Bonobo's first album - 2000's Animal Magic - was released via Tru Thoughts before being picked up by Ninja Tune. It announced him as a serious talent; able to bring a musician's edge to electronic music, with all the freedom that skill allowed. His subsequent albums for Ninja, Dial 'M' for Monkey and Days to Come, developed his sensibility, won him fans across the globe, and saw him develop his live show into a mesmeric re-working of his records.
He has also worked hard as a DJ, a part of Green's arsenal that perhaps truly came into its own at the same time as 2010’s Black Sands. 2012 saw him take the uptempo, club re-edits of Black Sands from a seminal Boiler Room performance in London to dance floors across the world, and unveil a new light show that further enhanced the impact of these stunning songs. A remix album was released featuring reworkings by fans and peers such as Machinedrum, Floating Points, Mark Pritchard, Lapalux and FaltyDL.
Later the same year, he finally settled down in his New York studio to write his fifth album. The North Borders was another long stride forward - both a natural evolution and a continuation of the electronic palette of Black Sands. With vocal features from Erykah Badu, as well as Grey Reverend (The Cinematic Orchestra) and Cornelia (Portico Quartet) it's another finely balanced body of work.
Bonobo has a long history of unearthing new talent (Andreya Triana, Bajka) and The North Borders saw him do so once again. The vocals of new collaborator Szjerdene are sprinkled across the album.
Since the album’s release, Green has gone on to play over 175 shows across three continents and 30 countries, wowing audiences with the hypnotic, extended live versions of his songs. He performed sold out shows at The Sydney Opera House and Brixton Academy, and his very own, day long festival at London’s Roundhouse. 2014 saw him and his band play the iconic Coachella, Sonar, Glastonbury and many more. This period of extensive touring came to a breathtaking close with his largest show to date at London’s Alexandra Palace in November. In celebration, Ninja Tune released The North Borders Tour. — Live. in October. A deluxe release including a live album, hardback book and a DVD of seminal live performances from a truly memorable tour.
In January 2016, Bonobo announced on Twitter that he intended to release a new album sometime in 2016. Bonobo released his sixth album, Migration, on 13 January 2017 via Ninja Tune. It was announced on 3 November 2016 with the release of the single "Kerala", and an official video. The album features Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker), Rhye, Innov Gnawa and Nicole Miglis (Hundred Waters).
Baltimore
Bonobo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a marble stair
Tryin' to find the ocean
Lookin' everywhere
Hard times in the city
In a hard town by the sea
Ain't nowhere to run to
Hooker on the corner
Waitin' for a train
Drunk lyin' on the sidewalk
Sleepin' in the rain
And they hide their faces
And they hide their eyes
'Cause the city's dyin'
And they don't know why
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live, just to live
Get my sister Sandy
And my little brother Ray
Buy a big old wagon
Gonna haul us all away
Livin' in the country
Where the mountain's high
Never comin' back here
'Til the day I die
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live, just to live
The song "Baltimore" by Nina Simone is a raw and emotional commentary on the struggles of life in an urban environment. Simone paints a vivid picture of a city in decay, where seagulls struggle to find the ocean and people are forced to sleep on the sidewalk in the rain. The lyrics highlight the desperation and hopelessness many feel in the face of the poverty, crime, and decay that often accompany life in the inner city. The song speaks to the feelings of anger and frustration that can arise when people are faced with a system that seems to be designed to keep them down, and the longing for a better life that many feel.
Simone's powerful vocals and poignant lyrics combine to create a song that is both insightful and poignant. The chorus of "Oh, Baltimore, Man, it's hard just to live" is a powerful message that resonates with many people who have experienced the struggles of city life. The song's final verse, which speaks of the desire to leave the city and never return, is a reminder that no matter how hard life may be, there is always hope for a better future.
Overall, "Baltimore" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the struggles of life in the inner city. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Beat-up little seagull
On a marble stair
Tryin' to find the ocean
Lookin' everywhere
A seemingly helpless and insignificant seagull perched on the luxurious marble stair appears lost and longs to return to the ocean but is lost and bewildered in a city far from his habitat.
Hard times in the city
In a hard town by the sea
Ain't nowhere to run to
There ain't nothin' here for free
The city by the sea is full of hardships, even the sea does nothing to ease the situation. There aren't many options to pick from, and anything worthwhile requires hard work.
Hooker on the corner
Waitin' for a train
Drunk lyin' on the sidewalk
Sleepin' in the rain
Desperation is apparent on the streets; a prostitute waits and a drunken individual sleeps on the sidewalk anticipating the next train, with no proper shelter to shield from the rain.
And they hide their faces
And they hide their eyes
'Cause the city's dyin'
And they don't know why
The residents of the city are afraid, ashamed, and unsure of what's happening. The city is in rapid decline, and no one understands why or how to help.
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live, just to live
Living in Baltimore is an arduous task, and surviving is a constant struggle for its dwellers.
Get my sister Sandy
And my little brother Ray
Buy a big old wagon
Gonna haul us all away
The only option left to escape the city's plight is to leave it forever, taking the family to a safer and more prosperous countryside.
Livin' in the country
Where the mountain's high
Never comin' back here
'Til the day I die
Leaving the oppressive conditions of the city provides an opportunity for a better life in the country, with fresh air, high mountains and a promising future with no intention of ever returning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nathan T.
This album is fantastic. Great picks from bonobo. Listen to this album while you are driving through the city at night and the world calms down. Chill as fuck!
Christos Tiger
This is such an immense tune OMG
austin monroe
Isn’t through. I truly don’t know if I like the Randy Newman original or this one better. #WealthOfRICHES!
Frederico Malaca
what a tune. the string section it's precious
SudanHODL
Without Bonobo I wouldn't be here to enjoy this track. Thanks Bonobo.
Stevooo 1
I love how a part of this is at the end of a hardcore punk song. Reality Unfolds by Trapped Under Ice
It goes so well with the track in a weird way
joey bellic
Never heard this until LNT, such a beautiful song. Beat up little seagulls.That simple line gets the tired struggle
Carl Atkinson
It's just their influences...this is a beaut
Doug Sargeant
Love it
nic sabbe
thanks bonobo. this late night tale was super.