The band released their debut EP, I Saw Such Things in my Sleep EP, in September 2005; all 1000 copies sold out on the day of release. In January 2006, Guillemots were awarded fifth place in the BBC's Sound of 2006 list of favourite up-and-coming acts.
Their full-length debut LP, Through The Windowpane was released in July 2006, including Made-up Lovesong #43 from the Such Things EP and other previous singles Trains To Brazil and We're Here. The album's release date was timed so it would be eligible for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize, and the album did make the shortlist.
During the recording sessions for the album, the band recorded an EP entitled Of The Night made up of one song written by each band member. It was released via the internet on Valentine's Day 2006 and performed live in its entirety at the BBC Electric Proms 2006, with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Their performance of Bad Boyfriend was particularly memorable for the band donning animal masks, and Fyfe crying "Take me to orchestral paradise!" before the song's orchestral culmination. The EP was eventually released on CD and LP in November, to independent music shops only.
They were Scissor Sisters' support on their stadium tour in late 2006 and released a reworked version of Annie, Let's Not Wait, on 15 January 2007.
The latest album 'Red', which features an even more eclectic mix of influences and ideas, was released on March 24th 2008.
The band had a short break following 'Red', in which time Dangerfield released his first solo album, 2010's 'Fly Yellow Moon'.
Guillemots returned with critically praised 'Walk The River' in 2011.
In May 2012 the band announced that they would be writing and recording four seasonally themed albums over the remainder of the year and in to early 2013, starting with 'Hello Land!'
Clarion
Guillemots Lyrics
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But I've gotta make them real
It's like covering a bird in solid steel
All of these thoughts that I conceal
Through silence
All the hearts in this red world can never hold the love I hold
But I'm throwing it away
Swimming in circles 'round the bay
So blindly
Well feed me out to the lions
My hearts a lion
Feed me out to the lions
well I make excuses pass the buck
I play the crowd but it's down to me not luck
When the lights are on
The dreaming clouds they're living in
They try to hide their master fear
But their tears they catch on fire
And as they drop they dance with my desire
Don't think a plane could get much higher
(plane could get much higher)
Higher than I do
Just on imagination, just on hope
Just on the thought that you will someday have a face
Give me a beat and real sound
Maybe some feet will reach cold ground
To find you
Well feed me out to the lions
If I say this one more time
Feed me out to the lions
I beg, I hope, I wish, I pray
But that's not gonna send me on my way
When the lights come on
The lyrics of Guillemots' song "Clarion" are a reflection on the struggle to make one's innermost thoughts and feelings tangible and real. Lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield sings that although he holds so much inside, he can never fully express it, and it feels like he's "covering a bird in solid steel" or "swimming in oceans made of clay". The first verse seems to suggest that through silence, he holds his own secrets and thoughts close to him, but he acknowledges that it is limiting him from experiencing the world fully.
The theme of limitation continues in the second verse, as Dangerfield sings that even the hearts of the world can never hold his love, but he's throwing it away. This line is tinged with melancholy, and emphasizes that he is unable to share his thoughts, and emotions with anyone else. He then sings, "Feed me out to the lions," implying that he wants to take risks to be understood or heard, even if it is putting himself in danger. The lines, "I make excuses, pass the buck / I play the crowd but it's down to me not luck" reflect feelings of insecurity and desperation, suggesting that he is struggling to connect with those around him.
"Clarion" features stunning imagery, with the use of metaphors such as "the dreaming clouds they're living in" and "their tears they catch on fire." The chorus is a plea to be understood, to have his thoughts and feelings acknowledged by someone who can see through his disguises. It's a heartfelt cry of longing, but ends on a melancholic note. "I beg, I hope, I wish, I pray / But that's not gonna send me on my way / When the lights come on" suggest that he is still stuck, that even his deepest desires are unfulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
All the notebooks in the world can never hold the lives I hold
I have a deep understanding of life that cannot be contained in any physical objects like notebooks.
But I've gotta make them real
I must take action to bring my understanding of life into reality.
It's like covering a bird in solid steel
My attempts to embody my understanding of life feel like I'm suffocating the freedom and lightness that come naturally.
All of these thoughts that I conceal
I have many thoughts that I keep hidden.
Through silence
My thoughts are hidden through my silence and lack of expression.
All the hearts in this red world can never hold the love I hold
My love is too great to be held by anyone or anything in this world.
But I'm throwing it away
Despite having great love, I am wasting it.
It's like swimming in oceans made of clay
Trying to express my love feels like I'm struggling in a heavy and sticky substance like clay.
Swimming in circles 'round the bay
My attempts to express my love feel aimless and not getting anywhere.
So blindly
I'm unaware of my wasted potential and negative behavior.
Well feed me out to the lions
I welcome punishment for my behavior and it feels like a release.
My hearts a lion
I harbor destructive and aggressive feelings.
well I make excuses pass the buck
I blame others for my lack of progress and make excuses.
I play the crowd but it's down to me not luck
I entertain others, but ultimately it's my own responsibility to take action and succeed.
When the lights are on
In public, when I am the center of attention.
The dreaming clouds they're living in
Others live their lives dreaming and ignoring reality.
They try to hide their master fear
Their fear is deeply ingrained and they try to hide it.
But their tears they catch on fire
Their emotions cannot be repressed and cause them pain.
And as they drop they dance with my desire
Their pain and suffering is something I unconsciously desire.
Don't think a plane could get much higher
I am emotionally and mentally elevated beyond the clouds.
(plane could get much higher)
Higher than I do
Just on imagination, just on hope
My motivation to continue comes from my imagination and hope.
Just on the thought that you will someday have a face
My hope is centered around the idea that someone (possibly a lover) will appear in my life.
Give me a beat and real sound
I need real inspiration and guidance to succeed.
Maybe some feet will reach cold ground
Hopefully, my efforts will lead to tangible and meaningful results.
To find you
To find the person I have been hoping for.
I beg, I hope, I wish, I pray
I desperately desire success and love.
But that's not gonna send me on my way
Just wishing for success and love won't be enough to achieve it.
When the lights come on
When it's time to take action and be accountable.
Contributed by Owen O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.