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.
If Only The Moon Were Up
Field Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been trying to find my shoes
There's nothing to say anymore
Staying can only lose
If only my eyes looked up
I'd probably be back soon
But looking is never enough
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
Taking apart the dark, the moon is up
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
Taking apart the dark, the moon is up
If we wouldn't be so tough
We'd probably have more to say
But lying is never enough
That's all we're used to
I noticed you're stuck in a rut
Seems like you're taking root
But wanting to be where we are
Is never any good
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
Taking apart the dark the moon is on
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
Taking apart the dark the moon is on
If only the moon were up
Been trying to find my shoes
There's nothing to say anymore
Staying can only lose
If only my eyes looked up
Perhaps I could find my way
I never could see very far
Seeing's only good for
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
Taking apart the dark the moon is on
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
Taking apart the dark the moon is on
The song "If Only The Moon Were Up" by Field Music is a melancholy and introspective piece, exploring themes of loss, regret, and missed opportunities. The lyrics suggest a sense of aimlessness and feeling lost, with the singer trying to find their way but feeling like they're stuck in the dark. The first verse sets the tone of the song, with the repeated line "If only the moon were up," implying a desire for clarity and light in an otherwise murky situation. The singer is searching for their shoes, but it's not clear where they're going or what they hope to achieve. They lament that "there's nothing to say anymore," suggesting a lack of communication and connection with those around them.
The second verse continues in a similar vein, with the singer noting that "looking is never enough," and that they need more than just observation to find their way. They feel like they're taking apart the dark, but there's no real progress being made. The chorus serves as a sort of release, with the repetition of the phrase "taking apart the dark" suggesting a repetition of effort without any clear outcome.
The third verse introduces another character, someone who is "stuck in a rut" and "taking root." The singer comes across as somewhat judgmental, suggesting that wanting to be where the singer is "is never any good." The final verse brings the song full circle, with the repeated line "if only the moon were up" suggesting a sense of repetition and unresolved longing. The singer may have found their shoes, but without some kind of guidance or illumination, they're unlikely to find their way.
Overall, the lyrics of "If Only The Moon Were Up" convey a sense of aimlessness and confusion, with a desire for clarity and direction that seems perpetually out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
If only the moon were up
If only the night could be illuminated by the moon, so I could see where I'm going and find my way
Been trying to find my shoes
I am lost, unable to find my footing and direction in life
There's nothing to say anymore
I have no words left, I am at a loss for what to do or say
Staying can only lose
If I remain in my current situation, I will not gain anything and risk losing everything
If only my eyes looked up
If only I could change my perspective to see the bigger picture and gain clarity
I'd probably be back soon
I might be able to find my way back to where I belong if I can see things differently
But looking is never enough
Merely looking at things and not taking action is not enough to effect change
Looking's only good for
Looking can only get me so far, it's not a substitute for taking action
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
When we dissect and analyze our problems, empty words and excuses become meaningless
Taking apart the dark, the moon is up
When we confront our troubles head-on, we can see the light and overcome adversity
If we wouldn't be so tough
If we could let our guard down and be more vulnerable, we might be able to communicate more openly
We'd probably have more to say
We would have deeper and more meaningful conversations if we weren't always putting up walls
But lying is never enough
Dishonesty won't solve our problems, it only delays the inevitable truth
That's all we're used to
We are so accustomed to covering up our true feelings and intentions that honesty feels foreign
I noticed you're stuck in a rut
I see that you are struggling and facing the same issues repeatedly
Seems like you're taking root
Your problems have taken hold and are keeping you stagnant
But wanting to be where we are
You desire to be in a better place, but don't know how to get there
Is never any good
Simply wishing for change is not enough, it takes action to make progress
Perhaps I could find my way
Looking at things differently could help me discover a path forward
I never could see very far
I have trouble seeing beyond my immediate problems and circumstances
Seeing's only good for
Gaining a new perspective is helpful, but it takes more to create lasting change
Taking apart the dark, the talk is all gone
Breaking down our problems and facing them head-on eliminates the need for meaningless chatter
Taking apart the dark the moon is on
When we face our difficulties directly, we can see a path forward and find hope
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Brewis, Peter Brewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
shel b
funny you should say that; the first time i heard them, i said to myself, "hey, these guys are like the GG of pop!" ...stuff is genius.
relynam
Absolutely one of my favorite band of the past ten years. I'm still wondering why they didn't get the attention they deserved, the whole album is a MASTERPIECE (Got To Get The Nerve, Shorter Shorter...)
Steve Blomerth
Intelligent, rhythmic, melodic, and so cool to find such well developed compositions in writers so young. I hope they are more successful and keep writing.
John Herwig
Most underrated album of the 2000s imo
James Rothery
I heard this song on the radio .... I busted my ass to get it, it's freakin great
jollyjetsetter
I'm hearing elements of crucial music of decades past, Television and XTC, to name but two. Saw them live a time or two, and they suffered from really bad technical problems on one occasion!
charleslsegal
I saw them last night. Brilliant!
canturgan
Lo-fi film, hi-fi song. Field Music, real music.
Windfighter
This was nice to listen to =D Nice sound! :D
canturgan
They're getting attention now, album 'Plumb' nominated for Mercury prize 2012.