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.
Sister Change
An Emotional Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
painted stars out on your windows panes
or hung a dance upon your shadow
to trace your footsteps in the rain
to trace your footsteps in the rain.
I will remain your friend forever
walking hand in hand, hand in hand
Sister change.
When we first met you possessed a smile
that caused all us crocodiles
to turn green with envy,
I stayed awhile and watched it fade away
so did it fade away like a day in december
wished I'd hung a dance
upon your shadow.
Sister change.
I could have stayed in your arms forever
painted stars out on your window panes,
somehow close your eyes
and try not to tremble.
Sister change.
The song "Sister Change" by An Emotional Fish is about love lost and the changes that come with it. The singer of the song expresses regret for not cherishing the moments they had with their love interest. The line "I could have stayed in your bed forever" signifies the desire to hold onto the intimacy they shared. The imagery of painting stars on the window panes and tracing footsteps in the rain suggest a desire to create a world of wonder and beauty with their lover. Unfortunately, their love slowly faded away, much like a day in December, and the singer wishes they could have done more to keep it alive.
Despite the loss, the singer promises to remain a friend, walking hand in hand with their former love. They acknowledge the pain of change but urge their love interest to embrace it, closing their eyes and "try[ing] not to tremble," as if to say that change is inevitable, and it's better to face it head-on.
Throughout the song, "Sister Change" is mentioned, which could be interpreted as the personification of change itself. The use of "sister" could suggest a sense of familiarity or even a bond, as if the singer has come to terms with the inevitability of change and welcomes it as a part of life. Overall, the song expresses a sense of regret for lost love but also an acceptance of the changes that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I could have stayed in your bed forever
I wanted to stay with you for a long time, not just for a night
painted stars out on your windows panes
I wanted to make your world brighter and more beautiful
or hung a dance upon your shadow
I wanted to celebrate your existence and be with you
to trace your footsteps in the rain
I wanted to be there for you in good times and bad, and follow you wherever you went
I will remain your friend forever
Even though things didn't work out romantically between us, I still care about you and want to be your friend
walking hand in hand, hand in hand
I want to support you and be there for you through thick and thin, no matter what comes our way
somehow close your eyes and try not to tremble.
I know it's hard, but try to stay strong and keep moving forward
When we first met you possessed a smile
I remember the way you used to look at me, and it meant the world to me
that caused all us crocodiles to turn green with envy,
Your beauty and charm were so amazing that even those who didn't know you were struck by it
I stayed awhile and watched it fade away
I was there with you through good times and bad, and I wish things could have turned out differently
so did it fade away like a day in december
Your smile slowly disappeared, and it was like watching winter come and take everything away
wished I'd hung a dance upon your shadow.
I wish I could have done more to make you happy, and showed you how much you mean to me
I could have stayed in your arms forever
Being with you was the happiest I've ever been, and I wish we could have stayed together
somehow close your eyes and try not to tremble.
I know it's still hard, but you're strong enough to get through this
Sister change.
Life is full of changes, and we have to learn to adapt and make the best of what comes our way
Contributed by Lillian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Susanna Schubert
Need that on spotify. My dad always heard that song...pure childhood memory. :3
Fabryz Fabry
I saw them on 1991 too on Bologna at Simple Minds Tour. I still have "All I am" on my mind ! I saw the later on 22 december 2000 ..their last gig...what a wonderful night !
deSelby247
Saw them last night in the Olympia theatre in Dublin for the Barretstown gig. Still the best live band I have ever seen. Love, rockets and aeroplanes!
pieandbeans13
What a band! Saw them supporting Simple Minds back in 1991 - Those were the days
scaftag
what a tune.. proud to be a fan of a fantastic irish 90s band..
Ethereal Catholic
I haven't heard this since 1991...it sucked back then.
Forgot all about the howling!!
Sounds pretty cool now that I am old & give out.
R Smit
so much energy, so much better than jerry fish.. please reunite for old times sake!
CORRIGEEN71
Come on a reunion tour
Robert Vargkvist
;) BEST!
noel cleary
jerry have a listen to band of clouds see u at the picnic grey matter whers brick it up legend