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 It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was withdrawn at the band's request.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.
The Sounder
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our tracks, they last for Life and don't disappear like a genie
Communicating through your airwaves like a giant C.B.
'Cause this one's for your radios over, do you receive me?
Our music is so hot, it feels like the sun in Tahiti
We rickety rock, Gorillaz style is buck wild, believe me
We heavyweights who phase ya like Ali did with Frasier
We've been blessed and we've been gifted like Jesus in His manger
Won't you shout Hallelujah! Here comes your music savior?
From your heart to your mind, your spirits to your souls
We come to take control with the Gorillaz on patrol
See, our rhymes possess the powers of a superhero
Supernaturally, we rock the mic but wit' a natural flow
If you didn't know before, you know now, we told you so
Gorillaz rock your dome just like the one in Tokyo
It's a hard dream to contemplate, I could fall into the abyss
And I love this interlude, it's the reason to deliver
And they called onto me, says they came to talk to me though
The more of us that lies, I guess kids don't live or die
'Cause we're makin' this music that's making you lose it
So, people don't abuse it and there ain't no way for you to refuse it
Gorillaz be the army that's startin' this pardy ardy
Makin' more noise than carnivals mixed with the mardi gradi
We're comin' through your town with the sound that's so profound
Gorillaz with the rappers that straight from the underground
We're tearin' it down, makin' you feel this sort of force
Knockin' you to your senses and knockin' you off your course
'Cause we're the source, got you feelin' that so appealing
We got you jumpin' around and bouncin' off of the ceiling
Makin' music ya feeling from Baltimore into Bristol
I know you're hearin' me 'cause my voice is clearer than crystal
The casual, supernatural flows I be exposin'
Makin' sure that you're frozen and makin' sure that I'm chosen
To rip a score, we make you damage the dance floor
Gorillaz and Phi Life'll give you what you ask for
It's a hard dream to contemplate, I could fall into the abyss
And I love this interlude, it's the reason to deliver
And they called onto me, says they came to talk to me though
The more of us that lies, I guess kids don't live or die
Let Gorillaz be you guiding light and your shining star
Whether you be home alone or drivin' in your car
Don't matter who ya are, whether you be near or far
You'll be feelin' entertained by our music repertoire
See, our poems, they be flowin' like rivers and reservoirs
'Cause Gorillaz, we be out in this world like men of mars
We rap stars with supernatural spars
We leave your brains amazed with this super music of ours
So put yous hands up and stand up, it's time to get down
'Cause Gorillaz and Phi Life, we be breakin' you 'round
From the right to the left, from the skies to the ground
We're coverin' all angles and you can't escape the sound
On the track, it's laid back, we've come to spray raps
Keep it chilled and relaxed but we still sound phat
It's like that, when we write raps
We're not from the empire but we still strike back
So put your hands up and stand up, it's time to get down
Gorillaz and Phi Life, we be breakin' you 'round
So put your hands up and stand up, it's time to get down
Gorillaz and Phi Life, we be breakin' you 'round
So put your hands up and stand up, it's time to get down
Gorillaz and Phi Life, we be breakin' you 'round
The lyrics to Gorillaz's "The Sounder" express the power and impact of the band's music, asserting that their tracks last for life and are omnipresent through radio airwaves. The lyrics also liken Gorillaz's style to Ali's domination over Frasier in boxing, with their music possessing superhero-like power and control. The verse suggests that Gorillaz's music provides a guiding light, a shining star, and can entertain and captivate audiences regardless of who they are or where they are in the world.
The lyrics also draw attention to the supernatural flows of the band's verses, which can leave "brains amazed." The last few verses of the song provide a call to action to get up and dance, with chilled and relaxed yet still "phat" beats.
Overall, "The Sounder" is an assertive song that highlights the power of music, the range and style of Gorillaz's music, and the ability of music to entertain and captivate audiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You couldn't escape this music even if your name's Houdini
Our music is so pervasive and catchy that you will hear it no matter what, even if you possess great escape skills like Houdini.
Our tracks, they last for Life and don't disappear like a genie
Our music is timeless and has a long-lasting impact, and won't fade away or disappear like a genie from a magic lamp.
Communicating through your airwaves like a giant C.B.
We are successfully conveying our message to our listeners through radio waves, just like a powerful C.B. radio signal.
'Cause this one's for your radios over, do you receive me?
This song is dedicated to our listeners and we want to make sure that they are enjoying it, hence the question 'do you receive me?'
Our music is so hot, it feels like the sun in Tahiti
Our music is vibrant and energizing, like the sun shining in the tropical paradise of Tahiti.
We rickety rock, Gorillaz style is buck wild, believe me
We make music that is unique and unconventional, and our style is wild and exciting, so trust us.
We heavyweights who phase ya like Ali did with Frasier
We are influential and powerful artists who can disorient and impact you like Muhammad Ali used to do with Joe Frazier.
We spit the most flava but musically we'll amaze ya
We are full of creativity and passion for music, and we will wow you with our innovative approach.
We've been blessed and we've been gifted like Jesus in His manger
We feel blessed and gifted with musical talent, like Jesus was born in a manger, and want to share that with the world.
Won't you shout Hallelujah! Here comes your music savior?
Our music can be a form of liberation and redemption for some people, so let's celebrate that with a Hallelujah shout!
From your heart to your mind, your spirits to your souls
We want our music to resonate deeply with our listeners, touching not only their minds but also their emotions and spirits on a soulful level.
We come to take control with the Gorillaz on patrol
We want to be in charge of our musical journey, leading it with confidence and the 'Gorillaz on patrol' mentality.
See, our rhymes possess the powers of a superhero
Our lyrics are full of strength and impact, like the superpowers of a comic book hero.
Supernaturally, we rock the mic but wit' a natural flow
Our performance on the mic is otherworldly and phenomenal, but it flows naturally and effortlessly.
If you didn't know before, you know now, we told you so
We are such an important and dynamic musical force, that if you didn't know that already, now you do, and we already told you so.
Gorillaz rock your dome just like the one in Tokyo
Our music can shock and shake your mind and emotions, just like the earthquake-prone city of Tokyo.
It's a hard dream to contemplate, I could fall into the abyss
Sometimes the dream of achieving musical success can be daunting and scary, and the artist can feel like they're falling into an endless abyss.
And I love this interlude, it's the reason to deliver
This musical break in the song is enjoyable, but it also serves as a way to deliver the message of the lyrics more clearly and effectively.
And they called onto me, says they came to talk to me though
The muse or inspiration behind the artist's music can sometimes inspire them to keep creating, urging them to keep going and keep performing.
The more of us that lies, I guess kids don't live or die
The more lies and falsehoods we spread in the world, the less value and importance we place on our collective future or the lives of our children.
Let Gorillaz be you guiding light and your shining star
We want to inspire and guide our listeners through our music, acting as beacons of light or stars that they can look up to and follow.
Whether you be home alone or drivin' in your car
We want to be there for our listeners no matter where they are or what they're doing, whether they're at home or driving their cars.
Don't matter who ya are, whether you be near or far
Our music is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, location, or distance from us.
You'll be feelin' entertained by our music repertoire
Our music is entertaining and enjoyable, and we have a diverse and varied repertoire of songs to keep our listeners engaged.
See, our poems, they be flowin' like rivers and reservoirs
Our lyrics are fluid and dynamic, flowing like the currents of a river or the collection of water in a reservoir.
'Cause Gorillaz, we be out in this world like men of mars
We are unique and unconventional artists who come from a different planet altogether, like men from Mars.
We rap stars with supernatural spars
We are rappers who are truly exceptional talents, with verbal and lyrical skills that are almost superhuman.
We leave your brains amazed with this super music of ours
Our music can leave a lasting impression on our listeners, making their minds and brains feel truly amazed by our musical abilities and talent.
On the track, it's laid back, we've come to spray raps
Our musical style can be mellow and laid back, but we still have the ability to deliver powerful and impactful raps on the track.
Keep it chilled and relaxed but we still sound phat
Our music is cool and composed, but we still manage to have an impressive and stunning sound.
It's like that, when we write raps
Our approach to writing raps is straightforward and decisive.
We're not from the empire but we still strike back
We may not be from a place of power or authority, but we still have the ability to strike back and make an impact through our music.
So put your hands up and stand up, it's time to get down
It's time to enjoy some great music and dance along with the beat, so let's put our hands up and stand up.
Gorillaz and Phi Life, we be breakin' you 'round
Together, Gorillaz and Phi Life are unstoppable musical forces, who can take over and dominate any venue or performance space with their incredible sound.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAMON ALBARN, JAMIE HEWLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GGG slat
on Feel Good Inc.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
(Change) sha, sha (change) ba-da (change), sha-ba-da-ca, (change) feel good ty
(Change) sha, sha (change) ba-da (change), sha-ba-da-ca, (change) feel good
City's breaking down on a camel's back
They just have to go 'cause they don't know whack
So while you fill the streets, it's appealing to see
You won't get undercounted 'cause you're damned and free
You got a new horizon, it's ephemeral style
A melancholy town where we never smile
And all I wanna hear is the message beep
My dreams, they got her kissing, 'cause I don't get sleep, no
Windmill, windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is ticking, falling down
Love forever, love is free
Let's turn forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?
Laughin' gas these hazmats, fast cats
Linin' 'em up like ass cracks
Play these ponies at the track
It's my chocolate attack
Shit, I'm steppin' in the heart of this here (yeah)
Care Bear rappin' in harder this year (yeah)
Watch me as I gravitate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Yo, we gon' ghost town this Motown
With yo' sound, you in the blink
Gon' bite the dust, can't fight with us
With yo' sound, you kill the Inc.
So don't stop, get it, get it (get it)
Until you're cheddar headed
And watch the way I navigate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha (ha, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Windmill, windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is ticking, falling down
Love forever, love is free
Let's turn forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?
Don't stop, get it, get it
Peep how your captain's in it (feel good)
Steady, watch me navigate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! (Feel good)
Don't stop, get it, get it
Peep how your captain's in it (feel good)
Steady, watch me navigate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! (Feel good)
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good