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.
Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I'm lying here swimming in memories
I fear God because everything dies babe
Got a gun in the back of my car
A spasm of good sense is making my eye twitch
I've had enough of all your consolation
I'm drowning caught in a shit tide
Nothing to eat but fears in the back seat
Well I've met God and he had nothing to say to me
I pray to God that you're right before my eyes
Bathed in white light with halos in your eyes
Don't wanna waste no more time
Time's what we don't have
Everywhere I look someone dies
Wonder when it's my turn
How well do you know me?
Leave an open door, what you looking for
Babe when you come down?
I built a time machine to escape from
All the pain in the back of my car
Living's a problem because everything dies babe
Save yourself you're not too far away
I pray to God that you're right before my eyes
Bathed in white light with halos in your eyes
Don't wanna waste no more time
Time's what we don't have
Everywhere I look someone dies
Wonder when it's my turn
The lyrics of "Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies" seem to be referring to the difficulty of living life, especially with the knowledge that everything eventually comes to an end. The singer talks about feeling overwhelmed with memories and fears, and even contemplates suicide with the mention of a gun in the back of his car. The mention of meeting God also gives an indication of the singer's religious beliefs or perhaps his questioning of them. The singer also talks about building a time machine to escape the pain and suffering that comes with living, further indicating his disillusionment with life.
The chorus talks about the reality of death and how it is something that everyone eventually faces. The singer begs for reassurance that there is something more beyond this life, hoping to be bathed in white light with halos in his eyes like it is in heaven.
Overall, the lyrics of this song offer a bleak commentary on the struggles of living and the inevitability of death. The gun in the back of the car and the mention of a time machine give a feeling of desperation and hopelessness, while the chorus offers some sort of hope for an afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on baby do you think it's good to feel
Questioning the value of feeling emotions
Like I'm lying here swimming in memories
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed by memories
I fear God because everything dies babe
The fear of death and the unknown afterlife
Got a gun in the back of my car
The presence of danger and possible violence
A spasm of good sense is making my eye twitch
Feeling jittery and uneasy about a decision
I've had enough of all your consolation
Not wanting or appreciating someone's attempts to comfort
I'm drowning caught in a shit tide
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless
Tape my face to the inside of love
Wanting to hold onto love and passion despite hardships
Nothing to eat but fears in the back seat
Feeling alone and scared, with no comfort or sustenance
Well I've met God and he had nothing to say to me
A feeling of emptiness or lack of purpose despite seeking guidance
I pray to God that you're right before my eyes
Hoping for a reassuring presence or sign from a higher power
Bathed in white light with halos in your eyes
Imagining a divine, heavenly vision
Don't wanna waste no more time
Feeling a sense of urgency and a need to make the most of life
Time's what we don't have
The realization that time is limited and precious
Everywhere I look someone dies
Constantly confronted with mortality and loss
Wonder when it's my turn
Questioning when one's own death will come
How well do you know me?
Asking if someone truly understands and knows the artist
Leave an open door, what you looking for
Asking for openness and honesty in a relationship
Babe when you come down?
Asking for someone to be present and supportive
I built a time machine to escape from
Fantasizing about escaping and running away from problems
All the pain in the back of my car
The physical and emotional pain that the artist carries with them
Living's a problem because everything dies babe
The struggle of coming to terms with mortality and the fragility of life
Save yourself you're not too far away
Urging someone to take action and save themselves from a difficult situation
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abstrakkd
Childhood band, still my band 💕 ❤
TheMusicfan189
This is their best song by far. Absolutely incredible. Stoked to see it live on Monday.
John Darling
A hunger in your haunt a close second, but this still top!
Doug Burr
I love the key change in the chorus so much 'Bathed in white light'
Cats&Caffeine
I love this song so much!
Anything TRACK
My favourite Biffy by far!
HelenaBlack80
Fantastic song, fantastic lyrics, there is no more to say.
Heatmanofurioso
Awesome song. Amazing bassline, and deadly lyrics. 5 Stars for Biffy Clyro
Chris Greenwood
This got featured on Radio 1's brilliantly named "1000 albums everyone says you must listen to, but we only have time to play one song from it, so here it is". I was driving home at the time and was air drumming with my hands off the wheel lol.
MissNothing09
This song is brilliant live! =)