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.
Suicide
Elastica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out there on the street
Always something turning
Every time I'm near
Every time I'm near
Looking through the night
Always something cooking
I know there's something out there
Feels like suicide
Always something turning
Something going through my mind
I know there's something out there
Feels like suicide
Always something cooking
Something going through my mind
My mind
Always something happening
Feels like suicide
Always something turning
Going through my mind
I know there's something out there
(Trying)
To die
Always something cooking
Something going through my mind
Through my mind
Like this
The lyrics to Elastica's song Suicide seem to be describing a state of mind where there is an overwhelming feeling of restlessness and unease. The first verse suggests that there is something happening on the street every time the singer is near it. They can't quite put their finger on what it is, but there is a sense of constant change and motion. The second verse reinforces this feeling, describing how there is always something cooking and someone looking for a fight like this.
The chorus is where the title of the song becomes relevant, as the singer declares that they feel like there is something out there that feels like suicide. The repetition of the phrase "always something turning" creates a sense of inevitability, as though whatever is happening is inescapable. The final verse repeats this idea, emphasizing that there is always something happening and it feels like it is going through the singer's mind. The final line of the song, "trying to die," suggests that this feeling of restlessness and unease is so overwhelming that it feels like it could drive someone to take their own life.
Line by Line Meaning
something's happening
The singer senses changes occurring outside in the street.
Out there on the street
The changes the singer senses are happening outside, in the street.
Always something turning
The singer observes a pattern of constant change occurring in their environment.
Every time I'm near
The changes seem to become more apparent or pronounced when the artist is in proximity to them.
Looking through the night
The artist is observing their surroundings during the nighttime.
Always something cooking
There is always some sort of activity or event occurring in the singer's environment.
Looking for a fight like this
The singer may be seeking conflict or challenge in their environment.
I know there's something out there
The artist has an intuition that there is something significant happening or changing outside.
Feels like suicide
The artist is overwhelmed and feels like something is putting them at risk, like committing suicide.
Something going through my mind
The artist's thoughts are racing, possibly due to feeling overwhelmed and at risk.
My mind
The singer's thoughts and state of mind.
Always something happening
The artist's environment is constantly in flux and active.
Going through my mind
The singer is preoccupied and/or affected by the changes and activity in their environment.
(Trying) To die
The singer feels like their situation is dire and potentially life-threatening.
Through my mind
The singer's thoughts and perception of their surroundings are causing them distress.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JUSTINE ELINOR FRISCHMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelela
I’m still pissed this song got removed from Spotify. What a classic
nick fit
Because people just consume the garbage they are fed with. Most of them have zero idea.