They have released three studio albums, A Book Like This (2007), which peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart; Down the Way (2010), reached No. 1; and their self-titled album (2014). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 they won five awards from nine nominations: winning Album of the Year, Best Adult Alternative Album, Best Cover Art and Producer of the Year for Down the Way and Single of the Year for "Big Jet Plane".
Released in March 2010, their album “Down The Way” debuted at #1 on Australia’s ARIA Charts enjoying a remarkable 12 months inside the ARIA Top 20 albums chart. It went on to pick up Album Of The Year at the 2010 ARIA Awards and includes the platinum selling Single Of The Year ‘Big Jet Plane’; which was most notably voted No.1 on the 2011 annual Triple j Hottest 100. The album has hit triple platinum (210,000+) sales in the Stones’ home country, the only Australian artist album to reach this milestone on the current ARIA Top 50 albums chart.
European audiences have also fallen head over heels in love with “Down The Way”. Reaching platinum (100,000+) album status in France, supported by a hugely successful film sync with ‘Big Jet Plane’ for the movie, Les Émotifs Anonymes. Extended sold out tours are not limited to native Australia with the 2011 French tour including 5 ‘Le Trianon’ Paris shows selling out 2 months before the tour commenced. The UK, Germany, Austria, Spain & Portugal are all just a taste of the frequent European tour destinations with sell out shows. In the US, their dramatic and lush soundscapes have found homes on prime time dramas; Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice and key slots at iconic US festivals Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo and Coachella.
Travelling has been an integral part of the Stone’s musical story, so it’s not surprising they opted to record “Down The Way” in a number of diverse locations around the globe; an old sawmill on the river banks of Fowey in Cornwall, a studio in Brooklyn, a water tank in Coolangatta, London - and Queens in New York.
“Down The Way” marked their debut as producers, taking full control of their sound without losing the spirit of what made the first record ‘A Book Like This’ so special. There has been a subtle shift of gear, represented by a growing confidence in their abilities as artists and the music follows suit as it flows easily through sparse and rich textured arrangements without losing any of its etherealness and charm.
With an incredible response to “Down The Way” from all corners of the globe, Angus and Julia Stone will take some well-deserved time off and prepare for their next step along a remarkable musical journey.
“Simple yet inspired tunes, a heart-felt soundtrack to their folk adventures and lessons learnt along the way”
Rolling Stone Australia ***
“Aussie siblings continue to enchant’. ‘Sweet and savoury blend to warm the soul.. innocently Joyous”
MOJO UK ****
”The pair melt in to one another to create a spectral and lush backdrop”
Clash Magazine UK
“If A Book Like This compounded their future, consider Down The Way the fulfilling realization of all”
FILTER USA
Website: www.angusandjuliastone.com
www.myspace.com/angusandjuliastone
www.youtube.com/angusandjuliastone
The Beast
Angus & Julia Stone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your work here is done
A slave to the beast
No mercy with time
No mercy with time
They bound you with the fire
Then push you into the sun
They want everyone to be numb
The world's drinking from a cup
That no one wants to share
Words from the king
That no one wants to hear
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Retrench me because of machines
Kids trading roses for guns
Track marks under the sleeve
I can't talk, I need to run
Love's thrown away the ring
Not knowing what to say
Mama won't you say?
It's like you're cut by the blade
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late)
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late
The lyrics of Angus & Julia Stone's The Beast describe the struggle of being trapped by societal pressures and expectations that seem to leave no other option but to surrender to the machine. The opening lines "Pack up your things, your work is done" signify that the person has accomplished everything they could within their current situation, but the cost was their own freedom. They were a "slave to the beast," which is a metaphor for the pressures that can take over one's life if they allow it to. "No mercy with time" references the fact that time never stops, and the person must keep up with their responsibilities or risk being left behind.
The verse about being bound with fire and pushed into the sun could be interpreted as a reference to feeling trapped in a situation that is not only stifling but also dangerous. It may be a nod to the consequences one might face for speaking out or resistance against the powers that be. The lyrics move on to describe a world where the people are drinking from an unwelcome cup, and words from the king that no one wants to hear. This speaks to the feeling of not being heard, of not having one's needs acknowledged, and of being forced to comply with rules that do not benefit them.
The last verse of the song talks about retrenchment due to machines taking over, which refers to the loss of jobs to automation. The line "Kids trading roses for guns" is a reference to how many children are forced to take up arms in conflict zones worldwide. The track marks under the sleeve suggest addiction, and the person cannot stand still, they need to keep moving. The rest of the song repeats the line "Don't be running late, are you on time today?" which speaks to the pressure to keep up with life, to never slow down, and to always succeed no matter the cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Pack up your things
It's time to leave
Your work here is done
You've finished what you needed to do
A slave to the beast
Trapped and controlled by a menacing force
No mercy with time
Time keeps progressing without regard for anyone
They bound you with the fire
You've been constrained by something you can't escape
Then push you into the sun
You're being forced into a harmful situation
They want the free land to expire
They want to destroy something that belongs to everyone
They want everyone to be numb
They want to suppress emotions and prevent people from reacting
The world's drinking from a cup
People are being affected by something that's harmful
That no one wants to share
No one wants to take responsibility
Words from the king
Influential statements intended to sway others
That no one wants to hear
These statements are being ignored
Retrench me because of machines
I'm losing my job due to technological advancements
Kids trading roses for guns
Young people being forced into violent situations
Track marks under the sleeve
Signs of drug addiction
I can't talk, I need to run
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed by a situation
Love's thrown away the ring
A relationship has ended
Not knowing what to say
Feeling unsure and lost
Mama won't you say?
Asking for reassurance and comfort from a parent
It's like you're cut by the blade
Feeling hurt and wounded
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Urging someone to be punctual
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Reiterating the importance of being on time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGUS STONE, JULIA STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lucigaiah
" Pack up your things
Your work here is done
A slave to the beast
No mercy with time
No mercy with time
They brand you with the fire,
Then push you into the sun.
They want the free land to expire,
They want everyone to be numb.
The worlds drinking from a cup that no one wants to share
Words from the king that no one wants to hear
Don't be running late are you on time today [x4]
Retrench me because of machines
Kids trading roses for guns
Track mark under the sleeve
I can't talk I need to run
Loves thrown away the ring
Not knowing what to say
Mama won't you sing
It's like you're cut by the blade
Don't be running late are you on time today [x4]
Don't be running late are you on time today [x4]
(Don't be running late)
Don't be running late [till the end] "
@AllisonGhost
"The Beast"
Pack up your things
Your work here is done
A slave to the beast
No mercy with time
No mercy with time
They brand you with the fire
Then push you into the sun
They want the free land to expire
They want everyone to be numb
The worlds drinking from a cup
That no one wants to share
Words from the king
That no one wants to hear
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Retrench me because of machines
Kids trading roses for guns
Track marks under the sleeve
I can't talk, I need to run
Love's thrown away the ring
Not knowing what to say
Mama won't you say?
It's like you're cut by the blade
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late)
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late
@Victoryisalways
I cried at the end of the video. Angus and Julia Stone are truly beautiful people who make beautiful music for a word that desperately needs some light.
@stephanelabelle9333
Best band ever. Love you Julia and Angus. Please don't stop.
@ri.alina_
Been listening to them for more than 2years. The love keeps growing.
@haydenhuurdeman1532
I have listened to the album over a hundred times and only just watched the music video for this. What an awesome new level of meaning the song has! Still holds up after all this time
@Shadowbird92
Im amazed. I figured this was going to be another trash band but this band is like a diamond in a coal mine. Im speachless about how great this band is. 5 stars isnt enough.
@23RMD
I've been looking for these guys all my life!
@melissaosborne2714
10 years of listening to your music and you finally coming to South Africa, thank you! Your music is amazing. My kids grow up with it, and i will grow old with it.
@MyNameIsErin
So incredibly beautiful. I think its showing that a child's innocence can brighten the the world no matter what, but I'm not really sure.
@lightcasterstudios9660
I like that their music videos are animated with deep meanings... animated things are good. I like animated things. u_u;
@geoffryb
that was one of the most beautiful videos i've ever seen