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.
Flame
Bell X1 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I'd collapse
I'm no rolling stone
I gather too much moss
Maybe it's 'cos I'm getting
A little bit older
But oh how your neck
Flows to your shoulder
I wanna be near you
And blink in your light
And toast marshmallows
On a cold dark night
By your flame
Your flesh it melts in my mouth
Like Holy Communion
But you don't really care for
Jesus now do you?
A photograph of this love
Hangs on my wall
I would dare to speak its name
If I knew what it was called
I would dare to speak its name
If I knew what it was called
Rattle the one who's shadow
You're standing in
Under the branches after
It's been raining
On your flame
I wanna be near you
And blink in your light
And toast marshmallows
On a cold dark night
By your flame
Your brought your flame
Into the chambers of my heart
You brought your flame
Where all's been condemned to dark
And now your flame
Spits shadows on my walls
Shadow on my walls
The song “Flame” by Bell X1 is about an intense attraction and desire for someone that is both overwhelming and exhilarating. The opening lines refer to a physical touch that nearly knocks the singer off their feet. The following lines liken the singer to a rolling stone that has gathered too much moss, perhaps implying a sense of stagnation or complacency in their life before encountering the object of their desire. The chorus repeats the image of a flame, drawing a parallel between the heat and light of a flame and the intense attraction the singer feels towards this other person.
The second verse describes the physicality of desire, comparing the other person’s flesh to Holy Communion. However, the singer also recognizes that the other person does not share their religious beliefs, adding a layer of complexity to their connection. The verse ends with the singer lamenting their inability to define what this connection is, suggesting that it is a powerful, undefinable force.
The bridge of the song introduces a third party, the “one who’s shadow you’re standing in,” and imagines a confrontation between this person and the singer. However, the focus ultimately returns to the flame and the desire to be near it. The song ends with a repetition of the image of the flame, now casting shadows on the walls of the singer’s heart.
Overall, “Flame” is a passionate and evocative song that explores the intensity of desire and the difficulty of articulating that desire in words.
Line by Line Meaning
When your hand brushed against mine
I felt so overwhelmed and close to you when our hands touched
I thought I'd collapse
The intensity of the moment was almost too much for me to handle
I'm no rolling stone
I am not the type to be on the move and constantly changing
I gather too much moss
I tend to accumulate possessions and memories, making it hard for me to let go of things
Maybe it's 'cos I'm getting
A little bit older
Perhaps as I age, I become more reflective and contemplative
But oh how your neck
Flows to your shoulder
I find the shape and movement of your neck and shoulder to be incredibly alluring
It draws me, it draws me to your flame
Your beauty and uniqueness attract me to you, like moths to a flame
I wanna be near you
And blink in your light
And toast marshmallows
On a cold dark night
By your flame
I want to experience the warmth, comfort, and security of being close to you, whether metaphorically or in reality
Your flesh it melts in my mouth
Like Holy Communion
Your physical presence is incredibly fulfilling and nourishing to me, like a spiritual experience
But you don't really care for
Jesus now do you?
You don't seem to share my faith and beliefs, but that doesn't change how I feel about you
A photograph of this love
Hangs on my wall
I have a tangible reminder of the feelings and experiences we shared together
I would dare to speak its name
If I knew what it was called
I would be willing to label or define our love, if only I had a better understanding of it myself
Rattle the one who's shadow
You're standing in
Under the branches after
It's been raining
On your flame
Shake up the person who's holding you back or overshadowing you, seek shelter from the rain under the protection of our love
Your brought your flame
Into the chambers of my heart
You brought your flame
Where all's been condemned to dark
And now your flame
Spits shadows on my walls
Shadow on my walls
You lit up my life and gave me hope and light, but now I am seeing the darkness and uncertainties that come with it, like shadows on my walls
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LESLIE A PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Givingitashot
A fucking masterpiece of a song! So underrated it's a crime.
For those who do know it and love it, stand tall and spread this like butter to everyone!
@ObywatelG
I'm Polish, lived in Galaway for 10 years. I love Galway, I love Ireland, I love Irish people, and I love this song.
@IrishGary1
My fav irish tune of my youth..stunning
@187BURNZY
underrated tune
@MrRocksW
Came here from Reeling in The Years on RTE for 2006. What a tune
@MikeyJMJ
First heard this song when they performed on late late show. Found it again through reeling in the years
@darraghgregory1269
Love it
@hughfalvey4081
Great tune, remember going mental to this live in Boston 🤪. Special band love them
@xxximaledgexxx
i have always wondered who sang this......have i been living under a rock???? and yes......quite a savage production :)
@kerrysgold1
Real talking heads vibe from this track & I love it 🇮🇪🇮🇪✌️