It Bites released three studio albums, The Big Lad in the Windmill (1986), Once Around the World (1988) and Eat Me in St Louis (1989). Their swansong final live album Thank You and Goodnight was released in 1990. It Bites' biggest hit was "Calling All the Heroes" in 1986, which reached #6 in the United Kingdom's Top 40.
Since leaving It Bites, Dunnery has been a solo artist, recording six studio albums: Welcome to the Wild Country (1991), Fearless (1994), Tall Blonde Helicopter (1995), Let's Go Do What Happens (1998), Man (2001), The Gulley Flats Boys (2005). He has performed regularly in both the U.S. and the UK. His biggest solo hit was "American Life in the Summertime". Live, he often performs stripped down acoustic arrangements and is known for his intimate audience relationship, talking at length between songs about the songs and their often deep personal meaning, as exemplified in his 1995 live album, "One Night in Sauchiehall Street".
Dunnery is also the inventor of the guitar based instrument called the tapboard which used parts of a shower hose and an egg timer.
Francis Dunnery was approached to join Genesis, post-Phil Collins, but refused. He contributed backing vocals to Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe's eponymous album. He rehearsed with The Syn for an abortive tour in 2005.
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Jonah
Francis Dunnery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I haven't said a single word tonight
Like a bird that sails a thermal sky
Trusting the invisible
How can I fall?
How can I fail?
When I'm Jonah inside the whale.
So I cry out like a baby
And I can get tomorrow
If you hold on to this heart of mine
You can hear my cry for freedom
As I learn to trust the living that's inside
In a world that sells a pack of lies
And draws me to my ego
How can I fall
How can I fail
When I'm Jonah inside the whale
And I know you're always with me
Even though you can't be heard
A perfect understanding
As you breathe into this heart of mine
So the fox is in the hole again
The hounds are at the door
News paper stories
Lying more and more
There's a little girl starting school today
To learn the whole thing over
But how can she fall
How can she fail
When she's Jonah inside the whale.
In Francis Dunnery's song "Jonah", the singer's voice can be heard calling out a name, but they haven't actually spoken any words that night. The singer compares themselves to a bird soaring through the sky, trusting in the invisible elements that guide them. They then ask, "How can I fall? How can I fail? When I'm Jonah inside the whale." This refers to the biblical story of Jonah, who was swallowed by a whale and then released unharmed after he repented. The singer identifies with this story, suggesting that even though they are in a difficult situation, they will come out unscathed if they can maintain their faith.
The singer then cries out like a baby, expecting that their words will be heard and they will be saved. They express a desire to hold on to their heart, which suggests that they are going through a personal struggle. The singer then acknowledges the world around them, describing it as a place filled with lies that draw them towards their own ego. However, they find strength in the idea that they are Jonah inside the whale, and that they are protected by a perfect understanding. The singer knows that they cannot be heard, but they believe that their message will be received if they keep the faith.
The final verse shifts to a broader focus, with the singer mentioning a little girl who is starting school to learn "the whole thing over." The news is filled with lies, and the hounds of injustice are at the door. But again, the singer finds hope in the image of Jonah inside the whale. Despite the difficult circumstances, there is a sense that everything will be okay as long as the singer and others like them can maintain their faith and trust in the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
You can hear me call your name
I feel a connection to you and hope that you are listening to me.
But I haven't said a single word tonight
I'm communicating with you silently, hoping that my thoughts and feelings are being transmitted.
Like a bird that sails a thermal sky
I'm soaring on the feeling of being connected to something bigger than myself.
Trusting the invisible
I'm trusting in something that cannot be perceived through ordinary senses.
How can I fall?
I am confident that I won't fail or make mistakes.
How can I fail?
I believe in my own abilities to succeed and accomplish my goals.
When I'm Jonah inside the whale.
Just like Jonah survived inside a whale, I can survive any challenge or hardship that comes my way.
So I cry out like a baby
I am vulnerable and seek comfort from someone who cares.
Because I know you'll hear my words
I have faith that you are listening to me and will respond in some way.
And I can get tomorrow
I have hope for the future and believe that things will get better.
If you hold on to this heart of mine
I trust that you will take care of my emotions and keep my heart safe.
You can hear my cry for freedom
I am asking for help to break free from something that is holding me back.
As I learn to trust the living that's inside
I am discovering how to have faith in myself and my own abilities.
In a world that sells a pack of lies
I recognize that many people are dishonest and that it can be difficult to know who to trust.
And draws me to my ego
I am aware that my own sense of self can be a stumbling block to personal growth.
And I know you're always with me
I have faith that you are present in my life, even if you are not physically visible.
Even though you can't be heard
I understand that you may not always communicate with me in a way that I can understand.
A perfect understanding
Despite any miscommunications or challenges, I trust that you have a complete understanding of me and my situation.
As you breathe into this heart of mine
I believe that you are the source of my inner strength and resilience.
So the fox is in the hole again
Someone is in trouble or has made a mistake and is trying to hide from the consequences.
The hounds are at the door
There are people who are trying to hold me accountable or catch me in a lie.
News paper stories
There is a lot of misinformation and sensationalism in the media.
Lying more and more
People are becoming increasingly dishonest and manipulative.
There's a little girl starting school today
There are always new generations who are learning and growing.
To learn the whole thing over
Despite the fact that we are constantly learning new things, there are some lessons that we seem to keep re-learning.
But how can she fall
I have faith that this little girl will be able to navigate the challenges that come her way.
How can she fail
I believe in her ability to succeed and overcome any obstacle.
When she's Jonah inside the whale.
Just like Jonah, this little girl has a strength and resilience that will help her survive.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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