Jones had begun writing songs and recording home demos as part of an experimental theatre group in Sheffield. A collection of these demos (I Was Born a Man) was released in the summer of 1995, under the name Baby Bird. Following a warm critical reception for this record, he recruited a band made up of Huw Chadbourne (keyboards), Robert Gregory (drums), John Pedder (bass) and Luke Scott (guitar), in order to tour and promote his work.
During 1995, two further albums of demo recordings were released under the name Baby Bird (Bad Shave and Fatherhood) and two in 1996 (The Happiest Man Alive and Dying Happy).
By the end of the year, a decent public following had been built up, as well as quite considerable excitment within the press and music industry. Babybird were signed to Echo Records (a division of the Chrysalis Group), and the first "proper" single, a full-band recording of "Goodnight", which had appeared in demo form on Fatherhood, was eventually released in the summer of 1996, becoming a minor chart hit in the UK.
"You're Gorgeous"
The second single, You're Gorgeous, reached number 3 in the UK in October 1996, and was also one of the biggest selling singles of the year, going on to chart around the world. This remains the song for which Stephen Jones and Babybird are best known.
However, it presented a much more commercial face to the public in comparison to Jones' previous work. The early demo albums won Jones great credibility with those who heard them, but had not reached a wide audience (each one being a one-off pressing). Arguably, the commercial sound and success of "You're Gorgeous", which received massive exposure by comparison, made it hard for many to take Jones seriously as an indie artist. Essentially, what he was best at was no longer what he was best known for.
After "You're Gorgeous"
The album Ugly Beautiful was released to a warm reception, but was not the unmitigated critical triumph that some had anticipated from Babybird's first studio-recorded album. The album produced two more hit singles, Candy Girl and Cornershop.
Babybird returned, minus keyboardist Huw Chadbourne, in 1998 with There's Something Going On, preceded by a single, Bad Old Man. The album was a modest success and was followed by further minor hits, If You'll Be Mine and Back Together.
In 2000, a line-up of Babybird comprising Stephen Jones, Luke Scott and Matt Hay created a third album. Bugged, which was well-received critically (it might be suggested that it is an album of the right quality, but four years later than expected). However, sales were poor and the two singles from it, The F-Word (later the theme tune to a UK TV cookery show of the same name) and Out of Sight barely dented the charts. Babybird were dropped by their record label soon after. A third single from the album Fireflies was released on Animal Noise records, but sold few copies. The band subsequently split.
Stephen Jones went on to write fiction, release solo work and score a film, Blessed, in 2004.
In October 2005, a posting on the official Babybird website announced that the band had reformed as a three-piece featuring Stephen, Luke Scott and Robert Gregory, and would be releasing new material in 2006.
The last CD, called "Between My Ears There's Nothing But Music", was released in autumn 2006 and didn't seem to have encountered a big success.
Stephen Jones has also released Solo material, not to be confused with the american artist of the same name.
In September 2009, Stephen Jones launched an online Babybird community, on which he regularly posts.
A brief tour of the UK was undertaken in November 2009 with the lineup of Stephen Jones, Luke Scott and Robert Gregory. This tour was to promote the new album, Ex-Maniac, due for release in February 2010. Johnny Depp, a long time fan, appears on the album Ex-Maniac, as guitarist in the first single off the album, Unloveable.
The Little Things
Babybird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The little things
Building up
To everything
Here she comes
My little love
Swimming round my blood
MY LITTLE LOVE ... MY LOVE
ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ... I LOVE
MY LITTLE LOVE ... MY LOVE
ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ... I LOVE
When she's gone
My breathing stops
When she's back
I breathe again
Here she is
My little spark
Lighting up
The dark
MY LITTLE LOVE ... MY LOVE
ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ... I LOVE
MY LITTLE LOVE ... MY LOVE
ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ... I LOVE
My love
My love
My love
My love
MY LITTLE LOVE ... MY LOVE
ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ... I LOVE
MY LITTLE LOVE ... MY LOVE
ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ... I LOVE
The song "The Little Things" by Babybird is a beautiful and soulful love song that speaks to the power of love and the importance of the small and simple things in life. The first verse of the song captures the essence of the message by saying, "Here they come, the little things, building up to everything." The little things are the small but significant moments, actions, and gestures that make up the fabric of our lives and create the memories we hold dear. These could be a simple smile, a kind word, a sweet kiss, or a shared experience that brings us closer to the people we love.
The second verse of the song speaks specifically about the love the singer feels for his partner. He describes her as his little love, swimming around his blood, and when she is gone, his breathing stops. This powerful metaphor evokes the idea that this person is an essential part of his life, and without them, he cannot exist. When she returns, he breathes again, and he feels complete once more. The third verse describes how this little love is also a light in the dark, his little spark, lighting up the darkness and bringing warmth and joy to his life.
Overall, "The Little Things" is a touching and emotional love song that celebrates the beauty of love and the power of the small and simple things in life. The lyrics speak to the idea that it is often the little things that matter the most, and that we should cherish these moments and appreciate the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here they come
The small, insignificant things are slowly starting to accumulate and become more important.
The little things
All the small things in life that make it worth living and that are cherished by the singer.
Building up
Gradually getting stronger and more significant, until they can't be ignored anymore.
To everything
Becoming an integral part of life and contributing to the bigger picture.
Here she comes
The singer's beloved is approaching.
My little love
The singer's term of endearment for their partner.
Swimming round my blood
The singer is filled with love and passion for their partner, which runs through their veins.
When she's gone
The singer feels lost and empty when their partner is not around.
My breathing stops
The singer is so affected by their partner's absence that they feel like they can't breathe.
When she's back
The singer feels complete and alive again when their partner returns.
I breathe again
The singer's life is renewed and they feel like they can breathe again with their partner by their side.
Here she is
Referring to the singer's beloved partner who has just arrived.
My little spark
The singer's partner brings light and energy into their life, like a spark igniting a fire.
Lighting up
Brightening and illuminating the darkness.
The dark
Referring to the singer's life before they met their partner, which was lacking in joy and light.
My love
The singer's term of endearment for their partner, repeated multiple times for emphasis.
Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.