The Parachutes Songfacts states that Charlie Simpson has a strong musical pedigree dating back to one of his mother's ancestors, Sir William Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875), who was a distinguished classical music composer of the romantic school. Charlie attended public school Uppingham, along with the likes of Harry Judd from McFly and his ex-girlfriend Camilla Smith. He was selected as the third member of Busted, beating Tom Fletcher (now lead singer and guitarist in McFly), after responding to an advert placed by Matt and James in NME magazine in 2001. He plays guitar, piano, drums and bass, and sings vocals.
He is renowned for his distinguished eyebrows, which he says are "...the biggest and best in the business", and his guitar playing style. He loves Nirvana and The Deftones and considers Kurt Cobain his idol.
On 14 January 2005, Charlie caused Busted to split after deciding to leave the band to concentrate on his other band, Fightstar. The name "Fightstar" was created when bassist Dan Haigh came up with the name "Evenstar" and Charlie thought of the name "A Time To Fight", these names were combined to give the name Fightstar.
Following three studio albums, Fightstar initiated an extended hiatus in 2010, allowing Simpson to focus on his solo career. Parachutes, the lead single from his debut solo full-length album entitled Young Pilgrim, was released on August 15, 2011.
He met the other guys in the band through Camilla when Alex's sister moved in with her as a flatmate, and Fightstar was born. He has two other brothers who are also in bands, Will in Brigade and Edd in Union Sound Set (formerly Prego); both have supported Fightstar on recent tours/gigs.
Forty Thieves
Charlie Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now there′s visitors living in my veins yet
I'm just a host in their selfish games well
Oh god where are you now?
I thought you loved us all the same
I was up looking for you all night
I′m sure I heard your voice in the darkness
'Cos you know you are the fortress I am bound too
I was shattered when I found you
And all your skin was white there were crystal lines running
Between your lips and
Down through your spine there was
Nothing in your eyes that I could recognise
For the pain you left I hope you made it there
I was up looking for you all night
I'm sure I heard your voice in the darkness
I was up looking for you all night
′Cos you know you are the fortress I am bound too
It′s funny how the simplest things
Are often the hardest
But all I ever wanted was to love you
I was up looking for you all night
I'm sure I heard your voice in the darkness
I was up looking for you all night
′Cos you know you are the fortress I am bound too
The lyrics of Charlie Simpson's song "Forty Thieves" delve into a dark, introspective space as the singer reflects on the state of their own physical and emotional state. The opening lines, "My body is toxic / And now there's visitors living in my veins yet," suggest a sense of bodily decay and a feeling of being poisoned from within. The subsequent line, "I'm just a host in their selfish games well," adds an element of helplessness to this idea, as the singer seems to feel like they're unable to control what's happening to them.
In the chorus, the singer seems to be calling out to a higher power, perhaps seeking some form of spiritual guidance or reassurance. The line "Oh god where are you now? / I thought you loved us all the same" speaks to a feeling of abandonment and confusion, as if the singer is questioning why they've been left to suffer in this way. The repeated refrain of "I was up looking for you all night / 'Cos you know you are the fortress I am bound to" further emphasizes this desire for someone or something to provide stability and support.
Later in the song, the singer seems to come into contact with someone they've been searching for, but the encounter is deeply unsettling. The image of "crystal lines" running through the person's skin suggests a kind of coldness or hardness that's difficult to interact with. The line "For the pain you left I hope you made it there" adds a layer of bitterness to the encounter, as the singer seems to be holding the other person responsible for their own suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
My body is toxic
My physical state is a health hazard
And now there's visitors living in my veins yet
Foreign substances are circulating in my bloodstream
I'm just a host in their selfish games well
I am a mere carrier for these harmful substances
Oh god where are you now?
A plea for divine intervention
I thought you loved us all the same
A feeling of betrayal by a higher power
I was up looking for you all night
An insomnia-filled night spent searching for salvation
I'm sure I heard your voice in the darkness
A fleeting moment of hope that rekindles faith
'Cos you know you are the fortress I am bound too
Personal reliance on a higher power for protection
I was shattered when I found you
Disappointment after finally finding divine intervention
And all your skin was white there were crystal lines running
The physical appearance of divine intervention is crystal-like and pure
Between your lips and
Even the divine has no words to spare
Down through your spine there was
A divine presence intimately penetrates the body
Nothing in your eyes that I could recognise
The divine presents an incomprehensible appearance
For the pain you left I hope you made it there
Despite the disappointment, there remains a hope for divine salvation
It's funny how the simplest things
The irony in how basic things are often the most difficult
Are often the hardest
A remark on the perceived difficulty of simple tasks
But all I ever wanted was to love you
A statement of adoration for the divine despite disappointment
Writer(s): Charles Robert Simpson
Contributed by Evan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Drover
Haunting, inspired! Simpson really has come of age on this album. His finest hour to date in my opinion.
Amanda Telci
This is my favorite song on the entire album. Incredible.
PurpleChocolate27
Can't wait for this album! I love it already!
HoneyDx TheMisfit
Wonderful song, I just discovered his solo albums. It's my quarantine music 🖤
Zenurishida
This, This is really great thank you for sharing it!
ChiickenPattie
I love it!!
Emily Rose
Woahh. Loving this album. Strange I'm sure only hearing it now.
Something is Here
I love how this has no dislikes haha
Andy Rust
Will the album be on itunes? Its so good
Andy Rust
Will the album be on itunes? Its so good