Cults formed in 2010, when native San Franciscans Follin and Oblivion were attending school in New York City (Oblivion was a documentary film student at NYU; Follin was studying at the New School). A couple at the time, they wrote and recorded songs in Oblivion's apartment using a computer and a cheap midi keyboard, and before the year was over, they released their self-titled debut EP on Forest Family Records. One of the EP's songs, "Go Outside," which Cults recorded with Paul Kostabi at Thunderdome Studios, became a viral hit, earning acclaim from publications including Pitchfork and NME.
Cults built on the success of "Go Outside" by touring with Richie Follin's Band (the project of Madeline's older brother) for six months. They then signed to In the Name Of, an imprint of Columbia Records founded by Lily Allen. Produced by Shane Stoneback, Cults' June 2011 self-titled album delivered more of their atmospheric, retro-futuristic indie pop and charted in the U.K., Canada, and the U.S., reaching number 52 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart. That year, the duo also appeared on the AIDS/HIV research benefit album Red Hot+Rio 2, collaborating with Superhuman Happiness on a cover of "Um Canto de Afoxé para o Bloco Do Ilê." Along with touring in support of the album, Cults also appeared at the Portishead-curated ATP I'll Be Your Mirror festival that September and at ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas festival, which was curated by Battles, that December.
In October 2013, Cults returned with their second album, Static. Recorded with Stoneback in the wake of Follin and Oblivion's breakup, it won strong reviews for its emotive songwriting and peaked at number 114 on the Billboard Top 200. That month, the duo also appeared with Amber Coffman on J. Cole's "She Knows" from his album Born Sinner; the song hit number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Following the 2014 single "Being It," Cults took some time off. In 2016, Follin formed the group Follin with her brother Richie, and released the single "Roxy" that February.
For their next album, Cults took a more collaborative approach, with Follin playing drums and keyboards as well as singing. After working with Stoneback in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco studios, Cults emerged in October 2017 with Offering, which borrowed from influences as wide-ranging as Pink Floyd, Gary Numan, and the Motels, whose music they'd fallen in love with while touring with Total Control in Australia. They explored their passion for the Motels further in 2018 with a track-by-track cover of the band's 1979 self-titled debut that was part of Turntable Kitchen's Sounds Delicious series. The following year saw the release of Offering B Sides & Remixes, which featured reworkings of the album's tracks by Mike Simonetti, Etienne de Crecy, and John Fryer.
Cults began work on their next album in early 2019, teaming with Stoneback on songs that, for the first time, featured live instrumentation and included lyrics by Follin. Mixed by John Congleton and mastered by Heba Kadry, Host appeared in September 2020 and tackled themes of identity and independence.
Biography by Heather Phares
High Road
Cults Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Places that you go best with me
Every time, every year
I'll keep it quiet
These things that you are for me
'Cause if it's all spinning up the wall
And if it goes for you, crack a skull
Should've taken the high road
Now it's such a long way back
Instead I take the long road
Figured I would simply be getting back
Should've taken the high road
Now my days have all turned back
Instead I take the long road
Figured I would simply be getting back
No one really knows who's watching over here
Brought another man, these things I'm afraid
Thinking about home weighing on you
We bought our way, places to be
Well if it's all spinning up the wall
And if it works for you, crack a skull
Maybe you can beat this show
Tonight's show
And if it's too late to get in the car
And if it's already setting it all
Maybe you can practice it
Let's go
Should've taken the high road
Now it's such a long way back
Instead I take the long road
Figured I would simply be getting back
Should've taken the high road
Now my days have all turned back
Instead I take the long road
Figured I would simply be getting back
The lyrics of "High Road" by Cults are about regret and missed opportunities in a relationship. The singer addresses their lover, who seems to have been unfaithful and secretive about their whereabouts. The line "No one really knows who's house you haunted" suggests that the lover has been frequenting places without the singer's knowledge. Despite this, the singer still longs to be with them, as evidenced by the line "Places that you go best with me."
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the singer should have taken the high road, indicating that they regret staying in the relationship despite the doubts and betrayals. The line "Figured I would simply be getting back" suggests that the singer believed they could regain what they had lost, but now they realize that it may be too late.
The song creates a sense of unease and tension through its hypnotic melody and haunting vocals. The lyrics convey a feeling of disconnection and loss, as the singer realizes that they may have lost themselves in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
No one really knows who's house you haunted
Your actions have been secretive and hidden, leaving those around you uncertain of your true motives.
Places that you go best with me
You feel most comfortable when you're with me, and our shared experiences have been meaningful to you.
Every time, every year
Our connection has remained strong over time, and we continue to share moments together that hold deep significance.
I'll keep it quiet
I will maintain our shared experiences as a secret and not reveal them to others.
These things that you are for me
Your actions and behaviors towards me have been positive and beneficial.
'Cause if it's all spinning up the wall
If things begin to go wrong and become chaotic,
And if it goes for you, crack a skull
And if you are met with opposition or conflict,
Maybe if you leave this time, tonight's show
It may be best for you to exit the situation and avoid further confrontation, especially in the midst of a public event or gathering.
Should've taken the high road
It would have been wiser for me to choose the path of integrity and honesty in my actions.
Now it's such a long way back
I now regret my previous choices and realize that it will take considerable effort to correct my mistakes.
Instead I take the long road
Rather than facing my problems directly, I am choosing a more difficult and indirect path to get back on track.
Figured I would simply be getting back
I assumed that my actions would lead me back to a positive place, but now I understand that it will not be that simple.
No one really knows who's watching over here
We are not certain who is observing our actions, and there may be consequences for our choices.
Brought another man, these things I'm afraid
You have introduced someone new into our shared experiences, and I am worried about how this will affect our relationship.
Thinking about home weighing on you
You are homesick and nostalgic for the comfort and familiarity of your previous environment.
We bought our way, places to be
We have acquired the means to go to various locations and have experiences together, which has strengthened our bond.
And if it works for you, crack a skull
If your choices and actions lead to success, you may face opposition and resistance from others as a result.
Maybe you can beat this show
Perhaps you can overcome the challenges and obstacles presented to you and emerge victorious.
And if it's too late to get in the car
If it is no longer possible for me to backtrack and correct my mistakes,
And if it's already setting it all
And the damage from my actions has already been done,
Maybe you can practice it
Perhaps there is still room for improvement and growth, and I can learn from my mistakes to do better in the future.
Let's go
It's time to move forward and make changes to improve our situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brian Oblivion, Madeline Follin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gagasgrande
can't understand why they're so unknown. their music is SO good and they deserve way more recognition. love this band.
@crespo9921
Shh let us enjoy it a bit more before it hits the Mainstream
@hugoprimera5810
The main line
@KevinSmith-kw7rr
They have been very successful for a while
@MMSQ
because they have not agreed to the terms of fame.
@robertwill23
They are critically acclaimed and well known band in indie world. Sometimes to be known by everyone is not good at all for music (or art).
@Protactiniumm
One of my most favourite songs. If you like this, you should definitely give a try to whole album. It's a definition of indie for me.
@JeremiahCruickshank
This is my Favorited song period, and have been ever since i've heard it
@Beyda238spinettaelmejorwey
InDiE
@JohnDubs
This album is criminally underrated.