Their first single was 1993's "Stutter", which was a word-of-mouth hit largely due to the promotional efforts of Radio 1 DJ and Deceptive Records label boss Steve Lamacq. In spite of a period of relative quiet, Elastica's fame grew throughout 1994 as Frischmann's relationship with Blur's Damon Albarn made tabloid headlines. Elastica's first LP, Elastica, entered the charts at #1.
Further UK chart hit singles followed: "Connection" and "Waking Up". In 1995 there was a lawsuit from Wire claiming that many of the band's melodies were taken from Wire compositions. Notably, Wire's "I Am the Fly" has a chorus similar to Elastica's "Line Up", and the intro of "Connection" is nearly identical to Wire's "Three Girl Rhumba". Indeed the band had originally intended to sample the intro of the song directly. The Stranglers also passed comment that Elastica's "Waking Up" bore a marked resemblance to their song "No More Heroes". The band did not deny these accusations and were not ashamed by these similarities, stating that all pop bands have borrowed ideas and all music was eventually recycled.
Elastica were able to garner better American sales than other Britpop bands, replacing Sinéad O'Connor on Lollapalooza in 1995. "Connection" and "Stutter" were huge airplay favorites on modern rock radio in the United States and also both charted Pop. Among their extensive tour schedule the band performed at Glastonbury in 1995, where their set was interrupted by a streaker, a George Best look-alike, who would briefly join the band as a keyboard player in 1997.
After extensive touring, the band began to experience personnel problems. In 1997, bassist Annie Holland left the band, citing repetitive strain injury following excessive touring as her reason for departure. In 1999 Donna Matthews left the band. There were several line up changes and keyboard players. Various supporting musicians came and went. Their second album was much delayed after several years of recording. There were worrying rumours of entire albums being scrapped and band tensions due to the perfectionism of Frischmann. The "lost years" of the band were often compared to the Stone Roses recording their Second Coming album.
A quickly recorded lo-fi self-titled EP was released in 1999, and the follow-up LP, The Menace, was finally released in 2000 to moderate sales. A less focused effort than their debut, the album nonetheless contained some interesting moments and more electronic songs than before. One of the high points was "How He Wrote Elastica Man" featuring Mark E. Smith (of The Fall) on vocals, and a cover of Trio's 1982 hit "Da Da Da". A new line up was revealed with two keyboard players replacing Matthews for tour dates.
The band made their long-awaited UK comeback at the Reading Festival in 1999, where they headlined the Radio 1 stage. A largely successful UK tour followed in 2000 to support the release of The Menace, although their festival appearances that year were marred by illness. The band released a final single "The Bitch Don't Work" on limited edition 7" and announced their break-up in September 2001.
Elastica's song "Connection" was used in May 2004 in Garnier television commercials, and was also used as the theme of Trigger Happy TV.
All-Nighter
Elastica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you think we'll stand the test of time
You're a cloud short of heaven
But you know I want you to be mine
Am I sitting here waiting
Yeah, and it's getting frustrating
Got to go to the garage
Can you lend me enough wedge
Do you want to walk up there with me
And I'm sitting here waiting
Yeah, I'm tired of debating
We've been up all night
I can feel a strange attraction
Now it's getting light
But I can't spur you into action
Sure not alone
But so on my own, oh.
It's a quarter to seven
Don't you think we've stayed up half the night
You're a cloud short of heaven
But I'd love to see you strut your stuff
And I'm sitting here waiting
Yeah, and it could be X-rated
We could be oh so happy,
We could be oh so happy.
The lyrics of Elastica's song, All-Nighter, suggest a sense of frustration and longing for something that is not quite attainable. The first stanza sets the stage for the rest of the song, with the singer wondering if their relationship will last. The line "You're a cloud short of heaven" seems to suggest that the other person is not perfect, but the singer still wants to be with them. The second stanza references the mundane tasks of everyday life, such as going to the garage to buy cigarettes and making tea, but the singer is still waiting for the other person to make a move.
The chorus of the song is where the sense of longing is most prevalent. The singer is attracted to the other person but is frustrated that they can't seem to get them to take action. The line "Sure not alone, but so on my own" suggests that the two are physically together but emotionally distant. The final stanza is the most optimistic, with the singer envisioning a future where they are "oh so happy."
Overall, the lyrics of All-Nighter capture the bittersweet feeling of being stuck in a stagnant relationship, where both parties are unable to move forward but still hold onto hope for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
It's nearly eleven
The current time is almost 11 and the singer is acknowledging this fact.
Do you think we'll stand the test of time
The singer is asking if their relationship will last in the long run, despite potential challenges.
You're a cloud short of heaven
The person being addressed may not be perfect, but the singer is still drawn to them despite their flaws.
But you know I want you to be mine
The artist is expressing their desire for a romantic relationship with the person being addressed.
Am I sitting here waiting
The artist is waiting for something to happen or for the person being addressed to make a move.
Yeah, and it's getting frustrating
The singer is beginning to feel impatient and annoyed at the lack of progress in their relationship or situation.
Got to go to the garage
The singer needs to leave to run some errands or take care of something.
Got to get some fags and make some tea
The artist needs to buy cigarettes and make tea, likely for themselves or others.
Can you lend me enough wedge
The artist is asking the person being addressed for money to help them purchase what they need.
Do you want to walk up there with me
The artist is inviting the person being addressed to accompany them on their errand.
And I'm sitting here waiting
The singer is still waiting for something to happen or for the person being addressed to take some action.
Yeah, I'm tired of debating
The artist is fatigued from arguing or discussing things without making any real progress or changes.
We've been up all night
The singer and the person being addressed have stayed awake throughout the night, likely doing something together.
I can feel a strange attraction
The singer is experiencing an unusual or unexpected pull or connection to the person being addressed.
Now it's getting light
The sun is starting to rise and it is becoming daylight.
But I can't spur you into action
Despite the attraction and the early morning hour, the artist is unable to motivate the person being addressed to take action or make a move.
Sure not alone
The artist is not alone with the person being addressed, but...
But so on my own, oh.
The singer still feels isolated or disconnected, despite being in the company of others or the person being addressed.
It's a quarter to seven
The current time is 6:45 AM.
Don't you think we've stayed up half the night
The artist is pointing out that they have been awake and together for many hours straight.
But I'd love to see you strut your stuff
The artist is attracted to the person being addressed and wants to see them be confident and show off their skills or personality.
And I'm sitting here waiting
The artist is still waiting for something to happen or for the person being addressed to initiate something.
Yeah, and it could be X-rated
The events or actions that could take place between the singer and the person being addressed could potentially be sexual or explicit in nature.
We could be oh so happy,
Despite the challenges and frustrations, the artist believes that a relationship or connection with the person being addressed could bring them happiness.
We could be oh so happy.
The singer repeats their belief that their relationship or connection could make them happy.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JUSTINE ELINOR FRISCHMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roiy Benkel
It's nearly eleven
Do you think we'll stand the test of time
You're a cloud short of heaven
But you know I want you to be mine
Am I sitting here waiting
Yeah, and it's getting frustrating
Got to go to the garage
Got to get some fags and make some tea
Can you lend me enough wedge
Do you want to walk up there with me
And I'm sitting here waiting
Yeah, I'm tired of debating
We've been up all night
I can feel a strange attraction
Now it's getting light
But I can't spur you into action
Sure not alone
But so on my own, oh.
It's a quarter to seven
Don't you think we've stayed up half the night
You're a cloud short of heaven
But I'd love to see you strut your stuff
And I'm sitting here waiting
Yeah, and it could be X-rated
We could be oh so happy,
We could be oh so happy.
drown soda
This song is a masterpiece. Short, simple, to the point. Love the lyrics and guitar riff
Roiy Benkel
It's nearly eleven
Do you think we'll stand the test of time
You're a cloud short of heaven
But you know I want you to be mine
Am I sitting here waiting
Yeah, and it's getting frustrating
Got to go to the garage
Got to get some fags and make some tea
Can you lend me enough wedge
Do you want to walk up there with me
And I'm sitting here waiting
Yeah, I'm tired of debating
We've been up all night
I can feel a strange attraction
Now it's getting light
But I can't spur you into action
Sure not alone
But so on my own, oh.
It's a quarter to seven
Don't you think we've stayed up half the night
You're a cloud short of heaven
But I'd love to see you strut your stuff
And I'm sitting here waiting
Yeah, and it could be X-rated
We could be oh so happy,
We could be oh so happy.
unicajamalaga2
помню услышал эту песню в одно время с нирваной. удивило что голос у женщины так подходит для панк рока. очень понравилось,даже на какой-то кассетный сборник переписывал ..а сейчас спустя 22 года - да ничего ж особенного!! но сейчас вот вступление переслушал несколько раз - эдакий убыстренный Foo Fighters ))
Tom Fink
Heard this for the first time ages ago on a CMJ New Music Monthly CD insert. Super catchy tune.
Owen Masters
All Nighter And Stutter Are My Favorite Elastica Songs.
Blas Ter
See that animal???
Almove Molina
Excelente suena a banda californiana de chicas 🤩
Richard Goddard
killer song
mattski1979
Lollapalooza 95 Randalls Island. Sick set.
Bas vs
fantastic