AGK could only have come into being in the UK. They are the archetypal odd … Read Full Bio ↴AGK could only have come into being in the UK. They are the archetypal odd couple and their music takes you on an introspective trip through loss and euphoria. A British group in the noble tradition of groups like Japan, The Associates and The Divine Comedy.

As Ackers & G, Ackland and Gathercole made a splash with the track ‘Pling’, and swiftly followed by ‘The Shortest Romance EP’ as AGK, which had them tipping their hats at their 80's influences with an eerie cover of Duran Duran’s ‘Planet Earth’. Plaudits and support came from Pete Lawrence, Mixmaster Morris, Chris Coco and Mark Moore amongst others.

AGK’s influences range from Kraftwerk and The Orb through to Nick Drake, David Sylvian, Vivaldi and Adam & The Ants, while DJ Magazine described them as ‘shimmering in the spirit of Depeche Mode and their ilk. Moving mood music for the melancholic.’

Live sets on the festival circuit not to mention The Big Chill Recordings tour, saw AGK winning many new fans, with their unique take on contemporary song writing and production. 2005's electronica-tinged debut album ‘The Liking of Things’ was followed up in 2008 by the pastoral 'Further South'.

The Liking of Things
AGK Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All the books I’ve read
are back on my shelf
All the things that I’ve learned
are with me

I’ve known some things
I’m letting them go…
Then I’ll know

All the dreams that I’ve had
are stories of my lives
All the wishes I’ve had
…well I’ve had them

I’ve dreamed some things
I’m letting them go
Then I’ll know

All the words that I wrote
- just poems in lines
All the tunes that I’ve heard
are like water

I’m going towards the good
Letting go letting go

I’m every man
and every man is me
Did you hear my apology
from both sides

Looking out looking in

At everything
The liking of things

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of AGK's "The Liking of Things" seem to reflect on the nature of knowledge and personal growth. The opening lines "All the books I’ve read are back on my shelf / All the things that I’ve learned are with me" suggest that the singer has accumulated knowledge, but is now ready to let it go. The following lines "I’ve known some things / I’m letting them go... Then I’ll know" seem to imply that the singer is shedding outdated ideas to make way for new knowledge and experiences.

The second verse continues in a similar vein, with the singer reflecting on their dreams, wishes, and art. The lines "All the dreams that I’ve had are stories of my lives / All the wishes I’ve had … well I’ve had them" suggest that the singer is content with what they have experienced and achieved so far. However, once again, they acknowledge that they are ready to move on: "I’ve dreamed some things / I’m letting them go / Then I’ll know."

The third and final verse takes a more philosophical turn, with the singer contemplating the nature of reality and their place in it. The lines "I’m every man / and every man is me" suggest a sense of unity or interconnectedness with others, while the questions "Did you hear my apology / from both sides" hint at the complexities of human relationships. The phrase "The liking of things" may refer to the singer's overall attitude towards life - accepting and appreciating things as they are, rather than striving for something more or different.

Overall, the song seems to be about the process of letting go of outdated ideas and experiences in order to make way for new growth and understanding. The singer acknowledges what they have learned and experienced, but is open to the possibility of even greater knowledge and wisdom.

Line by Line Meaning

All the books I’ve read are back on my shelf
I have finished reading all the books I owned, and I have placed them back on the shelf.

All the things that I’ve learned are with me
I have accumulated meaningful knowledge and it has become a part of who I am.

I’ve known some things I’m letting them go… Then I’ll know
I have gained some knowledge in the past, but I am willing to discard what I know now to make room for new, potentially valuable understanding.

All the dreams that I’ve had are stories of my lives
The dreams that I've had before are reminiscences of my past adventures and life experiences.

All the wishes I’ve had …well I’ve had them
I have done everything in my power to fulfil my aspirations previously.

I’ve dreamed some things I’m letting them go Then I’ll know
I have set goals for myself beforehand, and I am capable of letting them go in the future to explore new aspirations to achieve my goals.

All the words that I wrote - just poems in lines
All the written literature I have produced is just a collection of poetic works.

All the tunes that I’ve heard are like water
The songs I have listened to are like water, flowing through my experiences onward.

I’m going towards the good Letting go letting go
I am now moving forward, heading towards a good future, and I am ready to relinquish my past burdens and let go of what no longer serves me.

I’m every man and every man is me
I am a universal entity, and all humans are connected to me and are integral parts of me.

Did you hear my apology from both sides
I am apologetic to anyone affected by my actions, and I sincerely apologize to all involved parties.

Looking out looking in At everything The liking of things
I am now observing the world from both an outside and inside perspective, and through this, I can gain a deeper appreciation for everything.

Contributed by Micah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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