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.
It's Only a Reprise
Herbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's only the part of the drum kicking
It's only the touch of you picking little of me
It's only my favourite face breaking
It's only the frozen ground shaking
It's only my bending eyes taking pictures of you
And though
So so long to be here
And though
I was wrong
It took you to appear
Before i would run from you
But now
I come to you
Before i would run from you
But now
I come to you
Before i would run from you
But now
I come to you
The lyrics to Herbert's song "It's Only a Reprise" are a delicate reflection on change and growth, particularly in regards to a relationship. The first verse sets the tone with a series of minimalist, introspective observations. The ticking clock, the drums, and the touch of another person all possess a certain weight that is both real and yet ultimately inconsequential. The singer is experiencing a personal transformation, however, as they begin to see beyond the surface level of things and engage with the world around them in a more intimate and meaningful way. There is a sense that the singer is bewitched by the person they are addressing, and even mundane moments are imbued with a sense of magic.
The second part of the song shifts into a confession, as the singer reflects on the past and how much they have grown. They used to be someone who would run away from their problems, including the person to whom they are singing. However, something has changed, and now they are willing to confront their fears and vulnerabilities. It takes courage to face up to who we really are and accept the parts of ourselves that we don't necessarily like. This is the crucial turning point in the song, as the singer acknowledges that they are ready to be vulnerable and face their demons head-on. They are ready to come to the person they once ran from.
Line by Line Meaning
It's only the tired clock ticking
The sound of the clock ticking is nothing but a reminder of time passing by, without any significant change.
It's only the part of the drum kicking
The drum's beating is but a fraction of its music, and its significance is minimal in the overall composition.
It's only the touch of you picking little of me
Even your touch, which once meant so much to me, seems to be insignificant and shallow now.
It's only my favourite face breaking
The face that I admired the most is slowly losing its charm and beauty.
It's only the frozen ground shaking
The ground beneath my feet may stir and move, but it fails to disrupt my state of mind or my actions.
It's only my bending eyes taking pictures of you
The act of looking at you and capturing memories through my eyes is a futile exercise, for your presence feels transient and fleeting.
And though
It's been long
So so long to be here
Despite the lengthy journey and the toll it has taken on me, I am still here, realizing that the destination may not be worth the effort.
And though
I was wrong
It took you to appear
Admitting that my erstwhile perceptions were flawed, it took your arrival for me to realize my mistake.
Before i would run from you
But now
I come to you
In the past, I would avoid you, but now I seek you, hoping to find solace and perhaps a hint of salvation from our conflict.
Before i would run from you
But now
I come to you
In the past, I would avoid you, but now I seek you, hoping to find solace and perhaps a hint of salvation from our conflict.
Before i would run from you
But now
I come to you
In the past, I would avoid you, but now I seek you, hoping to find solace and perhaps a hint of salvation from our conflict.
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: MATTHEW HERBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind