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.
blow it to the moon
Babybird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a light off the sun and blew it to the moon, blew it to the moon.
A hundred thousand light years drifting through my head,
Saving up this crazy stuff for when I′m good and dead, when I'm good and dead.
What′s the point of keeping all the things I know?
So when I'm on the other side they start to take control.
Now that I am dead, rising long ago (?)
All the stuff I learned ain't even a distant glow, glow.
Fade out and blow, fade out and blow, fade out and blow. (?)
A hundred thousand light years through my head,
Saving up this crazy stuff when I′m good and dead.
Lay down and blow, lay down and blow, fade out and blow. (?)
The song "Blow It to the Moon" by Babybird appears to be a reflection on the idea of mortality and the impermanence of life. The opening lines describe a hasty decision to light a cigarette, only to realize it was done too soon. However, the next line "Got a light off the sun and blew it to the moon" suggests that this mistake was not of great concern, as the singer has access to a more powerful source of light, one that they are able to use to transcend the earthly plane altogether.
The singer acknowledges that they have accumulated a great deal of knowledge throughout their life, but questions its value in the face of death. They wonder "what's the point of keeping all the things I know?" as they prepare to transition to the afterlife. The repeated line "fade out and blow" implies a desire to let go and dissolve into nothingness, much like the smoke from the cigarette.
Line by Line Meaning
Got myself a cigarette, took a puff too soon,
I made a mistake by starting something before I was ready.
Got a light off the sun and blew it to the moon, blew it to the moon.
I made something insignificant into something great that will last forever.
A hundred thousand light years drifting through my head,
My mind is filled with endless possibilities and ideas.
Saving up this crazy stuff for when I'm good and dead, when I'm good and dead.
I am holding onto my ideas for the future when I am no longer here to act on them.
What's the point of keeping all the things I know?
There is no purpose in holding onto knowledge if I cannot use it.
So when I'm on the other side they start to take control.
I hope that when I am gone, my ideas will inspire and influence others.
Fade out and blow, fade out and blow, fade out and blow (?)
Just like a candle flame, my life will fade away and my ideas will be carried on by others.
Now that I am dead, rising long ago (?)
Even though I am gone, my ideas still exist and have the potential to influence others.
All the stuff I learned ain't even a distant glow, glow.
The knowledge and experiences I gained in life are insignificant compared to the impact of my ideas after death.
Lay down and blow, lay down and blow, fade out and blow. (?)
As I lay down to rest, my ideas will continue to live on and inspire others.
Writer(s): Steven Jones
Contributed by Mila I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.