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.
Big Shot
Bark Psychosis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
just driving somewhere fast
And below the west way
With ?chosen? hearts to clutch you back
The opening lines of Bark Psychosis's song "Big Shot" set the scene for a late-night drive with no clear destination in mind. The singer and their companions are simply "driving somewhere fast," propelled by a restless energy that won't let them rest. The use of the specific time, 3am, conjures up a sense of disorientation and disconnection from the everyday world - this is a time when most people are asleep and the streets are deserted, creating a surreal atmosphere. As they speed along, the singer is drawn to the "west way," perhaps a reference to London's Westway elevated motorway, which looms above them. The line "with chosen hearts to clutch you back" suggests that the passengers are holding on to something - perhaps each other, perhaps a feeling or a memory - that is keeping them grounded amidst the chaos of the night.
What is most striking about these lyrics is the way they capture a very specific mood and atmosphere. The language is precise and evocative, conveying a sense of urgency and longing without ever resorting to cliché. The use of sensory detail - the sound of the engine, the sight of the road rushing beneath them - adds to the feeling of immersion in the moment. Overall, "Big Shot" is a masterful evocation of a particular time and place, and the complex emotions that can arise in such circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
It's 3am, don't know where we're going
We are driving aimlessly at a late hour without a clear destination in mind.
Just driving somewhere fast
We are speeding with a sense of urgency, seemingly without purpose.
And below the west way
We are traveling underneath the elevated Westway road, implying a bleak urban environment.
With chosen hearts to clutch you back
We have chosen to rely on each other for emotional support and comfort during this uncertain and potentially dangerous journey.
Contributed by Tristan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.