His live performances saw him support the likes of American Music Club, John Prine, Turin Brakes and rising newcomers Joanna Newsom and Willy Mason. Turin Brakes' Olly Knights has said that Regan's "ability to paint weighty and sublime imagery with words is untouchable and very rare, yet it's combined with a sweet charm that renders all cynicism impotent."
Regan is known to have taken a DIY approach to recording sessions, using analogue equipment and recording in houses, a shed and a barn to try and capture a live sound. In February 2010, Regan released his sophomore effort, the more rock-influenced The Shadow Of An Empire.
Fionn's third studio album 100 Acres of Sycamore was released in August, 2011, to a generally positive response. A lot of reviewers point out a return in terms of themes and style to his debut, with many comparing the tone and use of strings to Nick Drake.
The title track of the album, can be downloaded for free at the website.
http://www.fionnregan.com
Catacombs
Fionn Regan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chase the dragon across the sand dunes
If I've been noticing bruises on your skin
Have you been walking into furniture again?
Let's take it outside, the kids are sleeping
I'll pay you to do me some damage
Let's take it outside, the kids are sleeping
Let's take it out
Is there a back way out of here you can tell me?
Down the fire escape, piggy-back, I hope my knees don't
Fail me
Son, be careful on that country bend
Someone hit a moving wall here last weekend
Let's take it outside, the kids are sleeping
I'll pay you to do me some damage
Let's take it outside, the kids are sleeping
I'll pay you to do me repairs
Let's take it out
There's a mansion on the hill
We can get into their pool
You have a lot to learn
And I have a lot to forget
When will you write this cheque book out?
Your autograph's a rainstorm in a drought
In "Catacombs," Fionn Regan sings about trying to escape the mundanity of everyday life by embarking on strange and exciting adventures. The first verse describes a journey from the depths of a catacomb to the heights of a hot air balloon, evoking a sense of freedom and possibility. However, the second verse introduces themes of domestic strife and escapism. The singer notices bruises on his partner's skin and asks if they have been walking into furniture. He then suggests they take their issues outside, away from the children who are sleeping. The line "I'll pay you to do me some damage" suggests a roughhousing or physical fight as a way of releasing pent-up emotions. However, the singer also offers to pay for repairs, suggesting that these conflicts are a regular part of their relationship.
The chorus then describes an attempted escape from a place or situation, using the fire escape as a metaphor for a way out. The line "Someone hit a moving wall here last weekend" suggests that this is not the first time someone has tried to escape from this location. The bridge of the song introduces the idea of luxury and excess, with a mansion on a hill and a pool that the couple can sneak into. The singer acknowledges that he has a lot to forget, and asks when his partner will write out the cheque book, suggesting that money is a way of escaping their problems. The final line of the song, "Your autograph's a rainstorm in a drought," is somewhat cryptic, but could be interpreted as suggesting that the singer's partner is a source of inspiration or creativity in their life, even though they are going through tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
From a catacomb to a hot air balloon
Moving from a dark, scary place to a place of freedom and joy
Chase the dragon across the sand dunes
Pursuing something that is elusive and dangerous
If I've been noticing bruises on your skin
Concerned about signs of violence or abuse
Have you been walking into furniture again?
Asking about the cause of the bruises
Let's take it outside, the kids are sleeping
Proposing to move a violent or loud argument outside to avoid waking the children
I'll pay you to do me some damage
Offering to pay someone to harm or hurt the singer
I'll pay you to do me repairs
Offering to pay someone to fix or repair something for the singer
Is there a back way out of here you can tell me?
Asking for a secret or discreet way to escape
Down the fire escape, piggy-back, I hope my knees don't
Fail me
Suggesting a risky way to escape, but hoping it works
Son, be careful on that country bend
Trying to warn someone about potential danger
Someone hit a moving wall here last weekend
Explaining why the country road might be dangerous
There's a mansion on the hill
We can get into their pool
Suggesting to trespass and use someone else's amenities
You have a lot to learn
And I have a lot to forget
Acknowledging that there are lessons to be learned and memories to let go of
When will you write this cheque book out?
Asking someone to pay their debts
Your autograph's a rainstorm in a drought
Comparing someone's signature to a rare and much-needed occurrence
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: FIONN REGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind