The band's fourth album, No Shout, No Calls, was written in Berlin during the 2006 World Cup, recorded in Benton Harbor, Michigan in late 2006, and released in May 2007 worldwide.
In November 2007, the band went on "indefinite hiatus," but announced in February 2011 that they would play several dates in England.
“This summer we’re going to play some festivals, including Field Day in London, and a few gigs. We’re still confirming everything, so will be announcing dates soon. It’s very exciting for us to be playing together again after more than three years, and we’re just sorry that we won’t be able to make it to the US this time. At the moment our plan is just to play live this summer, so we hope to see you!" (Source: Electrelane website)
The band announced in November of 2021 that they are working together on their first new music since No Shouts, No Calls in 2007 and that "playing together again feels really, really good.
The Valleys
Electrelane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard it ringing in the mountains
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
I heard it from the valleys
I heard him singing in the mountains
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
This poem can be found in many editions of his work
The lyrics of Electrelane's song, The Valleys, evoke an imagery of hearing a resonating, almost mystical voice coming from the valleys and mountains. The repetition of 'ah ah ah ah ah ah ah' adds to the haunting and mesmerizing effect of the vocals. The song's opening line, "I heard it from the valleys," suggests that the singer is not alone in hearing the voice, inferring that others might have experienced it before. The voice's location, emanating from the valleys and mountains, further depicts its grandeur and an otherworldliness that captures attention.
Through the repetition of lyrics and instrumental melody, Electrelane creates a hypnotic and spiritual atmosphere. The song feels like a poetic tribute to natural beauty, grandeur, and the possibility of the supernatural. The reference to Siegfried Sassoon's poem 'A Letter Home' in the rest of the lyrics of the song illuminates the piece's artistic subtlety. This historic reference also enlivens the song, adding another layer of depth to the already poetic element of the song.
In conclusion, The Valleys is a sonic and poetic masterpiece. The song captures the essence of awe-inspiring natural beauty while subtly alluding to the concept of transcendence with Siegfried Sassoon's historic work. Electrelane creates an atmospheric masterpiece that not only evokes imagery of nature but spiritual enlightenment too.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard it from the valleys
I received the news or message from the remote and isolated areas of the country.
I heard it ringing in the mountains
I heard the sound or echo of the news in the high altitudes and remote areas.
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
A melodious humming sound expressing the joyousness of receiving the message.
I heard it from the valleys
I received the news or message from the far-off and inaccessible places.
I heard him singing in the mountains
I heard a voice or song reverberating in the high altitudes and remote regions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EMMA ZULIEKA GAZE, MIA LAUREN CLARKE, RACHEL LENA DALLEY, VERITY SUSMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gabby Cavaliere
I heard it from the valleys
I heard it ringing in the mountains
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
I heard it from the valleys
I heard him singing in the mountains
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Robert, when I drowse to-night
Skirting lawns of sleep to chase
Shifting dreams in mazy light
Somewhere then I'll see your face
Turning back to bid me follow
Where I wag my arms and hollow
Over hedges hasting after
Crooked smile and baffling laughter
We know such dreams are true
He's come back, all mirth and glory
-Running tireless, floating, leaping
-Down your web-hung woods and valleys
-Where the glowworm stars are peeping
Like the prince in a fairy story
-Till I find you, quiet as stone
-On a hill-top all alone
-Staring outward, gravely pondering
-Jumbled leagues of hillock-wandering
Winter called him far away
-You and I have walked together
-In the starving winter weather
-We've been glad because we knew
-Time's too short and friends are few
Blossoms bring him home with May
-We've been sad because we missed
-One whose yellow head was kissed
-By the gods, who thought about him
-Till they couldn't do without him
Now he's here again
Standing in a wood that swings
To the madrigal he sings
And I'm sure, as here I stand
That he shines through every land
That he sings in every place
Where we're thinking of his face
While we know such dreams are true
Gabby Cavaliere
I heard it from the valleys
I heard it ringing in the mountains
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
I heard it from the valleys
I heard him singing in the mountains
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Robert, when I drowse to-night
Skirting lawns of sleep to chase
Shifting dreams in mazy light
Somewhere then I'll see your face
Turning back to bid me follow
Where I wag my arms and hollow
Over hedges hasting after
Crooked smile and baffling laughter
We know such dreams are true
He's come back, all mirth and glory
-Running tireless, floating, leaping
-Down your web-hung woods and valleys
-Where the glowworm stars are peeping
Like the prince in a fairy story
-Till I find you, quiet as stone
-On a hill-top all alone
-Staring outward, gravely pondering
-Jumbled leagues of hillock-wandering
Winter called him far away
-You and I have walked together
-In the starving winter weather
-We've been glad because we knew
-Time's too short and friends are few
Blossoms bring him home with May
-We've been sad because we missed
-One whose yellow head was kissed
-By the gods, who thought about him
-Till they couldn't do without him
Now he's here again
Standing in a wood that swings
To the madrigal he sings
And I'm sure, as here I stand
That he shines through every land
That he sings in every place
Where we're thinking of his face
While we know such dreams are true
Ludovic Bunel
grazie mille
kebabstik
I just heard this on Radio New Zealand. Awesome, beautiful song, the choir is in sync perfectly Love it.
dukeofkbs
I have this CD...what a great song with stellar vocal arrangements. Very haunting ....
JustAnotherBohemian
The most impressive thing is how this choir sing!👏
Shawn Hardy
I just heard them for the first time and I'm in awe. :)
Joseph Meyer
And I'm sure as here I stand, that he shines through every land, that he sings in every place, where we're thinking of his face. While we know, such dreams are true...
Satya L
I love this part so much, literally transcendent
TheDimensionsPeru
I love this song ♥
Angela Santos
this song is so beautiful.