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
MILK
Foals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You my compass and my sea.
And I know you're still with me.
You my compass and my sea.
Oh, I hope you can hear me.
Follows billion miles away!
'Cause I love you dearly.
Follows billion miles away!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
Green, broken glass ocean.
You break me, slow motion.
No map, no message.
It's the deep, blue screen I know.
'Cause I know you're still with me,
You my compass and my sea.
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
The song "Milk & Black Spiders" by Foals is a melancholy ballad about a love that transcends time and distance. The singer addresses their beloved, acknowledging that they may be physically apart but their presence remains a guiding force in their life. The image of a compass and the sea evoke the idea of being lost without direction if not for the constant presence of love. The repetition of the line "Follows billion miles away" emphasizes the distance between them, but also the unwavering nature of the love they share.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need" four times, emphasizing the importance of this love in the singer's life. They have gone through life experiences, but ultimately come to the realization that this love is the only thing that truly matters. The line "you're no friend in need" suggests that the love is not just a surface level supply of comfort, but a deeper connection that goes beyond just being there during good times.
The imagery in the verse "Green, broken glass ocean / You break me, slow motion / No map, no message / It's the deep, blue screen I know" suggests a turbulent, difficult time for the singer, but the love of their partner is still present and guiding them through the tumultuous waters. Overall, "Milk & Black Spiders" is a beautiful, introspective song about the power of true love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I know you're still with me.
I am certain that you are still with me.
You my compass and my sea.
You guide me like a compass and calm me like the sea.
Oh, I hope you can hear me.
I wish that you can hear me.
Follows billion miles away!
You are far away, but I still feel your presence.
You stay.
You remain in my thoughts and memories.
'Cause I love you dearly.
Because I love you deeply and truly.
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
Because I have had enough experiences to realize that you are the only thing that truly matters to me.
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
Because I have learned that you are not someone who only needs me when you are in trouble.
Green, broken glass ocean.
The world is like a chaotic and dangerous ocean, filled with sharp and broken pieces of glass.
You break me, slow motion.
You hurt me in a slow and painful way.
No map, no message.
I have no plan or direction, and no one to guide me.
It's the deep, blue screen I know.
I am familiar with the emptiness and loneliness of a blank blue screen.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES SMITH, EDWIN CONGREAVE, JACK BEVAN, WALTER GERVERS, YANNIS PHILIPPAKIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dianasuescun7266
Oh, I know you're still with me.
You my compass and my sea.
And I know you're still with me.
You my compass and my sea.
Oh, I hope you can hear me.
Follows billion miles away!
You stay.
'Cause I love you dearly.
Follows billion miles away!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
Green, broken glass ocean.
You break me, slow motion.
No map, no message.
It's the deep, blue screen I know.
'Cause I know you're still with me,
You my compass and my sea.
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're the only thing I need!
'Cause I've been around two times and found that you're no friend in need!
@user-kt4yr7mm6t
One of those unique situation when live performance sounds better than studio version.
@orbitalsummer
disagree. studio version is better than this.
@cloclomious
i love how their songs always take their time and that is what makes Foals legendary to me
@caradocg1234
KEXP's sound engineers really know their stuff. Every time I watch this video I get goosebumps at the end from Jimmy's distorted chords combine with the muted, sparkly effect on Yannis' guitar.
@johnb9689
2023 and still rocking with this version. They absolutely murdered this!
@jasonsedakis4503
his voice is so spot on. every time i watch this video i'm blown away
@conalcassidy5026
he had the flu when he did this set live ahah makes his voice better
@justinhenegar688
"You're my compass and my sea." Just such a beautiful line..
@Matt-ik7dh
Man they absolutely killed this live! Love foals so much.
@phillafresh5287
Goosebumps! such an amazing song! Almost a completely different feel than the original!