Yan (Jan Scott Wilkinson) - Vocals, guitar
Noble (Martin Noble) - Guitar
Hamilton (Neil Hamilton Wilkinson) - Bass, vocals, guitar
Wood (Matthew Wood) - Drum
Phil Sumner - Cornet, Keyboards
Abi Fry - Viola
Yan, Hamilton and Wood are school friends from Kendal in Cumbria. They were in a number of bands together while at school, but after finishing his exams Yan moved to study at Reading University, where he met guitarist Noble. A few years later Hamilton and Wood moved down to join them and form a band.
They played some gigs and produced a 4 track demo in Reading as British Air Powers, before relocating to Brighton in search of a more vibrant music scene. "British Sea Power" was actually the name of one of these demo tracks, and was eventually reworked into Carrion. In Brighton, BSP amassed a strong local following, due mainly to their own club night called "Club Sea Power". The club nights featured many different support bands, and other forms of entertainment such as a 1930s fashion show, and were most frequently hosted at the Freebutt and the Lift (the latter has now closed down).
Their debut single, Fear of Drowning, was issued in limited numbers of their own Golden Chariot label. The artwork for the B side "A Wooden Horse" borrows heavily from the dust cover of the 1950 book "The Wooden Horse" that details the escape of Allied POWs during WWII. Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records saw the band live and in September 2001 signed them to his label. A number of singles were issued on the label, and Eamon (Eamon Hamilton) was recruited to play live keyboards in autumn 2002.
The Decline of British Sea Power, the band's debut album, was released in June 2003 to critical acclaim. A single from the album, "Carrion", became the band's first Top 40 single. The album only charted in the lower reaches of the UK Album Chart, but turned out to be a word of mouth success, shipping well over 60,000 copies over the following two years and allowing them to play sell-out UK tours to venues of over 1,000 people.
The follow-up, Open Season, was released in early April 2005, and also enjoyed wide critical praise. It showcased a more accessible, produced sound and charted at #13 in the UK Albums Chart. Lead single It Ended on an Oily Stage charted at #18 in the UK Singles Chart a week earlier.
British Sea Power have a reputation for elaborate and well-thought out live shows and won the 2004 Time Out London Live Band of the Year award. The stage is often decorated with foliage and plastic birds and sets generally finish with a semi-improvised song called "Rock in A", which sometimes lasts for over 20 minutes. Various members often climb riggings and tear down the foliage, Eamon walks around the audience beating his marching drum, and a ten-foot bear, Ursine Ultra, occasionally makes an appearance - often taking a beating from various band members. This has become one of the signatures of the band. Their tours often include unusual venues such as the Scillonian Club on the Isles of Scilly, Grasmere Village Hall, the St. John Boste Social Club in Kendal, Cumbria and Carnglaze Caverns in Cornwall.
The band have built up an eccentric image in interviews and press releases; some of which is based on fact, other times merely whimsical building of outward personas. This has included giving journalists grid references at which to meet them, and expressing obsessions with Field Marshal Montgomery and bird watching.
The band has a fiercely loyal and devoted hardcore fanbase, sometimes referred to as the Third Battalion.
At the beginning of 2006, it was announced that Eamon had left British Sea Power to concentrate on his own band Brakes. The group spent part of late 2006 working on new material in Montréal, and are preparing a DVD.
In 2007, American Laundromat Records announced that British Sea Power would record a version of the Pixies' "Caribou" for an album called "Dig For Fire - A Tribute To Pixies."
In October 2007, the band went on tour throughout the east coast of America to showcase their new 5-track EP, Krankenhaus EP. In November 2007, they toured a variety of unusual locations in the UK including a seaside cafe in Saltdean, East Sussex; a ferry across the River Mersey, Liverpool; the Tan Hill Inn, the UK's highest inn; All Saints Church in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and White Mischief, an indoor festival mixing live bands with unusual vaudeville acts.
Their Krankenhaus? EP was released digitally for purchasable download in October 2007 and was released on CD and vinyl on November the 20th. Their third album, Do You Like Rock Music? was released on 14th January 2008 in the U.K. and scheduled for release on 12th February 2008 in the U.S. Prior to their tour in support of Do You Like Rock Music? (visiting Ireland, UK, Belgium, Holland, Germany and US), Wood injured his back and had to be temporarily replaced by Tom White of Electric Soft Parade and Brakes fame.
In January 2008 the keyboard and cornet player ended up in hospital after being knocked unconscious when he attempted a stage dive. The crowd at Leeds Irish Centre failed to catch Phil Sumner, who jumped off a 12-foot PA system landing head first. The press department at Rough Trade Records reported "The impact knocked him out. Thankfully an ambulance was quickly summoned and he was whisked away, bloody and unconscious and despite a concussion, a broken molar and a maze of stitches in his chin, a very groggy Phil is expected to make a full recovery." In spite of this, he returned to the stage with the rest of the band a day later in Kendal.
In February 2008, the band appeared on Later with Jools Holland, playing Waving Flags, Canvey Island and No Lucifer. They were ably accompanied by a small number of the London Bulgarian Choir and a display of Cumbrian wrestling. The band are also scheduled to play at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Latitude, T in the Park and Bestival.
In May 2009, British Sea Power released their fourth album, Man of Aran. Several tracks on this album are remakes of older songs, such as the main riff from North Hanging Rock which features in the new track Boy Vertiginous. The album comes paired with a DVD containing the Robert J. Flaherty film 'Man of Aran', a silent film with music from the album dubbed in.
In October 2010, British Sea Power released the seven track 'Zeus' ep and announced the release of their next album, 'Valhalla Dancehall' in January 2011.
In November 2011, the band started hosting a regular club evening in Brighton called "Krankenhaus" that recalled some of their Club British Sea Power events. DJ sets, friends of the band and general BSP hijinx.
On 9 August 2021, British Sea Power announced they were changing their name to Sea Power. In a statement the band explained:
"In recent times there’s been a rise in a certain kind of nationalism in this world – an isolationist, antagonistic nationalism that we don’t want to run any risk of being confused with. It’s become apparent that it’s possible to misapprehend the name British Sea Power, particularly if someone isn’t familiar with the band or their recordings. We’ve always been internationalist in our mindset, something made clear in songs like Waving Flags, an anthem to pan-European idealism. We always wanted to be an internationalist band but maybe having a specific nation state in our name wasn’t the cleverest way to demonstrate that. We very much hope the band’s audience won’t be affronted by this adjustment to the name. We’d like to make it clear that removing the word “British” does NOT indicate any aversion to the British Isles whatsoever. We all feel immensely fortunate to have grown up in these islands. Several or our songs are filled with love and awe for this place. We do love these lands. We all still live within the British Isles, but we are now just Sea Power. We feel the name change comes in part from the band’s audience – who at a good show will shout out, “Sea Power! Sea Power!” Maybe this name change has been there for years, shouted in our ears. It’s just taken us this long to realise – to hear what was there in front of us… "
Don't Let the Sun Get In the Way
British Sea Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I'm not the only one
I hope that it's OK
Just when I thought you'd had enough
You said it's time to open up
Slack jawed and empty mouthed
And feeling rough
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
High rise chills
You can feel them still
Through the shadows and illuminations of this evening blue
We'll substitute the truth today
We'll watch the pilgrims on their way
Slack jawed and empty eyed
And feeling rough
Hey hey hey hey
All my friends are heading for
The glassy shores
Oh how we need it now
Oh how we need it man
Oh yes we need it now
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
The lyrics of British Sea Power’s song, “Don’t Let the Sun Get In the Way” are open to interpretation, but they seem to be about feeling dependent on someone or something. The singer starts by saying he needs “plastic pills” and hopes that this is okay. He acknowledges that he’s not the only one who feels this way. Then, the person he’s addressing seems to withdraw, but then changes their mind and tells him to “open up.” The singer then describes himself as feeling “slack jawed and empty mouthed” and experiencing a physical sensation of feeling rough.
The chorus is a repeated warning against the sun getting in the way, but it’s unclear what this means exactly. It could be a metaphor for something that’s stopping them from achieving their goals or making them feel worse. The song also includes references to “high rise chills” and “shadows and illuminations” which create a mood of alienation and dislocation. Then, there are lines about “pilgrims” and “glassy shores” which suggest a search for something spiritual or transcendent. The song ends on another warning against the sun getting in the way, as if to suggest that the threat is ongoing and persistent.
Overall, the song seems to be about the human predicament of feeling both dependent and alienated, seeking transcendence while being hampered by physical and emotional obstacles. It’s a moody, introspective song with a haunting melody that leaves ample room for the listener’s interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Plastic pills I need you still
I am dependent on an artificial remedy to cope with life's difficulties
I know I'm not the only one
I am aware that others share my struggles and addictions
I hope that it's OK
I seek reassurance and acceptance for my faults
Just when I thought you'd had enough
I believed that you could no longer handle the situation
You said it's time to open up
You encouraged me to express my true feelings and thoughts
Slack jawed and empty mouthed
I am speechless and lacking in energy or enthusiasm
And feeling rough
I am experiencing physical or emotional discomfort
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't allow external factors to impede the resolution of our problems
High rise chills
The tall, imposing buildings are causing unease and anxiety
You can feel them still
The effects of this discomfort continue to be felt
Through the shadows and illuminations of this evening blue
Despite the changing and contrasting lights of the evening sky
We'll substitute the truth today
We will choose to believe in falsehoods or delusions
We'll watch the pilgrims on their way
We will observe others making a journey full of hope and faith
Slack jawed and empty eyed
We remain numb and disenchanted by our current situation
And feeling rough
We continue to experience discomfort and pain
Hey hey hey hey
A momentary interjection expressing excitement or enthusiasm
All my friends are heading for
My companions are pursuing a certain direction
The glassy shores
The tranquil and reflective waters of the sea
Oh how we need it now
We crave this sense of peace and serenity
Oh how we need it man
We desire this state of calm and harmony
Oh yes we need it now
We are certain of our longing for this liberation
Don't let the sun get in the way
Do not allow any obstacles to prevent us from reaching our goal
Don't let the sun get in the way
Do not let the natural progression of events interfere with our plans
Don't let the sun get in the way
Avoid any distractions or temptations that may derail us
Don't let the sun get in the way
Stay focused and determined to achieve our objectives
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jan Scott Wilkinson, Neil Hamilson Wilkinson, Abigail Helen Fry, Martin Richard Noble, Phillip Harry Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tropicwave1
Don't Let the Sun Get in the Way
British Sea Power
Album: Let the Dancers Inherit the Party
Plastic pills I need you still
I know I'm not the only one
I hope that it's OK
Just when I thought you'd had enough
You said it's time to open up
Slack jawed and empty mouthed
And feeling rough
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
High rise chills
You can feel them still
Through the shadows and illuminations of this evening blue
We'll substitute the truth today
We'll watch the pilgrims on their way
Slack jawed and empty eyed
And feeling rough
Hey hey hey hey
All my friends are heading for
The glassy shores
Oh how we need it now
Oh how we need it man
Oh yes we need it now
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Kate Mitchell
"'Hail holy queen of the sea,'" he quotes. "'You're whirling in rags -- you're vast and you're sad.'"
Paul Armas Hardy
Lovely song, cant stop playing it again and again
google leave me alone
I keep waking up to it in my head.
Tr
Great music
michael davies
This is proper british sea power, like the old stuff. shame its only now and then they reproduce it. still one of the most underated bands, their first 3 albums are flawless
Max
I still really like their new stuff.
Karen García
Good job British Sea Power!
Amigo sem foto do Vlad
OMG THIS IS SO GOOD
tropicwave1
Don't Let the Sun Get in the Way
British Sea Power
Album: Let the Dancers Inherit the Party
Plastic pills I need you still
I know I'm not the only one
I hope that it's OK
Just when I thought you'd had enough
You said it's time to open up
Slack jawed and empty mouthed
And feeling rough
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
High rise chills
You can feel them still
Through the shadows and illuminations of this evening blue
We'll substitute the truth today
We'll watch the pilgrims on their way
Slack jawed and empty eyed
And feeling rough
Hey hey hey hey
All my friends are heading for
The glassy shores
Oh how we need it now
Oh how we need it man
Oh yes we need it now
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Don't let the sun get in the way
Louis Boyes
Absolutely fucking love it