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.
Annie
Elastica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get out of here, head for the sea,
The sun is hot and the air is clean
The best things in the world are free
And Mister Murphy
Likes his Jackanory
Holsten Export times three
Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy
Met a mate in the afternoon
Holsten shore-line pub-crawl
Looking for some cold beer
Missed the stone punch drunk Judy
Tony, brandy, M.G., Andy
Vodka, scotch and loads of beer
It's so great we want to stay here
Annie, Annie, Annie
The song "Annie" by Elastica is an upbeat and catchy tune with a mysterious and somewhat cryptic meaning. In the beginning, the singer talks about Annie telling them to leave and head for the sea, suggesting that Annie is an important figure who has imparted some wisdom or given some advice. The lyrics then suggest that the best things in life are free, indicating a preference for simplicity and a rejection of materialism.
The next verse mentions Mister Murphy and his love for Jackanory, which is a storytelling show for children in the UK. He also enjoys beer and classic rock bands like Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy. The repetition of Annie's name at the end of each verse adds an air of mystery and intrigue, leaving the listener wondering who exactly Annie is and what her significance is.
The final verse is a description of a night out in a pub with friends, drinking various alcoholic beverages and having a great time. The repetition of Annie's name at the end emphasizes the importance of her influence and advice throughout the song.
Overall, the lyrics of "Annie" are open to interpretation, but they seem to suggest a rejection of materialism and a preference for simplicity and good times with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Annie, told me,
Annie informed me,
Get out of here, head for the sea,
Leave this place and go towards the sea,
The sun is hot and the air is clean
The temperature is high and the air is fresh,
The best things in the world are free
The most valuable things in life don't cost money,
And Mister Murphy
A certain Mister Murphy,
Likes his Jackanory
Enjoys storytelling,
Holsten Export times three
Three servings of a type of beer called Holsten Export,
Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy
Referencing two popular rock musicians from the past, Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy,
Annie, Annie, Annie
Addressing Annie multiple times,
Met a mate in the afternoon
Encountered a friend during the afternoon,
Holsten shore-line pub-crawl
Visited multiple pubs along the shore while drinking Holsten beer,
Looking for some cold beer
Searching for chilled beer,
Missed the stone punch drunk Judy
Failed to notice a person called Punch Drunk Judy who was standing still,
Tony, brandy, M.G., Andy
Referring to people named Tony, Brandy, and Andy as well as a car brand called MG,
Vodka, scotch and loads of beer
Lists of different alcoholic drinks consumed in large quantities,
It's so great we want to stay here
The situation is fantastic and desirable enough to prolong the stay in the area,
Annie, Annie, Annie
Addressing Annie multiple times once again.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONNA LORRAINE MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roiy Benkel
Annie told me
Get out of here, head for the sea
The sun is hot and the air is clean
The best things in the world are free
And Mister Murphy
Likes his Jackanory
Holsten Export times three
Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy
Annie, Annie, Annie
Met a mate in the afternoon
Holsten shore line pub crawl
Looking for some cold beer
Missed the stone punch drunk Judy
Tony, brandy, M.G., Andy
Vodka, scotch and loads of beer
It's so great we want to stay here
Annie, Annie, Annie
Benedetto Bruno
12 May 2019. Always and forever, thank you to Great Britain and the British people whose creativity, since the 1960s, has given the rest of the World hundreds of unique bands such as and music of unparalleled beauty, quirkiness and atmosphere. What would our lives have been without British bands? Thank you from Sicily. And love, admiration and adoration.
Lesley Spicer
Thank you from Brighton England. I know Annie. 💕
RobW581
Excellent tune.
Roiy Benkel
Annie told me
Get out of here, head for the sea
The sun is hot and the air is clean
The best things in the world are free
And Mister Murphy
Likes his Jackanory
Holsten Export times three
Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy
Annie, Annie, Annie
Met a mate in the afternoon
Holsten shore line pub crawl
Looking for some cold beer
Missed the stone punch drunk Judy
Tony, brandy, M.G., Andy
Vodka, scotch and loads of beer
It's so great we want to stay here
Annie, Annie, Annie
Mark Francis1977
Well, shaken but not stirred. Is Siam still a country? Jimi and band of brothers, heck who'd of thought twisted sister would have beaten for. Dot etc in Atwood. Love you intelligent. Blue stone x
Midnight Marauder
In my opinion best song on album
geoffn54
Love it.
Almove Molina
Suenan como the bangles con Joan jet ...love it 💗 💖
Alexey Alekhin
super!
Matthew Estrada
The 90's