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.
Vibes Ain
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 song "Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes" by Barry Adamson tells a story of two people who find themselves attracted to each other despite their racial differences. The lyrics describe a horny black boy and a frisky white girl who catch each other's eye in a room, and the chemistry between them is irresistible. However, they are aware that their attraction is not on anybody's agenda, and so, the boy suggests that they go someplace where they won't be seen. After some back and forth, they agree on Dunkin' Donuts and fall in love under the hail of spit, ignoring other people's disapproval.
Despite their seemingly perfect love affair, they secretly conspire to murder each other, hoping to alleviate the uncomfortable feelings that may arise from their situation. But behind closed doors, they become a beautiful example of a power that definitely exists, melting into each other on a warm moonlit night, in spite of themselves. The last line of the lyrics, "Ummmm, a likely story," implies that the adventure was probably too good to be true and may have just been a figment of someone's imagination.
Overall, the song portrays the idea that love sees no color or race and can flourish in unexpected places. Still, it can also lead to dangerous situations provoked by societal norms and prejudices.
Line by Line Meaning
Ok, what have we got here
Let's see what's happening
Horny black boy with frisky white girl
A sexually charged black man and a flirty white woman
Eye each other across the room and
Looking at each other from a distance
The chemistry is unbearable and
Their attraction to each other is strong and overwhelming
Definitely not on anyones agenda
Not something that was planned or expected
He suggests they go to someplace they won't be seen
He proposes they go somewhere private
And she thinks otherwise
She disagrees with his suggestion
Finally they agree to go
They come to an agreement
And put up with Dunkin donuts
They settle for an ordinary place
The usual story, they fall in love
The typical narrative is that they fall in love
Under the hail of spit they ignore
They disregard any negative attention or criticism
All the while secretly conspiring to murder each other
They are actually harboring thoughts of harming each other
Hoping that will elevate the slightly more
Wishing it will improve the situation a bit
Uncomfortable feelings that may arise
The awkward emotions that could surface
In a situation like this
In this particular circumstance
But behind closed doors
In private, away from the public eye
The eyes of the world
The attention of society
Becoming their wallpaper
Becoming background noise
They melt into a beautiful example
They become a stunning representation
Of a power that definitely exists
Of the undeniable strength of their connection
And come together on a warm moonlit night
They unite on a lovely evening
In spite of themselves
Even though they may not want to
Ummmm, a likely story
Sarcasm indicating disbelief towards their story
Lyrics © OBO 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