The band released their first album on vinyl, Self Non Self in July 1989. The intensity of that album garnered very good reviews and caught the attention of John Peel, who picked up on the album right away, with the group recording a session for him in the album's first week of release. Shortly afterwards they signed to the label Dedicated (which also became home to Spiritualized and Beth Orton) and went on to record their EP "Espero" in 1990, with the album "Wings of Joy" following a year later. The release of "Wings of Joy" caught the attention of Robert Smith of The Cure who picked the Cranes to open for them on their world tour in 1992. They then went on to record the albums "Forever" (1993), "Loved" (1994), "La Tragedie d'Oreste et Electre" (1995), and "Population Four" (1997).
After a 4 year break, Cranes re-emerged on their own independent label Dadaphonic to release "Future Songs" (2001) and "Particles & Waves" (2004), which saw the band heading in a more electronic direction while retaining the trademark sound of previous releases. In January 2007 the band released a download only album, "Live at Amsterdam Paradiso," originally recorded in 1991. The show captures the darker, heavier days of the early Cranes and is available only via www.dadaphonic.co.uk.
In 2008 Cranes albums "Wings of Joy', 'Forever' and 'Loved' were re-issued by Cherry Red Records, www.cherryred.co.uk as part of their series of 'influential artists' re-releases.
In October 2008 Cranes released their self titled album 'Cranes', to which they did a supporting tour. After that there was the odd performance here and there up until 2012 after which Cranes fell silent again.
In 2022 they re-emerged with several newly opened social media accounts to which the purpose soon became clear: Cranes have reformed in their original nineties line-up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the "Forever" album with some gigs in the UK (see events) and they are currently rehearsing.
In June 2023 they also released a 'new' album: their previously unreleased "Peel Sessions 1989-1990" which you can get on their Bandcamp site (see Linktree below) both digitally and on CD/Vinyl.
Current members
Alison Shaw – vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar (1985–1997, 2000–present)
Jim Shaw – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums (1985–1997, 2000–present)
Mark Francombe – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, spanner (1989–1997, 2022-present)
Matt Cope – guitar (1989–1997, 2022-present)
Former members:
Kevin Dunford – lead guitar (1988–1989)
Paul Smith – guitar, keyboards (1995–1997, 2000–2012)
Manu Ross – drums (1996–1997)
Ben Baxter – bass guitar (2000–2012)
Jon Callender – drums (2000–2007)
Jon Mattock – drums (2008–2012)
Cranes official Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cranesofficial
Cloudless
Cranes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You live up there....
Like things you try to keep, moments as you sleep
You live up there....
And you were angels in her hair,
As warm as summer air...you live up there
Like jumping in the breeze, falling in the sea
You live up there....
And lots of happy things... you live up there....
Like the things that never go away
And all the things you love
And all the moments that never end
And all the things you tried to say
You live up there, you live up there....
Higher than the sky, higher than you eye,
You live up there
Higher than the clouds, higher than the clouds
You live up there....
Oh you live up there.... higher than the clouds
And when you kiss her there
You know, you know you'll soon be in the air
Like falling in the sea,
You'll lay your head down next to me
You live up there
Higher than the clouds....higher than the clouds
The song Cloudless by the band the Cranes is a beautiful, dream-like depiction of love and the ethereal, otherworldly feeling it can create. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lifted up, almost weightless, by the power of love. The imagery of jumping in the breeze and falling in the sea perfectly captures the sensation of surrendering to love and letting it take over completely.
The song goes beyond just the euphoria of love and delves into the concept of a higher plane of existence, both in terms of physical and emotional experience. The lyrics suggest that through love, we can transcend our earthly limitations and live on a different plane entirely. This idea is further emphasized by the repeated references to being "higher than the clouds" and living "up there."
The lyrics are also peppered with tantalizing hints of romance and sensuality. The line "And you were angels in her hair, as warm as summer air" portrays a vivid image of intimacy and connection between two people. Overall, the song Cloudless is a poetic and evocative tribute to the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Like jumping in the breeze, falling in the sea
You live up there....
You're in a state of bliss and live in your own world, much like the feeling of carefree jumping in the wind or surrendering to the waves of the sea.
Like things you try to keep, moments as you sleep
You live up there....
Your memories and subconscious thoughts are important and show the life you live in your own mind, much like the things you try to hold onto and dream of while you sleep.
And you were angels in her hair,
As warm as summer air...you live up there
You feel comfort and joy in being with someone special and they become an ethereal presence in your life, like angels in hair, bringing warmth and light in the same way summer does.
It feels like fields in June and spring
And lots of happy things... you live up there....
Your life is filled with happiness and good memories, like being in a beautiful June field during spring time.
Like the things that never go away
And all the things you love
And all the moments that never end
And all the things you tried to say
You live up there, you live up there....
Your innermost thoughts and emotions, the things you cherish and never forget, and the memories that remain with you forever reside in your consciousness.
Higher than the sky, higher than you eye,
You live up there
You have a deep and vast imagination, surpassing even the limits of what the eye can see or the sky can contain.
Higher than the clouds, higher than the clouds
You live up there....
Oh you live up there.... higher than the clouds
Your mind soars above any limits and constraints, living far above and beyond where others can reach.
And when you kiss her there
You know, you know you'll soon be in the air
Like falling in the sea,
You'll lay your head down next to me
You live up there
Being with someone special fills you with excitement and anticipation of soaring over the sea and embracing the ultimate freedom, while still maintaining the comfort and joy of being next to someone you care for.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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