The band eventually broke up over a combination of creative differences and financial difficulties. Their failure to secure a record deal in the US certainly didn't help matters, despite critical acclaim in America. Rolling Stone's review of "Foxheads Stalk This Land" called it "first-rate guitar pop from a top-shelf band. Close Lobsters could have been just another jangle group, but they have a lot more going for them than just chiming Rickenbackers."
The band reunited briefly in 1991 for a few live gigs before disbanding more permanently.
The Close Lobsters song "Let's Make Some Plans" was covered by the Wedding Present on the b-side of the "California" single in 1992.
Andrew Burnett is a lecturer in the Business faculty at the University of Paisley and guitarist Graeme Wilmington is an Audio Technology lecturer at Stow College, Glasgow.
The band became active again in the 2010s, releasing multiple EPs and an LP, Post Neo Anti - Arte Povera In the Forest Of Symbols in 2020.
A Prophecy
Close Lobsters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have a crystal ball head
You can reach for
The stars of heaven
It doesn't mean
You'll ever get there
'Cause you don't know
It's not surprising since
You don't know where to go
And it's just like the sunshine
To make my eyes go riverlike
And it's typical of the weather
To pour in on an off day
But you don't know what you're doing
It's not surprising since
You don't know what to do
And you don't know what you're saying
It's not surprising since
You don't know what to say
And most things are hard to remember
I probably didn't pick you up right
And it's typical of the weather
To make my eyes go riverlike
But you don't know where you're going
It's not surprising since
You don't know where to go
The song "A Prophecy" by Close Lobsters emphasizes a common human condition of uncertainty about the future. The opening lines, "And I can see it like a prophecy, I have a crystal ball head" suggest an intuition or foresight into what may come to pass. However, the subsequent lines caution against overconfidence, reminding us that there is no certainty in this life, and that the path to achieving our aspirations is never clear.
The verse that follows elucidates and expands upon this theme, reinforcing the idea that not knowing where one is going is common and unsurprising. The lyrics also touch on the paradoxical nature of optimism and disappointment: the weather is "typical" and predictable even when it is unexpectedly disruptive, while striving for success is necessary but can feel futile. The repeated refrain of "you don't know what to do/say" suggests an anxiety about decision-making and communication, which stems from this lack of direction.
The bridge is a reflection on memory and the difficulty of accurately representing the past or predicting the future. There is a sense of missed opportunity or regret with the line "I probably didn't pick you up right," perhaps related to a failed relationship or a moment of personal vulnerability. The final repetition of "you don't know where to go" leaves the listener in a state of ambiguity, a reminder that the future is always uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
And I can see it like a prophecy
I have the foresight to predict what's going to happen
I have a crystal ball head
I am blessed with a gift of intuition and insight
You can reach for the stars of heaven
You have lofty aspirations and ambitions
It doesn't mean you'll ever get there
Just having high aspirations does not guarantee success
'Cause you don't know where you're going
You lack direction and purpose
It's not surprising since you don't know where to go
This lack of direction and purpose is not unexpected
And it's just like the sunshine to make my eyes go riverlike
The sun's brightness can impair my vision
And it's typical of the weather to pour in on an off day
Bad things seem to happen at inopportune times
But you don't know what you're doing
You are incompetent and lack the required skills
It's not surprising since you don't know what to do
This lack of competence is not surprising given lack of direction
And you don't know what you're saying
You lack the ability to communicate effectively
It's not surprising since you don't know what to say
This inability to communicate is not surprising given lack of direction
And most things are hard to remember
It's difficult to recall most things
I probably didn't pick you up right
I likely did not understand or handle the situation correctly
And it's typical of the weather to make my eyes go riverlike
The weather can also impair my vision
But you don't know where you're going
Once again, it's clear you have lack of direction and purpose
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brian Cox
This song and band really take me back to being a 16 year old student, and all the stuff that went with those years. Incredible song.
dermot51
my favorite" Lobsters" song
Bazpartu
great song
Elvin Gonzalez
Gorgeous.
david ez
Excelente pop
Morgan Latte
The Best of Paisley, these guys...
Joseph Mcgrath
Just discovered this nice little number)))
big audio
sublime...
Dutch Van Helsing
I think James Dean Brad whatever said this is the best Intro ever...I think so too....
releasethebinky
They were like a flash in the pan. They were incredible and then they ere gone. Alas.