They are signed to the Wichita Recordings label, and have currently released 5 albums through this imprint - 'The Cribs' (2004), 'The New Fellas' (2005), 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' (2007), 'Ignore The Ignorant' (2009), and 'In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull' (2012).
Despite starting off as an underground band, The Cribs have experienced commercial success with 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' charting at #13 in the UK album charts, and 'Ignore The Ignorant' achieving the band their first Top Ten album, charting at #8. They also have 7 top 40 hit singles to their name, the most successful of which being 'Men's Needs' (#17). In 2008, Q magazine described The Cribs as "The biggest cult band in the UK".
The Chi-Town Songfacts says that The Cribs' fifth studio album, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, was recorded at London's Abbey Road and Chicago's EAR studio with famed lo-fi rock engineer Steve Albini and Tarbox Road studio in New York with David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips).
After some hard times during which they were (according to an interview in DIY Magazine) "nearly losing the rights to their entire back catalogue, and coming close to calling time on the group entirely," in 2020 they released the album "Night Network."
Finally Free
The Cribs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sell myself, you change me
But we all moved on
And I did try to keep my will strong
So why do I still dream of your house?
I can't go, throwing up the side out
And the pavement, of the street looks all odd
It still feels it's the place I belong
Stand out while we're free
Well, it come back to me
Now I want it, again
It's what, it's what, it's what, it's what
It's what, it's what I want
Even that's wrong, the freedom
Watch the feel once pull
Before it falls
Been wrong for long
Convinced too that wasn't something
It was just my own
Now I'm finally free
But why all it comes back to me?
Now I want it, again
It's what, it's what, it's what, it's what
It's what, it's what I want
I don't know what to think
Just know it's everything
Plastic lets me, no matter where we're in
Just want you that show the person
Sat next to me, oho
That I never know, yeah!
Now I'm finally free
But why all it comes back to me?
Now I want it, again
It's what, it's what, it's what, it's what
It's what, it's what I want
The Cribs' song "Finally Free" is a complex exploration of love, freedom, and the struggle to move on from a past relationship. The song begins with the singer describing a necklace that symbolizes freedom, a freedom that was ultimately sold for the sake of the relationship. The singer claims to have moved on, but they still dream of their former partner's house and feel a deep sense of belonging on the street where it's located. As the chorus enters, the singer is grappling with their desire to stand out and be free again, even though they know that it may not be the healthiest choice.
The second verse brings up the theme of being wrong for too long, of convincing oneself that a toxic relationship was normal. The singer questions why, even though they are finally free, they still long for the past. They don't know what to think, but they know that the relationship was everything to them - even if it wasn't healthy. The bridge introduces the idea of plastic - something that is fake but allows us to adapt to any situation. The singer wants their former partner to see them with someone new, someone who they don't know but who can adapt to the situation and appear as if they truly belong.
Overall, "Finally Free" is a haunting meditation on the aftermath of a relationship. The singer wants to be free and move on, but they are haunted by the past and feel an intense sense of longing that they cannot shake.
Line by Line Meaning
The necklace that brought to be free
This necklace was originally a symbol of freedom, but now it feels like a burden.
I sell myself, you change me
I compromise my values to make you happy, but it never seems to be enough.
But we all moved on
We've all grown and changed since the time when we were together.
And I did try to keep my will strong
I tried hard to stand up for what I believed in, but eventually gave in.
So why do I still dream of your house?
Despite moving on, I still find myself thinking about you and your place.
I can't go, throwing up the side out
I can't deny the feelings I have for you, even though they make me feel sick.
And the pavement, of the street looks all odd
Everything feels different now that you're no longer a part of my life.
It still feels it's the place I belong
Despite the changes, I still feel at home in this place.
Stand out while we're free
We should make the most of our freedom and individuality while we have it.
Well, it come back to me
Despite trying to move on, thoughts of you keep resurfacing.
Now I want it, again
I'm starting to crave the familiarity of our old relationship.
It's what, it's what, it's what, it's what
These desires keep repeating and building up inside me.
It's what, it's what I want
Ultimately, what I really want is to be with you again.
Even that's wrong, the freedom
Even though I want to be free, I still can't shake these feelings for you.
Watch the feel once pull
I can vividly remember the strong connection we once had.
Before it falls
Before it all crumbles apart and we lose what we had forever.
Been wrong for long
I've been holding onto this wrong feeling for far too long.
Convinced too that wasn't something
I'm beginning to believe that what we had was really something special.
It was just my own
But maybe it's just my own feelings and not actually true.
I don't know what to think
I'm feeling conflicted and unsure about my feelings.
Just know it's everything
But one thing is for sure - you mean everything to me.
Plastic lets me, no matter where we're in
The fake and superficial parts of our relationship allow me to feel close to you no matter what.
Just want you that show the person
I just want to be near you and feel like we're in it together.
Sat next to me, oho
Just being near you is enough to make me feel like everything is okay.
That I never know, yeah!
But I'll never really know if we could have something real together again.
Now I'm finally free
Even though it's hard, I'm finally letting go and moving on.
But why all it comes back to me?
But these feelings and memories keep returning and holding me back.
Now I want it, again
But no matter how hard it is, I can't seem to let go of the desire to be with you again.
It's what, it's what, it's what, it's what
I can't help but want this - it's all I can think about.
It's what, it's what I want
I want nothing more than to be with you again, despite everything holding me back.
Writer(s): Gary John Jarman, Ross Anthony Jarman, Ryan James Jarman
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.