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.
Loyalty Song
Babyshambles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What did I dream?
Cause nothing's as it seems
On the way back down, for me
What did I dream?
Cause nothing's as it seems
On the way back round, for me
Nothing's gonna keep me from my
What did I dream?
No one's gonna keep me from my
What did I dream?
We're on the one road
Maybe the wrong road
It's the road to fuck knows where
We're on the one road
Maybe the wrong road
But we're together now so I don't care
Nothing's gonna keep me from my
What did I dream?
No one's gonna keep me from my
No one'll fucking keep me from my
No one's gonna keep me from my
What did I dream?
And if I confide in you today
I know you don't believe a single word I say
I found solace in the flood
And everybody knew that I would
Cause I'm alright
And there's a slight crack in my chimney
So tell me
What did I dream?
What did I dream?
What did I dream?
Nothing's as it seems
On the way back round for me
What did I?
What did I?
What did I?
What did I dream?
The lyrics of Babyshambles' Loyalty Song contain a certain level of ambiguity and non-linearity, which is typical of the band's style. The singer asks a question that is difficult to answer - what did I dream? - and then proceeds to claim that nothing is as it seems, either on the way down or around again. This could be interpreted in several ways. Perhaps the singer is trying to tell us that dreams and reality are not always clear-cut, and that what we perceive as real could be just an illusion. Alternatively, the mention of being on the "way back down" could indicate a feeling of regret or disappointment, while the "way back round" could imply that the singer is caught in a cycle of self-doubt.
The next part of the song expresses a sense of determination to achieve something, despite any obstacles that might come in the way. The repetition of "nothing's gonna keep me from my / what did I dream?" creates a sense of urgency and purpose. It is as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they are capable of overcoming any challenges and reaching their goal. The mention of being "together now" in the following lines could suggest that the singer is not alone in this endeavor, and that they have the support of someone else.
The lyrics then take a more personal turn. The singer admits that they confide in someone else, but that person does not believe them. This could be a reference to a failed relationship or a friendship that has gone sour. The mention of finding "solace in the flood" could be interpreted as a metaphor for turning to substance abuse in order to cope with emotional pain. However, despite all of this, the singer claims that they are "alright" and that there is only a "slight crack in my chimney". This could be seen as a sign of resilience or a way of masking one's inner turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, tell me
The singer is seeking information from someone.
What did I dream?
The singer is questioning the content of their dream.
Cause nothing's as it seems
On the way back down, for me
The singer recognizes that reality or things may not be as they previously believed, leading them to question their experiences/memories.
Nothing's gonna keep me from my
What did I dream?
The artist is expressing determination to achieve or pursue their goals/dreams, despite uncertain reality.
We're on the one road
Maybe the wrong road
It's the road to fuck knows where
The artist acknowledges they may not be on the right path or there may be a lack of direction in their current journey.
But we're together now so I don't care
Despite uncertainty or doubt, the singer values companionship and togetherness with others.
And if I confide in you today
I know you don't believe a single word I say
The singer feels that they will not be understood or believed by the person they are confiding in.
I found solace in the flood
And everybody knew that I would
The artist has found comfort in something that is not commonly accepted or understood by others.
Cause I'm alright
And there's a slight crack in my chimney
The artist is expressing that they are doing okay, despite potential flaws or issues.
So tell me
What did I dream?
The artist is repeating their earlier question, seeking information or clarity.
What did I?
What did I?
What did I?
What did I dream?
The singer continues to question the content of their dream.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PATRICK GEORGE WALDEN, PETER DOHERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind