Biffy Clyro is a three-piece alternative rock band which formed in Kilmarno… Read Full Bio ↴Biffy Clyro is a three-piece alternative rock band which formed in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1995. The band consists of Simon Neil (vocals, guitar), James Johnston (bass, vocals) and his twin brother Ben (drums, vocals). The band has released ten albums since their formation: "Blackened Sky" (2002), "The Vertigo of Bliss" (2003), "Infinity Land" (2004), "Puzzle" (2007), "Only Revolutions" (2010) , "Opposites" (2013) and "Ellipsis" (2016), "Balance, Not Symmetry" (2019), "A Celebration of Endings" (2020), and "The Myth of the Happily Ever After" (2021).

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.

Spanish Radio
Biffy Clyro Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm looking for total dislocation

I always wake to the sound of your voice
And I am floating on an ominous cloud
This dark land looming over the hill
Maintain a holy stance and protect your children

I got a heart, I got a reason
To love you all, every single person
It's not at all our conversation,
I'm looking for total dislocation

I got a tree, it's time to cut it
To it's knees, don't wanna rush it
We got to please, we have to glisten
As I remain in splendid isolation

I got a heart, I got a reason
To love you all, every single person
It's not at all our conversation,
I'm looking for total dislocation

I got a tree, it's time to cut it
To it's knees, don't wanna rush it
We got to please, we have to glisten
As I remain in splendid isolation

Hey, you can be lost at the same time as being found
Hey, you can be lost at the same time as being found

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Biffy Clyro's song "Spanish Radio" express a sense of inner turmoil and existential questioning. The first verse speaks of walking to the water's edge, refusing to be cleansed but struggling inwardly. The second half of the verse seems to be directed towards someone who is behaving arrogantly or selfishly, with the suggestion that they need to be removed from power in order to receive emotional support (off with your head, I need a shoulder to cry on). The second verse seems to express a desire for disconnection or disassociation from society, with the lines "I got a heart, I got a reason to love you all, every single person" implying that there is a great deal of love being extended to humanity, but that this expression of love is not sustainable in the face of overwhelming societal pressures.

The chorus brings in the image of a tree being cut down, with a sense of hesitation or reluctance (don't wanna rush it) but also a desire to please or shine (we got to please, we have to glisten). The final lines repeat the earlier imagery of being lost and found simultaneously, perhaps speaking to the idea that disconnection can sometimes be a way to find oneself.

Overall, the lyrics to "Spanish Radio" express a sense of frustration and disillusionment with societal norms, and a desire to find a sense of identity and self-worth outside of those norms.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna walk to the water's edge
I'm going to confront my problems head-on

Refuse to be cleansed but struggle in
I won't change myself, but I'll still struggle with my flaws

Your crown don't fit so vacate the throne
You're not fit to be in charge, so step down from your position of power

And off with your head, I need a shoulder to cry on
I need someone to support me emotionally and be there for me

I got a heart, I got a reason
I have love and purpose within me

To love you all, every single person
I want to love and accept everyone

It's not at all our conversation,
Our discussion isn't the important thing here,

I'm looking for total dislocation
I want to be completely removed from this situation

I always wake to the sound of your voice
You're always on my mind and in my thoughts

And I am floating on an ominous cloud
I feel lost and uncertain

This dark land looming over the hill
The future seems bleak and uncertain

Maintain a holy stance and protect your children
Stay strong and protect those who depend on you

I got a tree, it's time to cut it
I have a major problem that needs to be dealt with

To it's knees, don't wanna rush it
I don't want to deal with it hastily, but rather take my time

We got to please, we have to glisten
We have to put on a good show and present ourselves in the best possible light

As I remain in splendid isolation
I'll stay alone, in a self-imposed exile

Hey, you can be lost at the same time as being found
You can be unsure but still progressing in life

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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I'm gonna walk to the water's edge
Refuse to be cleansed but struggle in
Your crown don't fit so vacate the throne
And off with your head, I need a shoulder to cry on

I got a heart, I got a reason
To love you all, every single person
It's not at all our conversation,
I'm looking for total dislocation

I always wake to the sound of your voice
And I am floating on an ominous cloud
This dark land looming over the hill
Maintain a holy stance and protect your children

I got a heart, I got a reason
To love you all, every single person
It's not at all our conversation,
I'm looking for total dislocation

I got a tree, it's time to cut it
To its knees, don't wanna rush it
We got to please, we have to glisten
As I remain in splendid isolation

I got a heart, I got a reason
To love you all, every single person
It's not at all our conversation,
I'm looking for total dislocation

I got a tree, it's time to cut it
To its knees, don't wanna rush it
We got to please, we have to glisten
As I remain in splendid isolation

Hey, you can be lost at the same time as being found
Hey, you can be lost at the same time as being found