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.
Sedative
Babyshambles Lyrics
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Sedative
Was my hero
Oh, it was
What's it really like now
It's been a long, long time since I've step outside
To the morning sun now
Take me by the hand now
It's been a long, long time since I've step outside
To the morning sun
Sedative
Sedative
Was my hero
And I had a hit
Sedative
It was my hero
And I had a hit on it
What's it really like now
It's been a long, long time since I've step outside
To the morning sun now
Would you take me out now?
And I crawl along now
It's been a long, long time since I've step outside
To the morning sun
My faith in you
(?)
Yes, I got faith in you
What's it really like now
It's been a long, long time since I've step outside
To the morning sun now
Would you take me out?
And I crawl along now
It's been a long, long time since I've step outside
To the morning sun
My faith in you
Faith in you
My faith in you
The lyrics to Babyshambles' song "Sedative" speak about the singer's isolation and dependence on drugs ("sedative" being a reference to a medication used to induce sleep or relaxation). The line "Sedative was my hero" suggests that the singer had become reliant on drugs to function and cope with life's challenges. The repetition of the line emphasizes the extent of the singer's dependence. The line "And I had a hit on it" plays on the double meaning of "hit" - the drug-induced high and a popular song.
The chorus of the song expresses a longing for connection and a desire to leave the isolation of drug addiction behind. The repeated request to be taken "outside" and into the "morning sun" implies a longing to escape the darkness and solitude of the singer's life. The use of the word "crawl" suggests that the singer is weak and possibly suffering from withdrawal symptoms. The line "My faith in you" could be interpreted as the singer reaching out to someone for help, or having faith in a higher power to overcome their addiction.
Overall, the lyrics to "Sedative" are a bleak representation of drug addiction and the struggle to break free from its hold.
Line by Line Meaning
Sedative
The title of the song, possibly referring to a drug or a state of mind
Sedative
Reiterating the song title
Was my hero
The sedative was once admired and relied upon
Oh, it was
Reiterating the previous line
What's it really like now
Asking about the current state or effect of the sedative
It's been a long, long time since I've step outside
The singer has been isolated or confined for a considerable amount of time
To the morning sun now
Suggesting a desire to be outside in the daylight
Would you take me out now?
Asking someone to assist in leaving the current environment or situation
Take me by the hand now
A more specific request for physical assistance in leaving
And I had a hit on it
The artist has used the sedative successfully in the past
And I crawl along now
The singer's current state of movement is slow or difficult
My faith in you
Possibly addressed to a specific person, expressing trust or reliance on them
(?)
Unclear or indecipherable lyric
Yes, I got faith in you
Reiterating the faith expressed previously
Faith in you
Final repetition and emphasis of their trust or reliance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Peter Doherty, Adam Ficek, Drew McConnell, Mick Whitnall, Michael Whitnall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind