The band's debut album,Young Chasers, was released on March 30, 2015 on the Virgin EMI label and was produced by Dan Grech. Harriet Gibsone in the Guardian described the album as having "traces of We Are Scientists, the Kooks, the Libertines and Razorlight". It features the title track from their 2014 Young Chasers EP, as well as the singles "T-Shirt Weather" and "Fossils".
The band's second album, Different Creatures, was released on March 10, 2017, on the Virgin EMI label and was produced by Alan Moulder and Kieran Shudall. After releasing three different singles ("Wake Up", "Fire That Burns" and "Stuck"), the band came up with a deeper and more mature composition that keeps the first album's energy adding more meaningful lyrics and unusual instruments like violins and cellos.
On 5 April 2019 the band released their third studio album titled, What's It Like Over There?, to critical success. It was supported by the singles, "Times Won't Change Me", "Movies", and "The Way We Say Goodbye". The album earned critical acclaim for its mix of indie and pop rock, as well as the experimentation by the band. It peaked at Number 10 on the UK Albums Chart.
On 19 November 2019 the band released the single "Jacqueline" via BBC Radio 1. The single was accompanied by the announcement of their fourth studio album Sad Happy. The album was released in two parts, with the 'Happy' side released in January 2020 and the 'Sad' side followed in March 2020. According to the band, the double album concept "represents two sides of this tech-saturated, highly insecure age".
100 Strangers
Circa Waves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got your back against the wall, and the end has just begun
And this place, there's a hundred strangers and I hardly know one face
And I sold my soul to the night
And a waste of time, but yet I′ve got to try
We're all worrying about the same things
Yeah, we're all worrying about the same things
The end cannot begin at the start
Spit your words out, son
They cling to your lips like they′re trying to hold on
And I like to tread the boards of avenues with open eyes
But I′m fine, my head isn't there
I′m losing out, but I'm trying not to care
We′re all worrying about the same things
The end cannot begin at the start
Yeah, we're all worrying, about the same things
The end cannot begin at the start
In "100 Strangers" by Circa Waves, the lyrics capture a sense of feeling trapped or stuck in a difficult situation, portrayed through the metaphor of having one's back against the wall. The song begins with the singer realizing that they need to escape their current predicament, as they feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what lies ahead. The mention of a hundred strangers emphasizes the feeling of being surrounded by unfamiliarity, highlighting a sense of isolation and disconnection from others.
The singer then reflects on the choices they have made, expressing a feeling of regret for "selling their soul to the night." This could be interpreted as them sacrificing their values or integrity in order to fit in or find temporary escape. Despite acknowledging that it may be a waste of time, they still feel the need to try and find a way out.
There is also a theme of shared anxiety and worry among everyone depicted in the song. The lines "we're all worrying about the same things" indicate that the struggles and fears the singer is experiencing are not unique to them alone. However, the repetition of "the end cannot begin at the start" suggests a sense of hopelessness or stagnation, as if their efforts to change or improve their situation are met with resistance or futility.
Overall, "100 Strangers" explores feelings of being trapped and disconnected, while also acknowledging the shared anxieties and struggles that many people face.
Line by Line Meaning
You′ve got to get out, son
You need to break free from your current situation, my friend
You got your back against the wall, and the end has just begun
You feel trapped and overwhelmed, but there's still a long journey ahead
And this place, there's a hundred strangers and I hardly know one face
In this unfamiliar environment, I am surrounded by countless unfamiliar faces
And I sold my soul to the night
I made sacrifices for temporary pleasures and experiences
And a waste of time, but yet I′ve got to try
Although it may seem futile, I still feel compelled to attempt and pursue
Spit your words out, son
Speak your mind boldly and without hesitation, my dear
They cling to your lips like they′re trying to hold on
Your words have a profound impact and are not easily forgotten by others
And I like to tread the boards of avenues with open eyes
I enjoy exploring new paths and opportunities with a keen and observant mind
But I′m fine, my head isn't there
Despite my outward appearance, my thoughts and emotions are elsewhere
I′m losing out, but I'm trying not to care
I may be missing out on certain things, but I'm attempting to remain indifferent
We′re all worrying about the same things
Each and every one of us is consumed by similar concerns and anxieties
The end cannot begin at the start
The resolution or conclusion cannot happen at the beginning of the journey
Yeah, we're all worrying, about the same things
Indeed, we all share the burden of worrying about identical matters
The end cannot begin at the start
It is impossible for the end to occur right from the beginning
Writer(s): Kieran Francis Shudall
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.