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.
Smile
Elastica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Peaches and cream
Where have you been ?
Did you know I've been waiting all night ?
Whose bed were you in ?
Whose head were you turning ?
Don't you know I've been out of my mind
'Cause I know what you fear you will find
Sweetness and light
I don't wanna fight you
But I don't wanna listen to lies
Your face is a mess
You know you should drink less
I said I don't want to hear how time flies
'Cause I know from the look in your eyes
You were talking to some girl
Who'd seen you on her T.V. set
She said that she felt like she knew you
Although you'd only just met
Oh yeah
Don't stop talking shop
I'll see you down the time swap
I've been tested and tried
Lost on the tide
So cold inside
Do you know I've been out of my mind
'Cause I know what you fear you will find
You were talking to some girl
Who said that she'd seen you before
Oh my head's such a mess
'Till I hear your key in the door
Oh yeah...Oh yeah
The song "Smile" by Elastica is a love song with a hint of jealousy and suspicion of a cheating partner. In the first verse, the singer is waiting for her lover, who has been out all night, and questioning whose bed and whose head they have been in. She expresses her frustration and that she's been out of her mind thinking about it. She believes that her partner is afraid of what they might find if they tell the truth, which could imply that they have cheated before.
In the second verse, the singer expresses that she doesn't want to fight her partner, but she also doesn't want to hear lies. She mentions that her partner's face is a mess, indicating that they might have partied too much. The singer then mentions that she has seen a look in her partner's eyes that implies that they have been talking to another girl that they have only just met. The girl claims to know the partner from seeing them on TV, which adds to the suspicion that the singer may have of her partner's infidelity.
The pre-chorus talks about not stopping talking shop, which could imply that they need to have a serious talk about their relationship issues. The singer then talks about being lost and so cold inside, which she alludes to struggling with the situation. In the final verse, the singer mentions that her partner talked to another girl who had seen them before, which adds to the suspicion of the singer. She also talks about being lost in her thoughts until she hears her partner's key in the door, signaling her partner's return.
Line by Line Meaning
One, Two, Three, Four
The song begins with a counting rhyme, but this simple game also marks the beginning of a conversation where the singer is trying to get the attention of a person they care for.
Peaches and cream
The singer is trying to use a nice and familiar phrase to make the person feel comfortable and welcome.
Where have you been ?
The singer is trying to find out where the person has been and what they have been doing, which shows they care and want to be a part of the person's life.
Did you know I've been waiting all night ?
The artist is revealing that they have been waiting eagerly for the person all night, which conveys their desire to be with them.
Whose bed were you in ?
The artist is questioning the person's loyalty and implying that they might have been with someone else, which shows their insecurity and jealousy.
Whose head were you turning ?
The singer is accusing the person of flirting with other people and trying to turn their heads, which shows their possessiveness and suspicion.
Don't you know I've been out of my mind
The singer is confessing that they have been driven crazy by their feelings for the person, which shows how much they care and how intense those emotions are.
'Cause I know what you fear you will find
The artist is implying that the person is afraid to commit or be honest about their feelings, and they will eventually regret it if they keep hiding things and lying.
Sweetness and light
The artist is using another pleasant expression to describe the person they care for, which highlights their fondness and admiration.
I don't wanna fight you
The artist is trying to avoid any conflict or argument and wants to resolve any issues through communication and understanding.
But I don't wanna listen to lies
The singer is demanding honesty and truthfulness from the person they care for, and they don't want to be misled or deceived by false promises or excuses.
Your face is a mess
The artist is pointing out that the person looks tired, drunk, or upset, which suggests that they might have some personal problems or issues to deal with.
You know you should drink less
The singer is advising the person to drink in moderation or control their alcohol intake, which implies that they might have a drinking problem or that their drinking is causing problems.
I said I don't want to hear how time flies
The singer is annoyed by the person's excuses or attempts to distract them from the real issues, and they want to focus on the present and discuss what is bothering them.
'Cause I know from the look in your eyes
The singer is implying that they can read the person's emotions and intentions through their eyes, and they can tell when they are lying or hiding something.
You were talking to some girl
The artist is accusing the person of flirting or chatting with other women, which shows their jealousy and possessiveness.
Who'd seen you on her T.V. set
The artist is implying that the person is famous or well-known, and other women might be attracted to them for that reason.
She said that she felt like she knew you
The singer is pointing out that other women might have a false sense of intimacy or familiarity with the person based on their public image or persona.
Although you'd only just met
The singer is suggesting that the person might be taking advantage of their fame or status to attract women, and they don't really care about their feelings or well-being.
Don't stop talking shop
The artist is using a metaphor to describe a conversation about business or work, which hints that they might be struggling with money or career issues.
I'll see you down the time swap
The artist is making an appointment or agreement to meet the person at a later time, which suggests that they might need to coordinate their schedules or plans.
I've been tested and tried
The artist is revealing that they have faced challenges and difficulties in their life, which might have affected their relationships or attitude towards others.
Lost on the tide
The singer is using a metaphor to describe a feeling of being adrift or directionless, which suggests that they might be struggling to find their purpose or meaning in life.
So cold inside
The artist is expressing their emotional state, which is lonely or detached, and they might be seeking warmth, affection or empathy from the person they care for.
Do you know I've been out of my mind
The singer is repeating their earlier statement, which reinforces the intensity of their emotions and the importance of the person to them.
You were talking to some girl
The singer is repeating their accusation, which suggests that they are still upset about the person's behavior and actions.
Who said that she'd seen you before
The singer is suggesting that other women might have a past or present relationship with the person, which could undermine their trust and bond.
Oh my head's such a mess
The artist is expressing their confusion and frustration, which suggests that they might be overwhelmed by their emotions and the situation.
'Till I hear your key in the door
The artist is revealing that they are eagerly waiting for the person to come home or visit them, which implies that they still care and hope for a positive outcome.
Oh yeah...Oh yeah
The song ends with a repetition of an affirmative phrase, which suggests that the singer is trying to convince themselves or the person that everything will be alright or that they still have a chance.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DONNA LORRAINE MATTHEWS, JUSTINE ELINOR FRISCHMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind