The band's second album 'Take Them On, On Your Own' featured several songs ('Generation' and 'US Government') which were critical of the United States' foreign policy and George Bush in particular.
After conflict with their label (Virgin Records), the band was dropped in 2004. Nick Jago left the band at the end of their summer tour in the same year due to "internal conflict".
Following Jago's departure Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been regrouped and recorded the band's third album. With their third record Howl, they added blues, folk and gospel, a la Spiritualized.
In 2005 the band inked a new deal with Echo in the UK, and RCA in the US. Nick Jago also returned to the fold. The band's third album "Howl" was released that same year to widespread critical acclaim. Jago returned after most of the album was recorded but played on "Promise".
"Baby 81" the band's fourth album was released on May 1st, 2007. In June 2008 Nick Jago once again left the touring line-up of the band being replaced by The Raveonettes' touring drummer Leah Shapiro. Nick stated that "...I am fired again and to be honest with you I respect their decision".
However Hayes and Been released a conflicting joint statement that read "Nick won't be joining us for the upcoming European tour, but it's not true that he is fired. We just feel Nick needs time to sort out exactly what he wants right now. His heart and all his energy and attention is on his own solo project and he needs to see that through".
Current:
On January 9, 2013, the band announced via Facebook the name of their seventh album called Specter at the Feast which was released on March 18 in the UK and Europe and on March 19 in USA, Canada and worldwide. It is considered a tribute to Michael Been (The Call), Robert Levon Been's father who died suddenly on tour with BRMC in August 2010.
It received mostly positive reviews; many critics noting that despite the band having been together for some time the album showed a mellower and moodier side with songs such as opener `Firewalker'.
The band made the first single from the record available, a cover of The Call's 1989 hit "Let the Day Begin", for free download on their official website. The decision to record the song was a tribute to Robert's father Michael, who used his experience from The Call to help BRMC before his death in the last couple of years. The single became Q Magazine's track of the day.[6] The band have also released the Let the Day Begin EP for free, consisting of the single and the album track "Returning", made available for streaming on the official website.[7]
On April 8, 2013 it was announced that the band would play at Rock Werchter, the largest rock festival in Belgium.
The band continues to show a willingness to tour despite the obstacles. During the 2013 tour, the organisers of the Harvest festival in Australia decided to abandon the multi-city event, of which BRMC were one of the lead acts, only a few months ahead of the performances. BRMC was the first band to announce it would still visit the country and play its own shows.
Many shows on the 2013/2014 tour have sold out.
BRMC's music/songs have been featured in many films, television programs and video games.
Visit blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com for tour/CD and merchandise info.
Discography:
2001 - B.R.M.C.
2001 - Screaming Gun (EP)
2002 - Spread Your Love (EP)
2003 - Take Them On, On Your Own
2005 - Howl
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol.1 (EP)
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol. 2 (EP)
2007 - Baby 81
2007 - Napster Live Session (EP)
2007 - American X: Baby 81 Sessions (EP)
2008 - The Effects Of 333 (Download)
2010 - Beat the Devil's Tattoo
2013 - Specter At The Feast
2018 - Wrong Creatures
Long Way Down
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you can't even pray 'cause the words make you frail and hollow
Don't you cry to yourself just to feel like someone who's hit bottom
But you can't run away 'cause the hole that remains will follow
Don't you care just enough
Don't you feel your heart stop
But you can't know what you want
It's a long, a long way down on your own
It's a long, a long way out
It's a long, a long way down on your own
It's a long, a long way out
Don't you sleep in the day just to dream it away for good
But I know you're afraid 'cause the best that you gave was not enough
Don't you care just enough
Don't you feel your heart stop
But you can't know what you want
But what matters now is enough
It's a long, a long way down on your own
It's a long, a long way out
It's a long, a long way down on your own
It's a long, a long way out
Long Way Down is a song by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club that speaks to the despair, emptiness, and hopelessness that sometimes come with love and other life experiences. The lyrics express a sense of disconnection and isolation, and a feeling of being trapped in a cycle of pain and confusion. The first verse suggests that the singer is struggling to articulate their feelings or connect with others on a deeper level. They acknowledge that words are inadequate and can even be harmful, as they reveal one's vulnerability and fragility. The second verse portrays the singer as someone who has hit rock bottom but cannot escape the feeling of desolation that haunts them. The line "But you can't know what you want / But what matters now is enough" encapsulates the sense of resignation and acceptance that pervades throughout the song.
The chorus repeats the phrase "It's a long, a long way down on your own / It's a long, a long way out," emphasizing the themes of isolation and distance that run throughout the song. The final verse is perhaps the most poignant, as it suggests that even the act of dreaming is futile and can't offer escape from one's troubles. The line "But I know you're afraid 'cause the best that you gave was not enough" adds another layer of sadness and regret to the song, suggesting that the singer feels they have failed in some way.
Overall, Long Way Down is a poignant and relatable song about the difficulties of navigating life's challenges and the feelings of uncertainty and disorientation that can accompany them.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you try to explain all the words that you've made for love
You shouldn't attempt to rationalize or describe the feelings and expressions associated with love through words.
But you can't even pray 'cause the words make you frail and hollow
You find yourself too weak and empty to even be able to pray, perhaps because your words feel inadequate or meaningless.
Don't you cry to yourself just to feel like someone who's hit bottom
You shouldn't indulge in self-pity just to simulate a feeling of having reached rock bottom.
But you can't run away 'cause the hole that remains will follow
You can't escape the emptiness or depression that you feel, as it will always be with you.
Don't you care just enough
You may care, but only to a certain extent.
Don't you feel your heart stop
You may experience a sudden jolt or extreme emotion that feels like your heart has stopped momentarily.
But you can't know what you want
You may not be fully aware of what it is that you truly desire or need.
But what matters now is enough
What is currently important or significant is simply sufficient for now.
It's a long, a long way down on your own
Going down a path or experiencing emotions alone can feel like a never-ending and arduous journey.
It's a long, a long way out
Finding a way out of a difficult situation can also seem like an interminable and challenging process.
Don't you sleep in the day just to dream it away for good
You shouldn't waste your time and energy sleeping during the day just to escape reality and have pleasant dreams.
But I know you're afraid 'cause the best that you gave was not enough
You feel frightened or worried because you believe that your efforts or contributions were not sufficient or didn't measure up.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PETER HAYES, ROBERT BEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh Liam
Loved this band for years and just heard this song for the first time, so damn good.
uber1and
this was my unexpected highlight at Nottingham Rock City, 2010. and they even played half state. Awesome gig!
Ceren Elvantes
Listened to this on the bus ride to and from school once a day for a week. I'm still not sick of it.
chrxnxmn
Been listening to BRMC for damn near 10 years now and I simply cannot find a song I do... not... love.
EYE : NO CYNEMA
Robert your falsetto is priceless.
crazycatlady68
Marc Bolan lives in his voice..fantastic
comitdinosaur9
Boy, its amazening how just goofing around on Youtube can lead to some great music.
Angela S
This song played in dendy cinemas waiting for a movie and it made me feel like I was in a movie. :D like eternal sunshine
Josh Liam
This theater sounds awesome, I want to go there now.
Terryl Omilgoituk
10 years later and I still feel the same about this song. about life. it is indeed a long way down.