He released a third solo album, Hotel Shampoo on 14th February 2011, Gruff said “I thought that as I’m getting on a bit, the time had come to buy a suit and record an album of piano ballads” Gruff Rhys explains. “However, I got bored, the record diversified and evolved – things turned out a bit differently…”
American Interior is his fourth solo album, released in 2014.
Christopher Columbus
Gruff Rhys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See no rhyme,
In your reason to resist,
Resist the power,
By the hour,
Ask the people to assist,
In isolation we were beautiful,
Cultured and content.
Now we breathe your devil scent,
And just like Christopher Columbus,
After 1492,
And just like Christopher Columbus,
You had a lot to answer fortunately,
Me and you are through.
Hope over reason,
The last bastion,
Of division and dissent,
Rebuilding bridges,
Climb the ridges,
Declarations of intent,
If we could harness all the firepower,
Turn it on itself,
We could shine brightly
Phosphorescent,
Seize the life upon it's shelf.
And just like Christopher Columbus,
After 1492,
And just like Christopher Columbus,
You had a lot to answer fortunately,
Me and you are through.
And just like Christopher Columbus,
After 1492,
And just like Christopher Columbus,
you had a lot to answer for.
And just like Christopher Columbus,
After 1492,
And just like Christopher Columbus,
You had a lot to answer fortunately,
Me and you are through.
Gruff Rhys's song "Christopher Columbus" is a critique of the cultural and social impacts of colonialism. The lyrics present a strong opposition to the power dynamics at play during colonization and question the justification for resistance against it. The opening lines about dreaming of freedom and not seeing a reason for resistance set the tone for the song's anti-colonial message. The lyrics suggest that harmonious isolation was possible before colonization, and that the acquisition of foreign diseases changed that serenity. There is also a reference to devilish scent, most likely referring to the horrors and brutalities of colonization.
Line by Line Meaning
I dream of freedom,
I desire to be free.
See no rhyme,
I don't understand the reason behind your actions.
In your reason to resist,
In your motive to oppose.
Resist the power,
Oppose those in control.
By the hour,
Continuously.
Ask the people to assist,
Request the help of the masses.
In isolation we were beautiful,
We were happy alone.
Cultured and content.
We had our own customs and were satisfied with them.
Civilization bought diseases,
The introduction of civilization brought illnesses.
Now we breathe your devil scent,
We are now affected by the negative consequences of civilization.
And just like Christopher Columbus,
Similar to the experiences of Christopher Columbus.
After 1492,
Referring to the year Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas.
You had a lot to answer fortunately,
Thankfully, you were held accountable for your actions.
Me and you are through.
Our relationship has ended completely.
Hope over reason,
Optimism instead of logic.
The last bastion,
The final stronghold.
Of division and dissent,
Of separation and disagreement.
Rebuilding bridges,
Mending relationships.
Climb the ridges,
Overcoming obstacles.
Declarations of intent,
Stating your goals.
If we could harness all the firepower,
If we could use our resources for good.
Turn it on itself,
Direct it towards our own problems.
We could shine brightly
We could be successful.
Phosphorescent,
Radiant.
Seize the life upon it's shelf.
Take advantage of the opportunities available.
And just like Christopher Columbus,
Similar to the experiences of Christopher Columbus.
you had a lot to answer for.
You will be held accountable for your actions.
And just like Christopher Columbus,
Similar to the experiences of Christopher Columbus.
After 1492,
Referring to the year Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas.
And just like Christopher Columbus,
Similar to the experiences of Christopher Columbus.
You had a lot to answer fortunately,
Thankfully, you were held accountable for your actions.
Me and you are through.
Our relationship has ended completely.
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.