| Aphex Twin – 4 Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| The little 'Richard, yup' bit I always thought acted as a sort of little reminder to himself to bring the song back to its basis. If you notice, it comes in right when the tune's drifting away from the beat and main melody and it's acts as a little reminder not to get too carried away and ambient! Richard, yeah? And that amazing energetic beat kicks back in. I don't think it's his mum, it sounds like a man's voice, it's probably just random sampling from his studio tapes or something. | |
| Sigur Rós – Bíum Bíum Bambaló Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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That's my translation. I'm not fluent in Icelandic and I had to use my dictionary for a few words. Dillidillido doesn't seem to have a translation, I suspect it means mother or something similar. The face outside at the window is the oncoming winter. In Iceland the winters are harsh, dark and cold (in midwinter the sun doesn't even rise). The second stanza is about longing for spring and playing an Icelandic instrument called the Langspil to pass the long winter months. The last verse reflects the harshness of winter and lighting candles to try and get spirits up. It's a lullaby with the promise of spring and it shows the resolution and tolerance of the Icelanders. |
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| Sigur Rós – Bíum Bíum Bambaló Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Sleep, sleep, baby, Baby and ....., My friend cradles me in peace, But outside waits a face at the window, Immediately mountains, Fill my breast with warm longing, I shall play the langspil, That is my mind's comfort, Sleep, sleep, baby, Baby and ....., My friend cradles me in peace, But outside waits a face at the window, Immediately the weather gets cruel, Crouch over while it gets dark, I light five candles, To burn the shadows of midwinter... |
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| Don Henley – New York Minute Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Jesus Christ! You ignorant bastard! It's not about 9/11 obviously, it was written before that even happened but surely you can understand that a song's meaning can take on new interpretations and eerie appropriateness after such an event?! It has a hell of a lot of relevance to 9/11, just listen to the chorus! It really gets on my nerves when people decide to make such bold, small-minded and ignorant comments without thinking about what they're saying. It happens too much on here |
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| Morrissey – Ammunition Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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It's about Moz being sick to death of taking revenge on people he feels have wronged him in his life. The lanes and roads are metaphors for times and memories from his life. He doesn't need anymore ammunition because he decides he's past taking shots at people and being spiteful. Unfortunately he rather walks all over the optimistic message of this song in 'Sorrow Will Come in the End' which ended Maladjusted (the American version anyway) |
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| Elliott Smith – Don't Fear the Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult cover) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Yeah, both opinions are right. It's a famous song about suicide but also highlights the fact that death is a natural part of life (if you get me) and that it's nothing to fear. The woman kills herself. 'Came her last night of sadness, and it was clear she couldn't go on' So she embraces death (kills herself) and disappears. It's haunting and the best use of it ever was in the TV serialisation of Stephen King's The Stand as the camera swoops through a military research lab with scientists and employees lying dead everywhere. |
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| Mogwai – Cody Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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The Peel Session is a better version. Sounds a lot more pure and emotional. As usual, notice the way the lyrics are faded back so they really hide in the music. It's an interesting technique used by Mogwai to keep the focus on their awesome orchestration but to keep a bit of meaning and variation to their music. |
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| Mogwai – Hunted by a Freak Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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A great track. Go to Mogwai's webpage to see the twisted animated video for the song (man dropping pets off a building...) For those who are baffled by the voice singing, it's a vocoder. One of the band members (presumably Stuart) sings into a microphone which is plugged into this device. An instrument is also plugged into it (presumably a guitar judging by the smoothness of the changes) and the notes from the guitar are imposed onto the voice and it comes out sounding like a computer/robot/alien singing. It's a beautiful effect and furthermore leaves the lyrics open to some interesting interpretation. I met a guy convinced that, during the chorus bit, it sings: 'Under neon lights, there for the birds' I can kind of hear what he's talking about! If you can get hold of the Peel session version of this (which opens the Government Commisions album) then do because I prefer it a lot more than the album version. |
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| The Smiths – Suffer Little Children Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Morrissey does not neglect Brady's part in the killings, rather focuses on Hindley's. Morrissey is not a stupid man, what he does in his songs, he does carefully and calculatingly. Brady was beyond help, beyond the reach of this song whereas the more disturbing aspect of Hindley was that she was eerily human considering what she did. This song is written TO her. Morrissey hopes she remembers the voices and the children she helped to kill until the day she dies. Whenever she laughs or experiences pleasure, whenever she sleeps, he wants her to suffer for what she did. She's dead now, I hope those children were the last thing she thought of. |
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| Morrissey – We'll Let You Know Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| And the studio version is significantly longer with larger breaks between verses and a long bit with odd noises in the middle before the final verse. | |
| Morrissey – We'll Let You Know Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Its actually both critical and sympathetic. Moz is on their side of being patriotic and defending that right but disagrees with their mentality of violence brought on my a game of football. It's another song where Morrissey has been accussed of racist sentiment mainly for the line 'The last truly British people' but at the end of the day he's being ironic. It's amazing how the English love to say 'The Americans don't understand irony' when most of us don't seem to understand it ourselves! The shout of 'Your Arsenal!' is only in the live version if the song as is the GET OFF THE ROOF bit. |
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| Kate Bush – Army Dreamers Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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If there's a controversial song by Kate, this is it. The Irish lilt in her voice and the celtic-esque guitar line got her criticised for implying this song was about Northern Ireland. Kate replied that it was a song designed to be relevant to all conflicts which take young lives. |
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| Morrissey – Mute Witness Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Often criticised for it's mocking tone towards the 'mute witness' but, as usual, not analysed with the depth that shows it's true colours. Obviously, there's been a crime, possibly a murder for the seriousness of the police investigation and the location (Clapham Common) and the only witness is a presumably young mute girl (from the crying on the floor and standing on the table. Not the actions of an adult I'm sure you'll agree). The following story seems to flick between a desperate and sympathetic police officer and one who thinks it's a waste of time but the boundary is interestingly blurred into one narrative. It's set to such an upbeat tempo and the backing 'La la la-las' are genious. It really gets at the desperation. 'It would all have been so clear' It's an open and shut murder case, 'If only she had never volunteered' She's obviously hinted at something much more than what the police assume has happened. They let her go in a taxi and the mystery is never solved. We are left feeling as bewildered, puzzled and frustrated as the officer. It feels like we're stood on the pavement watching the girl disappear in the taxi. This song reminds me of a TV documentary which had a small girl called Madeleine who was a 'selective mute'. She was such a sweet little girl and I've always pictured her as the mute witness in this song! |
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| Morrissey – Hairdresser On Fire Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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There's also a comment on how the people of London are trapped and 'repressed' by the need to look stunning all the time. One of my favourite Morrissey lines of all time 'You are repressed but you're remarkably dressed'. It's a wonderfully camp song. |
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| Morrissey – Hairdresser On Fire Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It's true. Mozza wrote this song after rushing around London, desperately trying to get his hair done into its trademark quiff before a show. I don't know whether he found it in time but it's making fun of himself as much as of people who rely on an image for their effect. In his self-deprocating fashion, he almost implies that the only reason he is so powerful and successful is because of his looks and image (especially the quiff). I think the title refers to the hairdressers being so busy, that they're 'on fire'. It's followed immediately by busy clippers etc so I think it means that rather than any gay connotations. Apart from that its a wonderfully upbeat song, and a crushing blow to the small minded people who see Morrissey as serious and depressing. |
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| Morrissey – Sunny Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I might also add that the circumstances surrounding Sonny's death are still widely disputed and he was known to have connections to gangsters and a history in shady dealings. I don't think we should assume that 'Sunny' is dead at the end of this song, rather just heading for a fall. Theres no mention of his death, just the repeated support and unmoving acceptance of Morrissey (or the narrator) |
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| Morrissey – Sunny Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Yeah, Mozza went through a phase of obsession with Boxing (see Boxers as the most obvious reference). This song's just so poignant and moving. It's brimming with emotion and seems to combine the heroin addiction and his downfall from boxing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Liston Here's an article on the aforementioned Sonny Liston. The story could refer to anyone but may well be drawn from this. Although set in the boxing world, it generalises to the helplessness of seeing someone ruin themselves, doing all you can and not being able to aid them. |
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| Morrissey – The National Front Disco Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Mozza proposed this song to his band, mentioning only the title and Boz Boorer is reported to have said 'You're going to get us into a lot of trouble' but the band, loyal as ever, went along with it and created, in my opinion, one of the best stompers that he's ever created. He famously played this song, wrapped in a Union Jack, with several National Front members at the front of the audience and it was NME's coverage of this (rather criticising poor Mozza) that lead to his refusal to speak to them for over ten years! It's definitely not racist. Moz seems to enjoy flirting with the controversy that people create through their failure to read the lyrics properly. Songs like 'We'll Let You Know' and 'Asian Rut' also share the 'racist' label, simply because people can't see the fact that he's being deliberately ironic and sometimes just patriotic! Where's the harm in loving your country?! |
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| Kate Bush – Oh England My Lionheart Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I believe the song makes it quite clear thats it's from the perspective of a fighter pilot, going down in flames. 'Dropped from my Black Spitfire to my funeral barge' Because Kate was so fiercely English, this song really is a personal ode to England. The pilot talks about the wonders and things he loves about the country as he plummets toward the ground. |
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| José González – Slow Moves Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It's about people plotting. They're too nice to show it openly but with 'slow moves' they're getting closer to exacting some kind of scheme. It's two way as well. The guitar line, combined with the soft lyrics make this quite menacing and brooding. 'My moves are slow, but soon you'll know'. It makes us afraid because something is happening below the surface and soon it will be horribly apparent what has been planned. Think of 9/11 or something like that. We knew nothing until it happened and it reminds me of that. Sly plotting and gradually waiting and choosing the perfect moment to pounce. |
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| Morrissey – The Youngest Was The Most Loved Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Obviously Mozza's continuing fascination with the roots of the serial killer. See Jack the Ripper, Last of the Famous... for examples of this in his work if you weren't aware of it. Whereas Last of the Famous... seems to blame the media's glorification of violence and criminality (referencing The Krays), this song blames upbringing. In this case, the youngest child was spoiled and loved above other siblings and somehow, still turned into a killer. Morrissey challenges the stereotype of killers coming from poor backgrounds and broken homes. This child came from an evidently quite snobbish family who loved him and supported him, called him a 'cherub'. But then, as he reiterates with the help of an Italian children's choir, 'There is no such thing as normal'. As well as being a brilliant chant for Mozzites the world over, it is perhaps Morrissey's belief that evil and the killing instinct is unavoidable. Not the fault of anyone, rather a born trait. This song is brilliant. His wailing at the end combined with the music is awe-inspiring! |
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| Belle & Sebastian – Electronic Renaissance Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It's about 1990s disco culture. Someone trying to keep the balance between work and going out on the town and the 24 hour lifestyle. Taking ectasy, meeting people, going outside to cool down. It's not so much a mockery of electronica as a homage to a culture and way of life for some people. The office ravers |
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| Mogwai – Moses? I Amn't Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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A Scottish abbreviation of 'I Am Not'. Rarely would you find such an uncivilised shortening south of the Anglo-Scot divide! Only joking, all the best people come from Scotland. Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai, Billy Connoly... I'm out |
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| Sigur Rós – Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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The name, by the way, comes from an Icelandic weather reporter who commented, during the war in Yugoslavia, that is was 'Good weather for airstrikes'. Sigur Ros liked the concept so the title isn't really related to the actual song. I'd also like to express extreme distaste that anyone could interpret this as being about a break-up. Its on such a higher level. We're not even supposed to understand the lyrics and that's why I disagree with English translations. Icelandic is such a subjective language anyway |
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| Kate Bush – Feel It Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It's undoutedly about sex. I mean, it's blindingly obvious. No-one else could pull this off. NO-ONE! Only Kate could sing these lyrics and make it seem beautiful and sensual rather than the musical equivalent of a late night Channel 5 film! |
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| The Smiths – Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It's about the illogical love that lies within violent relationships. The guy beats her everytime he gets drunk and she ends up in hospital with him over and over again, lying to the doctors but she doesn't stop loving him. She loves him 'only slightly less' than she used to. I love the school-boyish 'Who said I lied because I never, I never'. It adds a real picture of the immature and selfish bastard who's hitting his wife/girlfriend. Morrissey is a notorious feminist and this song was written as an encouragement to stand up for yourself and report domestic violence. It was originally meant to be released as a single from Strangeways, Here We Come but, nastily, its due release date was close to an actual mass shooting and the contents were deemed unsuitable for release (due to the fantastically funny and realised Buddhist bit). Girlfriend In A Coma replaced it as the single and also hints at domestic violence and love for a person despite their flaws. |
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| Godspeed You! Black Emperor – BBF3 Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| I believe that generally Godspeed You Black Emperor! (or Godspeed You! Black Emperor as they now like to be called) record all sorts of samples on their various travels which are then used in their songs. Check out Antennas To Heaven, the start it is based largely around several samples. | |
| Rufus Wainwright – Memphis Skyline Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Yeah, Rufus and Jeff Buckley became friends shortly before Buckley's death. I believe Rufus has said of Buckley 'He was lovely' but they did rival each other for a very long time. | |
| Rufus Wainwright – Old Whore's Diet Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Yup, it's Antony from the wonderful Antony and the Johnsons. Rufus and Antony are friends and have both wowed the New York music scene. They are also both gay icons in their own right. Lol, I think Rufus may have been saying that an Old Whore's Diet was leftover Chinese food a bit tongue in cheek. Rufus notoriously struggled with an arsenal of different drugs before going into rehab. In a similar way to Elliott Smith, this provided a huge basis for song writing material. |
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| Rufus Wainwright – Little Sister Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Rufus wrote this song for his real little sister. I won't repeat what's already been said but I think it's appeal lies in the nursery rhyme simplicity of the piano contrasted with fantastically funny and attached lyrics. |
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| Rufus Wainwright – Gay Messiah Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I think GunTotingHippy may have taken the intention of this song rather too seriously. It's a deliberately humorous pro-gay song which mocks the undeniably ancient and naive views of Christianity in its approach to homosexuality. The idea of Christ being reborn as gay is hilarious! Imagine what a kick in the arse that would be for the church. The man is an excellent songwriter. Anyone who denounces an artists entire catalogue on one songs and lets one song 'ruin part of their lives forever' is so narrow-minded. Rufus is an icon and has every right to express his opinion in a song without being judged. |
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| Sigur Rós – Ágætis Byrjun Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| I don't think you need to understand the lyrics or what's sung. It's the same principle as Hopelandish. Icelandic is such an obscure language as well that the majority of listeners won't understand it. I speak a bit of Icelandic but not well enough to listen to the songs so to the average listener, Icelandic may as well be Hopelandish. It's about stripping back and letting the sound speak for itself. Sigur Ros posess the unique gift of being able to express far more without words than most bands can with them! | |
| Bloc Party – Luno Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Just a small thought. The nose bleeding when she's lying to him is reminiscent of Pinochio. Whenever the puppet lied, his nose grew longer. Although obviously it refers to a punch it's also a clever little reference. | |
| Iron & Wine – Faded from the Winter Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| My favourite song by Iron and Wine. Reminds me of sitting in a small cottage in New Hampshire with the log fire roaring and the snow and cold fighting to get inside. It's so minimalistic and simple but has such a depth and weight to it. Incredible | |
| Antony and the Johnsons – Hitler in My Heart Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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This song is a bit obscure but the idea of trying to find something good inside yourself and finding evil is unsettling. This is mirrored in the bizarre Sparks-esque piano to full blown sweeping opera. Trying to love someone but struggling to overcome something incredibly dark inside yourself. A song to be listened to when hurrying to do something crucially important or limbering up for the fight of your life. |
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| Antony and the Johnsons – Hope There's Someone Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Beauty in death is what this song is all about. The person is on the brink of death, can't sleep without the fear of never waking up. The song's undeniable beauty and moving piano and strings show the wonder of life and the beauty of death. Despite being about fear it also provides great resolution about death and the idea of going to some world. A song to be listened to when watching the sunset out of site of buildings and roads and modern features. | |
| Antony and the Johnsons – My Lady Story Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Another song based around gender confusion. This was one of the highlights of I Am A Bird Now for me. The backing when he sings 'My Lady Story' is stunning and the general feeling of the track is one of extreme comfort on a potentially uncomfortable subject (presumably a sex change operation). A song to be listened to whilst curled up in front of the fire on a winters evening and thinking of the one you love. | |
| Antony and the Johnsons – The Lake Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Such a simple song, so delicate it could be broken with a sneeze. To be listened to whilst watching a loved one dying or whilst touching your new born child or drowning. It's so moving and Antony's stunning voice just grabs hold of your heart and keeps a firm hold. One of my favourite Antony and the Johnsons songs | |
| Morrissey – Piccadilly Palare Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I think it's interesting the way Mozza uses the slang and various references to us as 'outsiders' to make us feel distanced from the culture and ways of Picadilly Palare. The carry-on references are not so much carry-on as just camp references. OH YOU, is my personal favourite! |
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| Joy Division – Disorder Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It is rare for such deliberately vague lyrics to create such a potent mental image but Disorder is one song that pulls it off. I've always seen this song showing the protagonist as trapped in a confined apartment (hence the reference to the back stairs and 10th floor) as the world disintegrates around him. The noise of cars crashing, the visual effect of the flashing lights of the police or burglar alarms gives it a riotous air which is perfectly juxtaposed by the urgency of the music and Curtis's trademark monotone, 'brink of sanity' voice. I can see why comparisons between this song and his epilepsy have been drawn but for me this song represents the growing need to do something to prevent the world around you from changing. The end of the song builds as the protagonist tries desperately to turn these thoughts of making a stand into the action of doing so. On a par with New Dawn Fades this is my favourite song on Unknown Pleasures. |
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