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.
pieces
Field Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
getting tired of the same thing
?
the hair on my hands is getting thicker
so i suggest we go to bed
and sleep until we forget
until we can't ignore
and what i've done so far isn't any better
so i might change my dress
and you might feel the same
cause there's pieces of me that won't do a thing
and you can't measure it all
cause the smallest things are infinitely larger than you think
the whole things on the brink of nothing at all
it just doesn't work
so i might change my dress
and you might feel the same
cause there's pieces of me that won't do a thing
and my mouth changes size
?
?
?
so i might change my dress
and you might feel the same
and i might change my dress
and you might feel the same
cause there's pieces of me that won't do a thing
The lyrics to Field Music's "Pieces" express a sense of dissatisfaction and weariness with the sameness of life. The mention of the hair on the singer's hands getting thicker suggests the idea of feeling older and something stirring within them that makes them aware of life's monotony. This feeling is then contrasted with a suggested escape in the form of sleep, to forget and ignore what's currently happening.
However, this escape is ultimately seen as futile, as what they have done so far isn't any better. There is a sense of wanting change, wanting to be different, expressed in the line "so I might change my dress." The repetition of this line emphasizes this desire for transformation.
The lyric "you can't measure it all, cause the smallest things are infinitely larger than you think" is an interesting one, as it suggests that there is something intangible that escapes measurement - perhaps the human spirit or emotions. The line "the whole thing's on the brink of nothing at all, it just doesn't work" further emphasizes the singer's disillusionment with the current state of things.
Overall, the song seems to be grappling with a sense of feeling stuck or trapped, with the desire to change, but not knowing how. The repeated reference to changing one's dress seems to symbolize a desire for transformation, but ultimately, the question of how to effect that change remains unanswered.
Line by Line Meaning
and we all wind up
Despite our best efforts, we all eventually become tired of the same thing in life
getting tired of the same thing
Repeating the same experiences, emotions, or routines can lead to a feeling of exhaustion and boredom
the hair on my hands is getting thicker
As time goes on, physical changes may occur that remind us of our aging and mortality
so i suggest we go to bed
In order to find relief from our weary feelings, perhaps it is best to take a break and rest
and sleep until we forget
A good night's sleep can provide a mental and emotional reset, allowing us to temporarily forget our worries and troubles
until we can't ignore
Eventually, we need to face whatever is troubling us and address it directly
what's going on
We need to be aware of our feelings, thoughts, and actions in order to find true resolution
and what i've done so far isn't any better
Past efforts to fix a problem have been ineffective and new ideas are needed
so i might change my dress
Trying something new or different can be a positive step towards finding a solution
and you might feel the same
Others may also feel the same weariness and desire for change
cause there's pieces of me that won't do a thing
Certain parts of ourselves may be holding us back or not contributing to our growth
and you can't measure it all
The complexity of ourselves and our struggles cannot be fully quantified or measured
cause the smallest things are infinitely larger than you think
Seemingly insignificant details can have a major impact on our lives and well-being
the whole things on the brink of nothing at all
The situation or problem may seem dire, and in danger of disappearing completely without resolution
it just doesn't work
Previous attempts to address the situation or problem have been unsuccessful
and my mouth changes size
Physical or emotional changes can manifest in unexpected or surprising ways
and i might change my dress
Continuing to explore new ideas and approaches may be necessary to find a solution
and you might feel the same
Others may also be open to change and new perspectives
and i might change my dress
Repeating a line from earlier in the song, perhaps to emphasize the need for continued exploration and change
and you might feel the same
Repeating a line from earlier in the song, perhaps to emphasize the importance of connection and shared experiences
cause there's pieces of me that won't do a thing
Repeating a line from earlier in the song, perhaps to reiterate the struggle with personal limitations and obstacles
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERT RUSSELL, JERRY RAGOVOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind