Adamson left school and shifted into graphic design attending Stockport Art College[3] but quit shortly after, favouring to venture into the exploding punk rock scene of the late 1970s. He joined ex-Buzzcocks singer Howard Devoto's band Magazine, playing bass guitar, scoring one chart single, "Shot by Both Sides"; in late 1977, he also joined Buzzcocks, as a short-time replacement of Garth Smith. He played on all of Magazine's albums, and contributed to Devoto's solo album and his next band, Luxuria. He also contributed to the studio-based band Visage, playing on the ensemble's first two albums, Visage and The Anvil.
After Magazine broke up, Adamson worked with another ex-Buzzcock, Pete Shelley, before joining Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. He appeared on five of that band's albums: From Her to Eternity; The Firstborn Is Dead; Kicking Against the Pricks; Your Funeral, My Trial; and Tender Prey. After his stint in the band, he went solo, releasing an EP, The Man with the Golden Arm in 1988, and his first solo album, Moss Side Story, the following year, the soundtrack to a non-existent film noir.[4] The album incorporated newscasts and sampled sound effects and featured guest musicians Marcia Schofield (of The Fall), Diamanda Galas, Roland S. Howard, and former colleagues from the Bad Seeds.[4] Adamson's second solo album was the soundtrack to a real film this time - Carl Colpaert's Delusion, and he would go on to provide sountracks for several other films.[4]
Adamson's third album, Soul Murder, was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1992.[4][5]
His solo work is influenced by John Barry, Elmer Bernstein and Ennio Morricone. Later works have included jazz, electronica, soul, funk, and dub styles.
In 2002, Adamson left his long-term label, Mute Records, and started his own 'production home', Central Control International. In 2006, he released Stranger on the Sofa, first for his Central Control International imprint, to critical acclaim. Back To The Cat, his second album for the label, was released in March 2008.[1]
In 2007 it was announced that Magazine would reform for concerts in 2008. Adamson will be part of this and the same line up that recorded Secondhand Daylight will reform, with the exception of the late John McGeoch. McGeoch will be replaced by Luxuria/Apollo 440 member Noko.
The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Horny black boy with frisky white girl
Eye each other across the room and
The chemistry is unbearable and
Definitely not on anyones agenda
He suggests they go to someplace they won't be seen
And she thinks otherwise
And put up with Dunkin donuts
The usual story, they fall in love
Under the hail of spit they ignore
All the while secretly conspiring to murder each other
Hoping that will eleviate the slightly more
Uncomfortable feelings that may arise
In a situation like this
But behind closed doors
The eyes of the world
Becoming their wallpaper
They melt into a beautiful example
Of a power that definitely exists
And come together on a warm moonlit night
In spite of themselves
Ummmm, a likely story
The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes is a complex and thought-provoking song that explores themes of interracial relationships and the societal pressures that come with them. The lyrics tell the story of a horny black boy and a frisky white girl who find themselves attracted to each other despite the social norms and expectations that seek to keep them apart. They go to great lengths to find a place where they can be together, ultimately settling for a Dunkin Donuts, but their love story is far from conventional. They ignore the hail of spit and the eyes of the world, secretly conspiring to murder each other to avoid the uncomfortable feelings that may arise in a situation like this. Behind closed doors, they become each other's wallpaper, melting into a beautiful example of a power that exists despite the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Ok, what have we got here
Starting off with an observation of a situation
Horny black boy with frisky white girl
Describing the two main characters in the scenario
Eye each other across the room and
Illustrating how the two characters are looking at one another
The chemistry is unbearable and
Explaining how the attraction between them is very strong
Definitely not on anyones agenda
Highlighting how this wasn't something they planned for
He suggests they go to someplace they won't be seen
Telling us how one of the characters proposes escaping to privacy
And she thinks otherwise
Showing that the other character doesn't necessarily agree with the suggestion
Finally they agree to go
Revealing they eventually come to a consensus
And put up with Dunkin donuts
Indicating they settle for a nearby and unremarkable location
The usual story, they fall in love
Suggesting the storyline is a familiar one where two people fall for each other
Under the hail of spit they ignore
Implying there are some external factors that they're brushing off
All the while secretly conspiring to murder each other
Adding an unusual twist to the tale, indicating that they're not necessarily living happily ever after
Hoping that will eleviate the slightly more
Describing how they're hoping to relieve themselves of their discomfort
Uncomfortable feelings that may arise
Explaining what it is precisely that makes them feel uneasy
In a situation like this
Elaborating on what type of circumstance they find themselves in
But behind closed doors
Indicating the privacy they found earlier to avoid being seen
The eyes of the world
Suggesting that they're aware of the attention they're receiving
Becoming their wallpaper
Metaphorically explaining how the observers' eyes are just there in the background
They melt into a beautiful example
Painting this as a tender moment where they're getting lost in passion
Of a power that definitely exists
Expressing a belief in the intensity of the emotions they're experiencing
And come together on a warm moonlit night
Setting the scene and offering more context
In spite of themselves
Showing that they're giving in to their desires despite potential repercussions
Ummmm, a likely story
Concluding with a sarcastic remark, perhaps indicating skepticism or cynicism
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ian Campbell
This guy is the most under-rated british artist of all time.
Roger W
Yep. I'm American..luv this guy.
schnook11
One of the sexiest songs ever..I love the narrative leading up to that wonderful aural experience starting at 3:23 and culminating around 3:30. And the vibes and bass...it's all so good.
jesusweeps
Dunkin Donuts kills me every time!
Raiyan Anabil
So good yet so under rated.
Masterpiece.
Charlotte O'Neal
god i love this album
andrewbeeable
Amazing. It's the same chord progression as Hotel California.
Jag Betty
andrewbeeable well spotted.
RoisinElektra
Great vibes!
Raventhor FPacheco
mítica ...profunda...uauuu