Biffy, as they are often referred to, utilise a quiet/loud dynamic, constructing songs that can range from a whisper-quiet pick on the guitar, to huge walls of noise with massive distortion and crashing drums. Their sound has simplified somewhat in recent times yet still occasionally contains complex time signatures and heavy riffs. While Simon Neil sings lead, all three members provide vocals. "'Mon the Biffy!" is a well known chant amongst Biffy fans; it is usually shouted in between songs at gigs, or before the band come on stage. Some fans have reacted poorly to the band's recent output.
The first incarnation of what would eventually become Biffy Clyro was formed in 1995 by fifteen-year-old Irvine-born, Ayr-raised guitarist Simon Neil, who recruited Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Screwfish. Barry was soon replaced by James Johnston, Ben's twin brother, and the three spent the next two years rehearsing, writing and covering songs. In 1997, they played their first gig as the support for a band called Pink Kross at a local youth centre. The trio then moved to Glasgow, where Neil went to the University of Glasgow and the Johnston twins went to Stow College, studying Electronics with Music and Audio Engineering respectively.They then progressed onto the bigger stage
After playing gigs around Glasgow and receiving positive and enthusiastic reactions from the audiences, the band were spotted by Dee Bahl, who soon became their manager. Bahl offered them a chance to release an independent single on Aereogramme's Babi Yaga record label. "Iname" was released on 28 June 1999, and led to the band being chosen by Stow College's Electric Honey record label to release a record. thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow... was released on 13 June 2000, and after hearing it, BBC Radio Scotland DJ Vic Galloway gave the band airplay. A few days prior to the release of thekidswho..., the band were spotted at the Unsigned Bands stage at T in the Park 2000 by a Beggars Banquet representative. Soon after, the band was signed to the independent Beggar's Banquet, and on 30 October 2000, they re-recorded and released the single, "27", which became Kerrang!'s Single Of The Week.
On 1 October 2001, one of the songs from thekidswho... was re-recorded and released as a single, "Justboy". This was repeated on 4 February 2002, when the song "57" was released. On 11 March, the band's debut album, Blackened Sky, was released to generally positive reviews. It was around this time that the band began touring extensively, including being the support for Weezer on 20 March at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. On 15 July, the fourth single from the album, "Joy.Discovery.Invention" was released as a double A-side with a newly recorded song, entitled "Toys, Toys, Toys, Choke, Toys, Toys, Toys", which later appeared on The Vertigo of Bliss.
In 2003, the band retreated to the Linford Manor recording studio in Great Linford, Milton Keynes, England to record the follow-up to Blackened Sky. On 24 March, a new single was released entitled, "The Ideal Height", followed by another new single entitled "Questions and Answers" on 28 May. The band's second album, The Vertigo of Bliss was released on 16 June, to positive reviews, which focused on the more experimental style of the album in comparison to Blackened Sky, as well as the introduction of string sections.
In 2004, after touring relentlessly for The Vertigo of Bliss, the band retreated to Monnow Valley Studios in Monmouth, Wales to record a follow-up. As with the previous album, two singles were released before the actual album; "Glitter and Trauma" and "My Recovery Injection" on 9 August and 20 September, respectively. A digital download was also released; "There's No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake", on 31 May. On 4 October, the band's third album, Infinity Land was released, and on 14 February 2005, the last single from the album, "Only One Word Comes To Mind" was released. On 16 February, the band performed a cover of Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" live from Maida Vale on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show. Simon Neil's side project, Marmaduke Duke, also released an album in 2005, The Magnificent Duke, and toured the UK, along with the Johnston twins accompanying on bass and drums, for it.
In 2006, Biffy Clyro left Beggars Banquet and signed a deal with 14th Floor, an offshoot of Warner Bros. In June, the band contributed a cover of Weezer's "Buddy Holly" to Kerrang!'s High Voltage!: A Brief History of Rock, which came free with Issue #1110 of the magazine. In September, the band moved temporarily to Canada to record their fourth album at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, and The Farm Studio in Gibsons, which they finished doing in November. The song "Semi-Mental" was released as a digital download on 25 December. In 2007, the song "Saturday Superhouse" was released on 14 May, where it reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart; the band's highest single chart position to date. On 14 May, the song "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" was released, reaching #19 on the UK Singles Charts. On 21 May, Biffy were confirmed for T in the Park 2007, as well as being announced as one of the support bands for the 17 June gig at the new Wembley Stadium for Muse. On 1 June, Biffy were confirmed for Glastonbury 2007. On 4 June, Puzzle was released to critical acclaim, and eventually helped the band to reach their highest UK Albums Chart position ever, reaching #2 in the first week of release. On 6 June it was announced that Biffy were to support The Who at Marlay Park in Ireland. On 12 June, it was announced that "Folding Stars" was released as a single on July 16. On the 23rd of August 2007, Biffy Clyro were announced as the support act for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow, for the Stadium Arcadium tour.
A Whole Child Ago
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your hearts an attraction
But I know what you're looking for
It's me you're waiting for
You're not allowed to live anymore
And a whole child ago I would sleep all day
Doing handstands in bottle bins
And I'm not fooling around
Looks like we made it
I can tell that she'd been flying
Looks like we made it tonight
I'm the second devil on your right
Or left with an eyeball
Melting out the corner of my mouth
The wings are bleeding
You're not supposed to fly anymore
And a whole child ago I would sleep all day
Doing handstands in bottle bins
To prove that I'm sane
And I'm not fooling around
Looks like we made it
I can tell that she'd been flying
Looks like we made it tonight
Looks like we made it
I can tell that she'd been flying
I saw her in the sky
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why don't you just ask her yourself
The lyrics to Biffy Clyro's "A Whole Child Ago" convey a sense of regret, danger, and the paradox of adolescence. The song starts with the singer acknowledging an attraction in someone's heart but not wanting to let them know. He claims to know that they are looking for him, but that person is not allowed to live anymore, implying that they may be in danger because of him. The second verse talks about how the singer used to do handstands in bottle bins to prove that he is sane, emphasizing the idea that there may be something mentally unstable or dangerous about him. The chorus repeats the line "Looks like we made it" several times, suggesting that despite the potential danger, things may have turned out okay.
The third verse is where things get even more intense, as the singer describes himself as the "second devil on your right," with melting eyeballs and bleeding wings. He warns that you're not supposed to fly anymore, suggesting that his presence could lead to destruction or harm. The final chorus has a bit of a twist, as the singer says that he can tell that "she had been flying" and that he "saw her in the sky." The repetition of "Why don't you just ask her yourself" at the end implies that the singer is perhaps not as responsible for the potential danger as we initially thought, and that there may be other factors at play.
Overall, "A Whole Child Ago" is a song that explores themes of regret, danger, and mental instability. It's a dark and cryptic song that leaves much to the imagination, but it's also catchy and full of energy.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to let you know
I am hesitant to reveal my feelings to you
Your hearts an attraction
You have a desirable heart
But I know what you're looking for
I understand what you desire
It's me you're waiting for
You are eagerly awaiting my presence
You're not allowed to live anymore
Your existence is forbidden
And a whole child ago I would sleep all day
I used to sleep excessively when I was young
Doing handstands in bottle bins
I engaged in unconventional activities, like doing handstands in garbage cans
To prove that I'm sane
To demonstrate my mental stability
And I'm not fooling around
I am serious and not joking
Looks like we made it
It appears we have succeeded
I can tell that she'd been flying
It is apparent that she has been soaring
Looks like we made it tonight
It seems like we have achieved success tonight
I'm the second devil on your right
I am a tempting, deceptive presence in your life
Or left with an eyeball
Or on the left side, where my eye is visible
Melting out the corner of my mouth
A distorted, grotesque image of me with saliva pouring from my mouth
The wings are bleeding
The wings are damaged and dripping blood
You're not supposed to fly anymore
You are not meant to continue soaring
I saw her in the sky
I witnessed her in flight
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why not directly inquire with her?
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why not directly inquire with her?
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why not directly inquire with her?
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why not directly inquire with her?
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why not directly inquire with her?
Why don't you just ask her yourself
Why not directly inquire with her?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bad-girlbex3791
How can this song go from sounding like Bloc Party to McFly and then still make me hit that thumbs up?
@samjohnson8588
One of the first albums I went out and bought, absolute stonker
@attrirupal
UNDERRATED
@stuartleach4679
RUPAL ATTRI someone had to say it, if it wasn’t you it’d be me.
@Billagio1
This song will always be special to me.
@iliketrains3495
Here from Inbetweeners, wow never knew this was by Biffy!
@musiclover01ization
One of my favorite Biffy Clyro songs.
@ricd2821
3:31 when you're too shy to approach a girl
@harrysmithson942
My fav atm
@Adam-ro8vj
How are there only 19 comments on this