They recruited rapper Kermit and drummer Ged Lynch of the Manchester-based group The Ruthless Rap Assassins, plus guitarist Wags from The Paris Angels. Recording of new material started that year, although the group were not under contract. The key addition to the band was bassist and guitarist Danny Saber, who became Ryder's key musical foil.
In 1995 they signed to Radioactive Records (an imprint of major label BMG) and released their debut album, produced by Saber and Stephen Lironi. It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah immediately charted at number 1 in the UK, and spawned three Top 20 singles. According to Songfacts, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich listed it as his favorite CD of 1996.
Black Grape's music was funky and eclectic, using varied instrumentation and samples. Ryder's lyrics seem to derive mainly from nonsense rhymes and humorous catch-phrases. The debut album received critical acclaim in Britain, riding high during the then fashionable Britpop wave but the group made little impact in the U.S..
The subsequent album, 1997's Stupid Stupid Stupid was less favoured and charted at number 11 in the UK. The group split in 1998 after Ryder fired the rest of band while touring.
The band reformed for a one-off live show, their first in over 10 years, for Get Loaded in the Dark at the Coronet, London, on April 1, 2010. Five years later, the band announced plans for a tour to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their debut album. A reunion album, Pop Voodoo, was released in August 2017, although only Ryder and Kermit remained from the original lineup, with Youth handling bass, songwriting, and production duties.
Spotlight
Black Grape Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And just bite till its daylight
Cheer up your love life
We're doing it up right
Giving me lust bites
She came from Ecles she was covered in freckles I got frost bite
She was just too tight
Got you in the moon light
Got you in the spot light
Got you dancing in the moon light
Got you in the spot light
We're making love and it's so right
Whatever you're saying
Aggravating me big time
Waitin' for showtime
Makin' the word ryhme
Back from the dead
With a shiny new head
Now theres three in you bed
And the little one said
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Got you in the moon light
Got you in the spot light
Got you dancing in the moon light
Got you in the spot light
We're making love and it's so right
Got you in the moon light
Got you in the spot light
Got you dancing in the moon light
Got you in the spot light
We're making love and it's so right
The lyrics of "Spotlight" by Black Grape seem to be about a night of wild passion, as the singer talks about "lust bites" and a woman with whom he spends the night. The song praises the good things in life, such as dancing in the moonlight and being in the spotlight. The lyrics suggest that nothing else matters as the song emphasizes the importance of having fun.
The phrase "things that go bump in the night" suggests that there is some fear involved, but this fear is counterbalanced by the joy of companionship and love-making. The references to "Moonlight" and "Spotlight" are symbols of being seen, of being noticed and appreciated, and ultimately of feeling satisfied. The line "We're making love and it's so right" reinforces this idea of satisfaction and pleasure.
Overall, "Spotlight" seems to be about the hedonistic pleasures of life, and the importance of living in the moment and basking in the attention and appreciation of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Things that go bump in the night
Refering to paranormal activities that may cause fear or anxiety at night
And just bite till its daylight
Persistently causing physical harm or emotional pain until the morning comes
Cheer up your love life
Suggesting to improve one's romantic life through positive emotions or actions
We're doing it up right
Assuming that they are succeeding in making their romantic life better
Giving me lust bites
Experiencing physical desire or craving for another person
She came from Ecles she was covered in freckles I got frost bite
Describing a girl's appearance from a certain place and feeling the cold sensation of being with her
She was just too tight
Referring to the girl's body or suggesting that it was difficult to win her over
but I kept it there all night
Despite the difficulties, he managed to spend the whole night with the girl
Got you in the moon light
Suggesting intimacy, perhaps outside in the open air
Got you in the spot light
Suggesting attention or admiration from an audience, possibly for a performance
Got you dancing in the moon light
Sharing an intimate moment together, possibly while dancing
We're making love and it's so right
Assuming that they are having sexual intercourse and enjoying it
Whatever you're saying
Ignoring what someone else is saying or implying
Aggravating me big time
Causing significant annoyance or frustration
Waitin' for showtime
Anticipating something exciting or entertaining coming up soon
Makin' the word ryhme
Suggesting the act of writing lyrics or poetry, and ensuring that the words rhyme
Back from the dead
Reappearing after disappearing or being absent for a long time
With a shiny new head
Assuming physical changes or improvements, or perhaps a new perspective or attitude
Now theres three in you bed
Referring to multiple people involved in a sexual encounter
And the little one said
Possibly referring to a child, but the meaning is unclear without additional context
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Onus Spears
Fucking classically brilliant!
marts41
bang on