By the time of their debut album, 1980's Crocodiles - a moderate UK hit - the drum machine had been replaced by Pete de Freitas. Their next, the critically-acclaimed Heaven Up Here, reached the Top Ten in 1981, as did 1983's Porcupine and '84's Ocean Rain. Singles like "The Killing Moon" (later used in the soundtrack to Donnie Darko, a film whose imagery owed much to the artwork of the band's early records.), "Silver," "Bring on the Dancing Horses," and "The Cutter" helped keep the group in the public eye as they took a brief hiatus in the late 1980s. Their 1987 self-titled LP was a small American hit, their only LP to have significant sales there.
McCulloch quit the band in 1988. De Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident one year later. The others decided to continue, recruiting Noel Burke to replace McCulloch on vocals in Reverberation (1990), which did not generate much excitement among fans or critics. Burke, Sargeant and Pattinson split after that, but the surviving three fourths of the original band reformed in 1997 and released Evergreen (1997), What are You Going to Do with Your Life? (1999), Flowers (2001) , Siberia (2005), and the latest addition, The Fountain (2009). The group's old audience liked the return to their classic sound, and they also managed to gain a number of new, younger listeners.
Echo and the Bunnymen were managed early on by Bill Drummond, who went on to be a founder member of The KLF.
Altamont
Echo & the Bunnymen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm right in the middle of
A hurricane that's blowing my way
God's above us
And all he's really thinking of is
How much pain we've gotta pay
Why do you do it
'cause it does for you
'cause it does me too
Don't mind if i do
No, i don't mind if i do
Yeah, yeah
Hey now love,
Why are you so scared of
The light that breaks the darkest days
I've done stuff
And things you've never heard of
Souls lost along the way
Why do you do it
'cause it does for you
Why do i do it
'cause it does me too
Don't mind if i do
No, i don't mind if i do
Yeah, yeah
Hey now love,
What are you made of
From the clay unto the dust
It isn't love
That you're afraid of
It's losing faith in all you trust
Why do you do it
'cause it does for you
Why do i do it
'cause it does me too
Why do you do it
'cause it does for you
Why do i do it
'cause it does me too
Don't mind if i do
No, i don't mind if i do
Yeah, yeah
Altamont
Tonight
Altamont
Altamont
Altamont
Altamont
The lyrics to "Altamont" by Echo & the Bunnymen, a British post-punk band formed in Liverpool in 1978, talk about the hurricane of pain that's coming their way and how it's being observed by God above. The song, released in 1987, opens with the lines "Hey, now love, I'm right in the middle of a hurricane that's blowing my way. God's above us and all he's really thinking of is how much pain we've gotta pay." The imagery paints a picture of impending doom and the helplessness of humankind in the face of it.
The song also explores fear, loss, and the nature of love. The lyrics reveal that the fear is not of love itself but of losing faith in that which one trusts. The lines "What are you made of from the clay unto the dust? It isn't love that you're afraid of, it's losing faith in all you trust" suggest that love itself is not to be feared but rather the loss of faith that it will endure. The song also hints at the idea of existentialism and the search for meaning in life, as evident from lines such as "Souls lost along the way" and "I've done stuff and things you've never heard of."
Overall, "Altamont" is a reflective song that touches on some of the most profound questions of existence, including the role of pain in life, the fear of losing faith, and the search for meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey now love,
The singer addresses the listener with affectionate words.
I'm right in the middle of a hurricane that's blowing my way
The singer is going through a difficult time in their life.
God's above us and all he's really thinking of is how much pain we've gotta pay
The singer reflects on the idea of divine punishment for human mistakes and misdeeds.
Why do you do it 'cause it does for you
The artist questions the reasons behind the actions of the listener, implying that they bring pleasure or other benefits to them.
Why do I do it 'cause it does me too
The artist acknowledges that they also engage in similar actions for the same reasons.
Don't mind if I do, no, I don't mind if I do
The singer expresses their willingness to continue engaging in such actions without any objection.
Why are you so scared of the light that breaks the darkest days
The singer inquires about the listener's fear of a positive change that can bring hope and optimism.
I've done stuff and things you've never heard of, souls lost along the way
The artist implies that they have been through experiences that may have caused harm to them or others, possibly leading to regret and guilt.
What are you made of, from the clay unto the dust
The artist questions the listener's identity and origins, implying a philosophical inquiry into the nature of being and existence.
It isn't love that you're afraid of, it's losing faith in all you trust
The artist suggests that the listener's fear of intimacy or closeness may stem from their mistrust or disillusionment with people or things they had faith in before.
Altamont tonight, Altamont, Altamont, Altamont, Altamont
The repeated mentions of 'Altamont' may refer to the infamous rock concert and festival that took place in California in 1969, associated with violence and tragic incidents. The specific meaning of this reference is unclear.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN STEPHEN MCCULLOCH, LESLIE THOMAS PATTINSON, WILLIAM SERGEANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@genegould6383
Echo & The Bunnymen..... Always in the Upper Echelon
@jack-a-lopium
Every time I take a taxi in Liverpool they pump out Echo and the Bunnymen on the car-stereo. Must be the law or something :D
@mikehersh6192
Got more law and order. ❤❤🌵🌵🌵
@ashbrowneartist8429
#DUI #DWI #DONTMINIFIDO