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 It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was withdrawn at the band's request.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.
On Melancholy Hill.
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ahh)
Up on Melancholy Hill
There's a plastic tree
Are you here with me?
Just looking out on the day
Where you can't get what you want
But you can get me
So let's set out to sea, love
'Cause you are my medicine
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
(Ahh)
So call in the submarines
'Round the world we'll go
Does anybody know, love
If we're looking out on the day
Of another dream?
(Ahh)
If you can't get what you want
Then come with me (me)
Up on Melancholy Hill
Sits the manatee, love
Just looking out for the day
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
(Ahh)
When you're close to me
(Ahh)
(Ahh)
The lyrics of "On Melancholy Hill" by Gorillaz describe a feeling of being lost and searching for something, specifically for a dream that seems out of reach. The song transports the listener to an imaginary place, Melancholy Hill, which is described as having a plastic tree and a manatee. The tree and the manatee evoke a sense of loneliness and detachment, as if they are the only company on this melancholic hill. The song invites someone to share this experience with the singer, to take a journey together, to set out to sea, to find solace and meaning in each other's company. The song characterizes that the person being addressed was not able to get what they wanted, but perhaps they will find consolation in this shared experience, that the singer will be their medicine, and that they will be close together.
The chorus of the song, "If you can't get what you want, then come with me," is a tender and vulnerable invitation. It speaks about the singer's willingness to share this experience with someone who is also feeling disconnected and seeking something more profound. The song is a reminder that life can be beautiful, and we should not give up dreaming. Sometimes, to achieve that, we need to let go of our expectations and set out to sea with someone we love.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ohh)
A vocalization with no specific meaning, used to create a mood or atmosphere.
(Ahh)
Another vocalization with no specific meaning, also used for mood or atmosphere.
Up on Melancholy Hill
The singer is on top of a hill that feels sad and empty, which may be a metaphor for their emotional state.
There's a plastic tree
The tree is artificial and fake, which could represent how the artist feels about some aspects of their life.
Are you here with me?
The artist is asking if someone else is there with them on the hill, as they may be feeling lonely or disconnected.
Just looking out on the day
The singer is watching the world go by, observing everything that's happening around them.
Of another dream
The world around them feels like a dream or an illusion, and they may be searching for something more concrete and real.
Where you can't get what you want
Life can sometimes feel frustrating, as things don't always go the way you want them to.
But you can get me
Despite not being able to get everything they want, the artist has someone with them who they care about and who cares about them.
So let's set out to sea, love
The artist and their companion are embarking on a journey together, wherever that may take them.
'Cause you are my medicine
The companion is someone who makes the singer feel better, like a remedy or cure for whatever ails them.
When you're close to me
Being near the companion is what makes the artist feel better and happier.
So call in the submarines
The singer is calling for assistance or backup from those who they can rely on.
'Round the world we'll go
The singer and their companion are willing to go anywhere and everywhere together.
Does anybody know, love
The singer is wondering if anyone else understands their current emotional state.
If we're looking out on the day
The artist is still observing the world around them, even as their emotions ebb and flow.
Of another dream?
Is this all just another illusion or fantasy that they're experiencing?
If you can't get what you want
Repeating a theme from earlier in the song, things don't always go the way you want them to.
Then come with me (me)
The singer is extending an invitation to join them on their journey, regardless of where it may lead.
Up on Melancholy Hill
Repeating the title of the song a second time, calling attention to the setting of the song.
Sits the manatee, love
A manatee is a peaceful and gentle creature, watching over things from a distance, similar to how the artist is observing the world from their melancholic perch.
Just looking out for the day
The manatee is keeping an eye on everything, as the artist has been doing throughout the song.
When you're close to me
The singer returns to the idea that being near their companion is what makes them happy and content.
When you're close to me
Repeating the chorus one final time, to reinforce the theme of the song.
(Ahh)
The song ends on the same vocalization it began with.
(Ahh)
And one more, for good measure.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rayssajordanaols
Lyrics
Up on Melancholy Hill
There's a plastic tree
Are you here with me?
Just looking out on the day
Of another dream
Well you can't get what you want
But you can get me
So let's set out to sea, love
'Cause you are my medicine
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
So call in the submarines
'Round the world we'll go
Does anybody know, love
If we're looking out on the day
Of another dream?
If you can't get what you want
Then come with me
Up on Melancholy Hill
Sits a manatee
Just looking out for the day
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
@0527jose
Lyrics:
Up on Melancholy Hill
There's a plastic tree
Are you here with me?
Just looking out on the day
Of another dream
Well you can't get what you want
But you can get me
So let's set out to sea, love
'Cause you are my medicine
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
So call in the submarines
'Round the world we'll go
Does anybody know, love
If we're looking out on the day
Of another dream?
If you can't get what you want
Then come with me
Up on Melancholy Hill
Sits a manatee
Just looking out for the day
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
When you're close to me.
@justanidiotherep5991
My friends: “who do you have a crush on”
Me: “ Cyborg Noodle (2009-2016, reactivated on 2018-) is a robotic replica of Noodle that served as a replacement of her during the third phase of the band. Cyborg Noodle was created by Murdoc Niccals on Plastic Beach from using the real Noodle's DNA samples he gathered from the crash site where the "El Mañana" music video was filmed. This robot clone was given the job of playing the guitar on the "Plastic Beach" album as well as being Murdoc's personal bodyguard. In the music video for the single, "Stylo", Murdoc, 2-D, and Cyborg Noodle were pursued by a law enforcement agent for speeding on an open highway in the Stylo Camaro belonging to Murdoc. Suffering from the bullet hole in her head, Cyborg Noodle became incapacitated with oil coming out after firing several shotgun shells at the police officer's vehicle. The trio were then pursued by an unknown bounty hunter (Bruce Willis) armed with a revolver who lost track of the three when they dive into the Pacific Ocean. Upon their descent into the ocean, Stylo transformed into a shark-like submarine. In the music video for the "On Melancholy Hill" single, Cyborg Noodle regained consciousness inside of the submarine. Upon regaining consciousness, she regurgitated an unusual one-eyed octopus. While the submarine continued its voyage to Plastic Beach, the trio engaged in a rendezvous with the band's collaborators who were also piloting submarines of their own individual design. Upon their arrival at Plastic Beach, the fleet encountered a mysterious assailant known as the Boogieman who was blocking the fleet's route to the studio with a manatee as a hostage. Murdoc, seemingly surprised to see the Boogieman, then ordered Cyborg Noodle to dispose of him with hostile force. The trio then climbed topside where Cyborg Noodle commenced her attack on the Boogieman. After firing two consecutive solid slug shells with her Remington 870, the Boogieman dragged the manatee into the sea and the fog cleared, revealing Plastic Beach. In the storyboard and Fan Made video for the "Rhinestone Eyes" video she is seen shooting at the Boogieman who appears attacking Plastic Beach. She then runs to get more guns and ammo. She is then shown blowing up the door and taking cover behind a tree. Later, on near the end of the video, the now giant Russel comes out of the sea and stares at Cyborg Noodle. Then the real Noodle steps out of Russel's mouth. Cyborg Noodle looks shocked, while the real Noodle pulls off her cat mask showing the bruise on her eye caused by the attack at El Manana. Noodle stares at Cyborg Noodle while the video ends.
Although a showdown against Noodle and Cyborg Noodle was never shown it's said in an interview with Murdoc that Noodle killed the cyborg when it started going "wonky" (or she malfunctioned) and tried to kill Murdoc. This was later revealed to be a lie on Murdoc's part, as the Book of Murdoc notes that Cyborg joined Murdoc in his escape, serving as a perfect shipmate on the submarine.
My friends: “what the fu-“
@santyrochaok
Up on Melancholy Hill
There's a plastic tree
Are you here with me?
Just looking out on the day
Of another dream
Well you can't get what you want
But you can get me
So let's set out to sea, love
'Cause you are my medicine
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
So call in the submarines
'Round the world we'll go
Does anybody know, love
If we're looking out on the day
Of another dream?
If you can't get what you want
Then come with me
Up on Melancholy Hill
Sits a manatee
Just looking out for the day
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
@nekofearlight3392
im in tears, so im really sorry if i make any typos
i've never been a big fan of Gorillaz, their "Song Machine" got me a bit, i liked some of their older songs, but whenever Spotify was randomly adding this one song to the queue, i was always skipping it for something else. that is, until this night.
i was having lots of stuff on my mind regarding failed relationships that i had with one of my friends, i couldnt really help it but thinking about it over and over again, how did it end up like this and was it really my fault. i was given multiple chances, but each and every single one i've waffled straight away. i was thinking that those were chances to regain our relationships back, but it was never about this.
those were chances to realise that it was never coming back.
i couldnt really go to bed and i couldnt really do anything, so i was just sitting here, behind my desk, headphones on, having a smoke, and... i didnt realise that it was "Melancholy Hill" until i heard 2D's voice. i was just about to skip it, but... for some reason i couldnt do that. my mind was telling me to press on that button, but my heart was whispering to me to listen to it. to give it a chance.
so i did. that was the best decision i've made in a long run.
"Up on Melancholy Hill, there's a plastic tree
Are you here with me?
Just looking out on the day of another dream
Where you can't get what you want, but you can get me
So let's set out to sea, love
'Cause you are my medicine when you're close to me
When you're close to me"
that made me realise that sometimes its better to just stay together as friends and family. if you see that it was never going to work out, then just let it go. dont leave the other person just because you will never be together in some special kind of way. because if you do leave them or force them, it will only hurt both of you.
thanks to Melancholy Hill, i was finally able to express how i felt about him, what i've been thinking about and everything. i told him that i've already found someone, he was really happy for me, which made me cry even more. i promised that i will be happy and that i will be happy for him, too. he promised that he'll never leave and will never forget about me, that i'll never be valued less. i know that i will never leave my second family, and if i do, i will still be somewhere there, around, watching after them.
when those relationships with my friend failed, i thought about giving up on everything. i thought i lost on life.
turns out, i won. i have more than i could've ever asked for.
dont look for relationships.
look for friends. look for people. your time will come too.
if you somehow ended up being here right on this line, i have something to tell you: things will get better. eventually.
dont ever give up.
take care, stay safe and stay strong.
much love, strangers.
thank you, Gorillaz. you've done so much for me.
(if you're reading this, i hope you're happy somewhere out there. and thank you. you're the best person i've ever met. you've made me who i am.
thank you. i love you, Liam)
@antifafemboy
"Which animation style do you want?"
"All of them."
@mageist
I'm glad the answer wasn't yes.
@MaxOutTheCake
@@mageist i'm sad the answer wasn't yes.
@a.goodluck5044
YES
@siddeshdalvi6136
There's only 2 style btw. 3d environment and 2 d character
@vegastrix
It was mostly a joke, but they have many more animation styles than two. There is multiple animation styles within their 2d and 3d styles. They have almost never kept the exact style. This video includes multiple ones
@thesingingdonut
this is the kind of song that will give you nostalgia even if you’ve never heard it before
@seanmaney9421
I swear I've heard this a million times 4 years ago, but I haven't.
@kirktaggart6491
@@seanmaney9421 bro same wtff
@-thesignpainter9486
There's a sound in the song that sounds like an old web game I used to play. That one sound alone makes this song so much more nostalgic for me