They formed in 2005 and spent their last couple of years in school writing songs that would eventually become their debut album. In 2007, after leaving education, they began to take the band more seriously and took to the road, touring relentlessly for the next 4 years playing hundreds of shows around the UK and Ireland. Starting off in opening slots for anyone who would have them, they progressed to slots on much higher profile UK wide tours with the likes of Billy Talent, Enter Shikari, Against Me, Twin Atlantic and You Me At Six, and quickly gained themselves a country-wide following of fans.
October 2009 saw the self-release of their debut album ‘Thank You’. The band decided they would put the album up for free download via their website with the idea that they wanted as many people as possible to hear their music without expecting them to pay out, or download it illegally, effectively ‘officially’ leaking the album. ‘Thank You’ received fantastic feedback in various national press reviews and took the band from their relatively ‘local’ status to a more well-known, yet still underground, national name within the UK music scene. To date the album has had well over 35,000 downloads and rising.
Work on the bands follow up release is now under way as they take time out from touring to write & record. Canterbury will be playing a few select UK festivals this summer.
More Than Know
Canterbury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You’re trying hard to read my mind
And tiny footsteps, one at a time,
I’m trying hard to walk the line.
Yeah, I should more than know,
I should more than know,
We are out of control,
I’m making jumps to step outside.
I’ve got the feeling that it’s you I believe in,
You ease my mind.
But I get aching shoulders
And my toes are sore
‘Cause you keep me on them.
How can I ask for more?
Yeah, I should more than know,
I should more than know,
We are out of control,
We are out of control.
Preparation,
I’ve been making plans of my hands.
We should know by now,
Take control somehow.
The separation of our hands
Leaves me in bits now
But I don’t mind
Yeah, I said I don’t mind
‘Cause they’re tied behind my back for now
Yeah, I should more than know,
I should more than know,
We are out of control,
We are out of control.
Canterbury’s song More Than Know is about the ups and downs of a relationship whose fate is unsure. The opening line creates a sense of fear and hesitation as the singer is taking steps to jump inside, indicating that he is trying to take a big leap forward in his relationship. However, his partner is trying to read his mind, making him feel like he is under constant scrutiny. The image of tiny footsteps and walking the line in the second line suggests that he is trying to carefully proceed but is uncertain where this relationship is heading. The chorus line “I should more than know, We are out of control” highlights the uncertainty that the singer feels towards the relationship.
In the second verse, he takes a different perspective and jumps outside, indicating that he is willing to take a risk to find what he desires. He speaks of the comfort that his partner brings and the belief he has in her; however, she keeps him on his toes, and his shoulder aches due to this continuous tension. The line “’Cause they’re tied behind my back for now” in the closing verse conveys a sense of helplessness and lack of agency. It is difficult to let go of something that has been tied to one’s being for an extended time, and this notion is expressed in the helplessness implied by keeping one’s hands behind their back.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m taking steps to jump inside.
I am trying to better understand my own emotions and thoughts by delving deeper into my own mind.
You’re trying hard to read my mind
You are attempting to figure out what I am thinking and feeling without me explicitly communicating it to you.
And tiny footsteps, one at a time,
I am making slow, cautious moves in my exploration of my own emotions and thoughts.
I’m trying hard to walk the line.
I am attempting to navigate a fine line between expressing myself and maintaining control over my emotions.
Yeah, I should more than know,
I am well aware of the situation and should have anticipated this outcome.
We are out of control,
Our emotions and actions are spiraling out of control, and we are struggling to regain footing and composure.
I’m making jumps to step outside.
I am attempting to distance myself from the intense emotions of the situation and obtain a new perspective.
I’ve got the feeling that it’s you I believe in,
I trust and have faith in you and your ability to help me navigate these difficult emotions.
You ease my mind.
Your presence and support help alleviate my mental and emotional burdens.
But I get aching shoulders
The weight of the situation is taking a toll on me, physically and emotionally.
And my toes are sore
The stress of the situation is causing me physical discomfort and pain.
‘Cause you keep me on them.
Your expectations and demands are causing me stress and discomfort.
How can I ask for more?
I am struggling with how much to ask of you and how much of the burden to carry myself.
Preparation,
I am taking steps to be better prepared for this situation.
I’ve been making plans of my hands.
I have been making careful and intentional decisions about how to navigate the situation.
We should know by now,
Given our past experiences, we should have anticipated and been better prepared for this outcome.
Take control somehow.
We need to regain control of the situation, despite the chaos and uncertainty.
The separation of our hands
The distance between us and our inability to communicate effectively is causing the situation to deteriorate.
Leaves me in bits now
The situation is causing me great emotional pain and distress.
But I don’t mind
Despite the discomfort and pain, I am willing to endure it for the sake of the relationship.
Yeah, I said I don’t mind
I want to reassure you that I am committed to the relationship and willing to endure the hardships.
‘Cause they’re tied behind my back for now
My hands are metaphorically tied, and I am unable to take control of the situation at the moment.
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
johnwilson91
You never fail to make a brilliant song!! The video is amazing and the song makes me want your new album to come out fast!!! :D
Carmen Vaca
Love this song! Great way to kick off the second album. I just looked at the upcoming tour dates and was sad to see they were all in UK. I know you guys are going to blow up the charts soon, and I really hope you guys can make your way to the US sometime in the near future.
shezzie126
They're amazing live!! Can't believe they're not signed!!
Caroline
I really can't wait for the album to come out, if More Than Know and Heavy In The Day are anything to go by then the album is going to be huge!
Elisabete Moura Rocha
This song is soooo Good!The second album is gonna rocks! Congrats from Brazil guys!
Charli Bicknell
So chuffed for you guys!! You deserve this so much, awesome track and video :D
Taylor Green
Love these guys, amazing people in person and with there music. Cant wait to see them again in a few weeks. The wait is going to be difficult.
alohajeni1
favourite band! love this song, excited to hear more new stuff (: they're all looking great here too!
4evam3
got their album last week and it's damn good! i'm glad I discovered this band...
Lael Carlton
this is my favourite music video by Canterbury. Just love the masks and lyrics