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.
the Fog
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a reflection I want you to see
Our history and loneliness has defeated our devices
Lady come down, it's time to stop and stare
There's a successor I want you to meet
His misery and loneliness have exceeded expectations
But still we fall down
Look at the stars, they're getting younger
Look at your pain, you're getting older
Not feeling right but always hoping for more
I'm gonna tumble to the center of the square
There's a triangle I wanted to see
The fog has cast a shadow homeward
We're losing our direction
So forget the whole thing
Look at the stars, they're getting younger
Look at your pain, you're getting older
Not feeling right but always hoping for more
In "The Fog" by Biffy Clyro, the singer is urging their partner, "baby" or "lady," to join them at the bottom of the stairs to share a reflection. The singer is admitting that their history and loneliness have overcome their attempts to keep their relationship strong. They want their partner to take a moment and see this reflection so they both can acknowledge the challenges that they face as a couple.
The lyrics mention a "successor," somebody new the singer wants their partner to meet. This person seems to represent the singer's own sense of defeat, as their "misery and loneliness" have "exceeded expectations." Despite this, the couple still falls down together, indicating they are clinging to each other as they navigate the struggles in their relationship.
The chorus speaks to the overarching themes of the song, which explore the passage of time and the constant quest for something more meaningful. The stars, once already formed, grow younger as the universe continues to expand and create new ones. In contrast, the singer's partner is getting older and potentially losing hope. Despite this, there is always a desire to feel "right" and to return to the hoping stage.
Overall, "The Fog" highlights the difficulties that come with maintaining a relationship over time. This is particularly relevant in a world that is constantly changing and demanding more from us. The lyrics suggest that relationships that survive and thrive are those that acknowledge the challenges, cling to each other, and continue to hope for more.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby come down to the bottom of the stairs
Come down to the lowest point of our current situation
There's a reflection I want you to see
I want you to see things from a different perspective
Our history and loneliness has defeated our devices
Our past and isolation have overcome our attempts at escape
Lady come down, it's time to stop and stare
It's important to pause and take in the present moment
There's a successor I want you to meet
I want you to be introduced to a new opportunity
His misery and loneliness have exceeded expectations
The new opportunity's pain and isolation is worse than expected
But still we fall down
We continue to struggle and stumble
Look at the stars, they're getting younger
Time seems to be going backwards, things are changing
Look at your pain, you're getting older
Despite time seeming to go backwards, pain is a constant reminder of reality
Not feeling right but always hoping for more
We're uncomfortable with our current state, but hoping for something better
I'm gonna tumble to the center of the square
I'm going to take a risk and confront the issue head-on
There's a triangle I wanted to see
There's a missing piece to this puzzle that I need to find
The fog has cast a shadow homeward
The uncertainty of the future is causing us to look back to the past
We're losing our direction
We're unsure of where we're headed
So forget the whole thing
Maybe it's better to let go and move on
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Leboyo56
When the fog rolls in
I will be on the hill
Waiting to see over it...
To observe the sunrise
And the people below
No matter how thick
All the same
Through untainted vision
A short freeform poem I wanted to write...
This song makes me cry to be honest. It is absolutely beautiful, and it brings up memories of Halloween, my favorite holiday, despite me being Christian saying I shouldn't be like that... I can't explain it, but this song is stellar and makes me want to rejoice in the fact I survived the fog of my life, and how my vision is no longer clouded, despite the fact I am actually beginning to go blind. Thank you, Biffy Clyro. For one of my favorite albums, I am learning how to play Black Chandelier and Stingin' Belle on real Guitar now.
@jacopocoscarella5385
Baby come down to the bottom of the stairs
There's a reflection I want you to see
Our history and loneliness has defeated our devices
Lady come down, it's time to stop and stare
There's a successor I want you to meet
His misery and loneliness have exceeded expectations
But still we fall down
Look at the stars, they're getting younger
Look at your pain, you're getting older
Not feeling right but always hoping for more
I'm gonna tumble to the center of the square
There's a triangle I wanted to see
The fog has cast a shadow homeward
We're losing our direction
So forget the whole thing
Look at the stars, they're getting younger
Look at your pain, you're getting older
Not feeling right but always hoping for more
@JasieK0
this song is perfect for night driving
@tomschneider8530
Agree 100%
@benslade33
So many emotions this song brings up, reminds me off all the disappointment I have caused to my family. Reminds me of the memories of trying to hard to impress someone. I could go on about this. I would advise listening to it as it's got great lyrics and a great beat. But don't play it on repeat to much.
@bassdakro969
This is the kind of music I would listen to when walking in a park or in the woods.
@Leboyo56
When the fog rolls in
I will be on the hill
Waiting to see over it...
To observe the sunrise
And the people below
No matter how thick
All the same
Through untainted vision
A short freeform poem I wanted to write...
This song makes me cry to be honest. It is absolutely beautiful, and it brings up memories of Halloween, my favorite holiday, despite me being Christian saying I shouldn't be like that... I can't explain it, but this song is stellar and makes me want to rejoice in the fact I survived the fog of my life, and how my vision is no longer clouded, despite the fact I am actually beginning to go blind. Thank you, Biffy Clyro. For one of my favorite albums, I am learning how to play Black Chandelier and Stingin' Belle on real Guitar now.
@ModernDayDreamMusic
I don't know why this song is no longer searchable in Spotify. This song is definitely one of Biffy's greatest yet underrated songs ever!
@summerjackson368
Love biffy clyro all his songs have meaning 💯❤️😍😘💯❤️😍😘
@ThePagman007
Biffy clyro is the name of the band, not one person FYI
@woozworldlegend1291
+ThePagman007 so ... your point is ?
@ThePagman007
+Tracy Jackson My point is Biffy Clyro is the name of the band not one person