After 2 singles on different labels and a surprise number one hit as part of M/A/R/R/S's "Pump Up the Volume", they made two ground-breaking albums that placed them precariously in the indie scene - however they preferred the term "dream pop". These albums were 69 in 1988 and i in 1989.
Hard to place in terms of genre, 69 was more consciously indie, though that's not saying much, seen by some as part of a continuum that included jimi hendrix' more spaced-out offerings, miles davis and others - musically it asked questions and opened doors that have still to be explored. 'i' was a dramatic change, clearly slicker and smoother, and covering a wide variety of styles over twenty-six tracks (ten of which were short noise interludes). "i" also spawned A.R. Kane's best-known song in "A Love From Outer Space". Both albums achieved wide critical acclaim.
Follow up album New Clear Child (1994), was not received as well, the reasons being a believed lack of coherent direction and a feeling that the ideas were merely (admittedly excellent) re hashes of works that were completed more succinctly in the earlier 2 albums.
Rudy Tambala made ambient and dub influenced music under the name Sufi. Neither is currently involved in the music industry to any great extent. Post-A.R. Kane, Alex Ayuli was (possibly still is) a museum curator in the U.S. Russell Smith still DJ's rare soul 45s in UK and Europe and earns a living as a restorer/ decorator in South West France.
What's All This Then?
A.R. Kane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see what I mean?
But you're still dreaming, you're sleeping
You can't do a thing
Can't do a thing now, you're in now
In over your head
Reach for the stars boy, not fast Ka's boy!
What's all this then: you know you're sure to be found
What's all this then: I told you once before
The postman may ring twice but fate comes knocking at your door.
They say love lasts forever but I'm sure it lasts much longer than the time it takes for planets and stars to tear asunder, I can't live on my own for 45 more years, the sea became a lake, a lake a pool, a pool my tears.
What's all this then?
Sweet tear, sun ah, say o, sonno wo ho
Don't bluff it suck it then chuck it
Quit hanging around
Sweet music's playing, you're deaf now
You don't hear the sound
You're just a machine, so come clean
There's rust in your heart
Stop, look and listen, before you start.
The lyrics to A.R. Kane's song What's All This Then? are heavily surrealistic and metaphorical, seemingly urging the listener to awaken from a state of aimlessness and inactivity. The first lines of the song can be interpreted as a call to action, a plea to open one's eyes and doors, and to see and understand what is happening around them. The following lines, however, signal a contradiction, as the subject is still asleep and unable to act. The phrase 'In over your head' implies a sense of being overwhelmed but also trapped, stuck in a situation that one cannot escape from. The line 'Reach for the stars boy, not fast Ka's boy!' can be interpreted as a warning against trying to achieve too much too quickly, or perhaps against following the wrong path.
The chorus of the song asks the question 'What's all this then?' repeatedly, perhaps in reference to the rootlessness and confusion of contemporary society. The lines 'The postman may ring twice but fate comes knocking at your door' suggests that even though one may try to avoid taking action, eventually one will be forced to confront the consequences of their inaction. The second verse of the song is even more obscure, referring to the idea of eternal love and the inevitable passage of time. The final lines of the song 'Stop, look and listen, before you start' can be seen as a final plea to the listener to consider their actions carefully before acting.
Line by Line Meaning
With your eyes open, doors open
You have many opportunities available to you that you can see clearly.
You see what I mean?
Do you understand my point of view?
But you're still dreaming, you're sleeping
Even though things are looking up for you, you're not taking advantage of them.
You can't do a thing
You feel powerless to take action.
Can't do a thing now, you're in now
You're in too deep and can't find your way out.
In over your head
You're in a difficult or complicated situation.
Reach for the stars boy, not fast Ka's boy!
Set your sights high and strive for greatness, but don't get ahead of yourself.
What's all this then: why are you running around?
What's the point of all your frenzied activity?
What's all this then: you know you're sure to be found
You can't hide from your problems forever, they will catch up to you.
What's all this then: I told you once before
I warned you previously not to make the same mistake.
The postman may ring twice but fate comes knocking at your door.
You never know what life will throw at you, be prepared for anything.
They say love lasts forever but I'm sure it lasts much longer than the time it takes for planets and stars to tear asunder, I can't live on my own for 45 more years, the sea became a lake, a lake a pool, a pool my tears.
Love is a powerful force that can transcend even the destruction of the universe, but the thought of spending a long time without it is unbearable.
Sweet tear, sun ah, say o, sonno wo ho
This line appears to be a nonsensical play on words with no discernible meaning.
Don't bluff it suck it then chuck it
Don't pretend to be something you're not, embrace your true self and move on if it's not working out.
Quit hanging around
Stop wasting time and get to work.
Sweet music's playing, you're deaf now
You're so caught up in your own world that you're missing out on the good things around you.
You don't hear the sound
You're not aware of what's going on around you.
You're just a machine, so come clean
You're living your life on autopilot, it's time to be honest with yourself.
There's rust in your heart
Your heart is filled with negativity.
Stop, look and listen, before you start.
Take time to think before making any decisions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind