The band was formed in 2005 by Philippakis and Bevan, both former members of math rock band The Edmund Fitzgerald, and Andrew Mears of Youthmovies. Mears left the band after their first single to focus on Youthmovies. In January 2018, it was announced that Walter Gervers was also leaving the band.
In early 2007, the band released the limited edition 7" singles Hummer and Mathletics, both produced by Gareth Parton. In the summer of 2007 Foals began working on their debut album in New York. It was produced by Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio, however, the band decided to mix the album themselves, stating that Sitek made the first master copy of the album sound like "it was recorded in the Grand Canyon". Yannis has stated multiple times during various interviews that Foals and Dave Sitek are on good terms, even though the copy by Sitek was rejected by the band.
Foals released their debut album, entitled Antidotes, on 24 March 2008 in the UK and 8 April 2008 in the US. The album was a commercial success in the United Kingdom, debuting at No. 3 in the UK Albums Charts. The album was a minor success in other countries, charting in Japan, France and the Netherlands. Non-UK versions of the album include the early Parton produced singles.
In August 2009, Foals started recording their second album at Svenska Grammofon Studion in Gothenburg, Sweden. The album, Total Life Forever, has been described by the band members as sounding like "tropical prog" and "like the dream of an eagle dying". The band have described the album as being "a lot less funk" than they had originally planned. The album was produced by Luke Smith, formerly of Clor, and its title is named after an element of Ray Kurzweil's theory of singularity. The band's frontman Yannis Philippakis has professed a long time interest in futurology, with it informing numerous songs on Total Life Forever.
On 1 March 2010, the promotional single "Spanish Sahara" was first played on Zane Lowe's show Radio 1. Foals' new website was updated that night with the release of a video for the track directed by longtime collaborator Dave Ma. On 6 March, the Total Life Forever site was officially launched. Puzzles revealed images, lyrics and sound clips of songs from the album. The last clip appeared on 12 March, and resulted with a password entry for the Foals' new website. The site was opened on 13 March and presented the whole new art concept and media including samples of songs, photos and videos. Lead single "This Orient" was released on 3 May 2010. The album was finally released on 10 May 2010. "Spanish Sahara" was later released as a full physical single in September 2010, featuring an edited remix starring the strings of London Contemporary Orchestra. The album was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize.
http://foals.co.uk
2 Trees
Foals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give blood away, give blood today
Each drop away
Help yourself, help the rest
Inhale exhale
Lungs paper frail
Light up away, go
So hold on, it will pass
Don't give up, don't let go
Grey clouds, they'll, they'll break up
Rest yourself, rest your head
Be still, play dead.
Learn to acquiesce
Forget all the rest
Free yourself, free your head
Don't shy away, open your veins
In wet summer rain, go
Don't let go, just breathe slow
So hold on, it will pass
Don't give up, don't let go
Grey clouds, they'll, they'll break up
Just breathe slow.
Just breathe slow.
The lyrics of Foals song Two Trees are quite introspective and encouraging, urging listeners to help themselves and give blood as a way of helping others. The opening lyrics "help yourself, help the rest / give blood away, give blood today / each drop away" are a call to action, encouraging the listener to be generous and selfless.
The next set of lyrics "inhale exhale / lungs paper frail / light up away, go" brings a sense of fragility and vulnerability to the song. The image of "paper frail" lungs suggests a sense of weakness and fragility, while the line "light up away, go" could potentially be interpreted as a call to indulge in harmful behaviors.
The chorus offers a hopeful message of perseverance and resilience, with the lines "don't let go, just breathe slow / so hold on, it will pass / don't give up, don't let go / grey clouds, they'll, they'll break up." The grey clouds can be seen as a metaphor for difficult times, but the band offers reassurance that things will eventually improve.
The final verse encourages listeners to rest and let go of their worries, with the lines "rest yourself, rest your head / be still, play dead / learn to acquiesce / forget all the rest." The final lines offer a final message of hope and encouragement to "free yourself, free your head" and to not shy away from life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Help yourself, help the rest
Encouraging the listeners to help themselves and others
Give blood away, give blood today
Encouraging the listeners to donate blood
Each drop away
Keep donating until there's nothing left to give
Inhale exhale
Simple breathing exercise
Lungs paper frail
The lungs are delicate and susceptible to damage
Light up away, go
Smoke or light up and go on with life despite the frailty of the lungs
Don't let go, just breathe slow
Stay calm and keep breathing slowly
So hold on, it will pass
Keep holding on, things will get better
Don't give up, don't let go
Don't lose hope and don't quit
Grey clouds, they'll, they'll break up
Troubles will eventually disappear or be resolved
Rest yourself, rest your head
Take a break, relax and clear your mind
Be still, play dead.
Be motionless and act as if one is dead
Learn to acquiesce
Learn to comply or give in to something
Forget all the rest
Let go of everything else
Free yourself, free your head
Liberate oneself from personal constraints or doubts
Don't shy away, open your veins
Do not hesitate to put oneself out there and take risks
In wet summer rain, go
Metaphorically, go outside and embrace the challenges or obstacles that are present, even if it is uncomfortable
Just breathe slow.
Reminding the listener to continue breathing slowly and staying calm
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWIN THOMAS CONGREAVE, JACK WILLIAM BEVAN, JAMES SMITH, WALTER JAMES MORRISON GERVERS, YANNIS BARNABAS EMANUEL PHILIPPAKIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juliancastallo
Help yourself, help the rest
Give blood away, give blood today
Each drop away
Help yourself, help the rest
Inhale exhale
Lungs paper frail
Light up away, go
Don't let go, just breathe slow
So hold on, it will pass
Don't give up, don't let go
Grey clouds, they'll, they'll break up
Rest yourself, rest your head
Be still, play dead.
Learn to acquiesce
Forget all the rest
Free yourself, free your head
Don't shy away, open your veins
In wet summer rain, go
Don't let go, just breathe slow
So hold on, it will pass
Don't give up, don't let go
Grey clouds, they'll, they'll break up
Just breathe slow.
Just breathe slow.
@SirTingler
This song doesn't get enough recognition. Easily one of their best songs.
@Meditatedaily94
Still is !
@wams90
Black gold too
@ulisesismaelgomezperez6929
Cada vez que me siento nervioso escucho esta canción y me llena de un sentimiento de relajación y tranquilidad, escuchar a Foals es un a de las mejores cosas que me han pasado, Gracias Foals por tanto arte.
@shamiekmcmullen-slater7891
This song makes me cry and yet still feel an abundance of hope. “Just breathe” ❤
@iyan00598
This song should have been the last track of TLF it feels like an ending song...amazing this song is good to get high to or watching a beautiful landscape ...foals masterpiece
@iwinme4207
Funnily enough Yannis said it was the original ending for the album on an Instagram live for TLF
@Mentaclink
Just one of the best Foals song, clearly...
@Brsst.
Lucha por lo que tienes que luchar, sana por lo que tienes que sanar, salvate a ti mismo aunque ya no exista futuro, aunque ya no puedas volver el tiempo atrás, aunque cargues con el dolor durante todo tu camino, mantente de pie y en donde quiera que estemos rescata tu alma una y otra vez.
@aris2588
I just found them....I am so ashamed I did not know anything about them all these years...
What an amazing band....