Catatonia was formed in 1992, reputedly after songwriter Mark Roberts heard Cerys busking in Cardiff city centre. They had considerable success, their most famous hits being "Mulder and Scully", "Road Rage" and "Dead From The Waist Down". In September 2001, Cerys announced her departure from Catatonia after bouts of exhaustion and anxiety. Her departure was followed shortly by the breakup of the group.
Cerys is now performing her solo material (which is more folk/ country influenced) .
Not to be confused with the Swedish metal band Katatonia.
Cerys now has a solo album and is working as a DJ for Alternative radio Station BBC 6 Music.
Londinium
Catatonia Lyrics
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The life out of me, and the money from my pocket
London always creeps, showbiz hugs
The life out of me, have some dignity honey
Euston, Paddington, train station please
Make the red lights turn green, endlessly
My black cab rolls through the neon disease
Endlessly, endlessly
The life out of me, show some dignity honey
Sushi bars, wet fish, it just sucks
The life out of me, and the money from my pocket
Euston, Paddington, train station please
Make the red lights turn green, endlessly
My black cab rolls through the neon disease
Endlessly, endlessly
I come alive outside the M25
I won't drink the poison Thames
I'll chase the sun out west
Londinium
Euston, Paddington, train station please
Make the red lights turn green, endlessly
My black cab rolls through the neon disease
Endlessly, endlessly
I come alive, I come alive
The song Londinium by Catatonia echoes the sentiment of living in London and facing the constant buzz and chaos of the city. The lyrics speak of London never sleeping, but rather sucking the life and money out of the singer. The use of the word "Londinium" - an ancient name for London - adds an almost mythical quality to the song, as if the city has been a constant presence throughout history, watching over its inhabitants. The singer yearns to escape the neon disease of the city and to come alive outside of the hustle and bustle. The repetition of the phrase "endlessly" adds to the sense of feeling trapped and powerless in the face of the city's constant energy.
The song evokes the emotions and experiences of living in a large, fast-paced city, with the use of vivid imagery such as the black cab rolling through the neon disease, and the constant struggle to find dignity and independence in a place where money and status are constantly in motion. The lyrics also highlight the rituals of city life, from naming train stations such as Euston and Paddington to experiencing the many different types of cuisine in the city, such as sushi bars and wet fish.
Line by Line Meaning
London never sleeps, it just sucks
The city of London is always active, but it drains me of energy and resources.
The life out of me, and the money from my pocket
The city of London takes away my vitality and depletes my finances.
London always creeps, showbiz hugs
The atmosphere of London is insidious and the showbiz industry is overly friendly.
Have some dignity honey
Retain your self-respect.
Euston, Paddington, train station please
I request passage through the train stations Euston and Paddington.
Make the red lights turn green, endlessly
Please allow me to continue moving through the city without stopping at red lights.
My black cab rolls through the neon disease
My taxi traverses the unhealthy and infected neon streets.
Sushi bars, wet fish, it just sucks
The artificial and processed food culture of London is not enjoyable.
I won't drink the poison Thames
I will not ingest the polluted waters of the Thames River.
I'll chase the sun out west
I will pursue the setting sun towards the west.
Londinium
The ancient Roman name for the city of London.
I come alive outside the M25
I feel energized and rejuvenated outside the M25 motorway surrounding London.
I come alive
I feel completely alive and revitalized.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALED RICHARDS, CERYS MATTHEWS, MARK ROBERTS, OWEN POWELL, PAUL JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind