Signed to Heavenly Recordings, he debuted in 2000 with the 6-track EP Maplewood. His full length effort, Here Be Monsters followed in 2001.
He has since released From Every Sphere (2003), Strangers (2004), The Beautiful Lie (2006, his last for Heavenly), Lustre (2010), Back Into The Woods (2013), Time Of Dust (2014), and Furnaces (2016).
His first instrument is the piano, but he also uses several less common keyboard instruments as well as the guitar. Live, he is accompanied by a band typically comprising a drummer, guitarist, violinist and trumpeter. His work is sometimes reminiscent of Tom Waits but still entirely his own, varied and passionate style.
Brothers and Sisters
Ed Harcourt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look up for each other
Your father was a mister
You care for the mother
Brothers and sisters
You keep it together
As same as a whisper
The way is the further
Looking for an easy care
Break the vice inside
Never let it break your way
No one felt me if I ever let you down
No one felt me if I ever let you down
Keep stay on your mother's town
No one felt me if I ever let you down
Brothers and sisters
The... I've always dream of
You fight for no reason
And you look up for sweeter
Brothers and sisters
The winter's getting colder
Is the colours from the winter
All the rules in set
Looking for an easy care
Break the vice inside
Never let it break your way
Nobody's gonna break you down
Nobody's gonna break you down
Stay stay hold your brother now
Nobody's gonna break you down
And you had that shelter
The shelter is most a
You're paying your pictures
As a long loved liqueur
But were just time
And walked away
Brothers and sisters
Look up for each other
They call the shell resistance
And it starts up another
Brothers and sisters
You keep it together
Let's have a mean liqueur
So don't wait for letter.
The lyrics of Ed Harcourt's song Brothers and Sisters are about the importance of familial bonds and the need to stick together through thick and thin. The opening lines tell the listener to "look up for each other" and to care for their mother, as their father is absent, described only as "a mister." This sets the stage for a song that's all about the power and importance of sibling relationships.
As the song progresses, Harcourt continues to paint a picture of siblings who support one another, even when times get tough. He acknowledges that sometimes they may "fight for no reason," but ultimately, they are there for each other. The final verse is a call to action, imploring the siblings to stick together and not wait for some external force (like a letter) to bring them closer.
Overall, the song is a hopeful message about the power of familial bonds, and the way they can help people get through even the toughest of times. The repeated refrain of "nobody's gonna break you down" drives home the idea that when siblings band together, they are stronger than anything life can throw at them.
Line by Line Meaning
Brothers and sisters
A call to brothers and sisters to unite and stand by each other.
Look up for each other
Encouragement to support and care for each other.
Your father was a mister
A reference to the absence of a father figure, creating the need for siblings to rely on each other.
You care for the mother
The siblings have taken on the responsibility of caring for their mother in the absence of a father figure.
You keep it together
Siblings are called to stay united and strong in the face of hardships.
As same as a whisper
They should remain strong and united, in a way that is quiet and unobtrusive.
The way is the further
They need to keep pushing forward and not be held back by their circumstances.
All the rules in set
Conformity and following the norms is expected by society.
Looking for an easy care
People tend to seek the easiest way out of any problem or situation.
Break the vice inside
They are encouraged to break free of societal norms and be themselves.
Never let it break your way
They should not let societal norms hold them back from achieving their dreams.
No one felt me if I ever let you down
Siblings rely on each other, but others may not understand their struggles if they let each other down.
Keep stay on your mother's town
Staying close to their mother and taking care of her is important to them.
The... I've always dream of
Their ultimate dream or goal is being referred to.
You fight for no reason
Sometimes, people fight or argue for no real reason or over trivial matters.
And you look up for sweeter
Despite this, they should always look for the good in each other and hope for better times.
The winter's getting colder
A metaphor to indicate that things are getting harder and tougher.
Is the colours from the winter
The gloomy atmosphere and lack of colors during winter is being referred to.
Nobody's gonna break you down
No external force should have the power to break them apart or bring them down.
Stay stay hold your brother now
They should hold onto each other tightly and stay strong.
And you had that shelter
The siblings were each other's shelter and support system.
The shelter is most a
The shelter provided by siblings is irreplaceable and precious.
You're paying your pictures
They are reminiscing and remembering their past with each other.
As a long loved liqueur
Their memories and experiences together are precious and cherished like an expensive drink.
But were just time
These memories are just a representation of the time they have spent together.
And walked away
They have moved on from their past but the bond they share remains strong.
They call the shell resistance
The group of siblings is referred to as a strong, resistant force.
And it starts up another
Their determination and unity inspires others to do the same and stand up for what they believe in.
Let's have a mean liqueur
They should celebrate and toast to their strength and unity with an expensive drink.
So don't wait for letter
They should not rely on outside communication or validation, but rather stick together and hold on to each other.
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.