1991 - 2000
Brian, Paul, Dom and Damien Rice form Juniper, having met in school. They go to college, play some weddings, 21st's and Bar Mitzvahs... and for a while have a Sunday night residency in the Kildrought Lounge and Bar, Celbridge. They meet Dave, who weans them off the Neil Diamond and Roxette covers. Band move into house in country, release EP, Manna, and two singles in Ireland. Damien leaves band, the others read about Chuck Yeager and his Right Stuff. They call the new band Bell X1. Bell X1 support Elliott Smith and Bon Jovi in the same 1 week period, leading to severe identity crisis, making small music with big hair. They make their first album, Neither Am I, in the summer/autumn of 1999 with Nick Seymour of Crowded House and release it in Ireland a year later, after much touring and a couple of old singles.
2001
Band take some time to indulge musical differences. Paul records and tours as drummer with Tipperary siren Gemma Hayes, Brian's away with Offaly hearthrob Mundy, and Dave and Dom join Richie Mullen of Lino Richie Carpets, Finglas, in touring cabaret show. Bell X1 regroup in late summer and write songs for what would become Music in Mouth in a house by the sea in Wexford.
2002
Second album recording starts in Ridge Farm studios in Surrey, with producer Jamie Cullum. After 4 weeks they move to the Fallout Shelter, London. The studio has no teapot!! Some moaning. The band take turns to make dinner. Some of it is shit. The world Cup happens. Mixing finishes in July and everyone goes away for a while. Come back and mix it all again. Borrow a friend's house in Kilkenny, record some more songs, play hurling, are laughed at by locals. Music in Mouth finally finished in December, a few days after the birth of Jamie's daughter Ellie, who was both conceived and born during the making of the record.
2003, 2004
The album Music in Mouth is released on July 21st 2003, to tremendous applause, and the band play with all sorts to try to flog it. Tom McRae, Keane, Starsailor, Aqualung and Snow Patrol show them the highways and byways of the UK and continental Europe. Songs from the record appear in many TV series, from Teachers to The OC, and at home the album goes double platinum, with four top 40 singles. In July 2004, the band gather in yet another house in Wexford to write a new record.
2005
Flock is recorded in Dublin and mixed in London, with Roger Becherian producing and Phil Hayes knob twiddling. A shrine to Daniel O' Donnell (Irish singing deity, ref Cliff Richard without ever having had a brush with cool) is created in the green room, Dave creates Pistachio Nut Shell Installation and mustaches are grown. The band take a break from recording and sell out a mini tour in the USA, where they record a live session for Nic Harcourt’s essential show on KCRW in L.A.
Flock is released in Ireland and hits the heights of #1 in the album charts. The band leaves Island Records and sets up its own record label called BellyUp records. A live album called Tour De Flock is released - it is a 2-disc compilation featuring 16 tracks from their sold-out gig at The Point Theatre, Dublin on December 1, 2006.
In 2008, Flock is released in the USA and the band appears on the St. Patrick's Day edition of the Late Show with David Letterman.
On 2nd October, Brian Crosby quits saying "It's been an extraordinary privilege to be in a band with your mates for more than 15 years. I'm really grateful for everything I got to do with Bell X1, for all the adventures we had and for the great support of our fans. It's been particularly wonderful to have connected with so many people and to have got to meet people all over the world doing what I love. I look forward to continue making those connections. At the same time I'll be applauding the boys continued success."
As well as promoting Flock in the USA, the band gets busy recording a new album Blue Lights On The Runway. It finally sees the light of day in 2009, with lead single The Great Defector becoming their biggest hit to date (no. 3 in the Irish charts).
2011
The band will release its newest album Bloodless Coup in stores and online on April 1 in Ireland, April 4 in the UK, April 8 in Germany and Benelux, April 12 in the USA and Canada, and April 26 in France. The album's lead single is “Velcro,” which the band performed on The Rachael Ray Show on St. Patrick's Day.
Eve The Apple Of My Eye-album version
Bell X1 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want it back
You left it, I sent it
I want it back
If I had you here, I'd clip your wings
Snap you up and leave you sprawling on my pin
This plan of mine is oh so very lame
You left, I died,
I went and you cried
You came, I think
But I never really know
I've served my time
I've watched you climb
The wrong incline
But what do I know
Accept it, Don't let it
Turn the screw
Accept it, And let it
Scream back at you
Now this applies both equally to you and I
The only thing we share
Is the same sky
These empty metaphors
They're all in vain
Like can't you see the grass is greener where it rains
In the garden Snake was a charmin'
And Eve said let's give it a try
Now lead us not into temptation
But no matter how hard I try
When in the garden and
Snake is a charmin'
And Eve says let's give it a try
Eve is the apple of my eye
And I lie behind you
And I cradle you in the palm of me
And I pat your hair down
I think will we sink or swim?
'Cause we could do either or none
The verses of "Eve the Apple of My Eye" by Bell X1 describe the complicated relationship between the singer and his/her lover. The opening lines "You left it, I sent it, I want it back" imply a feeling of emptiness and longing for something that is missing from the relationship. The next lines talk about how if the singer had the lover with him/her, he/she would "clip their wings" and not let them go. This suggests a possessive and controlling tendency, which doesn't fit into the context of a healthy relationship. The next line "Can't you see the grass is greener where it rains" is an ironic take on the popular phrase "the grass is greener on the other side." Instead of suggesting that something better lies beyond the current situation, the singer suggests that it's better where there is more struggle and adversity.
The chorus "You left, I died, I went, you cried" hints at the ebb and flow of the relationship where both parties are affected by each other's actions. The lines "The wrong incline, But what do I know" suggest that the singer has some sense of the wrong choices the lover is making but can't do much about it. The next lines "Accept it, don't let it, turn the screw" advise accepting the situation as it is and not worsening it by trying to control it. The song then shifts to the biblical tale of Adam and Eve, where the temptation of the apple leads to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. This serves as a metaphor for the complicated nature of relationships where temptation can cloud judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
You left it, I sent it
I sent you something that you left behind and now I want it back.
If I had you here, I'd clip your wings
If I had you in my grasp, I would make sure you never flew away or left me.
Snap you up and leave you sprawling on my pin
I would capture you and leave you trapped at my mercy.
This plan of mine is oh so very lame
My strategy to hold onto you is weak and unconvincing.
Can't you see the grass is greener where it rains
Things are always better when exposed to different perspectives or approaches.
You left, I died, I went and you cried
You left and it was unbearable for me, I left and you felt the same, but I never knew for sure.
You came, I think, but I never really know
You returned, but I was unsure of your intentions or feelings.
I've served my time, I've watched you climb, the wrong incline
I've invested my patience, but I've seen you make poor choices in life.
But what do I know
I'm not certain if my opinions matter or if they will be accepted.
Accept it, Don't let it, Turn the screw
You must come to terms with the reality of the situation and not be affected by it, use it to give you a different result.
Accept it, And let it, Scream back at you
Accept the reality and current details of the situation and examine your own issues in the process.
Now this applies both equally to you and I
This piece of advice or situation being described is applicable to both individuals involved.
The only thing we share, Is the same sky
The only thing linking us together is our physical location on Earth.
These empty metaphors, They're all in vain
These metaphors and comparisons are pointless and ineffective.
In the garden Snake was a charmin'
In the biblical story of Adam and Eve, the snake was able to persuade Eve to eat an apple from the Tree of Knowledge.
And Eve said let's give it a try
Eve decided to take the chance and try the apple despite being warned not to.
Now lead us not into temptation
A prayer or plea to avoid situations that may be tempting or harmful.
But no matter how hard I try
Despite my attempts to resist temptation, it still presents itself.
When in the garden and Snake is a charmin'
When faced with a difficult decision and tempted by a charm, similar to the story of Adam and Eve.
And Eve says let's give it a try
The decision to take the risk and try something new despite warnings or potential consequences.
Eve is the apple of my eye
Eve is someone I cherish and hold dear.
And I lie behind you, And I cradle you in the palm of me
I offer my support and hold you close whenever you need it.
And I pat your hair down
I am gentle and caring towards you.
I think will we sink or swim?
I am uncertain if we are capable of succeeding, given the situation we are in.
'Cause we could do either or none
We have the potential to succeed or fail, and there are no guarantees of what will happen.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRIAN PATRICK CROSBY, DAVE BRIAN GERAGHTY, DOMINIC MICHAEL PHILLIPS, PAUL ANTHONY NOONAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
李品嫺
In the summer of 2019, I travelled through Ireland alone, and fell in love with a guy from Hong Kong during the trip. We met in Belfast, had a few wonderful days together before I had to leave for someplace else. On the day of departure, I had a little time to myself. I thought about our relationship as I listened to this song. Then I wrote him a letter, containing the lyrics, and hid it in one of the pockets of his jacket. It was the top left pocket. The letter would sit right on his heart.
"And I lie behind you
And I cradle you in the the palm of me
And I pat your hair down
I think will we sink or swim?
'Cause we could do either on a whim”
When it was time to leave, he sent me to the bus station and kissed me goodbye. I tapped on the pocket, and told him there I had hid a letter to him. He cried silently and I was heartbroken. I remember boarding the bus, him chasing the bus a little while, but then the bus took a turn, and I couldn't see him anymore.
“You left, I died, I went and you cried
You came, I think but I never really know”
Afterwards, we struggled to keep the relationship going by messages and video calls, but eventually broke up at the end of the same summer. We were young and immature and had no idea what a healthy relationship is like. The breakup was so bad that I haven't heard from him since. He disappeared from my life as abruptly and completely as he came.
After the breakup, there was a long period of time that I didn't dare to listen to this song because it made me miss him so badly. I don't know whether he has kept my letter safe or threw it away. So here I am, 2 years later, lying in bed early in the morning, still haunted by this question.
“Now this applies equally for you and I
The only thing we share is the same sky
These empty metaphors are all in vain
Like can't you see the grass is greener where it rains?”
Dear P, wherever you are and whoever you're with, I hope that you're happy and well.
李品嫺
In the summer of 2019, I travelled through Ireland alone, and fell in love with a guy from Hong Kong during the trip. We met in Belfast, had a few wonderful days together before I had to leave for someplace else. On the day of departure, I had a little time to myself. I thought about our relationship as I listened to this song. Then I wrote him a letter, containing the lyrics, and hid it in one of the pockets of his jacket. It was the top left pocket. The letter would sit right on his heart.
"And I lie behind you
And I cradle you in the the palm of me
And I pat your hair down
I think will we sink or swim?
'Cause we could do either on a whim”
When it was time to leave, he sent me to the bus station and kissed me goodbye. I tapped on the pocket, and told him there I had hid a letter to him. He cried silently and I was heartbroken. I remember boarding the bus, him chasing the bus a little while, but then the bus took a turn, and I couldn't see him anymore.
“You left, I died, I went and you cried
You came, I think but I never really know”
Afterwards, we struggled to keep the relationship going by messages and video calls, but eventually broke up at the end of the same summer. We were young and immature and had no idea what a healthy relationship is like. The breakup was so bad that I haven't heard from him since. He disappeared from my life as abruptly and completely as he came.
After the breakup, there was a long period of time that I didn't dare to listen to this song because it made me miss him so badly. I don't know whether he has kept my letter safe or threw it away. So here I am, 2 years later, lying in bed early in the morning, still haunted by this question.
“Now this applies equally for you and I
The only thing we share is the same sky
These empty metaphors are all in vain
Like can't you see the grass is greener where it rains?”
Dear P, wherever you are and whoever you're with, I hope that you're happy and well.
Grumpy
Wow, what a beautiful story.. thank you for sharing..
Hogwarts Publishing
This is so wonderful.
G Lawlllar
Beautiful. Hope you are happy too. ❤️
:p
And why didn't you just stay together? People move to be with their partners all the time
M S
Enjoyed this as much as it was sad. Wishing you all the love and happiness. At least you had that moment ❤
anthony geraghty
My favourite song of all time I can’t remember when I first heard it I think it was around 2005 that’s when my son was born and to this day it’s my go to song. Thank you for such a brilliant epic song lads it’s got me trough some bad times
Conoce a la Iglesia Católica
This song really has some very deep theological and spiritual meaning I truly love it so much
dont have a name
i love this song havnt heard it in years and all of a sudden it just pops into my head some song
Paul Mcdaid
Same for me....