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
The French Open
Foals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
Wasted games
All these wasted games
Wasted games
All these wasted games
Racquet's
[Chorus: x4]
Waste away
All these wasted games
Racquet's gadgets
Wasted games
All these wasted games
Racquet's
Wasted games
Oh we waste away
Racquet's gadgets
Wasted games
All these wasted games
Racquet's
The French Open by Foals is a song that appears to be cryptic at first listen but upon deeper inspection, reveals itself to be a commentary on the futility of life's pursuits. The title "The French Open" refers to the French Open tennis tournament, but the lyrics go beyond just the sport. The chorus "Un peu d'air sur la terre / D'air sur la terre" translates to "A bit of air on the earth / Air on the earth" which seems to suggest the need for a break or release from the tensions or games of life.
The song continues with the repetitive phrase "Wasted games, all these wasted games" which can be interpreted as a critique of the time and energy we spend on fruitless pursuits that amount to nothing. The mention of "racquet's gadgets" suggests the frivolity of these pursuits or perhaps even the tools or instruments we use to engage in them. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea of the monotony or repetition of life's games and the need for change or release.
Overall, The French Open seems to be a reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning amidst the seemingly pointless games we play.
Line by Line Meaning
[Chorus: x4]
The repetition of the phrase 'D'air sur la terre' (Some air on the ground) signifying the need to change things, and the chorus acts as a refrain for the song.
Wasted games
The foolish things people do that results in an unproductive human race.
All these wasted games
The common occurrence of people indulging in activities that are unproductive or have wasted outcomes.
Racquet's gadgets
The image of playthings like tennis racquets, which serve no real purpose but to keep people distracted.
Wasted games
The recurring theme underscoring the need for change and progression, and the negative aspects of engaging in things that do not add value to life.
All these wasted games
The redundancy of engaging in activities that do not serve a good purpose in life.
Racquet's
A slang way of referring to the tennis game, which further emphasizes the theme of distraction and unproductive activities.
[Chorus: x4]
The repetition of the phrase 'D'air sur la terre' (Some air on the ground), signifying the need for change and progression and the current state of the human race.
Waste away
The decline of society due to people engaging in activities that cause no development or innovation.
All these wasted games
The fact that people waste too much time in activities that have little impact on society.
Racquet's gadgets
The frivolous things people do with their time that are ultimately unproductive.
Wasted games
The negative effects and waste that results from people indulging in futile activities to pass time.
All these wasted games
The repetition of the central theme of the song focusing on the negative effects of unproductive activities and lack of progress in society.
Racquet's
A nod to tennis and the notion of indulging in unproductive activities that lead nowhere.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Yannis Barnabas Emanuel Philippakis, Jack William Bevan, James Smith, Edwin Thomas Congreave, Walter James Morrison Gervers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hhoopplaa
(For those who don't speak French:
un peu d'air sur la terre=a little air on earth)
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets gadgets
wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre
waste away
all these wasted games
racquets gadgets
wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets
wasted games
oh we waste away
racquets gadgets
wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets
@leonardyoung1119
this album is a treasure.
@numb7016
mathletics was in midnight club: los angeles. if not for that i wouldnt know about this shit.
@lewiskates6667
This track was the first thing i heard i instantly stsrted to learn on the drums and even now after so many years i know every beat ✌ this band still make insane music
@jasonbates4885
Damn this has got to be one of if not the best drumming Jack's done for a song, it's definitely up there imo
@tennisiswonderful
Go check out Darren, the drummer from Mutemath. If you like Foals, you will like Mutemath.
@MATTnCHEESES
I think two steps, twice is harder
@vitoscaletta4862
un exquisito comienzo de álbum
@Neaksy
Just discovered this band a few days ago, huge fan of their music.
And also; I'm French.
@abhishekkhardenavis7558
And your profile picture has the French guy from one of the Vice City missions. Damn!
@flyingrobotpig
Hi French, nice to meet you