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 It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was withdrawn at the band's request.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 Maรฑana. 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 โ produced by Dj Danger Mouse โ 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 โ the first Gorillaz track featuring lead vocals by Noodle โ 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.โ 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 Thรฉรขtre du Chรขtelet 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 โย 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 โ 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 โ 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 โ and featuring two collaborations, including the return of Snoop Dogg and Jamie Principle as well as George Benson and Graham Coxon โ The Now Now spawned six singles, including Humility, Tranz, and Lake Zรผrich. 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 โ who most famously played Ace of the Gangreen Gang in the Powerpuff Girls TV series โ 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.
Dead Butterflies
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was supposed to
Bow down with you
What can I be praying for?
There's nothing in this fire
(Can we, can we just loop that last piano part for a bit?)
Bow down with you
There's nothing in this fire
When was I supposed to
Bow down with you
What can I be praying for
If no one in this world, like you?
We are dead butterflies
Laid out on a sprung floor
Waiting for the low tide
To pick us up and fly (fly, fly)
We are dead butterflies
I'm all in, let me you know what you're thinking
Catch feels, wind down while we figure this out
Right now
Deja que fluya pa no perder el control
No queda de otra, vamos a estar en lo mismo
Estoy dispuesta a darte todo el cariรฑo
Two-stepping while I move reckless
New settings, booze and nudes pending
Loose evidence and news trending
Effortlessly truth-bending, who's treacherous?
Searching for feelings of a new friendship
There's but a few endings
Everyone's a winner 'til you lose bredrin
Old time when we used to hold tight
Levitate to Most High and fuck up the whole skyline
Bright lights, I hope that feeling can replenish
Regretful 'cause if I let you left me then I'll be rush rouletting
With a whole full clip in, pow
Cashmere drippage now
And memories lift me up
But still a man's tears dripping down
On to these photographs of what we used to be
But over time that puddle turns into a sea
But when I observed you cry a stream
I was just surfing on your grief
That hurt I can't delete, just come to terms with who is me
But who are we?
These mirrors don't reflect perfection
Just put on your crep selection
Come and two-step to heaven with me
We are dead butterflies
Laid out on a sprung floor
Waiting for the low tide
To pick us up and fly (fly, fly)
'Cause if it's not me then
Who's it gonna be, baby
If it's not us
There's nothing in this world for me
We are dead butterflies
Dancing on a sprung floor now
Waiting for the low tide
To pick us up and fly (fly, fly)
When was I supposed to
Bow down with you
What can I be praying for
If no one in this world, like you?
We are dead butterflies
The lyrics to Gorillaz's "Dead Butterflies" explore the concept of being stuck in a state of limbo, waiting for something to happen, even though we know it probably won't. The song starts off with a declaration that the singer was supposed to "bow down" with someone, but now there's nothing left to pray for and nothing in the fire. The repetition of this line, as well as the request to loop the last piano part, emphasizes the stagnant feeling of being stuck in a hopeless situation.
The chorus of the song, with the repeated phrase "we are dead butterflies," evokes the image of fragile creatures lying on the ground, waiting for something to happen to them. The sprung floor could symbolize the instability and uncertainty of life, as well as the anticipation for something to finally happen. However, when the tide finally comes to pick them up and fly away, it's not clear where they'll go or what will happen to them.
The verses of the song provide some conflicting emotions, with the singer expressing their willingness to give someone "all the love," but also admitting to moving "reckless" and having "loose evidence and news trending." It's unclear if the singer is trying to salvage a relationship that's falling apart or if they're just holding onto the memories of what used to be. In the end, the song seems to suggest that maybe acceptance of the present and realizing that perfection doesn't exist is the only way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I was supposed to
I had an expectation of something, but I'm not sure what it was.
Bow down with you
I was supposed to show submission to you.
What can I be praying for?
Is there anything worth asking for in this situation?
There's nothing in this fire
There's no passion or desire here.
When was I supposed to
I missed an opportunity to do something.
If no one in this world, like you?
There's nobody else like you in this world.
We are dead butterflies
We are fragile and fleeting.
Laid out on a sprung floor
We are in a vulnerable position waiting to be taken advantage of.
Waiting for the low tide
We are waiting for something that may never come.
To pick us up and fly (fly, fly)
To lift us up and take us away from our problems.
I'm all in, let me you know what you're thinking
I'm completely invested in this and I want to understand your thoughts on it too.
Catch feels, wind down while we figure this out
Let's take it slow and focus on understanding our emotions while we sort out this situation.
Deja que fluya pa no perder el control
Let it flow so we don't lose control.
No queda de otra, vamos a estar en lo mismo
There's nothing else to do, we're going to be in the same situation.
Estoy dispuesta a darte todo el cariรฑo
I'm willing to give you all my affection.
Two-stepping while I move reckless
I'm moving carelessly while trying to have fun.
New settings, booze and nudes pending
I'm in a new environment with potential for drinking and nudity.
Loose evidence and news trending
There's info that's not certain and gossip is spreading.
Effortlessly truth-bending, who's treacherous?
Truth can be manipulated easily, but who's untrustworthy?
Searching for feelings of a new friendship
Looking for a connection with someone new.
There's but a few endings
Things will turn out one of a few ways.
Everyone's a winner 'til you lose bredrin
Competition is easy until you lose.
Old time when we used to hold tight
There was a time when we were close.
Levitate to Most High and fuck up the whole skyline
Reaching new heights and changing the world in a big way.
Bright lights, I hope that feeling can replenish
I hope a positive experience can bring back a good feeling.
Regretful 'cause if I let you left me then I'll be rush rouletting
I'll regret it if I let you go and take a chance with someone else.
With a whole full clip in, pow
I'm locked and loaded, ready for anything.
Cashmere drippage now
I'm living luxuriously now.
And memories lift me up
Thinking about the past makes me feel better.
But still a man's tears dripping down
But I'm still crying.
On to these photographs of what we used to be
Looking at pictures of what we used to be.
But over time that puddle turns into a sea
Small things can turn into big issues over time.
But when I observed you cry a stream
When I watched you cry a lot.
I was just surfing on your grief
I was taking advantage of your sadness for my own benefit.
That hurt I can't delete, just come to terms with who is me
I can't forget the pain, I just have to accept who I am.
But who are we?
Who are we really?
These mirrors don't reflect perfection
We're not perfect and neither is our reflection.
Just put on your crep selection
Just put on your favorite shoes and let's go.
Come and two-step to heaven with me
Let's dance our way to paradise.
'Cause if it's not me then
If it's not us together,
Who's it gonna be, baby
Who else could it be, my love?
If it's not us
If we're not together,
There's nothing in this world for me
There's nothing else that matters to me.
Dancing on a sprung floor now
We're moving together on a bouncy surface.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damon Albarn, Remi Kabaka Jr, Kane Brett Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ragesadnessfear7669
Traducciรณn al espaรฑol:
2D:
ยฟCuรกndo se suponรญa que me
arrodillara contigo?
ยฟPor quรฉ puedo estar rezando?
No hay nada en este mundo
(ยฟPodemos tocar un poco esta รบltima parte del piano? ยกEso es, sรญ! ยกGenial! ยฟHay un encendedor?)
Arrodillarme contigo
ยฟPor quรฉ puedo estar rezando?
No hay nada en este mundo
ยฟCuรกndo se suponรญa que me arrodillara contigo?
ยฟPor quรฉ puedo estar rezando?
No hay nadie en este mundo
Como tรบ
Somos mariposas muertas
dispuestas en un suelo suspendido
esperando la corriente baja
para recogernos y volar
(Somos mariposas muertas)
Roxani Arias:
Estoy dispuesta, dรฉjame saber lo que estรกs pensando
Me enamoro, tomo vino
mientras resolvemos esto
ยกAhora mismo!
Deja que fluya pa 'no perder el control
No queda de otra
Vamo 'a estar en lo mismo
Estoy dispuesta a darte todo el cariรฑo
Kano:
Doy dos pasos mientras me muevo imprudentemente
Nuevos escenarios, alcohol y desnudeces pendientes
Evidencia suelta y noticias en tendencia
torciendo la verdad sin esfuerzo
ยฟQuiรฉn es un traicionero? buscando sentimientos de una nueva amistad
Solo hay algunos finales
Todo el mundo es un ganador hasta que pierdes a tu compaรฑero
Nos sujetamos fuerte, cuando solรญamos sujetarnos fuerte
Levitar a lo mรกs alto
y joder todo el horizonte
Luces brillantes, espero que ese sentimiento pueda reponerse
Arrepentido porque si dejo que me dejes, entonces me apresurarรฉ a jugar ruleta
con todo un clip completo y disparar
Goteo de cachemira ahora
y los recuerdos me elevan
pero la lรกgrima de un hombre estรก goteando
sobre estas fotografรญas de lo que solรญamos ser
Pero con el tiempo ese charco se convierte en mar
Cuando te vi llorar un arroyo
Estaba surfeando en tu dolor
que no puedo borrar
Solo acepta quiรฉn soy yo
ยฟPero quiรฉnes somos nosotros?
Estos espejos no reflejan la perfecciรณn
Solo ponte tu selecciรณn de zapatos
Ven y da dos pasos al cielo conmigo
2D:
Somos mariposas muertas
dispuestas en un suelo suspendido
esperando la corriente baja
para recogernos y volar
Porque si no soy yo entonces
ยฟDe quiรฉn va a ser, bebรฉ?
Si no somos nosotros
No hay nada en este mundo
para mi
Somos mariposas muertas
bailando en un piso suspendido
esperando la corriente baja
para recogernos y volar
ยฟCuรกndo se suponรญa que me arrodillara contigo?
ยฟPor quรฉ puedo estar rezando?
No hay nadie en este mundo
Como tรบ
Somos mariposas muertas
@jotaflorez8602
A spanish person here to explain this!
Deja que fluya pa que no perder el control : Let it flow so that it doesn't lose control
Pa que : para que : let it
No quedรก de otra vamo a estar en lo mismo: There is no other way to be in the same
Vamo : Vamos : we go
Estoy dispuesta a darte todo el cariรฑo:
I am willing to give you all the love
<3
@Wolfiyeethegranddukecerberus17
Friend: What kind of music are you into
Me: Whatever genre Gorillaz decides on this month
@draalien
Lmao accurate
@NaikoArt
this is how it feels listening to new Gorillaz haha
@retroththetired8234
Oh my god finally someone else
@bry4829
666 likes tho
nice
@chaoticsquid
Whatever kano releases this month*
@ali_dorito
Aries: High tide
Dead Butterflies: Low tide
@abnner7332
x2
@Catritic
MEOWWWWW!
@leahwaldrop11
Ok