The band's first single, Babyshambles, was released in April 2004 on High Society Records. Fewer than 1,000 copies of the CD and 7" were released and both can now be found changing hands for more than £50 on internet auction sites such as eBay.
During September and October 2004 Babyshambles embarked on a UK tour culminating in two sold-out shows at the London Scala. Despite claims that the band were only touring to raise money to support Doherty's drug habit the tour sold-out and received critical acclaim. The band's second single Killamangiro was released November 29 2004 on Rough Trade Records and reached number 8 in the UK charts. The band embarked on another tour in December amid increasing concern about Doherty's drug use. During a gig in Blackpool the band walked off stage as it became clear Doherty was too intoxicated to perform and a riot broke out at the London Astoria when Doherty failed to turn up for a gig.
In January 2005, Gemma Clarke quit the band, citing disagreements with the management who she considered irresponsible for failing to address Doherty's obvious drug problem. She was replaced with Adam Ficek, Patrick Walden's former bandmate in The White Sport. In February 2005 Doherty, along with fellow musician Alan Wass, was arrested on suspicion of assault and blackmail. It was alleged that Doherty assaulted Max Carlish, a documentary maker, in a London hotel, a charge he strenuously denied. Carlish had made a documentary about Doherty, from which clips were used for the channel 4 documentary 'Stalking Pete Doherty'. After allegedly assaulting Carlish, Doherty spent several nights in prison until £150,000 bail could be raised. After being released on bail Doherty spent several weeks in a recording studio in Wales working on Babyshambles' debut album. All charges against him were dropped in April 2005.
On October 1, 2005, the Babyshambles tour bus was raided by police. Doherty was charged on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and bailed until December, although Doherty claims that the substances were related to his Naltrexone implant.
Work on Babyshambles' debut album continued throughout April and May 2005 with Mick Jones, who worked with Doherty on the producing of The Libertines' albums. The album, Down in Albion was released on 14th November, having been leaked onto the internet on 19th October. It came 10th in the Radio 1 Album Charts. The single Albion was released on the 28th November and came 8th in the Radio 1 Single Charts. Another single Fuck Forever was released on August 15th, reaching #4 on the UK Singles Chart.
Peter Doherty appeared on Newsnight at the end of 2005, and played a few secret and personal gigs to fans at the end of the year. At the start of 2006 the band announced that they would play 3 small club shows in London, Sheffield and Stoke. To fans' surprise, Babyshambles performed at the first of the London dates without guitarist Patrick Walden. Instead of Walden, Doherty played guitar at the London date. The band have since made an announcement that Walden quit the band to pursue other projects. Walden was replaced by Mick Whitnall.
December 2006 saw the release of a new EP, featuring The Blinding EP, the July single 'Beg, Steal & Borrow' and new single 'I Love You (But You're Green)'.
On January 18th, 2007 it was announced that the band signed a "long term" album deal with Parlophone.
Babyshambles released their 2nd album, Shotter's Nation, on October 1, 2007. It was produced by Stephen Street (Morrissey, Blur) and features Bert Jansch on guitar on the last track Lost Art Of Murder.
Beg Steal & Borrow
Babyshambles Lyrics
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It's already been, I've already seen all the sorrow that's in store
I will beg or steal or borrow
Hold on tighter to all that sorrow tries to choir
Oh and if I change my tune
Maybe I won't be bound to do
And I won't be bound to do And I won't be bound to
If you must beg, steal or borrow
To hold on tighter to all that sorrow tries to choir
And if I change my tune
They think she'll be fine by June
In a world where ice turns into stars
What a life on Mars
I can't wait until tomorrow
No I've already been, already seen all the sorrow that's in store
They'll tell you anything
(They'll tell you anything)
They'll tell you anything
(They'll tell you anything)
Just to get you in the car
(Get you in the car)
She'll tell them anything
(Anything)
You've told them everything
(Everything)
You've taken it too far
(Taken it too far)
What a life on Mars
The lyrics of Babyshambles' song "Beg Steal & Borrow" reflect the desperation and hopelessness felt by the singer. He is aware of the sorrow and pain that awaits him in the future, and as a result, he sees no point in waiting for it to arrive. He is willing to do anything, including begging, stealing, or borrowing, to cling to the happiness he has in the present moment. The repetition of the phrase "hold on tighter to all that sorrow tries to choir" emphasizes the idea that the singer is trying to resist the inevitable sadness that will come.
In the chorus, the singer ponders the possibility of changing his tune, suggesting that he may have the power to alter his fate. However, he knows that this may not be possible, and he may still be bound to his predetermined path. This feeling of being trapped and helpless is further emphasized in the lines "They'll tell you anything, just to get you in the car. She'll tell them anything, you've taken it too far." The singer is aware of the manipulation and lies that others may use to control him, and he feels that he has no choice but to comply.
The reference to "what a life on Mars" in the final line of the song offers a glimmer of hope and escape for the singer. Mars, as a distant and unknown planet, represents the possibility of a new and different life. This line suggests that the singer is searching for a way to break free from his current life and find something new and better.
Line by Line Meaning
Why should I wait until tomorrow
The singer doesn't see any value in waiting for tomorrow when they've already experienced all the pain and heartache that there is to come.
It's already been, I've already seen all the sorrow that's in store
The singer has already gone through so much heartache and pain that they know there is nothing new to come that they haven't already seen.
I will beg or steal or borrow
The singer is willing to do anything to hold onto the pain and sorrow that they feel, because it's all they have left.
Hold on tighter to all that sorrow tries to choir
The singer wants to hold onto their pain, because it gives them some sense of purpose or meaning in their life.
Oh and if I change my tune
The singer is considering a change in their perspective or outlook on life.
Maybe I won't be bound to do
The singer feels trapped by their current situation, but believes that a change in their attitude may help them break free from that trap.
And I won't be bound to do
By changing their attitude or outlook, the singer won't feel as obligated to hold onto their pain and sorrow.
If you must beg, steal or borrow
The singer acknowledges that it's not necessarily healthy or rational to hold onto pain, but they can't help themselves.
To hold on tighter to all that sorrow tries to choir
The singer feels like their pain gives them a sense of identity or purpose, and they don't want to let go of that.
They think she'll be fine by June
Others may have their own opinions or speculations about the singer's emotional state, but they don't really understand how much pain the singer is in.
In a world where ice turns into stars
The singer is using a metaphor to describe a world that is full of miracles and magical things that seem impossible or unlikely.
What a life on Mars
The singer is implying that they feel so alienated and isolated in their pain that it would be preferable to live on another planet entirely.
I can't wait until tomorrow
The singer doesn't have any hope or optimism for the future, and just wants to get through each day as best they can.
They'll tell you anything
The singer is skeptical of others who claim to know what's best for them or have all the answers.
(They'll tell you anything)
This line is repeated to emphasize the idea that the singer really doesn't trust anyone except themselves when it comes to their emotions.
Just to get you in the car
The singer feels like others are trying to manipulate or control them, and they don't want to be a part of that.
She'll tell them anything
The singer is sarcastically implying that others can go ahead and believe whatever they want, because it doesn't really matter to the singer.
(Anything)
This line is repeated to again emphasize the singer's apathy or indifference towards others' opinions of them.
You've told them everything
The singer may have shared their pain and sorrow with others in the past, but they now regret doing so and wish they could take it back.
(Everything)
This line is repeated to emphasize the idea that the singer has nothing left to give or share with others.
Taken it too far
The singer feels like they've gone too deep into their own pain and sorrow, and there's no going back now.
What a life on Mars
This line is repeated to remind listeners of the overall feeling of isolation and loneliness that pervades the song, and how the singer would rather be in another universe where they can escape their pain.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PETER DOHERTY, ADAM FICEK, DREW MCCONNELL, MICK WHITNALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind