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.
Now I'm Everyone
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold me close to see me a little more
Until my body feels your magic touch
And steals my skin before it rots
My castle is a great illusion
[Chorus]
Now I'm everyone, now I'm everyone,
Now I'm everyone, now I'm everyone,
Its less than I've ever been
Hairy eyes are an obstruction
Help me die don't wanna rush ya
And all I need is a philosophy of noise
To help me laugh and breathe
My castle is a great illusion
[Chorus: x2]
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
This is the one, this is the one
The opening line of "Happiness is an allusion" suggests that the concept of happiness is just an idea and may not exist in reality. The singer then goes on to ask for intimacy, wanting to be held close in order to feel someone's touch and for it to make them come alive again. They want to feel a passion that will overtake their body and make them forget about the fact that their physicality is slowly deteriorating.
The lyrics then mention "My castle is a great illusion," which can be interpreted in many ways. It could refer to a person's mind or their material possessions, making the castle a metaphorical representation of one's life, and how they perceive and present themselves to the world around them. Furthermore, the second verse speaks of "hairy eyes" being an obstruction, which is a metaphor for a person's lack of sight that prevents them from seeing things clearly. It emphasizes the lack of clarity in the singer's life and the need for assistance in finding a sense of purpose.
The chorus exclaims "Now I'm everyone," repeated multiple times, suggesting that the singer feels like they have become a part of something bigger than themselves. However, the phrase "it's less than I've ever been" could imply that they don't find it fulfilling, and perhaps this sense of belonging has led them to feel less valuable as an individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Happiness is an allusion
The idea of happiness is not real and cannot be achieved.
Hold me close to see me a little more
If you get closer to me, you will understand me better.
Until my body feels your magic touch
I want to feel the power of your touch in my body.
And steals my skin before it rots
I want your touch to revitalize me before my skin decays.
My castle is a great illusion
The things I thought were my strengths are not as strong as I believed.
Now I'm everyone, now I'm everyone,
I feel like I am just a small part of the larger picture.
Its less than I've ever been
I feel smaller and more insignificant than ever before.
Hairy eyes are an obstruction
My inability to see clearly is preventing me from understanding things.
Help me die don't wanna rush ya
I want to die, but I don't want to rush anyone else in the process.
And all I need is a philosophy of noise
I just need something to distract me from my own thoughts.
To help me laugh and breathe
I want something to help me find joy and take deep breaths.
This is the one, this is the one
I have found what I was looking for.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sonicshroom
I love how they took this quaint little melody and plastered it over with these dark, existentialist lyrics about how we are only tethered to reality by the things we do to distract ourselves.
Adrien_mgr
Don't know why but I think this song is very grandiose musically.
Kodoro Games
Because it is
Luana Goes
Best song ❤
Abstrakkd
So underrated. My top 10 songs this
T
such a huge song x
Bad-Girl Bex
Big time Elliott Smith vibes on this one.
Andrew Quinn
BBC intro for Czech game !!
crispyrolls93
Great song. Title of the video is spelt wrong though. Unless Biff Clyro Is the name of the band :P
Takkun1138
@crispyrolls93 haha dude I definitely don't have time for you. Sorry