In Spring of 1989, they signed to U2's independent Mother Records label to release their eponymous debut CD. "Grey Matter" was a mild local hit, but it was followed by "Celebrate", which hit the top 10 of the Ireland charts. College radio stations began to pick up the song. It received significant airplay, and eventually reached the top 5 of the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. Atlantic Records signed the band, and re-released "Grey Matter" in the US, where it became a lesser college rock hit. Atlantic released their debut album internationally, where it received generally poor reviews but sold well in Ireland.
After a tour to support the debut album, An Emotional Fish returned to the studio to record Junk Puppets. The songs were recorded over eight months, and four of the songs were produced by David A. Stewart. In 1993, the album was released, and An Emotional Fish opened for U2 on the Zoo TV Tour. However, the album sold few copies outside of Ireland. In 1994, the band released Sloper, but only secured a distribution deal in the UK. The album was released in the US two years later.
In 2002, Gerard Whelan began performing again as Jerry Fish, including two albums with Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club. The other former members of An Emotional Fish all made appearances as Mudbug Club musicians.
Colours
An Emotional Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
is that colours always speak their minds
unlike some others
of whom I care not to mention.
If you can say that you love me,
then say you love me all the time,
stay with me forever
It's never too easy for me
to word the way that I feel.
Only sweet heaven knows
thank God sweet heaven knows.
If you can say that you need me,
then say you need me all the time,
stay with me forever
I will try.
Something so divine
nature the soul decides
to walk awhile this moonlit mile
is something so divine
Don't try to tell me I don't know the difference.
Don't you try to tell me I don't know the difference
between what's right and what's wrong.
Let us pray I know what right is
and let's hope I have the faith to believe.
If you can say that you want me,
then say you want me all the time,
stay with me forever
and I will try.
For something so divine
nature the soul decides
to walk awhile this moonlit mile
is something so divine
The song "Colours" by An Emotional Fish is a romantic ballad that speaks about the emotions and uncertainties that come with being in love. The opening lyrics highlight the honesty that colors bring and contrast it with people who may not always speak their minds. The singer calls for his partner to be truthful and to express their love constantly. The first verse provides a glimpse into the singer's thoughts and feelings as he struggles with articulating the intensity of his emotions. He turns to heaven for comfort and guidance, knowing that it is sometimes difficult to express the depths of his feelings in words.
The chorus firmly reinforces the singer's desire for his partner to stay by his side forever, promising to try his best to make it work. He then goes on to describe the wild, untamed nature of love, which is determined by the soul itself. The second verse and chorus repeat the requests for constant love and affirmation, while the bridge brings a sense of defiance, as the singer asserts that he knows the difference between right and wrong, and prays for the faith to believe in his choices.
"Colours" is a delicate and introspective composition that beautifully captures the complexities of love and relationships. It speaks to the need for honesty and constant communication in romantic partnerships, as well as the internal struggles that come with expressing emotions. The song's gentle melody, accompanied by the singer's heartfelt lyrics, makes it a powerful tribute to the beauty and pain of love.
Line by Line Meaning
One thing about colours
Colors have a language of their own
is that colours always speak their minds
Colors never hold back or hesitate to express themselves
unlike some others
This is in comparison to some other things that don't express themselves so candidly
of whom I care not to mention.
The singer doesn't feel the need to mention what those other things are
If you can say that you love me,
If you truly love me
then say you love me all the time,
Express your love to me frequently and consistently if you really mean it
stay with me forever
Promise to stay committed to each other for life
I will try.
The singer promises to try their best to make it work
It's never too easy for me
The singer finds it difficult
to word the way that I feel.
To express exactly how they feel in words
Only sweet heaven knows
Only God knows for sure
thank God sweet heaven knows.
The singer is grateful that someone knows how they feel
If you can say that you need me,
If you truly need me
then say you need me all the time,
Express your need for me frequently and consistently if you really mean it
stay with me forever
Promise to stay committed to each other for life
I will try.
The singer promises to try their best to make it work
Something so divine
Something truly amazing
nature the soul decides
It's a decision made by the soul, guided by nature
to walk awhile this moonlit mile
To take a journey on this path on a moonlit night
is something so divine
It's an experience that's truly amazing
Don't try to tell me I don't know the difference.
Don't try to convince the singer that they can't distinguish between right and wrong
Don't you try to tell me I don't know the difference
The singer is emphasizing that they know the difference themselves
between what's right and what's wrong.
They're saying that they're perfectly capable of telling what's right and what's wrong
Let us pray I know what right is
The singer hopes that they do know what's right
and let's hope I have the faith to believe.
And they hope they have enough faith to act on what they believe is right
If you can say that you want me,
If you truly want me
then say you want me all the time,
Express your desire for me frequently and consistently if you really mean it
stay with me forever
Promise to stay committed to each other for life
and I will try.
The singer promises to try their best to make it work
For something so divine
For an experience that's truly amazing
nature the soul decides
It's a decision made by the soul, guided by nature
to walk awhile this moonlit mile
To take a journey on this path on a moonlit night
is something so divine
It's an experience that's truly amazing
Contributed by Jonathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Monica Sandberg
Love this !!!!!
Tacia Amostis
For me, this song never, ever, gets old. Wish more people heard of it. Its simple sentiment and theme, makes it quite timeless, universal. Great track to listen to in the evening... or just before bed... paints some pretty gorgeous pictures! Truly beautiful song. It's my absolute favourite track from this little known (well, outside Ireland and the UK), Irish band. More solo artists, bands, should cover it. If someone has covered this song, drop a line in here for us.
cocteautwinned
My jam
liam oshea
brilliant band...
really dig em
cocteautwinned
Had this cd years back. Stolen. This song has haunted me for years. Looked it up by the lyrics today. And here we are. What a rush.
Lyndles Frame
I play this album often...everyone wants to know more, buy it etc...why are you so great and yet unknown outside of indi circles? Who remembers 'mister mister'?
Chris Hubbell
Standout track on an amazing debut.
rodrigo Ortiz
exelent!!! I have this lp sounds spectacular!... is my favorite album
Chad
sad but awesome how so few know this band
Bjarke Strøm
-One of my most worn out records....