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.
Star
An Emotional Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wrapped up in daddy's eyes all in the shade of a misplaced kiss
She burns like a star in a heaven possessed
Said let the rain wash away
what the moonlight fails to bless.
And Round and round and round she goes and where she stops nobody knows.
Still round and round and round she goes.
Tomorrow she come tomorrow she goes
rings on her fingers bells on her toes
empty pockets full of dreams, paper boats and moonbeams
she burns like a star like a star.
And Round and round and round she goes and where she stops nobody knows.
Still round and round and round she goes.
The song "Star" by An Emotional Fish tells the story of a woman who loves to live on the edge and take risks, even if it means breaking the rules. The opening line "She loves to drive too fast but it's a planet full of traffic lights" reflects her impulsive nature and the feeling of being held back by the constraints of society. The lyrics "Wrapped up in daddy's eyes all in the shade of a misplaced kiss" suggest that she may have had a difficult relationship with her father, and seeks attention or validation from others as a result.
The chorus "She burns like a star in a heaven possessed" is a metaphor for her fiery spirit and unstoppable energy. The line "Said let the rain wash away what the moonlight fails to bless" suggests that she is aware of the dangers of her lifestyle, but is willing to take the risks anyway.
The verse "Tomorrow she come tomorrow she goes rings on her fingers bells on her toes empty pockets full of dreams, paper boats and moonbeams" emphasizes her transient nature and free spirit. The repetition of the line "Round and round and round she goes and where she stops nobody knows" emphasizes the unpredictability of her life and the unknown future.
Overall, "Star" is a song about living life to the fullest, even if it means taking risks and not knowing where the journey will take you.
Line by Line Meaning
She loves to drive too fast but it's a planet full of traffic lights
She enjoys taking risks, but the world around her is filled with obstacles that prevent her from fully expressing herself.
Wrapped up in daddy's eyes all in the shade of a misplaced kiss
She feels like she's living in her father's shadow, and his expectations for her are overshadowing her own desires and needs.
She burns like a star in a heaven possessed
She has an inner fire that propels her to strive towards her dreams, even in the face of adversity.
Said let the rain wash away what the moonlight fails to bless.
She believes that the cleansing power of the rain can wipe away the negative energy in her life and bring her the blessings that she seeks.
And Round and round and round she goes and where she stops nobody knows.
She is constantly moving towards her destiny, but her path is uncertain and unpredictable.
Tomorrow she come tomorrow she goes rings on her fingers bells on her toes empty pockets full of dreams, paper boats and moonbeams she burns like a star like a star.
She lives life to the fullest, with a sense of wonder and a desire for adventure, despite the fact that she often lacks the material resources to pursue her goals.
Still round and round and round she goes.
She is always in motion, always seeking something new and exciting, never content to stay in one place for too long.
Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.