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
Took Out a Loan
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I took out a loan for my patient soul
And I feel alive as long as I don't need you
And I feel alive as long as I keep hold
I took out a loan on my empty heart, babe
I took out a loan for my patient soul
And I feel alive as long as I don't need you
Of what I think, I thought I heard you loved me
I think you thought you heard I loved
Have I been mistaken? Have I been mistaken?
I feel confused about the way it's done
I won't be denied, I'm coming in this time, babe
I've fallen in love with your creature's soul
And I've been a witness to your sickest obsession
And I feel alive as long as I keep hold
Of what I think, I thought I heard you loved me
I think you thought you heard I loved
Have I been mistaken? Have I been mistaken?
I feel confused about the way it's done
Have I been mistaken? Have I been mistaken?
I feel confused about the way it's done
Have I been mistaken? Have I been mistaken?
I feel confused about the way it's done
The lyrics to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's "Took Out a Loan" speak to the idea of taking a risk on love and feeling the highs and lows of that gamble. In the first two lines, the singer speaks of taking out a loan on their "empty heart" and "patient soul," perhaps suggesting that they were willing to invest in love even though they didn't feel fully ready for it. However, as they continue to sing, they reveal that they feel alive only when they don't need the other person and can keep a tight grip on their own sense of self.
The chorus questions the validity of the relationship, wondering if both parties are mistaken in their feelings for each other. The lyric "I think you thought you heard I loved" suggests that neither person is fully certain of where the other stands. The bridge sees the singer doubling down on their commitment to love, declaring that they won't be denied and that they've fallen for the other person's "creature's soul." However, even as they witness the other person's "sickest obsession," the singer only feels alive when they maintain control over their own emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I took out a loan on my empty heart, babe
Metaphorically, the singer has filled the void in their heart and soul with a worthless loan
I took out a loan for my patient soul
The singer has patiently waited for something to fill them up, even if it means going into debt to achieve it
And I feel alive as long as I don't need you
The singer is able to feel invigorated and fulfilled as long as they don't rely on someone else for their happiness
And I feel alive as long as I keep hold
The singer is holding on tight to whatever makes them feel alive, even if it's not entirely healthy or sustainable
Of what I think, I thought I heard you loved me
The singer is questioning what they believed to be true, whether or not the other person truly loves them
I think you thought you heard I loved
The other person may have also misunderstood the singer's feelings, leading to miscommunication and confusion
Have I been mistaken? Have I been mistaken?
The singer keeps second-guessing themselves, wondering if they made a mistake in their assumptions or actions
I feel confused about the way it's done
The singer is lost and unsure of how to proceed, feeling like they've made a mess of things
I won't be denied, I'm coming in this time, babe
Despite setbacks and failures, the singer is determined to try again and not let rejection stop them
I've fallen in love with your creature's soul
The singer has fallen in love with the other person's essence, whatever makes them unique and individual
And I've been a witness to your sickest obsession
The singer has seen the other person at their worst, possibly even a harmful addiction or compulsion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PETER HAYES, ROBERT TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind