Symphonia IX

Symphonia IX by Current Joys is a song about the paralyzing nature of unrequited or emotionally unavailable love. Originally written by Grimes, the lyrics explore a dynamic where one person is desperate to break through the emotional walls of another. The opening lines, "I try and try to make you cry / And make you love me," suggest that the narrator believes if they can just get their partner to show vulnerability (to "cry"), true connection will follow.

The recurring affirmation "Oh, I would say yes" acts as a tragic vow of submission. The narrator is willing to endure the "trying" nature of the relationship—the pain, the waiting, and the emotional distance—just for the chance to be chosen. This creates a sense of obsession, where the narrator's self-worth is tied to this external validation ("The need to be the best before the need to rest").

The chorus, "See, my wait is you... and I won't go on," encapsulates the central conflict: the narrator is stuck in limbo. They are unable to move forward in life because their entire existence has paused in anticipation of the other person. Nick Rattigan's vocal delivery adds a layer of frantic desperation to these lyrics, transforming the ethereal longing of the original track into a raw, punk-infused cry for attention.

The song opens with a confession of persistent effort, as the narrator admits to trying repeatedly to elicit a strong emotional reaction—specifically tears—from their partner, hoping this vulnerability will lead to love. In response to a silent or implied question of whether they would accept this difficult dynamic, the narrator repeatedly affirms, "Oh, I would say yes." This willingness is linked to a compulsion to be the best and a refusal to rest until that validation is achieved.

The chorus shifts to a declaration of stasis and obsession. The narrator defines their entire existence by the act of waiting for this person, stating, "My wait is you," and asserting that they cannot or will not move forward with their life without them. This sentiment creates a loop of dependency where the narrator is stuck in a holding pattern.

In the second verse, the struggle intensifies. The narrator describes the difficulty of trying to diffuse the "flame" of their intense feelings or the pain of the situation. Despite the hardship, they once again confirm they would accept it. The imagery turns darker as the subject of their affection "fades away alive"—perhaps emotionally withdrawing or moving on—while the narrator feels as though they are "dying" in their absence. The song concludes with the relentless repetition of the chorus, reinforcing the trap of endless waiting.

Symphonia IX was released on January 2, 2013, as part of the album Wild Heart. At the time, Nick Rattigan was releasing music under the moniker TELE/VISIONS before later changing the project's name to Current Joys. The song is a cover of the track "Symphonia IX (My Wait Is U)" by the Canadian artist Grimes, which appeared on her acclaimed 2012 album Visions.

Rattigan recorded the album in a DIY, bedroom-pop style, likely using minimal equipment which contributed to the project's signature lo-fi, fuzzy sound. While the original Grimes version is synth-heavy and ethereal, Rattigan reimagined it with driving drums, jangly electric guitars, and his distinctively raw, emotive vocals. The song has since become a cult classic within the indie scene, often cited by fans who discovered the lyrics through Rattigan's more aggressive interpretation before finding the original.

There is also a connection to the 1981 sci-fi horror film Scanners by David Cronenberg. Rattigan has used imagery from the film (specifically the famous head explosion scene) in association with the song on social platforms, and the track's chaotic energy mirrors the film's intensity.

The lyrics rely heavily on the contrast between movement and stasis. The "wait" is personified as the partner ("My wait is you"), turning the abstract concept of time into a tangible obstacle. This metaphor suggests that the person they love is the delay in their life; the partner is not just a person, but a roadblock preventing the narrator from "going on."

The "flame" represents the intensity of the narrator's passion or the pain of the situation. Trying to "defuse the flame" implies an attempt to manage this overwhelming emotion, yet the narrator admits this is "trying" (difficult). The image of the partner "fading away alive" while the narrator "lays dying" creates a juxtaposition of vitality and decay. The partner is physically present (alive) but emotionally disappearing (fading), while the narrator is physically present but spiritually dying from the lack of connection.

The title "Symphonia IX" itself, inherited from the Grimes original, may reference the "Curse of the Ninth Symphony"—a superstition that composers die after writing their ninth symphony—adding a layer of fatalism to the track.

The emotional landscape of Symphonia IX is a volatile mix of manic energy and deep depression. It captures the specific feeling of anxiety that comes with uncertainty in a relationship. The fast tempo induces a feeling of heart-racing panic or adrenaline, while the lyrics convey hopelessness and resignation.

There is a distinct "sad banger" quality to the track. The instrumentation is upbeat enough to dance to, but the fuzzy, distorted production casts a haze of nostalgia and distance over the music, making it feel like a memory of a painful time. The shift from the frantic energy of the verses to the repetitive trance of the chorus creates a feeling of emotional exhaustion.

While originally a deep cut on a self-released album, Symphonia IX has found a massive second life online, particularly on TikTok. It has become a staple of the "sad indie" and "bedroom pop" aesthetics, frequently used in videos depicting teenage angst, heartbreak, or nostalgic montages. For many younger listeners, the Current Joys version is more recognizable than the original Grimes track.

The song cemented Nick Rattigan's reputation as a master of lo-fi emotional storytelling, bridging the gap between his work in the band Surf Curse and his solo project. Its popularity has helped sustain interest in the Wild Heart album more than a decade after its release, with the track accumulating hundreds of millions of streams on platforms like Spotify.

The song utilizes a simple, repetitive rhyme scheme, often relying on mono-rhymes (e.g., "cry" / "try") and identical rhymes (repeating "yes" / "yes"). The verses follow a loose AABB structure, but the primary rhythmic device is repetition rather than complex rhyming. Phrases like "Oh, I would say yes" and "My wait is you" are repeated like mantras, reinforcing the obsessive nature of the narrator's mindset.

Rhythmically, the track is fast-paced and relentless. The drums maintain a high-BPM, four-on-the-floor pattern that drives the song forward, creating a sense of anxiety and urgency. This fast tempo conflicts with the lyrics about "waiting" and "dying," creating a tension between the music's desire to move and the narrator's inability to do so.

Musically, the song is a prime example of lo-fi surf rock and post-punk revivalism. It features a driving, uptempo beat (reminiscent of the "motorik" beat) that contrasts sharply with the sad, desperate lyrics—a technique often described as "crying on the dancefloor." The production is intentionally gritty; the guitars are washed in reverb and distortion, creating a "wall of sound" that feels claustrophobic yet energetic.

Rattigan's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element. Unlike the breathy, falsetto delivery of Grimes in the original, Rattigan shouts and strains his voice, using vocal fry and imperfect pitch to convey raw, unfiltered emotion. This punk ethos strips the song of its electronic polish and replaces it with human urgency. The repetition of the guitar riff serves as a musical anchor, mirroring the lyrical theme of being stuck in a loop.

Is Current Joys' Symphonia IX a cover?

Yes, 'Symphonia IX' by Current Joys is a cover. The original song, titled 'Symphonia IX (My Wait Is U)', was written and performed by Grimes and appears on her 2012 album 'Visions'.

What is the meaning of the lyrics 'My wait is you'?

The phrase 'My wait is you' suggests that the narrator's life is on hold for this person. The act of waiting has become synonymous with the person themselves, implying the narrator cannot move forward or exist fully without them.

What movie is associated with Symphonia IX?

The song is often associated with the 1981 film 'Scanners' by David Cronenberg. Nick Rattigan has used the film's famous head explosion scene as visual art for the track on social media, matching the song's explosive energy.

What genre is Symphonia IX by Current Joys?

The song is best described as Indie Rock, Lo-fi, and Bedroom Pop. It also incorporates elements of Post-Punk and Surf Rock, characterized by its fuzzy guitars, driving drum beat, and DIY production quality.

Who is the artist behind Current Joys?

Current Joys is the solo project of Nick Rattigan, who is also the lead singer and drummer for the surf rock band Surf Curse. He originally released music under the name TELE/VISIONS before switching to Current Joys.

When was Symphonia IX released?

Current Joys released 'Symphonia IX' on January 2, 2013, as a track on the album 'Wild Heart'.