Hewerdine (born Mark Hewerdine) moved to Cambridge as a child, but returned to London in his late teens, and worked in a record shop. Suffering from agoraphobia, it was not a happy time of his life, and he was fired from his job after being wrongly accused of theft. Returning to Cambridge, he teamed up with a friend with similar experiences and started to write songs. They formed the short-lived Placebo Thing, later renamed The Great Divide. They were heard by Mike Scott of The Waterboys, who recommended them to Ensign Records, where they cut two commercially unsuccessful singles. In 1985 Hewerdine, working once again in a record shop in Cambridge, formed The Bible, recruiting jazz drummer Tony Shepherd. They released an album of songs through the independent Norwich label Backs Records called Walking The Ghost Back Home.
The Bible became a fairly successful independent band, with a cult following spread mostly through word of mouth and live performances. Two tracks from the first album, Graceland and Mahalia were released as singles, but did not achieve very significant sales. The album however was very well received by music pundits, and this brought the band to the attention of Chrysalis Records. Signing to Chrysalis, Graceland and another track, Honey Be Good were (re)released as singles, and reached the lower end of the UK singles chart. A new album, Eureka followed, but failed commercially. In 1988, Hewerdine decided to leave the group and pursue solo projects. Calum MacColl and Neill MacColl from the group went on to form Liberty Horses.
At around this time Hewerdine met US "new country" singer Darden Smith, and this set him off in a new direction. Working together, he and Smith released a collaborative album, Evidence. Hewerdine also worked simultaneously on new solo songs, largely based on his earlier traumatic experiences in London. Eventually these were distilled down to produce the Ignorance album, released in 1992. Invited by Tori Amos to play support promoting these songs, Hewerdine managed to find a new audience and Ignorance and a single from the album, History, did relatively well commercially.
As Hewerdine's star rose, he started to write for other artists, among them Eddi Reader, Clive Gregson and Christine Collister. The Bible reformed for a tour in 1994. Further solo album releases followed, such as 1996's Baptist Hospital and 1999's Thanksgiving. Meanwhile Hewerdine was asked by long-time friend Nick Hornby to contribute music to the soundtrack for the movie version of his book High Fidelity, whose subject (working in a record shop) was also very close to Hewerdine's experiences.
Hewerdine continues to write and perform his own songs. Harmonograph, released on MVine/Red Grape Records in February 2006, is a collection of his songs written for other artists such as Eddi Reader and Hepburn, recorded by Hewerdine for the first time. 2008 saw two mini CD releases - Toy Box 1 and Toy Box 2 with art work by Hewerdine's grandmother. Hewerdine continues to tour regularly, playing a set featuring songs from through out his career from The Bible to Toy Box.
Gemini
Boo Hewerdine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It took a while, but I have found my twin
And all those years when I could not decide
When every door had exit on both sides
You're all I need
Gemini
Gemini, I know you think I'm mad
But you were in a dream that I once had
I couldn't seem to get you out my mind
A mirror in a mirror for all time
You're all I need
Gemini
Gemini
Heaven knows I really should have known
Drivin' in a moon buggy alone
And for a while I left the human race
I was an echo in an endless space
You're all I need
Gemini
Gemini (gemini, gemini)
Gemini
In the song "Gemini" by Boo Hewerdine, the lyrics capture the singer's experience of finding their twin flame or soulmate in a person represented by the zodiac sign Gemini. The opening lines express the relief and joy of finally connecting with this person after a period of uncertainty and indecision. The singer acknowledges that this connection is something they have been searching for and now that they have found it, they feel complete.
The reference to every door having an exit on both sides symbolizes the singer's past struggles in making decisions and feeling like they were stuck in a cycle of choices with no clear resolution. However, now that they have found their Gemini counterpart, they feel assured and content. The repetition of "You're all I need, Gemini" emphasizes the depth of the bond between the singer and this person, implying that they are the missing piece that the singer has been longing for.
The lyrics also delve into the dream-like quality of the relationship, with the singer confessing that the Gemini individual was a recurring figure in their dreams. The imagery of "a mirror in a mirror for all time" suggests a reflection of oneself in this person, as if they are looking at a version of themselves in the other. This deep connection transcends the physical world and resonates on a spiritual level, signifying a profound and eternal bond.
The song further explores themes of isolation and detachment from the human experience, with the singer referencing driving in a moon buggy alone and feeling like an echo in an endless space. Despite these feelings of alienation, the presence of Gemini brings a sense of belonging and purpose to the singer's life. The repetition of the word "Gemini" at the end of the song serves as a mantra, highlighting the importance of this relationship and the profound impact it has had on the singer's existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Gemini, so how do I begin
Asking how to start over with a new relationship, symbolized by Gemini, the astrological sign of twins.
It took a while, but I have found my twin
After searching for a long time, I have finally found someone who feels like my perfect match.
And all those years when I could not decide
Reflecting on the past when I struggled to make decisions, unsure of which path to take.
When every door had exit on both sides
Feeling trapped in a situation where every option seemed to lead to uncertainty and doubt.
You're all I need
Realizing that the person I found is all I truly need to be happy.
Gemini, I know you think I'm mad
Acknowledging that others may see my connection to Gemini as strange or unusual.
But you were in a dream that I once had
Recollecting a dream where Gemini was a central figure, leaving a lasting impression on me.
I couldn't seem to get you out my mind
Struggling to stop thinking about Gemini, as if they were embedded in my thoughts.
A mirror in a mirror for all time
Seeing Gemini as a reflection of myself, creating a deep connection that transcends time.
Heaven knows I really should have known
Realizing that I should have recognized the importance of Gemini sooner, with the benefit of hindsight.
Drivin' in a moon buggy alone
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others, as if exploring a desolate landscape in a moon buggy.
And for a while I left the human race
Retreating from society and human interaction, feeling like an outsider or outcast.
I was an echo in an endless space
Feeling small and insignificant, like my voice was lost in a vast expanse with no one to hear it.
Gemini (gemini, gemini)
Repeating the name Gemini to emphasize the significance of this connection in my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK NICHOLAS HEWERDINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind