Gareth "Gaz" Coombes (b. 8 March 1976 in Oxford, England) is a singer/songw… Read Full Bio ↴Gareth "Gaz" Coombes (b. 8 March 1976 in Oxford, England) is a singer/songwriter and the former lead singer and guitarist for the alternative rock band Supergrass. His debut solo album, "Here Come The Bombs", was issued on 21 May 2012. He is also currently a member of the band The Hotrats.

"Here Comes the Bombs" was produced by Sam Williams, who previously produced Supergrass' debut album "I Should Coco" in 1995. The first single, "Sub Divider" was issued as a free download from Coombes' website and the second, "Hot Fruit" was released as the iTunes Free Download of the Week on May 29, 2012.

The English Ruse
Gaz Coombes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

is sitting around in the sand
the water's high and the time hides you there
It all leads to the prize and to the girl in mind
The endless race to the end of the line

Ooh. Aah. Ooh. Aah. Aah.

It's alright, the end's in sight. Worry fades the soul away.

I'd take the hurricane for you.
Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't operate
God knows I want it too.

It's alright, the end's in sight. Worry fades the soul away.
I'd take the hurricane for you.
Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't operate
God knows I want it too.

It's alright, the end's in sight. Worry fades the soul away.
I'd take the hurricane for you.
Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't operate
God knows I want it too.

It's alright, the end's in sight. Worry fades the soul away.
I'd take the hurricane for you.
Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't operate
God knows I want it too

I'm looking out I feel the lights of the cars
Innocence, falling pain. If I make the night, I'm home and dry.

You love, in the morning, hearing the city's song
Lay your heart down on mine
No need to cry, we're home and dry

Ooh, ooh, aah. Ooh, ooh, aah.
Ooh, ooh, aah. Ooh, ooh, aah.

It's alright, the end's in sight. Worry fades the soul away.
I'd take the hurricane for you.
Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't operate
God knows I want it too.

It's alright, the end's in sight. Worry fades the soul away.
I'd take the hurricane for you.
Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't save that soul

God knows I want it, want it, want it, want it all
God knows I want it, want it, want it, want it too

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gaz Coombes’s song The English Ruse depict a story of a person who is quietly sitting in the sand by the water, reflecting on life and love. The song appears to speak to the endless pursuit of happiness and the sacrifices one might make to attain it. The first few lines of the song describe a sense of seclusion or isolation that’s easily achieved when one is alone by the water. The sense of peacefulness that accompanies this isolation, however, fades away once the idea of the “prize” (happiness) is introduced, which starts the race towards the end of the line. The next lines (ooh, aah) seem to evoke feelings of lamentation or mourning.

The second verse of the song reiterates the idea of the pursuit of happiness by explaining that worry fades the soul away, and the singer would do anything to attain happiness, even if it means facing a hurricane. The lines "Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't operate" suggest a feeling of inadequacy or a lack of power over their own life. These feelings intensify in the last lines of the song, culminating in the realization that the singer wants everything, but is unsure if they are capable of achieving it.

Line by Line Meaning

is sitting around in the sand
Relaxing by the beach

the water's high and the time hides you there
Being completely immersed in the moment and feeling hidden from time

It all leads to the prize and to the girl in mind
All actions lead to the ultimate goal and to the person you desire

The endless race to the end of the line
The constant pursuit of a never-ending goal

It's alright, the end's in sight. Worry fades the soul away.
Everything will be fine, as the end is approaching and anxiety will eventually dissipate

I'd take the hurricane for you.
I would go through any pain or chaos for you

Who am I? Who am I? I couldn't operate
Questioning his own identity and capability

God knows I want it too.
Expressing strong desire for something

I'm looking out I feel the lights of the cars
Observing the city scene from a distance

Innocence, falling pain. If I make the night, I'm home and dry.
The contrast between naivety and suffering. Feelings of being safe and accomplished if he succeeds

You love, in the morning, hearing the city's song
Appreciating the sounds of the cityscape

Lay your heart down on mine
Letting someone open up to you emotionally

No need to cry, we're home and dry
Reassuring someone that everything is okay and there's no need to worry

God knows I want it, want it, want it, want it all
Expressing extreme desire for something, wanting everything or nothing at all

God knows I want it, want it, want it, want it too
Repeating the strong desire for something

Contributed by Jasmine T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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