After the release of 2008's See You In Another City, Birmingham's Blakfish played over 365 shows through-out the UK and Europe, averaging more than a show every other day, covering 16 countries, clocking over 30,000 miles and destroying 3 vans in the process. Their unrelenting work ethic and blind determination could have been perceived as some kind of mission to save music, or a calling that the band couldn't ignore. The reality was a far cry from this romantic ideal. Their busy schedule was actually just a way for the band to keep out of full time work and to have what can loosely be described as a job that involves drinking alcohol on a daily basis.
Although this was the case, the bands desire to remain unemployed resulted in Blakfish becoming one of the most revered groups in the British underground. 2009 saw them release their debut full-length Champions on Hassle records to critical acclaim, receiving 4 / 5 in Kerrang!, 9 / 10 in Rocksound and a completely unbiased 1 / 10 in Britains most reputable of music publications, the NME.
Blakfish received extensive radio play, which included Radio 1 and Kerrang! as well as a live XFM session. 2009 also saw the band’s profile rise again by playing Offset festival and at the UK’s first Sonisphere festival between playing numerous festivals all over Europe. ‘Champions’ opening track Economics was featured on ‘Kerrang! - the album 09’ alongside Green Day, Gallows and Slipknot, and also on a Rock Sound cover-mount compilation. Also the song Jeremy Kyle is a Marked Man was featured on the ‘Colin McRae Rally – Dirt 2’ computer game.
The start of 2010 saw the band prepare for another 3 week UK tour and a short jaunt in Japan before flying back out to Redroom studios, Seattle, (Mastodon, Fall Of Troy, Minus The Bear, These Arms Are Snakes, Hey Mercedes) to record album number 2 with ‘Champions’ producer Chris Common. However, on Thursday the 11th of February, 2010 in Bilbao, Spain, mid tour with Biffy Clyro, vocalist/guitarist Sam Manville decided to announce that he could no longer continue as a member of Blakfish. In a message posted on the band's myspace the rest of the remainder of the band apologised to everyone who had supported them since they formed around 2000, closing with that "this was in no way a group decision and state that it is the choice of an individual which unfortunately affects many other people. The three of us and our manager Kirk will surely continue musically in the future as this is all we have ever wanted to do, but regrettably this is the end of the road for Blakfish."
Jeremy Kyle is a marked man
Blakfish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I searched for years but I could only find this...
He steps aside to reveal the love interest
"No!" cries the hero
But this is not about her
"I'll give you two options and and let your confer:
One shall be spared"
He acknowledges his flaws
And pretends not to care
To a scene from the previous year...
When I too
Seem to
Be
End on happiness
When I too
Seem to
Be
End on happiness
When I too
Seem to
Be
End on happiness
When I too
Seem to
Be
I love you, love interest
I'm certain I am
Well I know for I glare at this ring on my hand
We've had our futures read and we are truly blessed
Well I know for me, no one loves no less
Back to the scene of our hero's distress...
I know that without her
I could not live
But she too feels likewise the life she would give
Well I feel the shame and as time ticks away
Lord, where are you for me?
As these thoughts went through our superman's brain
Our villain tries subtlety to help fate on its way
Where's the time to... ?
Where's the time to... ?
The song "Jeremy Kyle is a marked man" by Blakfish is a story about a hero encountering a dilemma. The hero is a strong person, but he has a weakness. The lyrics suggest that after searching for years, the only weakness the hero has is his love interest. The scene then shifts to the love interest being held hostage by a villain. The villain gives the hero two options, to save his love interest or to save himself. The hero pretends not to care and acknowledges his flaws, and the scene shifts back to a previous year where the hero and his love interest were happy.
The lyrics reveal that the hero is deeply in love with his love interest, and he even has a ring on his hand to prove it. However, the villain's plan is to create a dilemma for the hero to choose between his life and his love interest's life. The hero has a moment of realization that without his love interest, he could not live, but she also feels the same way about him. The song ends with the villain trying to push fate to his advantage by asking where the time to act is.
The lyrics are metaphorical and could represent a broader theme. The hero's love interest could represent something or someone the hero values. It could be a job, a situation, or a person who brings him happiness. The hero's dilemma could represent an obstacle in his life that he must overcome, standing between him and his happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone so strong has to have a weakness
The singer reflects on the idea that even the strongest people have a vulnerability.
I searched for years but I could only find this...
The singer has been searching for a flaw in his character, and has finally found one.
He steps aside to reveal the love interest
Another character in the story is introduced, who is the singer's love interest.
"No!" cries the hero
The artist objects to something that is happening.
But this is not about her
The current situation is not related to the artist's love interest.
"I'll give you two options and and let your confer:
The antagonist proposes two choices to the singer after introducing a dire situation.
Her life or yours
The singer must choose between his own life or the life of someone else.
One shall be spared"
One of the two options will result in survival, while the other will end in death.
He acknowledges his flaws
The artist recognizes his own faults and shortcomings.
And pretends not to care
The artist is acting as if he does not care about the situation, even though he is deeply affected by it.
To a scene from the previous year...
The story moves to a different year or time, possibly through a flashback.
When I too
Seem to
Be
End on happiness
The artist remembers a time when he was also happy and content.
I love you, love interest
I'm certain I am
Well I know for I glare at this ring on my hand
We've had our futures read and we are truly blessed
Well I know for me, no one loves no less
The singer declares his love for his love interest and reflects on the love and happiness they share together.
I know that without her
I could not live
But she too feels likewise the life she would give
Well I feel the shame and as time ticks away
Lord, where are you for me?
The singer realizes that he cannot live without his love interest, but also knows that she feels the same way. As time passes, he begins to feel helpless and questions whether there is any divine intervention to help him.
As these thoughts went through our superman's brain
Our villain tries subtlety to help fate on its way
The reader learns that the singer is often referred to as 'Superman', while the antagonist is trying to manipulate the situation to achieve their desired outcome.
Where's the time to...
Where's the time to...
The antagonist asks where there is time to do something, possibly suggesting that time is running out for the artist or love interest.
Contributed by Ryan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.