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).
The Currents
Bastille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Using the minute that it takes
To think about the power of your words
We're living in the currents you create
We're sinking in the pool of your mistakes
So stub it out, your podium awaits
Oh my God, my God
I'm swimming to the surface
I'm coming up for air
'Cause you're making me feel nervous
I need to clear my head
I can't believe my ears
I don't wanna believe my ears
I'm swimming to the surface
I'm coming up for air
How can you think you're serious?
Do you even know what year it is?
I can't believe the scary points you make
Still living in the currents you create
Still sinking in the pool of your mistakes
Won't you stop firing up the crazies?
Oh my God, my God
I can't quite believe my ears
I'm swimming to the surface
I'm coming up for air
'Cause you're making me feel nervous
I need to clear my head
I can't believe my ears
I don't wanna believe my ears
I'm swimming to the surface
I'm coming up for air
"When anybody preaches disunity, tries to pit one of us against the other
You know that person seeks to rob us of our freedom and destroy our very lives"
Oh, I need a breath
I need a breath
Fill my lungs
Let me fill my lungs?
Oh, I need a breath
I need a breath
Fill my lungs
Let me fill my lungs
Oh, I need a breath
I need a breath
Fill my lungs
Let me fill my lungs
Oh, I need a breath
I need a breath
Fill my lungs
Let me fill my lungs
I'm swimming to the surface
I'm coming up for air
'Cause you're making me feel nervous
I need to clear my head
I can't believe my ears
I don't wanna believe my ears
I'm swimming to the surface
I'm coming up for air
The lyrics of Bastille's song "The Currents" address the impact of powerful individuals who use their words to create currents that can either lift people up or drown them in their own mistakes. The singer calls out those who use their words to preach disunity and those who fire up extremists. They urge these individuals to stop making scary points and creating dangerous currents that are causing people to sink.
The singer acknowledges that they are feeling nervous and need to clear their head after being bombarded with such negativity. They admit that they can't quite believe their ears at the things they are hearing. The repeated line "I'm swimming to the surface, I'm coming up for air" represents the singer's need to escape the negativity and find a more positive and uplifting space. The song ends with the singer pleading for a breath of fresh air and a chance to fill their lungs.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Currents" express a sense of urgency to escape the currents of negativity created by powerful individuals and to find a space where people can come together and support each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Roll up another cigarette
Taking time away from important issues to engage in insignificant activities.
Using the minute that it takes
Using the short time available for trivial things.
To think about the power of your words
Memorizing and recognizing the significance of the things one says.
We're living in the currents you create
The world is influenced by one's actions and decisions.
We're sinking in the pool of your mistakes
The effects of one's errors and failures are felt by those around them.
So stub it out, your podium awaits
Stop wasting time on insignificant things and take action or speak up for what you believe in, as others are waiting for someone to lead the way.
Oh my God, my God
Expressing disbelief or shock about something.
I'm swimming to the surface
Going against the tide and trying to rise above difficult circumstances.
I'm coming up for air
Needing a break to regain composure and breathe again.
'Cause you're making me feel nervous
Feeling uneasy or concerned because of someone else's actions or words.
I need to clear my head
Taking time to think and sort through one's thoughts and emotions.
How can you think you're serious?
Expressing doubt or skepticism about someone's intentions or abilities.
Do you even know what year it is?
Questioning someone's awareness or understanding of the present situation or reality.
I can't believe the scary points you make
Expressing disbelief or shock at someone's alarming statements or ideas.
Still living in the currents you create
Continuing to be influenced by someone's actions and decisions, and still feeling their effects.
Still sinking in the pool of your mistakes
Continuing to suffer from the consequences of someone's wrong choices or actions.
Won't you stop firing up the crazies?
Challenging someone to stop inciting or encouraging irrational or dangerous behavior.
When anybody preaches disunity, tries to pit one of us against the other
Warning against the dangers of those who promote division and strife between individuals or groups.
You know that person seeks to rob us of our freedom and destroy our very lives
Highlighting the potentially devastating effects of those who seek to divide and oppress others.
Oh, I need a breath
Reiterating the need to take a break and regroup.
Fill my lungs
Taking a deep breath to regain composure and strength.
Let me fill my lungs?
Asking for permission to take a moment to recover.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANIEL CAMPBELL SMITH, MARK 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.