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)
The Humming Song
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the closest love in their eyes
And now that you're gone
Were you ever there at all ?
Only crows in the trees welcome you back home
In summer we collapse into the sea
In Winter old times in the snow, don't know
And You're face it means nothing to me
And you're windows I have never seen through
And in a place nowhere no one can come together
Some people they leave home every day
In Summer we collapse into the sea
In Winter old dunes in the snow, don't know
And nothing calls you back no more
But this is the humming song
You sing it when you're on your own
And cash back in the hand
This was your promised land
This is the Humming Song
Sing it when you're on your own
The Humming Song by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci has a melancholic and reflective tone that speaks about someone who has left and moved away from their hometown. The opening lines, "You moved away faster than the seasons, with the closest love in their eyes," suggest that the person left so quickly that no one had time to say goodbye, though they had love in their eyes as they departed.
The lyric, "And now that you're gone, were you ever there at all?" presents the question of whether the person who left had truly made an impact while they were there. It seems that their presence may not have been significant enough for anyone to remember them in their absence. The lyric, "Only crows in the trees welcome you back home," further emphasizes the idea of loneliness and emptiness as the only thing awaiting the person's return are birds.
The chorus of the song, "This is the humming song, sing it when you're on your own," is a reference to finding comfort in music during times of solitude. It's a reminder that even though the person may feel alone, they have the power to create their own comfort through simple melodies. Additionally, the verse, "And cash back in the hand, this was your promised land," talks about someone who has left what they knew for the promise of something more, but maybe, they have come to realize that the attraction of new, isn't always what it seems.
Line by Line Meaning
You moved away faster than the seasons
You left abruptly without warning, even faster than the change of seasons.
With the closest love in their eyes
The people who loved you the most were left behind, with sadness in their eyes.
And now that you're gone
Now that you've left, it feels like you were never really there in the first place.
Were you ever there at all ?
It's as if you never really existed, as your presence is no longer felt.
Only crows in the trees welcome you back home
The only ones left to welcome you home are the crows in the trees, indicating a sense of emptiness and abandonment.
In summer we collapse into the sea
During the summer season, we let go and surrender to the power of the ocean.
In Winter old times in the snow, don't know
During Winter, we reflect on past experiences, as if reliving old memories in the snow.
And You're face it means nothing to me
Your face holds no significance to me anymore, as you're no longer a part of my life.
And you're windows I have never seen through
I've never truly understood or connected with you, even when we were physically close.
And in a place nowhere no one can come together
Somewhere beyond our reach, there exists a place where no one can unite or find common ground.
Some people they leave home every day
Some people choose to leave their comfort zone and home every day, in search of something more.
And nothing calls you back no more
There's nothing left to bring you back, as you've let go of whatever was calling you before.
But this is the humming song
Despite everything, there's still a song that lingers in the air, reminding us of what once was.
You sing it when you're on your own
It's a song you can only sing when you're alone, as it's too personal to be shared with others.
And cash back in the hand
You may have felt like you've lost everything, but at least you have some cash left to hold on to.
This was your promised land
This place, this moment, was once your promised land, a place of hope and potential.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EUROS CHILDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind