Formed in the late '80s in Peterborough by one Mark D., the band's first release was a flexi disc called You Opened Up My Eyes and featured Sarah C. on vocals. Sarah quickly left the band, supposedly to pursue a career designing crop circles in Peru.
Mark then recruited new members consisting of Katie Keen on vocals, cat lover Paul Huckerby on bass, scottish siren Sheggi Clarkson-Gaffin on guitar and floppy-haired, pig van driver Matthew Johnson on drums.
Soon after the release of their John Peel played single Where's Clare Grogan Now, Katie left the band and Sheggi became the new singer.
Subsequent releases, including the EP Four Songs for Simon, Ferensway EP and The Tulip Explodes, led to a multi-pound recording contract with the fab, London based Vinyl Japan label, home and future home of BMX Bandits, the McCluskey Bros, and Thee Headcoats.
The first of their Vinyl Japan output was an EP entitled Nostalgia and was recorded by Ken McPherson at his studio in Burton-on-Trent. A tour of Germany supporting Throw That Beat in the Garbagecan soon followed.
The band's debut album, Starfish, also recorded by Ken McPherson, came out in 1994 and was followed by two more singles, New Spring Rites for Sarah and Driving Me Wild before the band called it a day.
Offical band web site is at:
http://www.spikey.com/fattulips
I Promise You
Fat Tulips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I realise that was absurd
You cheated, lied and you deceived
Told me tales and I believed
You'll get your just desserts I promise you
I said I would never let you down
When you're with me I'd always be around
Tore my love for you apart
I'll get you back some day I promise you
And I promised you I'd be with you and never leave you
You never promised me one thing
(You never did!)
Perhaps you'll listen now it's over
Let me say, it's over and you can't do a thing
I said I would promise you the world
But that was before the tables turned
You cheated, lied and you deceived
Told me tales and I believed
You'll get your just desserts I promise you
You'll get what you deserve I promise you!
In the song "I Promise You" by Fat Tulips, the singer begins by expressing regret for making an unrealistic promise to someone they love. They had promised to give this person the world, but they now realize that they were foolish to do so. The reason for their disillusionment is likely due to the fact that the other person cheated, lied, and deceived them. The singer had believed this person's false stories, but has now come to see the truth. They promise that the other person will eventually receive the consequences that they deserve.
The singer then continues by expressing their disappointment and betrayal. They had promised to always be there for the other person, but was met with heartbreak and disappointment. The other person pierced their soul and broke the singer's heart. The singer's promise to never leave the other person was not reciprocated, and they were left with nothing. But, the singer is determined to get revenge in some way and promises the other person that they will get what they deserve.
Overall, this song is a break-up anthem, with lyrics that express the bitterness and heartbreak that often come with the end of a relationship. The singer's anger and resentment towards the other person is clear, and they are determined to move on from the pain and hurt that they have experienced.
Line by Line Meaning
I said I would promise you the world
I once made an unrealistic promise to you that I would give you everything.
Now I realise that was absurd
I now understand that it was illogical and impossible for me to fulfill such a promise.
You cheated, lied and you deceived
You were disloyal by being unfaithful and dishonest with me, and you also tricked me.
Told me tales and I believed
You told me false and fanciful stories, and unfortunately, I believed you.
You'll get your just desserts I promise you
You will receive the appropriate punishment for your wrongdoing; I assure you of that.
I said I would never let you down
I once assured you that I would never disappoint you.
When you're with me I'd always be around
I promised that I would always be present and supportive whenever you needed me.
You pierced my soul and broke my heart
You deeply wounded me and caused me emotional pain and distress.
Tore my love for you apart
Your actions caused my feelings of affection for you to become damaged and ruined.
I'll get you back some day I promise you
I will eventually have my revenge or payback against you for what you have done to me.
And I promised you I'd be with you and never leave you
I once made a vow to you that I would stay by your side and never abandon you.
You never promised me one thing
However, you never made any similar pledges or commitments to me.
(You never did!)
This is simply the truth and not an exaggeration.
Perhaps you'll listen now it's over
Maybe now that our relationship is over, you will pay attention to what I have to say.
Let me say, it's over and you can't do a thing
I want to declare that our time together is finished and that there is nothing you can do to change that.
But that was before the tables turned
However, that promise was made prior to when the situation reversed or changed.
You cheated, lied and you deceived
You acted dishonestly and unfaithfully towards me, tricking and misleading me.
Told me tales and I believed
You conveyed untrue and fanciful stories that unfortunately, I trusted and accepted as true.
You'll get your just desserts I promise you
You will eventually receive the retribution or payback that you deserve for your harmful actions, and I guarantee that it will happen.
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fabien Garcia
RIP Sheggi