Queen Of The Air

This song isn't based on a true story. But considering the kind of places that Art grew up in, a story like that would not be uncommon. And what's happening in his song is that he is having this nightmare of this woman jumping off the bridge when he was three. All his life he was told that his "aunt" Virginia just disappeared one day, whom he looks a lot like. He discovers, as he continues ot have the nightmare, photos and headlines hidden away that talk about a woman committing suicide. Then all his memories come back to him, and he now remembers that his "aunt" was actually his mom, and that she committed suicide by jumping off the bridge.

he sings it so sincerely, that's what sold this song for me.

This song isn't autobiographical. It's just this story that Art made up - likely something he might have heard of where he grew up, but definitely not about him. I read about some of the song meanings a long time ago where Art was actually telling what they meant and he said that after he sang this song, Greg (who was pretty new to the band) apologized about his mom and Art was like "huh?" and he was like "the song" and Art told him it wasn't a true story. I think of that every time I hear this song.

I've known several people (including first cousins) who, in their teens or later, experienced some sort of stunning revelation about their parentage. This story is not really that unusual. Parents have been known to commit suicide in front of their children. Children are sometimes raised by non-biological parents, with the identity of their biological parents kept secret from them... What is unusual is the exquisite, succinct blending of music and language and vocal emotion by Alexakis, generating such vibrancy and clarity to the story. It's as beautiful and compelling a tale as any novel or film I can think of, and as a mere 3 minute rock song, just about as good as storytelling gets. A thorough and complete masterpiece.

Is this song based on a true story?

If it is, I don't think it's Art's story. It might be for Craig, but Greg seems to have had a fairly consistent life as a child. The thing I don't get is... is he saying his aunt killed herself and he looks like her or that his mom killed herself and his aunt took him in?

This song is pretty self-explainatory...I don't know if it's based on a true story...regardless, Art Alexakis is a lyrical GENIUS!

this song always makes so sad. yea Art Alexakis and Everclear are amazing

what a wonderful song

what a wonderful song