Other important members included Valerie Etienne, who participated in the recording of all their albums, along with other musicians such as Mick Talbot on keyboards, Crispin Taylor on drums, Ernie McKone on bass guitar, Mark Vandergucht on guitar, and Steve Ameedee, otherwise known as Uncle Big Man (dancer). Ski Oakenfull replaced Mick Talbot on keyboards in 1994. The band split in November 1997 after musical differences over the direction of travel, with Crispin Taylor starting a Cliff Richard cover band. The band announced a return in 2023, including a new album and several live gigs.
Career
The group's first single, a reworking of Curtis Mayfield's Freddie's Dead called Frederick Lies Still, was released in June 1988. It was also the first release on the Acid Jazz label. Their second release was on Let the Good Times Roll by The Quiet Boys in 1989. The Quiet Boys was an alias used by acid jazz pioneer Chris Bangs who then went on to produce Galliano.
Galliano's first album release was In Pursuit of the 13th Note in 1991, which was produced by Bangs. Their second album A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator was released in 1992. Galliano achieved the peak of its success in 1994 with The Plot Thickens, which peaked at number eight in the UK Albums Chart. Two UK top 40 singles were released from the album: Long Time Gone (a cover of a David Crosby song from the self-titled first album by Crosby, Stills & Nash) and Twyford Down. The latter was a comment on the road building protests taking place at the time and the protest at Twyford Down in particular, and they were joined onstage by anti-roads protestors to make appeals to the audience. The album was well-received, making the NME's list of top 50 albums of the year. Following its release, Galliano performed on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1994 and returned to play the NME Stage in 1995. Galliano's fourth and final studio album :4 was released in 1996. This included the track, Slack Hands, which was used in the title sequence of Kevin Reynolds' 1997 film, One Eight Seven, starring Samuel L. Jackson. Galliano broke up in 1997. Gallagher together with Etienne formed Two Banks of Four. Gallagher also performs solo using the names Earl Zinger, William Anderson and together with Alex Patchwork as The Diabolical Liberties.
In the spring of 2023, Galliano announced a return, including a new album and a few live gigs in the summer that year. The band played twice at Gilles Peterson's "We Out Here" festival in August 2023, playing covers of Harvest for the World and Uptown Top Ranking alongside their original material.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galliano_(band)
Discography
In Pursuit of the 13th Note (1991)
A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator (1992)
The Plot Thickens (1994)
:4 (1996)
Slack Hands
Galliano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Marks where the big boys have taken their falls
One crazy caper get your names in the papers
If you're stumped either way then the world will be sweating
Friendly fire is down by the? two miles from hell, the squeeze must be over
He yells in the cells
Scanners in the alleys
Late night reprisals, buy the new sinner
And you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't
Oh Lord, oh Lord look at that
Knees out in the open, he's swingin about he's gonna
Swing swing swing like you do
You're gonna
Swing swing swing to follow through
Connection made
You're gonna get had but he's having the best time he ever had
City lost in midnight, you have been warned
She will keep your secrets you have been warned
He said there ain't no new way and you got you way
And I'm with my way and my way is out about
A river's been flowing, so flowing river's free
The boys from the Musi and the Thames in the time
So put on the lime shirt keep your shirt on your back
Slack hands are picking, picking at your bag
Taste on the breeze,? wish I'm thinking
that if voices were horses and beggars could ride
City lost in midnight, you have been warned
She will keep your secrets you have been warned
Run run run, run real hard x3
Shut down the night, shut down the night
Run run run, run real hard x3
Shut down the night, I gotta shut down the night
Run run run, run real hard x7
Shut down the night, shut down the night
Galliano’s 1992 song Slack Hands is a rhythmic and enigmatic tune that could be interpreted as a sociocultural commentary on issues such as fame, competition, violence, and the chaotic nature of modern life. The opening lines “The cuckoos from the crockery walls / Marks where the big boys have taken their falls” creates a sense of an eerie and avant-garde atmosphere that prepares the listener for a surreal journey through Galliano’s lyrical imagination. The repetition of the phrase “slack hands be picking” and the image of “Late night reprisals,” suggest a sense of hidden hands or dark forces that manipulate the vulnerable parts of society. The lyrics also describe violence as a form of entertainment and a way to gain attention: “One crazy caper get your names in the papers.”
The song’s chorus, “City lost in midnight, you have been warned / She will keep your secrets you have been warned,” is cryptic and evocative. It creates a sense of unease and suggests that the city is a dark and dangerous place, full of secrets and hidden agendas. The lines “He said there ain't no new way and you got your way / And I'm with my way and my way is out about” could be seen as a reference to the human tendency to stick to what is familiar, even if it’s limiting and harmful. Overall, the song Slack Hands has a surreal and poetic quality that allows for multiple interpretations and encourages the listener to engage with the lyrics and create their own meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
The cuckoos from the crockery walls
The sound of the cuckoo clocks on the walls indicates the moments when the boys who take risks and fail, fall down.
Marks where the big boys have taken their falls
The marks on the floor show the spots where boys have fallen after taking big, daring risks.
One crazy caper get your names in the papers
One wild and exciting action can make you famous and get your name published in the newspapers.
If you're stumped either way then the world will be sweating
If you're indecisive and unsure about how to proceed, the world will be anxious and concerned about the outcome.
Friendly fire is down by the? two miles from hell, the squeeze must be over
Friendly fire is prevalent and dangerous, causing harm even two miles away from the source. The struggle or pressure must be over.
He yells in the cells
He screams from within the confinement of a cell, possibly in prison or police custody.
Scanners in the alleys
There are electronic devices strategically placed in the alleys to scan and detect any potential threats or dangers.
Keep your shirt on your back, slack hands be picking
Beware of thieves with idle hands who may steal your possessions, so keep your shirt on and be alert.
Late night reprisals, buy the new sinner
Retaliations or revenge taken at night can lead one to be regarded as a new sinner.
And you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't
No matter what you do or don't do, there will always be negative consequences or judgments.
Oh Lord, oh Lord look at that
An expression of shock or surprise at something happening or being witnessed.
Knees out in the open, he's swingin about he's gonna
Someone's knees are exposed and vulnerable, and they are moving about in an unpredictable manner.
Swing swing swing like you do
The unpredictable movements are akin to swinging in different directions.
You're gonna
Implying that someone else will also swing about in a similar manner.
Swing swing swing to follow through
Continuing the idea of swinging in various directions to follow through with something.
Connection made
A successful and meaningful connection has been established.
You're gonna get had but he's having the best time he ever had
You may be taken advantage of, but the person exploiting you is having a great time and enjoying themselves.
City lost in midnight, you have been warned
There is a sense of danger and risk in the city at night, and someone is warning you of the potential consequences.
She will keep your secrets you have been warned
Someone, possibly a woman, will keep your secrets, but you have been warned that there may be risks involved in trusting them.
He said there ain't no new way and you got you way
He argues that there are no new ways to approach or solve a problem, and suggests that you should do things your way instead.
And I'm with my way and my way is out about
The artist is determined to follow their own path and take risks and explore new possibilities.
A river's been flowing, so flowing river's free
The flow of a river represents freedom and a symbol of progression without constraints.
The boys from the Musi and the Thames in the time
Referencing the boys from the Musi and Thames rivers in the past.
So put on the lime shirt keep your shirt on your back
Advice to wear a lime shirt, to stand out from others, but still keep your guard up.
Slack hands are picking, picking at your bag
Idlers with nothing to do may be tempted to steal or rummage through your bag.
Taste on the breeze,? wish I'm thinking that if voices were horses and beggars could ride
There is a pleasant scent on the wind, and the singer ponders that if wishes could come true or be as tangible as the scent, then beggars could ride horses.
Run run run, run real hard x3
Urging someone to run with all their might and speed.
Shut down the night, shut down the night
A repeated plea to bring an end to the night and turn everything off.
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@martinmilligan2205
The cuckoos from the crockery walls
Marks where the big boys have taken their falls
One crazy caper get your names in the papers
If you're stumped either way then the world will be sweating
Friendly fire is down by the? two miles from hell, the squeeze must be over
He yells in the cells
Scanners in the alleys
City lost in midnight, you have been warned
Keep your shirt on your back, slack hands be picking
Late night reprisals, buy the new sinner
And you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't
Oh Lord, oh Lord look at that
Knees out in the open, he's swingin about he's gonna
Swing swing swing like you do
You're gonna
Swing swing swing to follow through
Connection made
You're gonna get had but he's having the best time he ever had
City lost in midnight, you have been warned
She will keep your secrets you have been warned
He said there ain't no new way and you got you way
And I'm with my way and my way is out about
A river's been flowing, so flowing river's free
The boys from the Musi and the Thames in the time
So put on the lime shirt keep your shirt on your back
Slack hands are picking, picking at your bag
Taste on the breeze,? wish I'm thinking
that if voices were horses and beggars could ride
City lost in midnight, you have been warned
She will keep your secrets you have been warned
Run run run, run real hard x3
Shut down the night, shut down the night
Run run run, run real hard x3
Shut down the night, I gotta shut down the night
Run run run, run real hard x7
Shut down the night, shut down the night
Written by: Robert Bernard Gallagher Dominic.
©
@nazcasteve
I loved this song from the opening to 187. Still gives me chills listening to it.
@johnglenn2539
Galliano are the most underappreciated band I know. The plot thickens was an amazing album. A joyful note & 4 also great albums. Rob Gallagher & Valerie Etienne's next group, 2 banks of 4, were brilliant.
@MoneyOverFame
This song really set the tone for the whole movie.
@gilbertosantana1805
Heck yeah!!! The intro to the movie as Mr Garfield scrolls on his way to work.. Freaking awesome!!!
@nazcasteve
This song made such a good opening for 187. Took me years to track it down.
@EVILxT3DDYB3ARx
For future reference, you should read the credits
@robertchristensen7669
I love this song so freaking much. I keep coming back to it ever since I saw 187 back in the 90's. Amazing and PAINFULLY underrated soundtrack.
@grinja73
sadly Galliano seems to have scrubbed this track and the entire album 4 from their Spotify catalogue.
@bubba_scrubba
Agree; I'm not sure the album has one bad track, and all fit the movie like a glove.
@jtaray
This was an awesome movie. If you have ever seen it then you know what I am talking about. This track was the perfect lead in...you have been warned.