The artwork was quite 'rare' to actually find on the internet up until recently (with many websites using a fan-made picture of The Cat Empire logo emblazened on a picture of the sun).
Some of the albums' tracks are found on other recordings:
- The Chariot and Two Shoes appear in their original form (albiet with different bits added in the middle and at the end, respectively) on 2003 release, Tapes, breaks and out-takes.
- Rhyme and Reason appears as a bonus track on the iTunes version of So Many Nights (with the label (Demo) added after the track name)
- The Sun appears on various recordings - Live @ Adelphia, On the Attack and the newly released Fishies digital single.
Most, if not all of the songs have been re-recorded onto different albums:
- The Mother Place and Rhyme and Reason were re-recorded at Sing Sing Studios in January, 2005, ready for release on The Car Song and Two Shoes singles (respectively)
- The Rhythm, The Chariot, The Crowd and Hello were all re-recorded for the debut album released in 2003
- Two Shoes and The Night That Never Ends were re-recorded for 2005 release, Two Shoes (with the latter track dropping the 's' off the word 'ends')
- Wanted to Write a Love Song has been re-recorded for Tapes, breaks and out-takes, and subsequently used as a b-side on 2003 single release, Days Like These
- Song for the Day was re-recorded for 2006 release, Cities (note: the version of Tapes, breaks... was recorded BEFORE the version on The Sun and Live @ Adelphia - it is a trio recording).
The track listing is as follows:
1. The Mother Place - 3:19 - F Riebl
2. The Rhythm - 4:18 - F Riebl
3. Rhyme and Reason - 5:14 - F Riebl
4. The Chariot - 5:27 - F Riebl
5. The Crowd - 5:27 - H Angus (contains a quotation from a poem by Ezra Pound)
6. Two Shoes - 5:31 - F Riebl
7. Wanted to Write a Love Song - 6:49 - F Riebl
8. Song for the Day - 4:48 - F Riebl
9. The Night That Never Ends - 4:38 - F Riebl
10. Hello - 5:07 - F Riebl (not credited in the booklet as there is actually no page for Hello)
11. The Sun - 6:55 - F Riebl
The Mother Place
The Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the streets to the city from the sky to the ground
in the alleyways
When the mad noise sound we be looking
But still we haven't found what we're looking for
For all of our days. Searching out prophets
In this great big haze
Of consumers, banks and commercial shit
and most of the people they sit
When think this is living a part of their lives
But if this is living then our lives are in strife
But now we be searching, searching for some space
That's right we be in the search for the mother place.
And when we get there by land or by sea
By climbing up a mountain or swinging through some trees
On arrival we'll get a sense of the place
And we'll feel it in the air and the smiles on our face will grow
When the living does begin
When the banks they are burning
And the mobiles don't ring no more
Radiation will cease
We'll be lying outside
Drinking brews in the heat
And at this destination we'll be doing what we want
And not because it's fashion but because it's our response
And we'll write and we'll read and we'll work and feed
And won't need nothing from society 'cause i'm free
And if you want we could write a post
However those with the noise find that it's far
Better to search for a better living
Better to be alive than waiting for an ending
and some might say
That place don't exist
It's something that you're dreaming
It's something that you wish
Reply is simple
we'll say it to begin with
If we don't find a place
Then we'll make it right here
Cause we're rhyming for a reason
We plan 'cause we can
And we we didn't ask for permission
And we enter with a bang
And the empire saying
Everyone should have a face
That's why we be in the search
For the mother place.
The Cat Empire's "The Mother Place" is a song about the search for a utopian society distinct from the consumerist, capitalist world people currently live in. The lyrics suggest that individuals move from rural to urban areas, trying to find something that they can't quite define. They are looking for a place beyond consumerism, where they can live freely and make their own choices. The song concludes that if this place doesn't exist, it should be made. The central theme of the song is the quest for a place people can call their own, where they feel free, and the search for meaning away from the commercial world.
The lyrics in the first verse contrast the country and city, heaven and earth, and describe the frustration of searching for a meaningful life in a capitalist world. The second verse describes an ideal space where individuals can ascend mountains or swing from trees to reach their utopia. In this place, they are free from commercialism and live a life more in line with their values. The song's final verse tells us that if we can't find the mother place, we should create it, and we need to be brave when entering it.
Line by Line Meaning
Up up and down from the country to the town
Traveling from rural to urban areas and back.
From the streets to the city from the sky to the ground
Moving around within the cityscape, along the skyline and down to street level.
in the alleyways
Exploring all the nooks and crannies of the city, including the hidden alleyways.
When the mad noise sound we be looking
Searching for something amidst the chaos and noise of the city.
But still we haven't found what we're looking for
Not yet finding the fulfillment sought amidst the distractions of modern life.
For all of our days. Searching out prophets
Continuing to seek guidance from wise people or leaders to help make sense of the world.
In this great big haze
Experiencing confusion and disorientation in the overwhelming expanse of the modern world.
Of consumers, banks and commercial shit
Feeling jaded by the pressures of materialism and the influence of the financial sector.
and most of the people they sit
Observing that many people are complacent and passive, accepting their circumstances rather than trying to change them.
When think this is living a part of their lives
Recognizing that many people are missing the fullness of life due to their priorities and values.
But if this is living then our lives are in strife
Realizing that the current state of things is not what life should be about.
But now we be searching, searching for some space
Striving to find a place or mindset that is more conducive to greater fulfillment.
That's right we be in the search for the mother place.
The 'mother place' represents the ideal space of fulfillment and freedom that we all seek.
And when we get there by land or by sea
This fulfillment can be reached through various channels of life experience.
By climbing up a mountain or swinging through some trees
Achieving fulfillment could come through pushing oneself or experiencing nature and adventure.
On arrival we'll get a sense of the place
Upon arrival at this place of fulfillment, one will feel a profound sense of connection and purpose.
And we'll feel it in the air and the smiles on our face will grow
This sense of fulfillment will permeate both an individual's surroundings and their personal demeanor, increasing overall well-being.
When the living does begin
This sense of fulfillment would mark the beginning of truly living and experiencing life to the fullest.
When the banks they are burning
The fall of oppressive financial structures would signal the liberation of the individual to live a more fulfilling life.
And the mobiles don't ring no more
The cessation of constant disruptions from technology would allow for deeper engagement with the present moment and personal growth.
Radiation will cease
The end of environmental pollutants and toxic influences would yield a healthier and safer living environment.
We'll be lying outside
Experiencing life and freedom outside and unconstrained by oppressive societal structures.
Drinking brews in the heat
Celebrating life and freedom in simple pleasures despite the odds.
And at this destination we'll be doing what we want
A place of fulfillment would allow the individual to live their life on their own terms and pursue their own goals.
And not because it's fashion but because it's our response
Living in a way that is authentic and meaningful rather than following trends or societal expectations.
And we'll write and we'll read and we'll work and feed
Engaging in varied pursuits and passions both personally and for the community.
And won't need nothing from society 'cause i'm free
Such an ideal place would allow for a self-sustaining community free from dependence on external societal structures.
And if you want we could write a post
The fulfillment sought could be shared and expressed through various mediums including writing.
However those with the noise find that it's far
There will always be those who cannot or will not understand or appreciate the quest for a more fulfilling existence.
Better to search for a better living
Despite pushback, it is still better to search for a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.
Better to be alive than waiting for an ending
The journey towards fulfillment, even with all its hardships and obstacles, is still a better way to live than waiting for an arbitrary end.
and some might say
Even with this understanding, some may still doubt the possibility of such a fulfillment.
That place don't exist
This place or state of being may seem to be impossible, even utopian to some.
It's something that you're dreaming
To others it may seem like nothing more than a fantasy or unrealistic ideal.
Reply is simple
However, the response to such skeptical views is straightforward.
we'll say it to begin with
Firstly, it is possible to find or create fulfillment and meaning in life.
If we don't find a place
Even if such a place does not exist or cannot be found, there is always a way to live a more fulfilling life.
Then we'll make it right here
One can create their own 'mother place' or state of being within themselves, their community, or their environment.
Cause we're rhyming for a reason
The search for fulfillment and a more meaningful life is a goal that drives us.
We plan 'cause we can
With proper guidance and effort, it is possible to plan and work towards a more fulfilling future.
And we we didn't ask for permission
Such a quest may involve breaking from societal expectations or precedents and striking out on one's own.
And we enter with a bang
Taking bold and decisive action to pursue meaningful existence is necessary.
And the empire saying
The 'empire' is a metaphor for the collective movement towards a more fulfilling existence and self-defined purpose.
Everyone should have a face
Everyone, regardless of societal standing or background, should have the opportunity to pursue their own goals and find fulfillment.
That's why we be in the search
This ideal cannot be found if one does not seek it out.
For the mother place.
The search for fulfillment and meaning is an endless quest towards the ideal state of being.
Contributed by Declan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.