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).
Figures
Bonobo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd be happy some, why do you feel? Don't need me no more
Oh, if it hadn't been for, don't need me no more
You'd be happy some, off
Believe it, be off, don't need me no more, why do you feel?
Don't need me no more
Oh, if it hadn't been for, don't need me no more
You'd be happy some, off, don't need me no more, believe it
Why do you feel you'd be happy some?
Why do you feel?
Believe it
Believe it
Believe it, off
Don't need me no, believe it
Oh, if it hadn't been for, don't need me no, you'd be happy some
Why do you feel? Don't need me no, you'd be happy some
Why do you feel? You say I tie, don't need me no
Oh, if it hadn't been for, don't need me no, had enough
Oh, if it hadn't been for, you say, don't need me no
Believe it, off, believe it, off
You say I tie, believe it, off, believe it, off
You say I tie, believe it, off
Don't need me no, believe it, off
You say I tie, believe it, off
Don't need me no, believe it, off
You say I tie, believe it, off
Don't need me no, believe it, off
You say I tie, believe it, off
Don't need me no, believe it, off
You say I tie, believe it, off
You say, don't, believe it, off, believe it, off
You say, don't need me no
The lyrics of Bonobo's "Figures" are relatively abstract and open to interpretation. The repeated phrase "if it hadn't been for, don't need me no more" is perhaps the most prominent, and could suggest a sense of regret or longing for something lost. This feeling is then juxtaposed with the phrase "you'd be happy some," which makes it seem like the subject of the song is content or even relieved to have moved on.
The rest of the lyrics are largely made up of fragments and repetitions, with the occasional curveball thrown in ("you say I tie"). The word "believe it" occurs frequently, and seems to serve as a sort of mantra or affirmation. The overall effect is dreamlike and somewhat mysterious; it's unclear exactly what's happening or what the singer is trying to communicate.
One possible interpretation is that the song is about the end of a relationship. The "if it hadn't been for" line could refer to a mistake or missed opportunity that led to the breakup, and the repeated "don't need me no more" could represent the singer's struggle to come to terms with being alone. Alternatively, the lyrics could be more abstract and about a broader sense of loss or regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, if it hadn't been for, don't need me no more
If it wasn't for our connection, you wouldn't need me anymore
You'd be happy some, why do you feel? Don't need me no more
You might feel happy without me, so why do you still need me?
Believe it, be off, don't need me no more, why do you feel?
Accept that you don't need me and move on, why do you still hold onto our past?
You'd be happy some, off, don't need me no more, believe it
You could find happiness without me, so believe that you don't need me anymore
Why do you feel you'd be happy some?
What makes you think you might be happy without me?
Believe it
Accept that you don't need me anymore
Don't need me no, believe it
Believe that you can live without me
You say I tie, don't need me no
You feel like I'm holding you back, so you don't need me anymore
Oh, if it hadn't been for, don't need me no, you'd be happy some
Without our relationship, you could still find happiness without me
Oh, if it hadn't been for, don't need me no, had enough
If it wasn't for us, you would have enough in your life without me
You say I tie, believe it, off
You acknowledge that I hold you back, so move on and believe that you can be free without me
You say, don't, believe it, off, believe it, off
You say you don't need me, so believe it and move on
You say, don't need me no
You express that you don't need me anymore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Simon Charles Green, Elkie Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
alienNnja
Lyrics from "Just An Excuse" in the order Bonobo has arranged and blended them.
You don't need me no more(x4)
You'd be happy somewhere
Why do you feel
You don't need me no more(x2)
You'd be be happy somewhere
Believe it (sounds like LEAVING)
You don't need me no more(x2)
I left(verse is - I left the door open)
You don't need me no more
You'd be happy somewhere(x2)
You don't need me no more
Believe it
Why do you feel
You'd be happy somewhere
Why do you feel
Believe it(x3)
Don't need me no more
Believe it
Don't need me no more
You'd be happy somewhere
Why do you feel
You'd be happy somewhere
Why do you feel
Don't need me no more
Last three minutes is a mostly
Believe it
You don't need me no more
You say I tie you down(but sounds like YOU SAY YOUR TIRED)
Idk man
I always found Bonobo's music to be very therapeutic
Reality Check
Me too! It always calm me down and put back on track, a little moment of peace in this madness..
Sacha Le Roux
I get goosebumps when I listen to this song. Soooo good!
Marco MontrealVaporizers
the last part of this song is absolutely incredible... The feels...
Shaani ♪
I've been going through some major life changes this month and I'm having a hard time coping. My boyfriend gifted me this album the other day and I have heard most of the tracks before but I have never heard this one. This track makes me feel very emotional yet peaceful. I love Bonobo's music so much.
Wagisha
This track saved my life many times
Ugnius Kindurys
Amazing vocal. Amazing music. Amazing Bonobo. Amazing Simon.
Jonny B'
What an amazing finale to an incredible album!
Dariusz Sokolnik
Jonny B' The finale is the cream of the crop definitywnie!
djfloodmusic
This is the sort of music that should be available by prescription. People should be recommended by a doctor to listen to this.
Bonobo is good for you.