The band's first release was Patio (1992), a 10" collection of various live, home and studio recordings released on the Welsh Ankst label (this was later expanded for the 1995 CD version). In 1994 their first full studio album, Tatay appeared. Bwyd Time followed the next year - both were produced by Alan Holmes who also provided their colourful artwork. These early releases show a huge range of influences and styles: "Thema o Cartref", the opening track of Tatay, for example, is a relatively gentle harmonium-backed song, while "When You Hear the Captain Sing" appears to be a tribute of sorts to Captain Beefheart and "Amsermaemaiyndod/cinema" presents one song in the right channel and a completely different one in the left.
Gorky's also released a number of singles and EPs on Anskt. Running through all the Ankst records is a kind of psychedelia and playfulness evidently inspired by the Canterbury scene of the 1960s and 1970s (Kevin Ayers' album Shooting at the Moon is cited in the notes to Tatay as "the best LP of all time", and the record also includes a version of Robert Wyatt's "O, Caroline"). Bwyd Time in particular also features a wide range of instruments, with parts for the celesta and sitar credited on "Iechyd Da", for instance. The 1996 compilation Introducing Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, their first release in America, was a compilation of this material from the Ankst years.
For their next album, Barafundle (1997), produced by Gorwel Owen (who had also worked with the Super Furry Animals) they moved to the larger Fontana label. The wide-ranging instrumentation remained ("Diamond Dew" has a prominent part for the jew's harp) and there were still psychedelic touches, but the album as a whole is more laid back than their earlier work, tending more towards folk music.
This gentler direction was largely maintained and refined in their later records, though the occasional poppier and rockier number, such as "Poodle Rockin'" from Spanish Dance Troupe or "Mow the Lawn" from Sleep/Holiday, continued to crop up.
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci split up on 26 May 2006, Euros Childs and Richard James having released solo albums. James' is in the folky vein of later Gorky's, wheras Childs' has moments that hark back to earlier moments in their career (so far he has released four albums). And John Lawrence releases as Infinity Chimps.
As of Summer 2007, no re-issues of the first 3 albums have surfaced, but Autumn 2007 is a likely date for the expanded & re-mastered Patio.
Final lineup
Euros Childs - vocals, keyboards (1991-2006)
Megan Childs - violin, vocals (1992-2006)
Richard James - bass, vocals (1991-2006)
Rhodri Puw - guitar (1999-2006)
Peter Richardson - drums (2000-2006)
Previous members
John Lawrence - vocals, guitar (1991-1999)
Euros Rowlands - drums (1995-2001)
Osian Evans - drums (1991-1995)
Sion Lane - keyboards (1991)
Cenwyn Brain - guitar (1991)
Sammy Davies - keyboards (1991-1992)
Steffan Cravos - violin (1991-1992)
Stood on Gold
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doesn't it just make you want to cry ?
And inside it's breaking me for you someday.
In her eyes
I've seen a life that's went before
But those past tears
Don't matter much when we're alone
We were stood on gold
Just weren't told
We grow old
All in time
And all in time I've seen before
I just can't hold her
And now I know her deep black eyes
I need your sweet, sweet love
I need it in my heart
I know I've taken
And to give to you I can find so hard
We were stood on gold
Just weren't told
We grow old
And now I realize you've gone away
I'm hoping you'll come back to me someday
A light's been shining on for you
This light's been shining on for you
Ooh, ooh, ooh,
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The lyrics of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci's song Stood on Gold talk about a person who is deeply in love with someone and is admiring their smile, which brings tears to their eyes. However, amidst this intense emotion, the person is aware that the relationship has an expiration date, and someday they will have to let go of their loved one. The singer mentions that they have seen a life that has gone before in their lover's eyes, but it does not matter when they are alone. The chorus talks about how they were standing on gold (a metaphor for having something great) but were not told about the impermanence of the relationship, and how they grow old with time.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about how they need their lover's love, but it's hard to give back to them. In the end, the singer accepts that their lover has gone away but still hopes for their return someday, as a light has been shining on for them. The lyrics depict a bittersweet reality of love, where the happiness of being with someone is outweighed by the pain of knowing that it won't last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen her smile ?
Have you witnessed the beauty of her smile?
Doesn't it just make you want to cry ?
Isn't her smile so moving that it brings tears to your eyes?
And inside it's breaking me for you someday.
It pains me deeply that I can't be with her forever.
In her eyes
Looking into her eyes
I've seen a life that's went before
I can sense that she has gone through a lot in her life.
But those past tears
Even though she may have cried in the past
Don't matter much when we're alone
It doesn't matter as much when we're together.
We were stood on gold
We were in a very valuable position
Just weren't told
But we didn't know the true worth of what we had.
We grow old
As time passes, we age.
All in time
Everything happens as it's supposed to over time.
And all in time I've seen before
I have experienced the passage of time before.
I just can't hold her
I can't physically embrace her.
And now I know her deep black eyes
Now I understand the depth of her eyes.
I need your sweet, sweet love
I long for her affection.
I need it in my heart
I deeply desire it.
I know I've taken
I realize that I have been selfish.
And to give to you I can find so hard
I struggle to give back to her in the same way.
And now I realize you've gone away
Now I understand that she has left me.
I'm hoping you'll come back to me someday
I have hope that she will return to me in the future.
A light's been shining on for you
There is a brightness that represents her presence.
This light's been shining on for you
That brightness is still present, even though she is gone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oceanographer Radio
Have you seen her smile ?
Doesn't it just make you want to cry ?
And inside it's breaking me for you someday.
In her eyes
I've seen a life that's went before
But those past tears
Don't matter much when we're alone
We were stood on gold
Just weren't told
We grow old
All in time
And all in time I've seen before
I just can't hold her
And now I know her deep black eyes
I need your sweet, sweet love
I need it in my heart
I know I've taken
And to give to you I can find so hard
We were stood on gold
Just weren't told
We grow old
And now I realize you've gone away
I'm hoping you'll come back to me someday
A light's been shining on for you
This light's been shining on for you
Ooh, ooh, ooh,
Ooh, ooh, ooh ____♪♫
jamsee1
This is one of my favourites by them. Beautiful, gracious, romantic and endearing to any heartfelt, aging soul
bunnee777
One of their loveliest compositions... never tire of hearing
Alessandro Carta
Fantastic album
Oceanographer Radio
Have you seen her smile ?
Doesn't it just make you want to cry ?
And inside it's breaking me for you someday.
In her eyes
I've seen a life that's went before
But those past tears
Don't matter much when we're alone
We were stood on gold
Just weren't told
We grow old
All in time
And all in time I've seen before
I just can't hold her
And now I know her deep black eyes
I need your sweet, sweet love
I need it in my heart
I know I've taken
And to give to you I can find so hard
We were stood on gold
Just weren't told
We grow old
And now I realize you've gone away
I'm hoping you'll come back to me someday
A light's been shining on for you
This light's been shining on for you
Ooh, ooh, ooh,
Ooh, ooh, ooh ____♪♫
Miguel Torres
Este grupo me reconforta cuando es necesario.
TMATMATMA
One of the greatest Gorky's songs. If only this could have been a hit
Andrew Collin
TMATMATMA If I remember rightly, it was Radio 2's Record of the Week at the time.
Deserves much more than it got, typical for Gorky's.
Javier Ormeño Incio
Love this.
Kieran Dacey
love it
enn bee
Love the ping pong ball percussion on the outro.