After recording two albums as Kaleidoscope (the British '60s band), Peter Daltrey (vocals, piano, mellotron, harpsichord, organ, tambourine), Eddy Pumer (vocals, classical, acoustic twelve string and electric guitars, mellotron, organ, harpsichord), Dan Bridgman (vocals, drums, pedal tympany, tubular bells, tambourine, bongos) and Steve Clark (bass guitar, flutes) changed the band's name to Fairfield Parlour and signed to Vertigo, releasing the 1970s LP From Home To Home. Along with this name change came also a change in sound; their psychedelic '60s sound from their first two albums developing into a more folky sound with the introduction of flutes and harpsichords. Later releases of the album contain bonus tracks.
The band did record a subsequent album "White Faced Lady", which they financed independently. Attempts at finding a record company failed and the album was shelved until 1991 when it was released under the name Kaleidoscope on an independent label. The band member's last appearance in the early days was at a concert in Bremen, Germany, in 1972.
Emily
Fairfield Parlour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that she'd made herself by cutting up
pictures of wedding dresses
and close ups from Marlon Brando
Emily wore her best suite,
"My, you look cute!"
but she didn't
though her smile was beautiful
she was way out of tune
and her hands were trembling
but the hymns took her
back into her chilhood
Emily kissed the bridegroom
then she blushed to her to toes and said
"Everyone knows i'm a silly!"
then she played cats with her fingers
Emily drank the champagne
she had a smoke the first in forty
years
her eyes filled with tears
everyone tried to look away
Emily heard the music
she tried to dance but fell
on her face in the middle of the floor
and all the children yelled for more
Emily lay like silence
where they placed her with the beer
and they ashtrays and peanuts
but they knew she wouldn't move
Emily's in the picture
and everyone says
"what a shame she's dead.
oh! but wasn't it fun?
we must try to do it again"
Emily brought confetti
that she'd made herself by cutting up
pictures of wedding dresses
and close-ups of Marlon Brando
The song "Emily" by Fairfield Parlour is a poignant narrative about an elderly woman who attends a wedding and seeks to relive her lost youth. Emily is portrayed as a tender, innocent character who has grown old but wants to recapture her past. The song starts with Emily bringing homemade confetti she made by cutting up pictures of wedding dresses and Marlon Brando. The lyrics indicate that Emily is a slightly eccentric, but lovable character who is determined to enjoy the wedding festivities.
The song goes on to describe Emily as wearing her best suit, although it doesn't suit her, and singing the hymns way out of tune. The lyrics portray Emily as someone who tries to get into the spirit of the occasion despite her discomfort. She even tries to dance, but she falls on her face, much to the delight of the children who yell for more. The vivid imagery and the gentle narrative of the song bring Emily to life and give her a soulful presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Emily brought confetti
Emily brought handmade confetti that she had fashioned by cutting up photographs of wedding dresses and close-up images of Marlon Brando.
Emily wore her best suit, 'My, you look cute!' but she didn't, though her smile was beautiful
Emily dressed herself in a smart suit and was offered a compliment but she wasn't good-looking, even though her smile was pleasant.
Emily sang the loudest; she was way out of tune, and her hands were trembling, but the hymns took her back into her childhood
Emily sang songs the loudest even though she was off-key, and she was shaking, but the hymns reminded her of her childhood.
Emily kissed the bridegroom then she blushed to her toes and said 'Everyone knows I'm a silly!' then she played cats with her fingers
Emily kissed the groom, then turned bright red and called herself a foolish person. After that, she began to play with her fingers like cats.
Emily drank the champagne; she had a smoke, the first in forty years, her eyes filled with tears, and everyone tried to look away
Emily drank champagne and also smoked, which was her first in forty years, her eyes filled with tears, and everybody tried their best not to look at her.
Emily heard the music; she tried to dance but fell on her face in the middle of the floor, and all the children yelled for more
Emily listened to the music and endeavored to dance but fell flat on her face in the middle of the floor. However, the children demanded that she keep going.
Emily lay like silence where they placed her with the beer and the ashtrays and peanuts, but they knew she wouldn't move
Emily had been placed on the ground with the beer and the ashtrays and peanuts, and she was lying motionlessly, and everyone knew that she wouldn't get up.
Emily's in the picture, and everyone says 'what a shame she's dead. Oh! But wasn't it fun? We must try to do it again'
Emily's picture is now there, and people express their disappointment that she's gone. However, they reminisce over the merriment they had, and they plan to recreate the experience again someday.
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrGoldenthroat
A hauntingly stunning piece!! Fairfield Parlour and Kaleidoscope are phenomenal!!
@kaleidoscopesdannybrigman2061
Thank you for all your great.comments we enjoyed doing this album it meant a lot to.us we're very proud of it many thanks dan
@dominiquevalentinsimplement
You've all the reasons to be proud. A wonderful record.
@kaleidoscopesdannybrigman2061
dominique valentin thank you glad you like our music thanks all the best dan
@damiensuil2183
timeless,moody excellence,beautifully played.
@kaleidoscopesdannybrigman2061
damien suil thank you for your reply appreciated
@Mjollnir723
Thank you so much for the music you all created. Please know that I have been both inspired and consoled by your music.
@HogwartsOctopus
Oh my god I just found this band, as a fan of early pink floyd I love it!!!
@fperdomo
one of my favorite songs of all time ..
@vivienerottawa2880
I just heard this song on CBC Music (Canada). What a good song. I don't remember hearing it before. Isn't it interesting how good the Brits are at writing story songs? It would be good to hear a few more new ones. Happy listening everyone.