Gish and Ling both dropped out as a result of the stress associated with making the album, and Simnett followed later, with the band having effectively split by 1994. Graham Sutton went on to record a drum and bass record under the name Boymerang. After a ten-year hiatus, Bark Psychosis returned with "Codename: Dustsucker" in 2004, which featured an entirely new line-up, including ex-Talk Talk drummer Lee Harris in the place of Simnett.
Absent Friend
Bark Psychosis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You taught me doubt, still you do it again
And it's high, high time I found myself on the road
Educate myself 'til it hurts
And it's high, high time I satisfy what it takes
It all just seams so differently
That's the biggest joke of all
And it's high time I recognized
To do it again, it's crawling outside my walls
I can't forget where I've been
I can't tell you anything at all
And that's the biggest joke of all
You know it's the biggest joke of all
The lyrics in Bark Psychosis's song "Absent Friend" convey a sense of frustration and inner turmoil with a relationship that has ended. The singer of the song appears to have been deeply affected by this person, who has taught them to doubt themselves, but continues to act in a way that is harmful to their well-being. The lines "So satisfied, leave without a trace" suggest that this person has left the singer feeling abandoned and confused, and the repetition of the phrase "it's high, high time" throughout the song indicates that the singer is ready to take action and move forward.
The singer seeks to educate themselves and find a new path, but is held back by their memories of this person and the emotional damage they have caused. The line "And it's high time I satisfy what it takes" suggests that the singer is determined to overcome these obstacles and find a way to heal, despite the pain they are experiencing. The song ends with the repeated line "You know it's the biggest joke of all," which can be interpreted as a commentary on the fleeting nature of relationships and the irony of investing so much in them only to be left feeling empty and disillusioned in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
So satisfied, leave without a trace
Having a feeling of fulfillment, departing silently without leaving any evidence
You taught me doubt, still you do it again
You instilled suspicion and uncertainty in me, yet you persist to do it again
And it's high, high time I found myself on the road
It's long overdue for me to set out on a journey to discover myself
Educate myself 'til it hurts
Learn to the point of anguish
And it's high, high time I satisfy what it takes
It's necessary for me to fulfill my needs and desires
It all just seams so differently
Everything appears changed and distorted
That's the biggest joke of all
It's the most absurd thing that there is
You know it's the biggest joke of all
You are aware of how ridiculous it is
And it's high time I recognized
It's critical that I acknowledge
To do it again, it's crawling outside my walls
Doing it again is slowly encroaching on my personal space and privacy
I can't forget where I've been
I am unable to erase my past experiences
I can't tell you anything at all
I am incapable of expressing myself to you
You know it's the biggest joke of all
You realize it's the most ludicrous thing there is
Contributed by Isabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.