The roots of Gorillaz can be traced back to 1990, when guitarist Graham Coxon asked cartoonist Jamie Hewlett to interview his newly formed band, Blur. Coxon knew of Hewlett's work drawing the Tank Girl comic strip in Deadline magazine. When Jamie first met the band's lead singer Damon Albarn, the two did not hit it off well. Hewlett initially thought Albarn was "arsey" and "a wanker," but the two remained acquainted and would eventually become roommates in 1997, living in London.
Both Jamie and Damon tell the story of Gorillaz came to be about the same way. They were in their flat watching TV, specifically MTV, and came up with the idea of a "virtual band" as commentary on the vapidity of popular music at the turn of the millennium. Previously the best-known '"cartoon bands" were animated versions of The Monkees and The Beatles that kids could watch on Saturday mornings. But Gorillaz (initially called just "Gorilla") was to be an ambitious musical project with eclectic, genre-bending tunes, unique visuals, and a detailed backstory for how the virtual band came to be.
With Gorillaz, Albarn departed from the distinct Britpop of Blur and explored influences including hip hop, electronic music, and world music through an "eccentrically postmodern" approach. The band's 2001 debut album Gorillaz sold over seven million copies worldwide. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was withdrawn at the band's request. Their second studio album, Demon Days (2005), went six times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the US, and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. The band has won other awards, including one Grammy Award, two MTV Video Music Awards, an NME Award and three MTV Europe Music Awards.
The third Gorillaz studio album, Plastic Beach, was released in March 2010. The fourth, The Fall, was released in December 2010 as a free download for fan club members, then in April 2011 as a physical release. In 2017, after a five-year hiatus, Gorillaz announced their fifth studio album Humanz. Their sixth studio album, The Now Now, was released on 29 June 2018. Their seventh album, Song Machine, Season 1: Strange Timez, was released in 2020 through a series of episodical music videos. Cracker Island, the band's eighth album, was released on February 24, 2023. Gorillaz have been nominated for ten Brit Awards and won Best British Group at the 2018 Brit Awards.
The Gorillaz characters only appear in animated form and are not alter-egos of real people, as is often mistakenly assumed. There is an extensive fictional back-story behind these band members, written by Albarn and Hewlett. Their albums, several of their music videos, and their autobiographical book Rise Of The Ogre all tell the saga. Damon Albarn is the only permanent musical contributor to the band, which is also a collaboration between various musicians. Their style is broad with a large number of alternative influences including rock, hip-hop, and electronica.
They have released eight studio albums: Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (Also in 2010), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018), Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez (2020), and Cracker Island (2023). Additionally, they have put out two B-side collections, G-Sides (2001) and D-Sides (2007), and a reggae remix of the Gorillaz album entitled Laika Come Home (2002). The band has also released three DVDs: Phase One: Celebrity Takedown, Demon Days: Live at Manchester Opera House, and Phase Two: Slow Boat To Hades. At the end of 2010, Gorillaz released their next album, The Fall, which was recorded during their US 'Escape to Plastic Beach' tour. It is promoted as being the first album made entirely on iPad. The album is streamed on the Gorillaz website.
The band's first single, Clint Eastwood, was released on 5 March 2001. This single was the first of four from Gorillaz, which was released on 26 March 2001. The other three singles were released over the next year. These were: 19-2000, Rock the House, and Tomorrow Comes Today. The album sold over 7 million copies worldwide and has gone platinum twice in the United Kingdom earning them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band's request. Collaborators on the first album included Del tha Funkee Homosapien (often mistaken for a full-time band member), Miho Hatori (formerly of Cibo Matto), Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads.and Ibrahim Ferrer. The album was produced by Dan the Automator of Deltron 3030.
At the end of 2001 the band released another single, 911, which was a collaboration between Gorillaz and rap artists D12, Eminem and Terry Hall. The single would find its way onto the soundtrack to the 2002 action comedy Bad Company.
Their second studio album, Demon Days, was released on 11 May 2005 and included the hit singles Feel Good Inc., DARE, Dirty Harry and Kids With Guns / El Mañana. Demon Days went five times platinum in the UK, double platinum in the United States, and earned five Grammy award nominations for 2006 and won one of them (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals). Collaborators on this album – produced by Dj Danger Mouse – include De La Soul, Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays, Neneh Cherry, Ike Turner, MF Doom, Roots Manuva, and Martina Topley-Bird, among others. DARE – the first Gorillaz track featuring lead vocals by Noodle – reached #1 in the UK charts.
In late 2007, Albarn and Hewlett began working on Carousel, a new Gorillaz project which eventually evolved into the band's third studio album, Plastic Beach, which was released 9 March 2010. Albarn said, "I'm making this one the most pop record I've ever made in many ways, but with all my experience to try and at least present something that has got depth.” The album features guest performances by Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Gruff Rhys, Mark E. Smith, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Bashy, Kano, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, sinfonia ViVA, and The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music.
A 3D projection of the group was shown at the 2005 MTV Music Awards and the 2006 Grammys. They also performed at the Brits, in a different format, using screens rather than projections. Gorillaz have performed live in other occasions as well: in 2001 & 2002 they did tours where the musicians played behind screens, and in 2005 & 2006, Gorillaz had five nights in Manchester and New York respectively. This time the screens were behind the musicians, who were visible to the audience only as silhouettes (except for the guest-stars).
Since the band began to achieve mainstream success, there have been rumours of them working on a full-length movie. Some of these have been confirmed, but nothing has gotten beyond planning stages, mainly due to conflicts between the band and studios involved. In 2008, Hewlett said "Ultimately we didn't think that feel we're in a position to make the kind of movie we want to make with Gorillaz at the moment. [...] But I'd still like to make a full, lavishly-animated Gorillaz movie someday."
Albarn and Hewlett created a Pop Opera called Monkey: Journey to the West, which premiered in the summer of 2007 at the Manchester International Festival. A soundtrack album was recorded in the summer as well (initially only digitally available though a CD version was released in 2008). The production went on to show at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in September-October 2007, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, USA in May 2008, and the Royal Opera House in London in July 2008.
The duo behind the Pop Opera built on ideas from Monkey: Journey to the West to release a short film in the Summer of 2008 which accompanied the United Kingdom's coverage of the BBC Olympic Coverage in Beijing. It featured a basic outline of the main plot elements of the Opera, reworked into a "Journey to the East", with the characters finishing in the Beijing Olympic Stadium.
Gorillaz headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2010, as an immediate replacement for U2, who dropped out of performing at the festival.
At the end of 2010 Gorillaz released their next album The Fall made in the hotel rooms during their US tour. It was, when released, the first album to be recorded entirely on an iPad. The album was made available for free to Gorillaz fan club members for a limited time as a digital download – and hard copies were released to worldwide markets in the following year.
In April 2012, Albarn told The Guardian that he and Hewlett had fallen out and that future Gorillaz projects were "unlikely". However, it was later announced by the duo that they had reconciled their difference – and that Noodle, Russel, Murdoc and 2-D would return with a new album in 2017. Featuring collaborations by artists such as album Grace Jones, Kali Uchis, Popcaan, Vince Staples, Mavis Staples, Peven Everett, Pusha T, Kelela, Jamie Principle, D.R.A.M. and Graham Coxon, Humanz was released to critical acclaim; the album would go on to win Gorillaz the 2018 Brit Award for Best British Group. Gorillaz would also collaborate with Carly Simon, Kilo Kish and Rag'n'Bone Man on the Deluxe edition of Humanz, while Little Simz would feature on the single Garage Palace. Another 2017 release was the single Sleeping Powder – supposedly written and recorded in a day. Meanwhile, a solar energy-themed collaboration with E.ON, released in 2017, would later win Gorillaz a Webby Award.
A new album, The Now Now, would follow in 2018. Written by Albarn whilst touring Humanz – and featuring two collaborations, including the return of Snoop Dogg and Jamie Principle as well as George Benson and Graham Coxon – The Now Now spawned six singles, including Humility, Tranz, and Lake Zürich. Murdoc was unable to enjoy the band's success for the time being as he was undergoing a stint in jail for an undisclosed malefaction; he was replaced on bass for Ace Copular – who most famously played Ace of the Gangreen Gang in the Powerpuff Girls TV series – for the recording of The Now Now; however, Murdoc would later break his way out of prison. Gorillaz saw the year out by securing another Brits nomination for Best British Group as well as winning a second consecutive Webby Award; this time, for the FreeMurdoc chatbot, which provided a way for Gorillaz fans to interact with Murdoc Niccals during his incarceration.
California & the slipping of the Sun
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They will be brought to the front of the station
To get to the front,
Walk down to the south end of the platform
And cross at the crosswalk.
That'll put you right in front of the depot.
Look for a sign that says 'Baggage Claim.'
You should have your bag check handy to show the clerk.
If anyone is in need of a ride to the front of the station
Red Cap service will be provided on the platform.
We do have one group that is going to go first.
If you do need Red Cap service to arrive at the front
They will come back and pick you up on the platform
And take you to the front of the station.
Taxi cabs are located on the center boulevard in front of the depot
California
Oh, ocean, now I come again before you
Rode along with you
In the slipping of the sun
Sun on dreamers
Repeat the faithful once again
Like water off the mountains, and
It's the slipping of the sun
Money is blank
Three days to go
This autumn begins to focus
North claims the imperial throne totem
Fantastic
Trees, lakes
Mountains
Fantastic
The above lyrics to Gorillaz's song "California & the slipping of the Sun" seems to be a part of a series of announcements made on a train. The lyrics describe the process of getting off the train at the station and finding one's way to the front of the station to collect checked bags. The lyrics are a bit disjointed and do not seem to have any connection to the rest of the song. It seems like the band is trying to create a soundscape with the lyrics, adding various spoken phrases to create an atmosphere rather than convey a particular message.
The first verse of the song, "California, Oh, ocean, now I come again before you, Rode along with you, In the slipping of the sun," seems to be a homage to California's natural beauty. The words suggest a sense of familiarity and fondness towards the ocean, which the singer has ridden alongside. The phrase "slipping of the sun" seems to refer to the sunset - a time of day when the light changes and the world starts to take on a different hue.
The second verse of the song, "Sun on dreamers, Repeat the faithful once again, Like water off the mountains, and, It's the slipping of the sun," seems to describe the cyclical nature of life. The phrase "sun on dreamers" suggests that the singer is talking about people with aspirations, people who are working towards their goals. The phrase "repeat the faithful once again" seems to refer to the way people keep doing things over and over, trying to perfect them. The line "like water off the mountains and, It's the slipping of the sun" seems to describe the way time moves on, relentlessly, just as water runs off mountains and the sun sets each day.
Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the beauty of California's natural environment, human emotions and struggles, and the passage of time. Through the lyrics, the band portrays a landscape that is always in motion, and yet, simultaneously timeless.
Line by Line Meaning
If you have any checked bags
If you have any luggage, it will be taken to the front of the station for you.
They will be brought to the front of the station
Your luggage will be taken to the front of the station.
To get to the front,
To reach the front of the station,
Walk down to the south end of the platform
Go to the southern end of the platform.
And cross at the crosswalk.
Cross the road at the dedicated crossing.
That'll put you right in front of the depot.
Once you cross the road, you'll be at the front of the station.
Look for a sign that says 'Baggage Claim.'
Find the sign that indicates 'Baggage Claim.'
You should have your bag check handy to show the clerk.
Keep your bag check close as you'll need it to retrieve your luggage.
Give them a few minutes to get your bags to the front.
Wait a few minutes for your bags to arrive at the front of the station.
If anyone is in need of a ride to the front of the station
If you require a ride to the front of the station,
Red Cap service will be provided on the platform.
A service called Red Cap will help you on the platform.
We do have one group that is going to go first.
One group will be prioritized before others.
If you do need Red Cap service to arrive at the front
If you do require Red Cap to help you to the front of the station,
They will come back and pick you up on the platform
They'll come back to the platform to collect you.
And take you to the front of the station.
And then take you to the front of the station.
Taxi cabs are located on the center boulevard in front of the depot
Taxis are waiting on the central road outside the station.
California
A location in America.
Oh, ocean, now I come again before you
I have returned to the ocean once again.
Rode along with you
I travelled with you, ocean.
In the slipping of the sun
As the sun set.
Sun on dreamers
The sun shines on those who dream.
Repeat the faithful once again
The devoted repeat themselves often.
Like water off the mountains, and
Like flowing water from the mountains,
It's the slipping of the sun
It's the sunset.
Money is blank
There are no funds.
Three days to go
There are three days until the next event.
This autumn begins to focus
The upcoming autumn is getting attention.
North claims the imperial throne totem
The north holds the power.
Fantastic
Wonderful.
Trees, lakes
Forests and bodies of water.
Mountains
Mountain ranges.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAMON ALBARN, JAMIE CHRISTOPHER HEWLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thelittleseadragon1381
Lyrics :
If you have checked bags
they will be brought to the front of the station
to get to the front
Walk down to the south end of the platform
And cross at the crosswalk
That'll put you right in front of the depot
Look for a sign that says "Baggie Claim"
You should have your bag to
Show the clerk
Give them a few minutes to get your bags
To the front
If anyone is in need of a ride To the front of
The station
Red Cap service will be provided on the
Platform
We do have one group that is going to go first
If you do need Red Cap service to arrive at
The front
They will come back and pick you up on the
Platform
And take you to the front of the station
Taxi cabs are located on the center boulevard in front of the depot
California
Oh,ocean, now I come again before you
Rode along with you
In the slipping of the sun
Sun on dreamers
Repeat the faithful once again
Like water on the mountains and
It's the slipping of the sun
Money is blank
Three days to go
This autumn begins to focus
North claims the imperial throne totem
Fantastic
Trees, Lakes
Mountains
Fantastic
@ridley1230
California
Oh, ocean now, I come again before you
Rode along with you
In the slipping of the sun
Sun on dreamers
Repeat the faithful once again
Like water on the mountains, that
It's the slipping of the sun
This part makes my really emotional for some reason...
@herbertgoncalves4345
[Intro]
If you have any checked bags, they will be brought to the front of the station
To get to the front, walk down to the south end of the platform and cross at the crosswalk
That'll put you right in front of the depot
Look for a sign that says "baggage claim"
You should have your bag check handy to show the clerk
Give them a few minutes to get your bags to the front
If anyone is in need of a ride to the front of the station
Red Cap service will be provided on the platform
We do have one group that is going to go first
If you do need Red Cap service to arrive at the front
They will come back and pick you up on the platform and take you to the front of the station
Taxi cabs are located on the center boulevard in front of the depot
[Verse 1]
California
Oh, ocean now, I come again before you
Rode along with you
In the slipping of the sun
[Verse 2]
Sun on dreamers
Repeat the faithful once again
Like water on the mountains, that
It's the slipping of the sun
[Interlude]
Money is blowing
Three days to go
This autumn begins to focus
North claims the imperial throne totem
Fantastic
Dreams, lakes
Mountains
Fantastic
@colgatemouthwash7709
2-D was starring at me the entire album
@swampthing2088
Colgate Mouthwash yeah same I thought he was gonna blink at me
@libbit
Are you complaining?
@zeejulion
He really wanted to make sure that you liked the album. And, I mean, 2-D doesn't look horrible, its not like Murdoc is staring at you with his tongue out. (this whole comment was a joke)
@thelittleseadragon1381
Lyrics :
If you have checked bags
they will be brought to the front of the station
to get to the front
Walk down to the south end of the platform
And cross at the crosswalk
That'll put you right in front of the depot
Look for a sign that says "Baggie Claim"
You should have your bag to
Show the clerk
Give them a few minutes to get your bags
To the front
If anyone is in need of a ride To the front of
The station
Red Cap service will be provided on the
Platform
We do have one group that is going to go first
If you do need Red Cap service to arrive at
The front
They will come back and pick you up on the
Platform
And take you to the front of the station
Taxi cabs are located on the center boulevard in front of the depot
California
Oh,ocean, now I come again before you
Rode along with you
In the slipping of the sun
Sun on dreamers
Repeat the faithful once again
Like water on the mountains and
It's the slipping of the sun
Money is blank
Three days to go
This autumn begins to focus
North claims the imperial throne totem
Fantastic
Trees, Lakes
Mountains
Fantastic
@anogre4592
Thanks for doing the lyrics I Love this song
@Rena971
la biblia:
@simplimp4357
I can't believe that people say this is their worst album, I think its beautiful and inspiring.
@victorbeidiljohnsen5257
Those people haven't listened to Laika Come Home
@brna00
the fall is 100% better than humanz