Field Music are a band from Sunderland in north-east England led by brother… Read Full Bio ↴Field Music are a band from Sunderland in north-east England led by brothers David and Peter Brewis. Commonly described as making "experimental pop" music, they have released eight 'proper' albums: Field Music (2005), Tones of Town (2007), Field Music (Measure) (2010), Plumb (2012), Commontime (2016), Open Here (2018), Making A New World (2020), and Flat White Moon (2021), all through Memphis Industries. They have also released a compilation of B-sides (Write Your Own History, 2006), a soundtrack (Music For Drifters, 2015) and a collection of cover versions (Field Music Play..., 2012). Another Shot, a four-track EP of songs written and recorded at the same time as the tracks on Flat White Moon, was released in October 2021.

Plumb was nominated for the 2012 Mercury Prize.

After the release of Tones of Town, the group announced a break, leading to solo releases by the brothers (David's "Sea From Shore" under the name School of Language, and Peter's album as The Week That Was, both 2008), before reconvening in 2009. Both brothers have continued releasing music outside of the band: School of Language now has 3 albums and an EP, while Peter has worked with contemporaries Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park (Frozen By Sight), as well as Sarah Hayes of Admiral Fallow (You Tell Me). In 2022, the Brewis brothers created their own record label (Daylight Saving Records) which will host what they refer to as "extra-curricular activities;" i.e., new releases from side projects and other related groups (such as Slug).

All Field Music albums were self-produced at the band's studio space in Sunderland.

Other musicians who have played in the group in some form include Andrew Moore, Tom English, Kevin Dosdale, Ian Black, Damo Waters, Andrew Lowther, Peter Gofton, Mark Simms, Emma Fisk, Peter Richardson, Liz Corney and Pauline Brandon.

17
Field Music Lyrics

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When I was seventeen
I could've sat down
I could've thought
If I thought how

When I was seventeen
I could've sat down
I could've thought

If I thought how

When I was seventeen
I could stumble
I could run
I couldn't now

When I was eighteen
I would find out
I could've thought
If I thought how

When I was eighteen
When I was rumbled
If I could've known
What I don't now

When I was seventeen

When I was seventeen

I didn't know how

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Field Music's song "17" explore the idea of youth and the naivety that comes with it. The repetition of "When I was seventeen" shows the singer reflecting on their younger self and the things they could have done differently if they had known better. The first two lines, "I could've sat down, I could've thought, if I thought how" indicate a desire for introspection and reflection, but the singer acknowledges that at 17, they may not have had the tools or knowledge to effectively do so. The next couplet, "I could stumble, I could run, I couldn't now" contrasts the freedom of youth with the limitations of adulthood, highlighting the singer's regret for not taking advantage of their youth.

The second verse begins with the line, "When I was eighteen, I would find out, I could've thought, if I thought how." Here, the singer acknowledges the growing sense of responsibility and awareness that comes with age, but also recognizes their missed opportunity for reflection. The following couplet, "When I was rumbled, if I could've known, what I don't now" suggests that the singer has experienced some sort of reckoning, realizing mistakes they made in the past and wishing they had known better.

Overall, the lyrics to "17" convey a sense of nostalgia and regret. The singer longs for the freedom and simplicity of their youth, but also recognizes that they didn't fully appreciate it at the time. The repetition of "When I was seventeen" serves to emphasize the theme of looking back and acknowledging the mistakes and missed opportunities of the past.

Line by Line Meaning

When I was seventeen
Reflecting on my past self at age 17

I could've sat down
I had the time and opportunity to rest and contemplate

I could've thought
I had the ability to think deeply

If I thought how
If only I knew how to think and process my thoughts effectively

I could stumble
I was prone to making mistakes and faltering in my actions

I could run
I had energy and drive to pursue my goals

I couldn't now
As time passed, I lost the same level of physical capability and energy I had at 17

When I was eighteen
Looking back at when I turned 18 and experienced new challenges and realizations

I would find out
I had yet to discover new truths about myself and the world

When I was rumbled
Caught up and exposed for my shortcomings and mistakes

If I could've known
Looking back, I wish I had the foresight to understand the consequences of my actions