Herbert began creating music with found objects whilst at Exeter University (UK) in the 1990s, where he studied Drama. From bottles, books, and pepper pots he progressed to recording places and experiences, effectively using the sampler as an instrument on many of his Doctor Rockit and Herbert releases. This style evolved into the overtly political when he began sampling objects from McDonald's and The Gap as a protest against corporate globalism on the The Mechanics Of Destruction album. The CD was distributed free at concerts and available as a free download and has never been available in stores.
His 2003 Big Band album, Goodbye Swingtime combined the political commentary of Radioboy with the song structure of his Herbert albums. Recorded with sixteen musicians from the British jazz world, including saxophonists Dave O'Higgins and Nigel Hitchcock and bassist Dave Green, the band is complemented on stage by long-term vocal partner Dani Siciliano and occasionally Arto Lindsay and Warp recording artist, Jamie Lidell. Recently he has provided music for a number of films, including Dogme director Kristian Levring's The Intended along with original music for TV. Herbert's newest album Plat du Jour addresses world famine.
Harmonise
Herbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here in my mind
There's no disguising you
I start to begin
Beside of you
I'm calling
You get serious
When you talk about
Things you know you know about
A loyal friend with a grip
On a world that can slip from under you
We disappear, reappear and you still make
Sense to me, that recipe
Write things down, how they sound and the ground
Can open up, and comfort us
My old friend
What a friend of mine
Tying knots on a string of time
Haul me up when the time has come
Skipping rope, when we're having fun
Up and
Up and down
Up and
Up and down
Up and
Up and down
Up and
Up and down
Sing when you talk
I'll listen
Sing when you think
I'm near
Can't be a song without you
Harmonise, sing your memory here
Up and down
Up and down
Up and down
Up and down
You get emotional
When you talk about Lucy, Jo or family
A loyal love is a gift in a world that can shift
From under you
We're not around, then around and the games
Will get more fun as we like to win
And win we do, with your love, with the crew
Adoring your move, to three from just two
My old friend
What a friend of mine
Tying knots on a string of time
Haul me up when the time has come
Skipping rope, when we're having fun
Up and
Up and down
Up and
Up and down
Up and
Up and down
Up and
Up and down
Sing when you talk
I'll listen
Sing when you think
I'm near
Can't be a song without you
Harmonise, sing your memory here
(This refrain)
Sing when you talk
(We are calling)
I'll listen
(This refrain)
Sing when you think
I'm near
(We are calling)
Can't be a song without you
(This refrain)
Harmonise, sing your memory here
(We are calling this refrain)
We are calling this refrain
Always have a day in a month to be yours now
This refrain
Always have a month in a year to be yours now
This refrain
Always have a ground for an ear to be yours now
This refrain
Always have ways to your house in my head now
You are the world
I am your people
You are the world
I am your people
You are the world
I am your people
You are the world
I am your people
(This refrain)
You are the world
(We are calling this refrain)
I am your people
(This refrain)
You are the world
(We are calling this refrain)
I am your people
(We are calling this refrain)
Sing when you talk
I'll listen
Can't be a song without you
Harmonise
In the song "Harmonise" by Herbert, the singer talks about the deep connection he has with his friend. He describes how he feels when he is with his friend and how they always seem to make sense to each other, even when the world around them is falling apart. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of singing and harmonizing with each other, both literally and figuratively.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of loyalty and the importance of having someone who will be with you through thick and thin. The singer acknowledges the emotional moments his friend shares with him about their loved ones and how such moments make their bond stronger.
The refrain at the end of the song encourages the listener to always have a place in their heart for someone special and to keep them close by singing and harmonizing with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Here in my mind
There's no disguising you
My thoughts are consumed by you and your presence cannot be concealed
I start to begin
Beside of you
With you by my side, I gain the courage and inspiration to start something new
You get serious
When you talk about
Things you know you know about
A loyal friend with a grip
On a world that can slip from under you
You become intense when discussing subjects you are knowledgeable about, like being faithful to friends in a world that can be unstable
We disappear, reappear and you still make
Sense to me, that recipe
Write things down, how they sound and the ground
Can open up, and comfort us
Despite distance or time apart, you still make sense to me, like a tried and true recipe. Writing things down and reflecting on them can bring comfort and even insight
My old friend
What a friend of mine
Tying knots on a string of time
Haul me up when the time has come
Skipping rope, when we're having fun
You are a dear friend who has been present for so much of my life, like weaving knots into a thread of time. You lift me up when I need it and we have a blast together
Sing when you talk
I'll listen
Sing when you think
I'm near
Can't be a song without you
Harmonise, sing your memory here
Speak and share with me, express yourself and I'll pay attention. You are such an important part of my life, like a key melody in a song. Let's create memories and harmonise together
You get emotional
When you talk about Lucy, Jo or family
A loyal love is a gift in a world that can shift
From under you
Your emotions surface when discussing people important to you, like Lucy, Jo and your family. Loyalty is a treasure since things can unexpectedly change or disappear
We're not around, then around and the games
Will get more fun as we like to win
And win we do, with your love, with the crew
Adoring your move, to three from just two
Our time together is sporadic but still enjoyable as we delight in winning. Your love and the presence of our group makes those victories even better
(This refrain)
Sing when you talk
(We are calling)
I'll listen
(This refrain)
Sing when you think
I'm near
(We are calling)
Can't be a song without you
(This refrain)
Harmonise, sing your memory here
(We are calling this refrain)
Let's continue to share and connect through music and memories, building on this refrain that we are calling and repeating
Always have a day in a month to be yours now
This refrain
Always have a month in a year to be yours now
This refrain
Always have a ground for an ear to be yours now
This refrain
Always have ways to your house in my head now
Taking a leaf out of your book, I pledge to set aside a day every month just for you. And like this refrain we are calling, I am committed to always having a listening ear for you and to keep you in my thoughts
You are the world
I am your people
Your influence on my life is huge, like the whole world. In turn, I am a part of your world and people
(This refrain)
You are the world
(We are calling this refrain)
I am your people
(This refrain)
You are the world
(We are calling this refrain)
I am your people
(We are calling this refrain)
Once again, we repeat and call this refrain that affirms the closeness and significance of our relationship
Can't be a song without you
Harmonise
It all circles back to the importance of your role and the harmony we create together in each other's lives
Contributed by Oliver O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.