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)
happiness
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't help thinking about
Times that we've had.
Pictures on wall to minds that fall
It's hard knowing some people
Don't care at all
But Happiness will come our way
When ships are sailing across the sea
The lights are on, inside we never see
So here's to the day, the dying day
I'll carry on drinking but
I'll find another way
And how we soared when
Times are good
Seems to look these days
The moon is never full
But Happiness will come our way
And magic comes just not today
When ships are sailing across the sea
The lights are on, inside we never see
How long to go? I don't know,
I don't know.
You'll look in her eyes
And you'll know and you'll know
And you'll know and you'll know.
The song "Happiness" by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci explores the idea of yearning for happiness during difficult times. The lyrics depict a sense of sadness and longing for past memories, when life was simpler and happier. The line "pictures on wall to minds that fall" suggests that the memories we hold on to are like pictures on a wall, but they may not always provide the comfort we need. It can be difficult to accept that some people do not care, especially when we may have cared deeply for them. However, the chorus reassures the listener that happiness will come eventually, even if it may not seem like it at the moment.
The second half of the song introduces the idea of magic and the unknown. The ships sailing across the sea could represent the unknown and potential adventures that await us. The idea that "the lights are on, inside we never see" could suggest that there is magic around us that we may not notice or appreciate. The final lines of the song leave the listener with a sense of uncertainty - "How long to go? I don't know, I don't know" - but also a glimmer of hope - "You'll look in her eyes/And you'll know and you'll know/And you'll know and you'll know." This could suggest that even in times of uncertainty, love and connection can bring happiness and clarity.
Overall, "Happiness" is a poetic meditation on the complexities of finding happiness in life, even during times of sadness and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my heart's been beating sad
My heart has been feeling down and heavy.
Can't help thinking about
I can't stop thinking about
Times that we've had.
The good times that we have shared in the past.
Pictures on wall to minds that fall
Looking at pictures on the wall reminds me of better days, but it also makes me feel sad.
It's hard knowing some people
It's difficult to accept that some people
Don't care at all
Don't care about me or my feelings.
But Happiness will come our way
I have hope that we will find happiness in the future.
And magic comes just not today
I wish that something magical would happen soon, but I know it won't be today.
When ships are sailing across the sea
Sometimes I think about the ocean and the ships that sail across it.
The lights are on, inside we never see
We can see the lights on the ships from the shore, but we can't see what's happening inside them.
So here's to the day, the dying day
Let's raise a glass to every day that passes, even if it's a sad day.
I'll carry on drinking but
I will continue to drink alcohol, but
I'll find another way
I will try to find another way to cope with my sadness and pain.
And how we soared when
I remember feeling great when
Times are good
Things were going well and I was happy.
Seems to look these days
But these days, it feels like
The moon is never full
Something is always missing or incomplete, like the moon never being completely full.
How long to go? I don't know,
I don't know how much time I have left.
You'll look in her eyes
When you look into her eyes,
And you'll know and you'll know
You will just know without any doubt.
And you'll know and you'll know.
It will be a clear and undeniable feeling.
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jun Sato
Beautiful song especially when depressed
John Maddisin
how on earth were gorkys not a mainstream band. supremely talented
Steve Dinsdale
+John Maddisin TOO good !
Major insanity
One of their best. How this isn't on Spotify amazes me
Alex Frankel
Listening to this song again this morning just before heading off to the funeral of an old school friend ... this song suits my emotions perfectly - the music and the words. One of the great songs about life ....
Ollie
I just love their vibes. I need to find more music artists like them.
PS. Sadly, this song isn't in Spotify. :(
jamsee1
Deep melancholy dispels with words of love, harmony, bright blue skies... with the all mighty stength to override the feeling of sorrows with replaced, fond happiness to hear the words of outpour on a song like this. This is why music can be so poetic and beautiful
Zachary Vito
beautiful words
jamsee1
@Zachary Vito Thank you €:^) , feel a lot inside for a wonderful song like this
Alex Frankel
never get bored with listening to this song. Melancholic and uplifting both at the same time. Perfect for any mood ... Just beautiful