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.
Nature Thing
Close Lobsters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With half bricks and sticks and sticks of which
Whack me on the head
Not quite hard enough a thump to determine the nature of things
So, hold still, still, still,
I'll nail you down
So, hold still, still, still,
I'll nail you down
So who put those questions there coming at you double quick fire
The first hit of political stick left a bright red sting
Not quite hard enough a thump to determine the nature of things
Not quite hard enough a thump to determine the nature of things
So, hold still, still, still,
I'll nail you down
So, hold still, still, still,
I'll nail you down
Thing is you cant grow back what is mowed down
Thing is your own back yard is overgrown
Thing is you cant grow back what is mowed down
Thing is your own back yard is overgrown
(guitar solo)
Knocks and blows and bitterness fashion more much more then sympathy
Storms of stones and sticks and half bricks
Reflect how it all is
Storms of stones and sticks and half bricks
The very perfect nature of things
Storms of stones and sticks and half bricks
The very perfect nature of things
So, hold still, still, still,
I'll nail you down
So, hold still, still, still,
I'll nail you down
The lyrics to Close Lobsters’ song Nature Thing delve deep into the complexities of group dynamics and the impact of political discourse on society. The song begins with a recollection of disorder in the street, where the singer is hit on the head by bricks and sticks. This initial experience is not hard enough to determine the nature of things, but it sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics explore the concept of power dynamics when someone is being held down or nailed down by others. The first hit of a political stick leaves a bright red sting, which underscores the way in which political discourse can be violent and painful.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that one can’t grow back what is mowed down, and that one’s own back yard is overgrown. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the way in which societal discord and violence can take root and become deeply ingrained. The storm of stones, sticks, and half bricks in the song reflects the interplay between violence, power, and human nature. In the end, the lyrics suggest that despite the pain and suffering caused by violence, it is an inherent part of human nature and society.
Line by Line Meaning
Rat catch an early recollection of group disorder in our street
The singer remembers seeing group chaos in the street as a child.
With half bricks and sticks and sticks of which
The chaos involved the use of makeshift weapons like bricks and sticks.
Whack me on the head
The singer was hit in the head during the chaos.
Not quite hard enough a thump to determine the nature of things
The hit wasn't hard enough for the artist to understand what was happening.
So, hold still, still, still,
The artist is telling someone to stop moving or struggling.
I'll nail you down
The singer will restrain or control the person they are addressing.
So who put those questions there coming at you double quick fire
The singer is questioning who is asking rapid and intense political questions.
The first hit of political stick left a bright red sting
The first political attack had a strong impact on the artist.
Thing is you cant grow back what is mowed down
The artist is commenting on the permanency of damage once it is done.
Thing is your own back yard is overgrown
The artist is acknowledging problems close to home that need to be addressed.
(guitar solo)
An instrumental break in the song.
Knocks and blows and bitterness fashion more much more then sympathy
Attempts at conflict resolution often lead to more bitterness than sympathy.
Storms of stones and sticks and half bricks
The chaos is described as a storm of violent objects.
Reflect how it all is
The violence reveals the true state of the situation.
The very perfect nature of things
The violent chaos is seen as a natural part of human existence.
So, hold still, still, still,
The artist repeats their earlier request for someone to stop struggling.
I'll nail you down
The artist repeats their earlier assertion that they will control the person they are addressing.
Contributed by Ella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
KEELEY
Amazing tune. Love it
sciflyer67
AWESOME! I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH!
dermot51
Best band to come out of that 'indie' late 80s sea of shite , head and shoulders above everything else, class band ,still sounds ace
Buster
Truer words have never been spoken
Smiths Isolation
germany loves it
sbrbn
Best indie-rock bass line ever.
BARRINGTONWOMBLE65
Rawk sis.