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).
Stay The Same Featuring Andreya Triana
Bonobo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Midnight
Bags gathered round my feet
Possessions
Some lessened
To carry with me
Heavy and
Soothing
I rest my
Head right
Back upon my seat
It's hard
And cold tho'
The best thing for me
This train is
Movin'
But my heart is stationery
Seasons change
It won't ever be the same
I'm hopin'
I won't stay the same
Reasons strange
Why we always play these games
I left it
With you
I hope that was discreet
I made sure
I put it
Upon the cellar doors
It's hanging open
When you read it while I weep
Last time
The last time
It flickers through me
So vivid
It rushes from my head down to my feet
We're laughing we're joking
Through ??? to my defeat
Seasons change it will never be the same
I'm hoping I won't stay the same
Reasons strange
Why we always play these games.
The lyrics to Bonobo's "Stay The Same" detail a train journey, where the singer is leaving behind their possessions and possibly a significant other. The bags around their feet contain only the essential items, possessions have been lessened, and what remains is heavy and soothing. The train itself is an escape, but it is also a symbol of how the singer’s heart is stuck in one place, making them feel stationary despite the motion of the train. The seasons have changed, and the singer is accepting that things will never be the same. Despite hoping that they won't stay the same, they are aware that they keep playing these strange games. They have left behind something with someone else, possibly a letter, and are weeping as they imagine the person reading it.
The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and uncertainty, with the singer leaving behind familiar situations and people they might have grown comfortable with. The train journey is a metaphor for the journey of life, where we might move away from things and people that we have known for a long time. The reference to the seasons changing represents a universal truth, that nothing stays the same, not even the things we might hold dear. The idea that the singer is not sure they won't stay the same shows their awareness despite the uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
A night train
I am traveling by train at night
Midnight
It's currently midnight
Bags gathered round my feet
I have my bags around me, ready to move on
Possessions
My belongings
Some lessened
Some of my possessions have been reduced, I am traveling lighter
To carry with me
Only what I need to bring with me
Heavy and
My bags may be heavy, but
Soothing
It feels comforting
Like a gentle symphony
Like a peaceful melody
I rest my
I lean back and rest my
Head right
Head directly
Back upon my seat
On the back of my seat
It's hard
The seat is not comfortable
And cold tho'
However, it's best for me to be on this train because I need to move on
The best thing for me
Being on this unyielding train is the best option I have at the moment
This train is
The train is
Movin'
Moving forward
But my heart is stationery
My emotional state remains stagnant
Seasons change
Time passes
It won't ever be the same
Things will never be as they were before
I'm hopin'
I hope
I won't stay the same
I don't want to remain stagnant
Reasons strange
Odd reasons
Why we always play these games
Why do we continue to engage in this behavior?
I left it
I left something
With you
With someone else
I hope that was discreet
I hope it was not noticed
I made sure
I took precautions
I put it
I left it
Upon the cellar doors
On the cellar doors
It's hanging open
It's left open
When you read it while I weep
When you read it, I will be crying
Last time
The previous time
The last time
The very final time
It flickers through me
It flashes through my mind
So vivid
It's so clear
It rushes from my head down to my feet
I feel it throughout my entire being
We're laughing we're joking
We're having fun together
Through
Despite
??? to my defeat
Something I can't comprehend is leading to my downfall
Seasons change it will never be the same
Time passes and things will never go back to how they once were
I'm hoping I won't stay the same
I hope to grow and change
Reasons strange
Odd reasons
Why we always play these games
Why do we continue to engage in this behavior?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANDREYA TRIANA, SIMON CHARLES GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@radekradek8509
We used to listed to this song with my then gf, especially during long winter nights. Life hurts but it's also very beautiful.
Peace to all lonely souls out here.
@andres90alvaro
Same here man. I feel you.
@didiknowwho2054
1:1
@abiassiraymond382
This song is a mix between a happy and sad feeling, mixing in your mind making such a weird feeling
@anja1789
and peaceful
@tranquilitybase2351
It's melancholy, which has existed for eons in popular and traditional music, but seems in short supply in today's songs.
@cryptoshuttle
It reminds me of walking by myself in the rain while it’s getting dark through small streets in Europe lol ... very intrigue and mysterious
@abiassiraymond382
@@cryptoshuttle It reminds me of every post break up depression ive had
@cryptoshuttle
Abi Assi Raymond hahah for real
@nilacurry4230
That sax is like the icing on the cake... I’m on a sugar high ❤️