Previously, Mayberry was a member of the bands Boyfriend/Girlfriend and Blue Sky Archives. Mayberry is a trained drummer and also did a four-year law degree, followed by a Masters in journalism. Cook was a member of Aereogramme and The Unwinding Hours and also wrote music for film and TV. Doherty was a live member of The Twilight Sad. According to Mayberry, "Iain and Martin went to university together so they've known each other for quite a long time".
The band started in October 2011 as a studio project between the long time friends Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. Cook already knew Lauren Mayberry from working with Blue Sky Archives and suggested her as a potential vocalist for the project.
CHVRCHES were influenced by acts such as Prince, Tubeway Army, Robyn, Depeche Mode, Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Laurie Anderson. The band write, record, mix and master everything in a basement studio in Glasgow.
In May 2012, they released the song "Lies". In the same year, CHVRCHES toured with Passion Pit, as the opening band for their concerts and also toured on their own. "Lies" ranked at number 28 on NME's Best Tracks of 2012. CHVRCHES also came fifth on the BBC's Sound of 2013 list.
On 25 March 2013, they released Recover EP. They performed at SXSW and won the Inaugural Grulke Prize (for Developing Non-US Act). The band also supported Depeche Mode on four shows in July during their The Delta Machine Tour 2013.
On 20 September 2013, CHVRCHES released their debut album, The Bones of What You Believe. The album is supported by the singles "The Mother We Share", "Recover" and "Gun".
Links: official site at chvrch.es | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Tumblr | Vimeo
Keep You On My Side
CHVRCHES Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing to lose, nothing to save to make a home
What if I should make a loss?
Hold up both my hands, my fingers crossed
I don't sleep well, laying low
Never keepin' up, never lettin' go
What if I should look away?
Without restraint
Within our veins
We bide our time, stay afloat
Keepin' the sun up off our boat
I never asked to know, I never planned
Till it was swept out of my hand
We bide our time, stay afloat
Keepin' the dying light exposed
I never asked to know, I never lied
So I could keep you on my side
We feel the same
Without restraint
We feel the same
Within our veins
Everyone comes, but only I stay
Nowhere to look, nowhere to turn to fall away
What if I should call it off?
Hold up my demands with my heart uncrossed
I don't sleep well, laying low
Never keepin' up, never lettin' go
What if I should let it fade
Every human touch will be replayed
Without restraint
Within our veins
We bide our time, stay afloat
Keepin' the sun up off our boat
I never asked to know, I never planned
Till it was swept out of my hand
We bide our time, stay afloat
Keepin' the dying light exposed
I never asked to know, I never lied
So I could keep you on my side
We feel the same
Without restraint
We feel the same
Within our veins
We feel the same
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
Without restraint
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
We feel the same
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
Within our veins
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
We bide our time, stay afloat
Keepin' the sun up off our boat
I never asked to know, I never planned
Till it was swept out of my hand
We bide our time, stay afloat
Keepin' the dying light exposed
I never asked to know, I never lied
So I could keep you on my side
We feel the same
Without restraint
We feel the same
Within our veins
We feel the same
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
Without restraint
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
We feel the same
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
Within our veins
(Payin' back all our chances, chances, chances, chances)
(Chances, chances, chances, chances, chances, chances, chances)
"Keep You On My Side" by CHVRCHES is a song that explores feelings of uncertainty and the desire to hold onto a relationship despite the risks. The opening lines, "Everyone sees, but only I know, nothing to lose, nothing to save to make a home," suggest a sense of isolation and a lack of security in the relationship. The singer is aware of these issues but feels that they have nothing to gain or lose by staying with their partner.
The chorus, "We feel the same without restraint, within our veins," expresses a sense of connection between the two individuals. However, this connection is tempered by the singer's anxiety and indecision, as indicated by the lines, "I don't sleep well, laying low, never keepin' up, never lettin' go."
The bridge, "Everyone comes, but only I stay, nowhere to look, nowhere to turn to fall away," again emphasizes the singer's feeling of isolation and their inability to move on from the relationship. The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the complex mix of emotions at play, as the singer acknowledges that they never asked to know or lied to keep their partner, but still hopes to "keep you on my side."
Overall, "Keep You On My Side" is a powerful song about the difficulties of relationships and the emotional turmoil that can arise when we try to hold onto something that may not be worth the risk.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone sees, but only I know
Others may observe, but I am the only one with true insight
Nothing to lose, nothing to save to make a home
There is no risk or reward to be gained in creating a home
What if I should make a loss?
What if I should fail?
Hold up both my hands, my fingers crossed
I am hoping for a positive outcome, but I am uncertain
I don't sleep well, laying low
I am restless and cautious
Never keepin' up, never lettin' go
I am stagnant, never moving forward or letting go of the past
What if I should look away?
What if I should ignore my true feelings?
Every human touch will be replayed
Every interaction leaves a lasting impression
Without restraint
Uninhibited, unrestricted behavior
Within our veins
Deeply ingrained in our nature
We bide our time, stay afloat
We wait patiently, keeping our heads above water
Keepin' the sun up off our boat
We protect ourselves from outside influences
I never asked to know, I never planned
I am living in the moment, without expectation or foresight
Till it was swept out of my hand
Until it was taken away from me
Keepin' the dying light exposed
We keep the truth out in the open, even if it is fading
I never asked to know, I never lied
I am honest about my lack of knowledge or intent
So I could keep you on my side
So that I could maintain your allegiance and support
Everyone comes, but only I stay
Others may leave, but I remain
Nowhere to look, nowhere to turn to fall away
There is no escape from my situation
What if I should call it off?
What if I should give up?
Hold up my demands with my heart uncrossed
I state my desires with confidence and sincerity
We feel the same
We share a common sentiment
(Payin' back all our chances, payin' back what we took)
We are repaying what we have been given and taken in life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAIN ANDREW COOK, LAUREN EVE MAYBERRY, MARTIN CLIFFORD DOHERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind