As Postcard's flagship band, Orange Juice quickly distinguished the label as a leading proponent of independent pop music; their 1980 debut single "Falling and Laughing," recorded for less than 100 pounds, garnered massive critical acclaim, and subsequent releases like "Blueboy," "Simply Thrilled Honey," and "Poor Old Soul" further established the group as a major new talent. Soon, sessions began for a full-length album; however, in the midst of recording, Orange Juice left Postcard to sign to Polydor, which funded the LP's completion. After the 1982 release of the album, titled You Can't Hide Your Love Forever, ex-Josef K guitarist Malcolm Ross joined the group, hastening the exit of Kirk and Daly (who went on to form Memphis) and paving the way for Zimbabwe-born drummer Zeke Manyika.
The addition of Manyika gave Collins the new capability of exploring a more complex fusion of pop and blue-eyed soul; consequently, 1982's Rip It Up was a more ambitious affair than its predecessor, veering from the buoyant Motown tribute "I Can't Help Myself" to the energetic pop of the title track, Orange Juice's lone Top Ten single. However, subsequent releases failed to chart, and relations between the group and Polydor began to disintegrate; amid these tensions, both Ross and McClymont quit, with Ross later resurfacing in Aztec Camera. Reduced to the duo of Collins and Manyika, Orange Juice enlisted reggae producer Dennis Bovell to record the 1984 EP Texas Fever.
After a makeshift tour, Collins and Manyika returned to the studio to record a dark, ambitious full-length effort; released in 1984, neither The Orange Juice nor its singles "What Presence?!" and "Lean Period" charted, and Collins was dropped from his contract, although Polydor kept Manyika on as a solo act. Only in 1995 did the stunning single "A Girl Like You" finally win Collins the commercial respect that had so long eluded him and his former bandmates. Later on, throughout the late '90s and early 2000s, the rise of Scottish bands as disparate as Belle & Sebastian and Franz Ferdinand won Orange Juice a younger set of fans, helped in great part by the 2005 compilation The Glasgow School.
Biography by Jason Ankeny
Lean Period
Orange Juice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the real thing, not just a casual fling
But please don't expect consistency from me
I've been maimed and I've been chained before you see
But right now I'm
Going through a lean period
A decidedly mean period
Let's talk things over in the 'Old Rover'
Let's drown our sorrows like there's no more tomorrows
All those words that I have wasted in haste
Have left such a bitter aftertaste
The reason being I'm
Going through a lean period
A decidedly mean period
This joke I've made at my own expense has long since worn thin
And yet by way of recompense
you respond with a wink and a knowing grin
Going through a lean period
A decidedly mean period
The song Lean Period by Orange Juice is a soulful ballad that captures the emotional struggles of the singer in the aftermath of a failed relationship. The lyrics are a reflection of the singer's current emotional state – he wants to testify that his love was bona-fide and real, but he's going through a lean and mean period. He acknowledges that he has been maimed and chained before, indicating that he may have been hurt in his previous relationships. He requests his partner not to expect consistency from him, which could be interpreted as a plea to be understanding of his emotional rollercoaster.
The singer suggests meeting in the Old Rover to talk things over and drown their sorrows like there's no tomorrow. He feels regret for the words he said in haste that have left him with a bitter aftertaste. The singer acknowledges that the joke he's made at his own expense has worn thin, but his partner's response is to wink and give him a knowing grin. He accepts that he's going through a lean and decidedly mean period - a difficult time in his personal life.
The song is an exploration of the emotional complexities of love and relationships. It highlights that love is not always smooth sailing, and some periods can be lean and mean. The singer is self-aware and takes responsibility for his current situation. He acknowledges that his previous experiences have left him scarred and impacted his current situation. The song is a melancholic yet truthful portrayal of the realities of love and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to testify, my love is bona-fide
I want to proclaim that my love is genuine and sincere
This is the real thing, not just a casual fling
It's not a casual relationship or just for fun, it's serious and committed
But please don't expect consistency from me
However, don't anticipate me to be consistent as I can sometimes be erratic
I've been maimed and I've been chained before you see
I've undergone significant trauma and pain in the past, which you might not have realized
But right now I'm
Going through a lean period
A decidedly mean period
Currently, I'm experiencing difficulties in my life, where I'm going through a tough and difficult phase
Let's talk things over in the 'Old Rover'
Let's drown our sorrows like there's no more tomorrows
Let's discuss and share our worries in an old car, while drinking excessively
All those words that I have wasted in haste
Have left such a bitter aftertaste
My harsh and thoughtless words have left behind an unpleasant and regretful memory
The reason being I'm
Going through a lean period
A decidedly mean period
The cause of this unpleasant mood is due to the troubled times I'm going through
This joke I've made at my own expense has long since worn thin
And yet by way of recompense
you respond with a wink and a knowing grin
The self-deprecating attitude I have is no longer funny or appreciated, yet you still respond with understanding and forgiveness
Going through a lean period
A decidedly mean period
Reiterating that the present phase is hard and challenging
Contributed by Grace T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.