Originally formed in 1988 as Sub Sub, a dance act who coincided with the rise of the Hacienda and the rave scene from Manchester expanding outwards, they enjoyed moderate success for seven years including the hit single "Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)" (#3 UK), before suffering the disaster of their studio burning down in 1996, taking all their current recordings with them. The experience, tragedy and pressure of that would inspire their name-change, in 1998, to Doves, and ultimately their first full-length album, Lost Souls released in April 2000. "Lost Souls" was a dark, atmospheric effort, full of brooding keyboards and claustrophobic light grooves, yet charted at number 13, mainly due to the top 40 singles, "The Cedar Room", "Catch The Sun" and "The Man Who Told Everything".
Two years later, Doves enjoyed their commercial and critical peak with their second album, The Last Broadcast, which charted at number 1 in the UK charts, spawning a hit single, "There Goes The Fear", which reached number 3 in the chart. "The Last Broadcast" was characterised by huge, spacious recordings, and an overall feeling of euphoria and relief. Two more singles, "Pounding" and "Caught By The River" both charted inside the top 40, and in the summer of 2003, Doves headlined the Other Stage on the last night of the Glastonbury Festival.
Recording problems and writers' block delayed the emergence of their third album, Some Cities, until Spring 2005. This was a return to the more claustrophobic sounds of their debut, though still featured the top 10 single "Black & White Town". "Some Cities" sold well, debuting at #1 on the UK chart, and received some of the band's strongest reviews to date.
Jimi Goodwin and Jez Williams both contributed to other bands in the late 90's, Goodwin played bass for Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr's band Electronic on their 1999 album Twisted Tenderness and Williams played guitar on Saint Etienne's albums, 1998's Good Humor, 2000's Sound of Water and finally 2002's Finisterre.
2009 saw the release of 'Kingdom of Rust' and a tour to support, soon followed by 'The Places Between', a greatest hits album - also released as a double album with DVD compilation of singles, non-single releases and remixes.
The band is on a break from recording, according to an interview with The Daily Record. Jimi Goodwin stated: "It's nice just to have a bit of breathing space... We just wanted to get off that whole album-tour-album-tour treadmill. None of us are ready to face going into the studio for another two years. This is wiping the slate clean, we have nothing else in the vaults now. That is it. Whatever we do from now on will be a new start."
On 2 October 2012, EMI International released a Doves anthology titled 5 Album Set featuring all four studio albums from Lost Souls to Kingdom of Rust and the 2003 re-issue of Lost Sides.
It has been announced that Jimi Goodwin will support British band Elbow on their Spring 2014 tour of the United Kingdom.
Sea Song
Doves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do the things you won't believe
Drown with me
That's the sea and down to sea
Crushing dreams
Leave me be
I cannot sleep
That's the sea we're down to sea
Crushing dreams
Leave in peace
Let me be
Oh, it's ingrained
It's ingrained in me oh
Oh, in my bed
It's ingrained in me oh
Drive with me
Drive with me
The lyrics to Doves' "Sea Song" are full of emotion and seem to reflect a sense of longing and desperation. The repeated refrain "Drown with me, that's the sea we're down to sea, crushing dreams, leave me be, I cannot sleep" creates a sense of drowning in one's own emotions and the need for someone to come along and be with them. The request to "drown" with the singer suggests a desire for someone to be completely consumed by the intensity of the emotions they are feeling, to understand what they are going through, and to offer some sort of support or solace.
The repetition of the phrase "crushing dreams" may suggest a sense of hopelessness, that the things that once brought the singer joy and fulfillment are now being overshadowed by their pain and despair. "Leave me be" seems to contradict the earlier request to "drown" with the singer, suggesting a deeper internal conflict about wanting someone to be there but also wanting to be left alone with their pain. The line "it's ingrained in me" suggests that these feelings have become a part of the singer's very being, something that they can't simply shake off or ignore.
Line by Line Meaning
Drown in me
The singer is inviting someone to fully immerse themselves in the relationship.
Do the things you won't believe
The singer is urging the other person to step out of their comfort zone and try new things together.
Drown with me
The singer is once again inviting the other person to fully give themselves to the relationship.
That's the sea and down to sea
The sea is used as a metaphor for the depths of this relationship, with the artist and the other person diving deeper and deeper into it.
Crushing dreams
This line suggests that the weight of the relationship can be overwhelming and may cause the other person to sacrifice some of their own personal goals and aspirations.
Leave me be
Despite the invitation for the other person to fully invest in the relationship, the singer is also asking for space and alone time when needed.
I cannot sleep
This line reveals the toll that the relationship is taking on the singer, affecting their ability to rest and relax.
Drown with me
The artist is repeating the invitation and emphasizing the importance of complete commitment in the relationship.
That's the sea we're down to sea
Once again, the sea is used as a metaphor for the depth of the relationship, with both parties completely immersed in it.
Crushing dreams
The weight of the relationship and potential sacrifice of personal aspirations is reiterated.
Leave in peace
The singer is once again requesting space and independence within the relationship.
Let me be
The artist is asking for understanding and respect for their need for alone time.
Oh, it's ingrained
The depth of the relationship is so strong that it has become a part of the singer's very being.
It's ingrained in me oh
The repetition of this line emphasizes how integrated the relationship has become in the singer's life.
Oh, in my bed
The singer is using a physical space as a symbol for the emotional connection with the other person.
It's ingrained in me oh
Once again, emphasizing the depth and importance of the relationship to the artist.
Drive with me
This line can be interpreted as the artist suggesting a journey together, further emphasizing the importance of the relationship as a shared experience.
Drive with me
Repeat of previous line, again emphasizing the importance of the relationship as a shared experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY WILLIAMS, JEZ WILLIAMS, JIMI GOODWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@reniisgod
I had this song on my IPod back in 2006 when I was backpacking Australia. I will always remember this playing while travelling on the Great Ocean Road. I was free, the sun on my back, the sea breeze and the stunning views with my then girlfriend...I will cherish this song until the day I die
@DiscoLeafs
I had never heard of the Great Ocean Road prior to seeing your comment. I googled it and it looks amazing. the vivid memories that you have of your time spent in that spectacular place and their association with this incredible song must indeed be some A+ nostalgia.
@commoneuropeanstarling
This is my flying song. Everytime I'm flying over the ocean I stick this song on and just look out of the window. Beautiful!
@spiritea5640
I can well imagine it while riding along the Great Ocean Road. Been there too. Such a magical place. I was actually backpacking in Argentina in 2006 and this song played on repeat during my trip. I can totally relate mate! 😃
@Thaisbluesky
Brazil has so much more to offer you than Australia....
@kaxtorplose
WOW. I've found new music, music is saved again, this only happens once every ten years or so for me. Damn. I can't believe how beyond praise this band is, I can't stop thinking about their music and listening to it and being amazed. I just can't believe it, it happens so rarely now that music hits me like this. I'm fucking floored by it.
@zefir7396
Some days ago I found this song... And I love it .
@GreatValueBlueBerryCar
I heard this song about 5 months ago, and I was going through a lot and at that time, I was staying in an apartment at this beach. And everyday it would be gloomy and rainy, I would listen to this song and just stare out at the window. This video represents how I felt dissociated and how time flew by fast. I can’t explain how this song changed my life :)
@Melophile74
I am grateful I've seen them live since 2001 at each of their San Francisco, CA appearances.
@deckham81
First minute and a half of this song is just brilliance. The melody and rhythm are second to none.