Electrelane are a band from Brighton, England. They were formed in 1998 by … Read Full Bio ↴Electrelane are a band from Brighton, England. They were formed in 1998 by Verity Susman (aka Vera November also making music under her own name Verity Susman) (keyboards, farfisa organ, lead vocals, guitar, saxophone, clarinet) and Emma Gaze (drums). In its last incarnation, the band was composed of these two plus Mia Clarke (guitar, backing vocals) and Ros Murray (bass) (aka Ray Rumours). Their music draws from a wide range of influences including Neu!, Sonic Youth, and The Velvet Underground. Their mostly instrumental debut album, Rock It To The Moon was released in April 2001. A second album, The Power Out, which was recorded by Steve Albini, added more vocals and structure to the songs. It was released on Too Pure in February 2004. A third album, Axes, which was also recorded by Steve Albini, was released on 9 May 2005.

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.

Two for Joy
Electrelane Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I’ve no sorrow
If I’m glad, oh! let me show it

Did you see those birds take flight?
She opened her hand and they flew across the room

How the morning skies are high
I watch them as they turn from black to blue

I was dreaming of boats last night
Boats in the desert and anchors and bridges and you…

Oh, let’s get in the water
Oh, let’s get in the water
They said “no, don’t go near the water”

You said “oh, let’s get in the water”
You said “oh oh oh…”

Overall Meaning

The song "Two for Joy" by Electrelane presents a mix of emotions, ranging from happiness to sadness. The first verse starts by mentioning that the singer has no sorrow and even if they are happy, they want to show it. However, this happiness is short-lived and the song shifts its tone to a more contemplative and dream-like mood. The second verse starts by describing the flight of birds from a woman's hand, which seems to inspire hope and freedom. The singer then transitions to talking about the sky and how it turns from black to blue. The blue sky could symbolize a new beginning or a moment of clarity for the singer. The verse then ends with the singer saying that they were dreaming of boats in a desert with anchors and bridges, which could represent feelings of being lost or in transition.

The chorus of the song has a call and response structure, which is reminiscent of a conversation. The singers in the chorus seem to have different opinions about getting in the water. While one says not to get near it, the other insists on getting in, even with the risks. It's unclear what "the water" means here, but it could symbolize something risky or unknown. Overall, the lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing a mix of emotions and thoughts, such as happiness, hope, and fear.

Line by Line Meaning

I’ve no sorrow
I am not sad

If I’m glad, oh! let me show it
If I am happy, I want to express it

Did you see those birds take flight?
Did you witness those birds flying away?

She opened her hand and they flew across the room
She released the birds from her grasp and they flew away from her

How the morning skies are high
The morning skies are lofty

I watch them as they turn from black to blue
I observe the skies as they transform from darkness to light

I was dreaming of boats last night
Last night, I had a dream about boats

Boats in the desert and anchors and bridges and you…
In my dream, I imagined boats in dry terrain, as well as anchors, bridges, and you

Oh, let’s get in the water
Let us enter the water

They said “no, don’t go near the water”
They advised, "do not approach the water"

You said “oh, let’s get in the water”
You suggested, "let us enter the water"