Gaining regional popularity, the band signed with Blanco y Negro who released their first album On Our Big Fat Merry-Go-Round in 1988. The success of the release and growing crowds at their live shows allowed the band to embark on their U.S. tour with The Go-Betweens.
After their first major tour, they went back to Ireland, and wrote and recorded the album I Want Too Much in 1988 on the small Irish island of Inishboffin. The response of the press was great for the band, however record sales were poor, and the band were left without a label. Eventually they were picked up by Setanta, a London-based independent label tending to focus on Irish acts.
Towards the end of 1990 Setanta released two EPs: Doodle and Bingo. The latter featured the track "Endless Art", on which A House first worked with Orange Juice singer Edwyn Collins as producer. The song, featuring a listing of famous dead artists in various fields, and the years of their births and deaths, stabilized the band as a cult favorite among indie lovers, and is an exemplar of the "list" style of song which Couse has often favoured.
The album I Am The Greatest was also recorded with Edwyn Collins, and led to the singles "Endless Art" and "Take It Easy on Me", in 1992. Next they released Wide-Eyed and Ignorant (1994) to little notice outside of their fanbase, and No More Apologies (1996). The single "Here Come the Good Times", taken from Wide-Eyed and Ignorant was A House's only UK Top 40 chart placing, reaching number 37.
The band broke up in 1997. Singer Couse continues to perform solo work and with his band Couse + the Impossible, alongside Bunbury. Martin Healy went on to perform in the band Petrol with Julie Peel. He is now with David Morrissey in Pony Club.
Curious
A House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you ever been curious?
Why do we try to be something that we're not?
Have you ever been curious?
Why do we keep all our feelings inside?
I've always been curious.
Do we know where to go when we're lost
When we don't we hide?
Have you ever been curious?
What is love?
Is it real?
Or is just a dream?
What is love?
Why are we ashamed to say what's on our minds?
Have you ever been curious?
Why do we make a mess of things time and time again?
Have you ever been curious?
Why do we spend our lives loving what we hate?
I've always been curious?
And when we die do we go to the great big party in the sky?
I've always been curious.
What is love?
Is it real?
Or is just a dream?
What is love?
I can't tell you what you want to hear.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me.
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
The song "Curious" by A House explores universal themes of human curiosity, self-doubt, and the search for meaning in life. The lyrics ask a series of questions, inviting the listener to ponder deeply and introspectively about their lives. The first verse deals with the concept of contentment, questioning why we are never happy with what we have. The second verse focuses on self-expression and the fear of sharing our true feelings with others. The chorus hones in on the age-old question of what love is and whether it's real or just a fantasy.
Throughout the song, the overarching theme is one of curiosity. The singer is curious about life and all its complexities and contradictions. The song's lush, swirling guitars and driving rhythm give it a sense of urgency, as if the vocalist is imploring the listener to take a closer look at their life and strive for greater understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Why are we never happy with what we've got?
Have you ever wondered why we are never content with what we already have?
Have you ever been curious?
Do you ever question and wonder about things?
Why do we try to be something that we're not?
What is the reason that we pretend to be someone we are not?
Why do we keep all our feelings inside?
Have you ever wondered why we often don't express our emotions freely?
I've always been curious.
Personally, I've always had questions and wondered about this.
Do we know where to go when we're lost
Do we actually know what to do when we are lost in life?
When we do we die
When we don't we hide?
Is it better to take risks and face our challenges or just hide from them?
What is love?
Is it real?
Or is just a dream?
What is love?
What exactly is love? Is it genuine or just an illusion in our minds?
Why are we ashamed to say what's on our minds?
What is the reason behind feeling embarrassed to speak our thoughts out loud?
Why do we make a mess of things time and time again?
What leads us to repeat the same mistakes over and over again?
Why do we spend our lives loving what we hate?
What drives us to love things that we actually despise deep inside?
And when we die do we go to the great big party in the sky?
I've always been curious.
I've always wondered, will there be some kind of celebration when we pass away?
I can't tell you what you want to hear.
I'm sorry, but I cannot say what you want to hear.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me.
Please share with me, please let me in.
What is love?
How does it work?
Have you never been curious?
Once again, what is this emotion of love, and how does it work? Do you have questions about it?
Contributed by Gianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@syddavies2530
Probably my favourite song from this brilliant piece of art. A- House have put out some great works, but Wide Eyed and Ignorant is a materpiece.
@syddavies2530
Makes you wonder why such mediocre talent thrives and this great band fell through the cracks. I loved them from the first time I heard Call me Blue. This is my favourite track on the disc as well.
@ConalOBroin
An album track by a band no one cares about anymore, or probably never even heard about first time 'round.
But I love it. 2nd half is a wonder psych'. infused choral.
The best A House recording for me at any rate.
@MrDunkiep
Yeah. Wonder if it started as two different songs that got joined? I've always been curious.
@johncampbell5102
A House were and always will be the bollox.
@theIATPpodcast
I must comment. This band had not one bad album. I’ve only met one fan in my life and we both lit up. A House was and will always be a personal band of us few.