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.
Cycle of Violence
Gruff Rhys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spinning patterns across the sky,
Start the ball rolling;
For consequences unforeseen by 'man.
A forgone conclusion,
Wrapped up in a silver shell,
Set it in motion;
Watch it spinning
Say goodbye to everything you knew.
Cycle of Violence,
Cosmic encounters,
Power stations and aeroplanes,
Start a commotion,
Expect a sudden answer by return
Aspects of terror,
Should be kept between you and I;
You're one in a zillion:
Dirty bombs and clean ones,
Look the same if you look closely,
Cycle of Violence
Piece together one another.
Cycle of Violence
Gruff Rhys’s song “Cycle of Violence” is a thought-provoking contemplation on the destructive and cyclical nature of violence. The song begins with the imagery of spinning patterns across the sky, implying that violence is a natural occurrence in the universe that has been unfolding for eons. The chorus then warns of the consequences unforeseen by man, emphasizing the destructive nature of violence and the inability for humanity to comprehend or control its outcomes. The next verse deals with the idea of cosmic encounters, power stations, and airplanes starting a commotion, leading to a sudden answer by return - another warning of the unpredictable nature of violence. The third verse finishes by echoing the same catastrophic thoughts of the first, but also emphasizes the importance of coming together to piece ourselves back together after violence has occurred.
The repeated phrase “Cycle of Violence” reflects the never-ending nature of violence throughout human history, and the lyrics seem to suggest that violence is an inevitable part of the human condition. The use of cosmic and scientific imagery emphasizes the vastness and complexity of the issue. Gruff Rhys's lyrics are a powerful warning against our own destructive nature and a call for unity after the event of violence - both physical and verbal.
Line by Line Meaning
Cycle of Violence
The recurring pattern of violent behavior and its consequences.
Spinning patterns across the sky
Violence is occurring all around, in various forms and intensities.
Start the ball rolling;
Violence can start small but grow rapidly and uncontrollably.
For consequences unforeseen by 'man.
The consequences of violent actions are often unpredictable and far-reaching.
A forgone conclusion,
Violence can seem inevitable, with no way to stop it before it's too late.
Wrapped up in a silver shell,
The veneer of modernity and technology can hide the destructive effects of violence.
Set it in motion;
Once violence is started, it can be hard to stop or control.
Watch it spinning
Violence can take on a life of its own, with unpredictable outcomes.
Stop your grinning,
Violence is not something to take lightly or celebrate.
Say goodbye to everything you knew.
Violence can destroy lives, communities, and even entire ways of life.
Cosmic encounters,
Violence can arise from unpredictable, chaotic events, both natural and man-made.
Power stations and aeroplanes,
Modern technologies can be both a source and target of violence.
Start a commotion,
Violence can be triggered by even small, seemingly insignificant actions.
Expect a sudden answer by return
Violence can escalate quickly, with rapid and often unpredictable responses.
Aspects of terror,
Violence can be terrifying, both for those directly involved and for those who witness it.
Should be kept between you and I;
Violence can be personal and difficult to share or talk about.
You're one in a zillion:
Each individual is unique but can also be a target of violence.
Dirty bombs and clean ones,
Violent acts can be both overtly destructive or subtle and insidious.
Look the same if you look closely,
Even subtle forms of violence can have a devastating impact, and may be harder to see at first glance.
Piece together one another.
We must work together to understand the root causes of violence and find ways to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.