Bastille debuted in June 2011 with their 7" single, "Flaws"/"Icarus" (released on Young & Lost Club). This was then followed by their EP 'Laura Palmer' later in 2011. After adding a few more tracks online, the band received a lot of attention from indie rock fans on the web, helping secure some support slots. During the summer of 2011, they performed at a number of major UK festivals, including Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, and Blissfields.
On 27 April 2012, "Overjoyed" came out, being the debut Virgin Records single from Bastille. This was confirmed by EMI on 1 May 2012. After the video release of "Overjoyed" on YouTube, 'Q Magazine' introduced the song as its track of the day for 7 March 2012. Fans seemingly devoured the tune.
"Bad Blood" was released on Virgin Records on 20 August 2012. Following the video release of "Bad Blood" on YouTube, Bastille were named "The New Band of the Day" by writers for 'The Guardian' on 25 July 2012. In not too long, Bastille performed at the major UK Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2012. They played an October 2012 headline tour that brought them into the spotlight alongside Emeli Sandé, with Swiss Lips supporting them.
Bastille's single "Flaws"/"Icarus" was featured in the soundtrack of the popular British Channel 4 television show 'Made in Chelsea'. As well, "Weight of Living, Pt. II" was part of the soundtrack for FIFA 13. "Of The Night", Bastille's dual cover of both Snap!'s "Rhythm is a Dancer" and Corona's "The Rhythm of the Night", was used to advertise Dancing on Ice in the run up to its 2013 series.
Bastille played their first show outside of Europe on 3 December 2012 at Hong Kong's Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival.
Bastille's song "Oblivion" featured in the soundtrack of the television show The Vampire Diaries in the Season 4 Episode 9 titled "O Come, All Ye Faithful".
They supported Two Door Cinema Club on their UK tour throughout January/February 2013 and toured through Europe in April to promote their debut album.
The band have also released four mixtape-style EPs : "Other People's Heartache Pt 1" in 2012 (featuring covers, among others, of "Blue Jeans" by Lana del Rey, "The Rhythm of The Night" by Corona) , "Other People's Heartache Pt 2" (featuring covers, including, "Sweet Nothing" by Calvin Harris, "No Scrubs" by TLC and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac), "VS: Other People's Heartache Pt 3" (featuring collaborations with other artists, including "Remains" with Skunk Anansie and Rag'n'Bone Man, and "bad_news" with MNEK). "Other People's Heartache (Pt. 4)" was released in 2018 (featuring more covers, one of "Wild World" by Yusuf/Cat Stevens, and an original song Grip in collaboration with Seeb, and the latest addition to this series (Pt. 5) was released in 2022 (including the song Run Into Trouble and a cover of "Dancing In The Dark" by Bruce Springsteen).
Lethargy
Bastille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't know how to shake it
Got these itchy feet for a change of scene
Do anything to escape it
Get up, get up, pressure, pressure
Run away as fast as you can go
Everyday our friends and lovers
You told me not to be like anybody else
Headspin, happiness, death
Be like anybody else
Bowed down, nothing else left
You checked out years ago
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
You checked out years ago
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
There's an English man up in space these days
Floating in awe and wonder
As he floats away from the atmospheres
All of us non believers
Get up, get up, pressure, pressure
Run away as fast as you can go
Everyday our friends and lovers
Give the answers everybody knows
You told me not to be like anybody else
Headspin, happiness, death
Be like anybody else
Bowed down, nothing else left
You checked out years ago
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
You checked out years ago
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
Paint the scene for me
Paint it bright and paint it clear
I don't want to use my imagination here
Don't want to use my imagination here
Paint the scene for me
Paint it bright and paint it clear
I don't want to use my imagination here
Don't want to use my imagination here
You told me not to be like anybody else
Headspins, happiness, death
Be like anybody else
Bowed down, nothing else left
You checked out years ago
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
You checked out years ago
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
In "Lethargy" by Bastille - Topic, the lyrics describe a sense of feeling trapped and restless, wanting to escape the lethargy that has taken hold. The singer expresses a desire for change, feeling suffocated by the monotonous routine of everyday life. The repetition of the lines "Get up, get up, pressure, pressure" and "Run away as fast as you can go" highlight the urgency and desperation to break free from this state.
The song also touches on the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The line "You told me not to be like anybody else" suggests that someone close to the singer discourages them from being different or standing out. However, the singer acknowledges the futility of trying to be like everybody else, realizing that it only leads to feeling empty and defeated.
The lyrics shift to a metaphorical space theme, with the mention of an Englishman in space observing the world from a distance. This juxtaposition emphasizes the detachment and cynicism felt towards those who hold onto their beliefs while the rest of the world remains skeptical and disbelieving. The chorus "You checked out years ago, oh what I'd do to not to worry like you" expresses a longing for the carefree attitude of someone who has detached themselves from the worries and stresses of life.
Overall, the song explores the desire for change, the pressure to conform, and the yearning to escape the lethargy and worries that weigh us down.
Line by Line Meaning
Lethargy got a hold of me
I've been overcome by a state of exhaustion and lack of motivation
And I don't know how to shake it
I'm unsure about how to overcome this feeling
Got these itchy feet for a change of scene
I'm eager to experience something new and escape my current situation
Do anything to escape it
I'm willing to go to extreme lengths to get away from this feeling
Get up, get up, pressure, pressure
I feel the urgency and weight of expectations pushing me to act
Run away as fast as you can go
I want to flee from my responsibilities and the constraints of my life
Everyday our friends and lovers
Those close to us
Give the answers everybody knows
They provide us with advice or solutions that are commonly understood
You told me not to be like anybody else
You advised me to not conform to societal norms or expectations
Headspin, happiness, death
These are the paradoxical emotions and experiences we may encounter in life
Be like anybody else
You encouraged me to embrace my individuality and not try to fit in
Bowed down, nothing else left
Feeling defeated, with no other options or choices
You checked out years ago
You disengaged or mentally withdrew from your responsibilities a long time ago
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
I wish I could let go of my concerns and anxieties as easily as you have
There's an English man up in space these days
Referring to a British astronaut currently in space
Floating in awe and wonder
Experiencing a sense of amazement and fascination
As he floats away from the atmospheres
Moving further from Earth's atmosphere
All of us non believers
Those of us who lack faith or belief in something
Paint the scene for me
Describe the situation or context clearly
Paint it bright and paint it clear
Provide a vivid and detailed depiction
I don't want to use my imagination here
I prefer to have a concrete example or explanation without having to imagine
You told me not to be like anybody else
Reiterating the previous advice of embracing individuality
Headspins, happiness, death
The same paradoxical emotions and experiences
Be like anybody else
Again, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself
Bowed down, nothing else left
Reemphasizing the feeling of defeat and having no other options
You checked out years ago
Repeating the idea of your disengagement from responsibilities
Oh what I'd do to not to worry like you
Continuing to express the desire to let go of worries and concerns
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Campbell Smith, Mark Blair Crew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam
on Fake it
Has anyone translated the news captions in the music video?
Jeannie Smith
on Pompeii
I like it.