possible.

• Release Date: May 9, 2018
• Artist: Bastille