GoodBooks' evolution began when Max and Leo started doing Beatles covers in their attic when they were 8 and Max’s mum used to teach Chris at primary school. It took till 2001 for the band to take shape when at Sevenoaks School in Kent, Max and Leo came together with Chris and JP to form The Fingerprints. The Fingerprints set about their musical career by self-recording two albums; Cards on the Table, Clothes on the Floor and Miranda. Tracks such as "Tangerine" appeared on local radio stations such as BBC Radio Kent and KMFM. The band also started gigging locally in the South-East during this time, with regular gigs at the Tunbridge Wells Forum helping them to develop a modest regional fanbase, even performing in front of 8,000 people on one eventful Christmas.
The Fingerprints disbanded in late 2004 when their then-bassist left. The band decided to continue as a four piece and on the day of their first rehearsal "Walk With Me" was created. The band continued to write more songs but this time they had a maturer more electronic-influenced sounds. The sessions created tracks from the Valves and Robots EP such as "Passchendaele" and "Isabella" which not only became fan favourites but impressed influential members of the industry and in late 2005 the band signed a deal for a one-off single with indie label Transgressive Records.
The following months saw GoodBooks establishing their place within the UK alternative scene on a wider scale with gigs all over the country, notably supporting Art Brut and a gig with The Magic Numbers in Sweden. "Walk With Me" was rerecorded and was released as the band's debut single on Transgressive on 3 April 2006 on 7" vinyl and cassette only (one of only a very small number of cassette singles released that year). The video was shown on MTV2 and NME awarded it Runner-Up in its track of the week section, proclaiming GoodBooks "the best new band in Britain".
The band were approached by Columbia Records at the start of 2006 and signed a deal in May, releasing the singles "Turn it Back" and "Leni" in the second half of 2006 as well as making important and well-received performances at the Carling Reading and Leeds Festivals and the Truck Festival and their debut album, Control, was released on 30 July 2007 in the UK. The band maintained a Myspace page with updates on their progress. This page reported that their second album, working title "Cry Of The Hunters" was completed and would be released in Summer 2009. NME claimed that this would occur on the 4th of May, although the album has yet to be released.
GoodBooks disbanded after Glastonbury 2009, where they played their last set on the John Peel Stage on 28 June 2009.
Band Members:
Max Cooke - vocals, guitar
Chris Porter - vocals, bass
JP Duncan - keys
Leo von Bülow-Quirk - drums
The Last Day
GoodBooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's my favorite day of the year
And all the crazy kids are in town
And it's all, by the way, off the record for today
No consequences
You may indulge every urge
The wrong, the twisted, the absurd
Today
This is the last day
Come listen here, you're taking a liberty
Would you tell me, tell me please - who are we?
And it's all, by the way, off the record for today
No consequences
You may indulge every urge
The wrong, the twisted, the absurd
No second chances, final dances
The song "The Last Day" by GoodBooks is a playful and rebellious anthem that encourages listeners to let loose and indulge in their desires with no consequences. The opening lines of the song invite us to listen closely as the singer describes their favorite day of the year, on which they are surrounded by "crazy kids." With this setup, the song sets the scene for a wild and chaotic time.
The chorus of the song reinforces the idea of living with abandon, emphasizing that there are no consequences and no second chances on this "last day." The lyrics urge listeners to give in to their urges, no matter how "wrong," "twisted," or "absurd" they may seem. This message of freedom and spontaneity is delivered in a fast-paced, upbeat melody that is sure to get listeners dancing along.
Later in the song, the singer takes a more introspective tone as they ask a companion to explain their identity. This shift in focus suggests that the singer is seeking to connect with someone on a deeper level, rather than just reveling in the chaos of the day. Ultimately, though, the song closes by returning to its celebration of the present moment, with the repeated phrase "this is the last day" reinforcing the idea that we should make the most of every fleeting opportunity.
Overall, "The Last Day" is a catchy and energetic song that encourages listeners to embrace their desires and live in the moment. With its playful lyrics and upbeat melody, it captures the feeling of youthful rebellion and the joy of letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
Come listen here, I'll tell you what's going down
I have some information to share with you
It's my favorite day of the year
Today is a special day to me
And all the crazy kids are in town
There are a lot of fun and unconventional people here
And it's all, by the way, off the record for today
Anything that happens today is not to be spoken of in the future
No consequences
You won't be punished for your actions today
You may indulge every urge
Feel free to give in to your desires
The wrong, the twisted, the absurd
Even the most bizarre or immoral things are acceptable today
No second chances, final dances
This is the only opportunity to do these things, make the most of it
Come listen here, you're taking a liberty
You are being bold or forward by asking this
Would you tell me, tell me please - who are we?
What type of people are we to do such things?
This is the last day
This is the final chance to do anything without consequence
Contributed by Kaelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.