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.
Coward
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ignore your senses
Leave us behind
We're willing you sadness
Remember a time, you would listen to me.
Embrace your demise
Improves your senses
We're saving our madness
The end of time
Until the end of time
Cowards become the profiteer
The Cowards become the profiteer
Get on your knees and worship it boy?
Cowards become the profiteer
The Cowards become the profiteer
Get on your knees and start the tribute.
Covered in white
The words for masses
Egger desires
You know your limits
Wake up your dead
Wake up your dead
Make up your mind
Ignore your senses
Leave us behind
We're willing you sadness
Remember a time, do you remember a time?
Some people a scared to take chances
Got to leave them behind [x4]
Whoooooo Whooooooo
The song "Coward" by Biffy Clyro touches on the themes of decision-making, letting go of fear, and overcoming one's limitations. The first verse of the song appeals to the listener to make a firm decision and not let their senses cloud their judgment. The second verse suggests that embracing one's demise could actually open up their senses and lift the veil of fear that blinds us. The chorus suggests that cowards become profiteers and end up worshiping their own cowardice, rather than facing their fears and making bold moves.
The third verse refers to being covered in white, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling clean, pure, and new. However, the words for masses and egger desires suggest that these feelings are merely a facade or a way to maintain control over a large group. The phrase "Wake up your dead" is a challenge to the listener to break free from this facade and regain control over their own life.
The final verse echoes the sentiment of the first, urging the listener to make a decision and leave behind anything that is holding them back. The repetition of "do you remember a time?" suggests that the listener has forgotten what it feels like to be free of fear and self-doubt.
Overall, "Coward" is a rallying cry to take control of one's life, shed the cowardly tendencies that hold us back, and embrace the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Make up your mind
Come to a clear decision
Ignore your senses
Don't let your feelings cloud your judgment
Leave us behind
Don't be held back by those who hold you back
We're willing you sadness
We want you to feel sad
Remember a time, you would listen to me.
Remember when you used to respect my opinion
Embrace your demise
Accept your inevitable death
Improves your senses
Makes you more aware
Eyes open wide
Be vigilant
We're saving our madness
We're keeping our craziness to ourselves
The end of time
The end of everything
Until the end of time
Forever
Cowards become the profiteer
Those who lack courage benefit
Get on your knees and worship it boy?
Are you going to submit to it?
Covered in white
Dressed in purity
The words for masses
The language used to manipulate crowds
Egger desires
Encourage cravings
You know your limits
Be aware of what you're capable of
Wake up your dead
Revitalize what's lifeless
Some people are scared to take chances
Some people are risk-averse
Got to leave them behind [x4]
Don't let their fear hold you back
Whoooooo Whooooooo
Instrumental
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.