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.
Never Here
Elastica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made everybody else seem insane
You filled my head with your notions
You made everybody else seem so tame
In your bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem a shame
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
I moved straight into your shoes
I took up your cause and answered your phone
I couldn't really imagine
What life was like when I was alone
Then I started to worry (then I started to worry)
I thought of our lives left on the shelf
Too much TV and curry
Too much time spent on ourselves.
We were sitting in waiting
And I told you my plan
You were far too busy writing
Words that didn't scan
And you lent me your records
And I leant you an ear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here.
In our bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem insane
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
It's a sign of devotion
You made everybody else seem so tame
Then it felt like going through the motions
First impressions never remain
We were sitting in waiting
And you told me your plan
I was far too busy writing
Rhymes that'll never scan
Now I've sold all your records
'Cause they give me the fear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here
Never really here
The song "Never Here" by Elastica is about being in a relationship where one person becomes completely absorbed by the other, losing their sense of self in the process. The singer describes the intense devotion she feels toward her partner, who has made everyone else seem unimportant and "insane." She has taken on her partner's beliefs and causes, and even their persona, feeling as though she has moved "straight into [their] shoes." The relationship has become her entire world, and she has lost touch with her own desires and sense of individuality.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that the relationship is not as perfect as it seemed. She starts to worry about their future together, sensing that they are wasting their lives on "too much TV and curry, too much time spent on ourselves." The partner becomes preoccupied with other things, such as writing, and the singer begins to feel neglected and unimportant. She loans her partner her ear, but in return she feels as though her partner was never truly there for her.
Overall, "Never Here" speaks to a feeling of being lost in a relationship and losing one's sense of self. It is both a tribute to the intensity of love and a warning about how it can lead to self-neglect and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a sign of devotion
Acknowledging that the level of commitment to this person was intense and complete
You made everybody else seem insane
The object of devotion (possibly a love interest) was so important that everyone else appeared as irrational in comparison
You filled my head with your notions
This person had a way of influencing the singer's thoughts and beliefs
You made everybody else seem so tame
In comparison to this person, everyone else seemed insignificant and uninteresting
In your bed I lay reeling
The emotional impact of being with this person was overwhelming and powerful
You made everybody else seem a shame
Compared to this person, others were shameful or unworthy of the singer's attention
I knew from the way I was feeling
The singer was aware of the intensity of their emotions at the time
Nothing could ever be quite the same
After experiencing this level of emotion, life would never be ordinary or mundane again
I moved straight into your shoes
The artist fully identified with this person and their lifestyle or beliefs
I took up your cause and answered your phone
The artist was fully committed to supporting this person and was always available for them
I couldn't really imagine
The singer had trouble picturing what their life was like before meeting this person
What life was like when I was alone
The artist felt that they were incomplete or unable to function without this person
Then I started to worry (then I started to worry)
The singer began to feel uneasy and uncertain about the relationship
I thought of our lives left on the shelf
The singer realized that their life was at a standstill and not progressing forward
Too much TV and curry
The singer and this person were stuck in a routine or mundane existence
Too much time spent on ourselves.
The artist realized that they were too self-centered and not focused on anything outside of their own world
We were sitting in waiting
The artist and this person were waiting for something to happen or change
And I told you my plan
The singer shared their ideas or aspirations with this person
You were far too busy writing
This person was not fully engaged or present in the conversation
Words that didn't scan
The words or actions of this person didn't make sense to the artist
And you lent me your records
This person shared something of value with the artist
And I leant you an ear
The artist was attentive and available to listen to this person's thoughts or concerns
Funny how it seems to me now
In retrospect, the singer finds irony or humor in the situation
That you were never here
The person who the artist was so devoted to was not fully present or engaged in the relationship
Never really here.
Continuing the idea that this person was absent or not fully invested in the relationship
Now I've sold all your records
The singer has let go of something that was important to this person
'Cause they give me the fear
The records were no longer enjoyable or comforting to the singer
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JUSTINE ELINOR FRISCHMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
theradracer
It's a sign of devotion
You made everybody else seem insane
You filled my head with your notions
You made everybody else seem so tame
In your bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem a shame
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
I moved straight into your shoes
I took up your cause and answered your phone
I couldn't really imagine
What life was like when I was alone
Then I started to worry (then I started to worry)
I thought of our lives left on the shelf
Too much TV and curry
Too much time spent on ourselves
We were sitting in, waiting
And I told you my plan
You were far too busy writing
Rhymes that didn't scan
And you leant me your records
And I leant you an ear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here
In our bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem a shame
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
It's a sign of devotion
You made everybody else seem so plain
Then it felt like going through the motions
First impressions never remain
We were sitting in, waiting
And you told me your plan
I was far too busy writing
Rhymes that'll never scan
Now I've sold all your records
Cause they give me the fear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here
Never really here
Ernesto Ribeiro
Annie Holland is a Master bassist. I always listened to this masterpiece bass-line repeating her part 10 times before leave playing. Justine Frischmann & Donna Mattews made the most brilliant pair of guitar players of 1990's as well Donita Sparks & Suzi Gardner.
Freddy VL
Nina Gordon and Louise Post are an awesome duo as well! :)
Stephan Venner
Their Debut Album is a classic. It's sad that they split so early.
Phil H
A very special band ( i dont think they knew how good they were)! I was about 23, at the time, I'm 47 now! I was so excited about this band, I bought the album on the day of release! I've never done that to any other band before or since. Saw them in bham institute in 95; so good me and mates went to 3 other gigs around the country. Now I'm middle aged grey and little weighty but your still loved here!!!
David Hicks
Damn I'm yer age and I always loved this - although I've always been hardcore playing in bands.
I've mellowed out a bit - playing surf music now but I'm with you on elastica!!!
MikeH46
Easily their best song. Never got the recognition it deserved.
Andy Hall
Best song on the album by a mile. I always wondered if Damon had a role in this one...
John Morgan
like most elastic songs, the bassline is amazing. Annie knew how to play.
renee torgerson
Oh my God I remember when I bought this in 95 I love the whole CD but this is my favorite song! They went out too quickly such a great band!
Mia Monan
Love this track. One of the best glimpses back in time at a brilliant and unique band.