Delays have long been British rock’s best kept secret. A heady concoction of angelic harmonies, beat-group hauteur and groove-based hedonism, they belong to British pop’s most regal bloodline: (early) Floyd, The Smiths, The Stone Roses. Hitch a lift with them to North America, however, and you’ll see their euphoric ballroom blitz send fans into a frenzy. Head south of the border and it’s a full on teenage rampage.
Having signed to Rough Trade in 2004, they released their debut album Faded Seaside Glamour the same year. A riot of page-boy haircuts, nifty riffs and celestial harmonies, it boasted top Twenty hits ‘Long Time Coming’ and ‘Nearer Than Heaven’ and prompted the Guardian to describe them as "First band in a decade to lay serious claim to the Stone Roses Throne"- Follow up You See Colours (2006) saw their psych-pop blueprint delivered with added BPM. A brooding mix of “Voulez Vous’ and ‘The La’s’, it spawned alpha-pop hits ‘Valentine’ "Best comeback single of 2006"-NME and ‘Hideaway’. 2008 saw the release of the third album ' Everything's The Rush' - Epic, skyscraping - Indie-pop has never been so glorious and sweeping "-The Mirror..
Delays returned in 2010 with their eagerly-anticipated 4th album 'Star Tiger Star Ariel'
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Valentine
Delays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It keeps me from my valentine
This voodoo's doing me harm
Woo (woo), woo (woo), racing along
But maybe this is the moment to pray, dear
But I'd rather lay by your side
'Cause millions are fighting their way here
Tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that love in your eyes?
New Orleans will tremble tonight
With bleeding hearts and swaying lights
A very modern machine
Woo (woo), woo (woo), it's coming for me
Yeah, maybe this is the moment to say, dear
That I thought I'd have you by now
But sentiment got in the way, dear
Tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that love in your eyes?
And tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that, is that love?
I can see a hurricane tonight
It keeps me from my valentine
A very modern machine
Woo (woo), woo (woo), it's coming for me
And tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that love in your eyes?
And tell me...our last night on Earth is for living
And tell me...is that, is that love?
(Woo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo)
Just tell me the truth, it makes me feel better
The love in your eyes, it makes me feel better
Just tell me the truth, it makes me feel better
The love in your eyes, it makes me feel better
(Woo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo)
Delays' "Valentine" is a slightly surreal song that explores the feeling of being disconnected from someone you love, while a hurricane rages overhead. The lyrics describe a voodoo curse that prevents the singer from being with his Valentine, but it's not entirely clear whether this is a metaphor or something more literal. The hurricane is a motif that runs through the song, embodying the sense of chaos and upheaval that is keeping the singer from his loved one.
The chorus of the song asks a series of questions of the singer's Valentine. When did the water surround me? Is that love in your eyes? The water could refer to literal floodwaters from the hurricane, or it could be a metaphor for feeling overwhelmed by emotions. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is looking for reassurance and honesty from his partner - telling him the truth will make him feel better, and seeing love in his eyes will make him feel better too.
Overall, "Valentine" is an intriguing song that captures the sense of being torn apart from the one you love, while the world seems to be crumbling around you.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see a hurricane tonight
The situation is unsettling and disruptive.
It keeps me from my valentine
The hurricane became an obstacle in meeting his lover.
This voodoo's doing me harm
The negative energy from the situation is affecting him.
Woo (woo), woo (woo), racing along
The fast-paced events are causing anxiety and uncertainty.
But maybe this is the moment to pray, dear
He considers the possibility of divine intervention to help him.
But I'd rather lay by your side
He prefers to be with his loved one rather than be alone in the uncertain situation.
'Cause millions are fighting their way here
Many people are going through the same situation, but still choose to fight for their loved ones.
Tell me...when did the water surround me?
He questions how he even got into this situation.
And tell me...is that love in your eyes?
He seeks reassurance from his lover's emotions.
New Orleans will tremble tonight
The hurricane will affect everyone in the immediate area.
With bleeding hearts and swaying lights
The people in the area will be experiencing emotional and physical turbulence.
A very modern machine
The hurricane is a destructive force of nature.
Woo (woo), woo (woo), it's coming for me
The hurricane is closing in fast.
Yeah, maybe this is the moment to say, dear
He considers this might be his last chance to express his thoughts and feelings.
That I thought I'd have you by now
He believed he would have more time with his lover.
But sentiment got in the way, dear
His emotions have clouded his judgement and caused him to prioritize things differently.
And tell me...our last night on Earth is for living
He wants to make the most out of their time together, regardless of the situation.
And tell me...is that, is that love?
He seeks assurance and confirmation that his lover cares for him.
Just tell me the truth, it makes me feel better
He wants honesty from his lover for his peace of mind.
The love in your eyes, it makes me feel better
Seeing love in her eyes reassures him and gives him comfort.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIM BRICKMAN, JACK KUGELL, JACK DAVID KUGELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JOHNCONNOR19840
I can see a hurricane tonight,
It keeps from my valentine,
This voodoo's doing me harm,
Ooh, ooh, raise the alarm,
Maybe, this is the moment to pray dear,
But I'd rather lay by your side,
Cos' millions are fighting their way here...
Oh, oh, oh, tell me,
When did the water surround me?
But tell me, is that love in your eyes?
New Orleans'll tremble tonight,
With bleeding hearts and swaying lights,
A very modern machine,
wooh, wooh, is coming for me,
Maybe, this is the moment to say dear,
I thought I'd have you by now,
But sentiment got in the way dear,
Oh, oh, oh, tell me,
When did the water surround me?
But tell me, is that love in your eyes?
Oh, oh, oh, tell me,
When did the water surround me?
But tell me, is that, is that love...
I can see a hurricane tonight,
It keeps me from my valentine,
A very modern machine,
wooh, wooh, is coming for me,
Tell me,
When did the water surround me?
But tell me, is that love in your eyes?
Oh, oh, oh, tell me,
When did the water surround me?
And tell me, is that, is that love?
Just tell me the truth it makes me feel better,
Love in your eyes, it makes me feel better.
Tell me the truth it makes me feel better,
Love in your eyes, it makes me feel better. X3
@deanelliott100
I can see a hurricane tonight
It keeps me from my valentine
This voodoo's doing me harm
Woo (woo), woo (woo), racing along
But maybe this is the moment to pray, dear
But I'd rather lay by your side
'Cause millions are fighting their way here
Tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that love in your eyes?
New Orleans will tremble tonight
With bleeding hearts and swaying lights
A very modern machine
Woo (woo), woo (woo), it's coming for me
Yeah, maybe this is the moment to say, dear
That I thought I'd have you by now
But sentiment got in the way, dear
Tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that love in your eyes?
And tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that, is that love?
I can see a hurricane tonight
It keeps me from my valentine
A very modern machine
Woo (woo), woo (woo), it's coming for me
And tell me...when did the water surround me?
And tell me...is that love in your eyes?
And tell me...our last night on Earth is for living
And tell me...is that, is that love?
Just tell me the truth, it makes me feel better
The love in your eyes, it makes me feel better
Just tell me the truth, it makes me feel better
The love in your eyes, it makes me feel better
@clairedoll7219
We lost greg tonight,his voice,his talent…what a legacy.I have tears for his babies x
@sarava4700
What? 😨
@endorphonic
I heard long time ago about the health issues and now, just Knew about what finally happened...
@marinader399
Oh noooo... 🖤
@wendyyoung
I just played Long Time Coming yesterday on my radio show - after years - oh so sad - a brilliant voice xxxx
@marieadams3720
Yes very sad.
@jinjagohst
Will never understand why this wasn't an enormous hit, and why Delays didn't take over the world.
So many great tunes, and Greg's unique voice.
@jonnyhawes4410
Listening to this epic song for a very different reason today. RIP Greg ❤️
@richardwhitaker8972
What a song, what an album, what a band. Talent like this doesnt come around very often but when it does it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I was fortunate enough to see the Delays live back in 2008. What a gig and what a presence. Gone far too soon but his music will live on forever. Immensely talented and a voice which in my eyes cannot be matched. RIP Greg
@cakebakermaker1
Sending love, prayers and strength to Greg and his beautiful family.
His music is part of my soul and always will be 💙