Archive was formed by Londoners Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths in 1994 and began as an electronica project. At the beginning, they mixed Bristol-style, Massive Attack, Portishead with Rap. The first album of the band, Londinium released in 1996 (with Roya Arab and Rosko John as guest vocalists). The second album, Take my Head, (which the band hates) was released in 1999 (with a new guest vocalist Suzanne Wooder), it is much more melodic than Londinium. The first song of the album, You Make Me Feel, illustrates this change in the Archive's music. After being dropped by their label and more changes in the lineup, the band seemed to hit its stride on the third album You All Look The Same To Me (2002), featuring singer Craig Walker (formerly of Power of Dreams), which took a decided turn toward more progressive music (with some Progressive Rock influences, notably Pink Floyd whose indelible influence is audible on tracks such as 'Finding it so Hard' and 'Again'), while still maintaining electronic elements. The band saw growing popularity and critical acclaim, especially in France, Greece, Germany and Poland. After recording two more artistically—but not too commercially—successful albums, Michel Vaillant (2003) and Noise (2004), Walker left the band for reasons the band and he will not talk about. The project continued on as a Collective, with new vocalists, Pollard Berrier and Dave Pen. In May 2006 they released the album Lights with Pollard Berrier on lead vocals, who is also a member/guest member of the innovative group, "Bauchklang" - a completely vocal beat-box (Vocal Groove) group based in Vienna, Austria. Archive released a live album, entitled,Live at Paris Zenith, in May, 2007 - which was recorded on January 20th, 2007 at the sold out Zentih Arena in Paris. Rolling Stone called it, "The best live album ever made." Archive continues to tour and is working on a number of forthcoming releases in the near future.
Archive are a Collective, not a band.
sane
Archive Lyrics
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Buy yeah buy, you're gonna make yourself feel better
Try yeah try, you're gonna make yourself feel ruthless
More yeah more, you're gonna make yourself feel sane
Can't stop looking and you can't stop taking it in
Head's full baby, but you can't stop taking it in
Reach yeah reach, 'til your arms can't reach any longer
Numb it again
Television's dead, but you can't stop taking it in
Cover up your eyes, but you can't stop taking it in
Dead dead speech, yeah you can't stop taking it in
Speed it up baby, you gotta make yourself feel sane
Can't stop looking and you can't stop taking it in
Head's full baby, but you can't stop taking it in
Reach yeah reach, 'til your arms can't reach any longer
More yeah more, you're gonna make yourself feel sane
Numb it again
These lyrics from the song "Sane" by Archive seem to be discussing the human tendency to seek out things that make us feel better, even if they may not truly make us happy or fulfilled. The repetition of "buy yeah buy" and "more yeah more" suggests a never-ending cycle of attempting to find the next thing that will provide temporary relief. However, the lyrics also touch on the idea of reaching a breaking point - when we can no longer keep up with our cycle of consumption and distraction. The lines "reach yeah reach, 'til your arms can't reach any longer" and "head's full baby, but you can't stop taking it in" show a sense of overwhelm and desperation.
The last section of the lyrics, "Television's dead, but you can't stop taking it in / Cover up your eyes, but you can't stop taking it in / Dead dead speech, yeah you can't stop taking it in / Speed it up baby, you gotta make yourself feel sane" seem to be commenting on the numbing effect of modern media and communication. Even though we may recognize that these things are often hollow and unsatisfying, we continue to consume them in order to try to escape or feel a sense of momentum. The recurring phrase "numb it again" echoes this sentiment - we may be aware of the effects of our behavior, but we continue to engage in it nonetheless.
Line by Line Meaning
Step by step, you're gonna make yourself feel better
Gradually, by taking measured actions, you will find ways to improve your emotional state.
Buy yeah buy, you're gonna make yourself feel better
The purchase of material things will provide a temporary sense of satisfaction.
Try yeah try, you're gonna make yourself feel ruthless
By relentlessly pushing yourself towards success, you will feel a sense of achievement.
More yeah more, you're gonna make yourself feel sane
Increasing your efforts will lead to a feeling of sanity or mental stability.
Can't stop looking and you can't stop taking it in
You are constantly observing and absorbing information around you.
Head's full baby, but you can't stop taking it in
Your mind is overwhelmed with external stimuli, yet you continue to consume more.
Reach yeah reach, 'til your arms can't reach any longer
You extend yourself to the limit, until you are physically incapable of reaching any further.
Numb it again
You seek to desensitize yourself and numb your emotions.
Television's dead, but you can't stop taking it in
Even though television as a medium may be obsolete, you continue to subconsciously consume it.
Cover up your eyes, but you can't stop taking it in
You attempt to shield yourself, but cannot avoid the external stimuli that surrounds you.
Dead dead speech, yeah you can't stop taking it in
You are subjected to meaningless information or language, yet you continue to consume it.
Speed it up baby, you gotta make yourself feel sane
You increase your consumption or pace of activity with the hope it will bring a sense of sanity or rationality.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Fintage House Publishing
Written by: POLLARD BERRIER, DANIEL GRIFFITHS, DARIUS KEELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind