In January 2011, Andy Butler came back with a brand new crew and released "Blue Songs", Hercules and Love Affair's sophomore effort, mainly influenced by nineties house and electro music. Aside from Kim Ann Foxman, band members now includes Mark Pistel, Aerea Negrot, Shaun Wright.
The band's central figure, Andrew Butler, began his musical career at 15, DJing in a Denver leather bar run by a hostess called Chocolate Thunder Pussy. He then moved to Brooklyn, in order to attend Sarah Lawrence College. According to Butler: "I’ve been writing songs since childhood. I made music for dance performances in college (where he studied under Martin Goldray), like a remake of Gino Soccio’s ‘Runaway’ done in the style of Kraftwerk."
Former member of the collective, Nomi, was born and raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York. One of her earlier songs "You'll Never Know" appeared on "The Enlightened Family" Compilation released by Voodoo EROS. She also released her debut album "Lost in Lust" in 2005, an auto-biographical snap shot of life on the streets of Brooklyn. The record was self-released under the Park Side Records label and is being compared to a union between Wu Tang Clan's The RZA on beats and Sade on vocals. Since the album's release Nomi has toured Europe and the US with CocoRosie. She performed at stylist Patricia Field's residence for Fashion Week, toured Europe with Antony and the Johnsons as one of 13 NYC Beauties in the Turning Tour and recently emerged as an MC on a yet to be released version of "Heat of the Moment" with the legendary Deborah Harry.
www.herculesandloveaffair.com
I Try To Talk To You
Hercules and Love Affair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could have taught how to love yourself
I waited patiently
I hoped that you would be the one to come to me
I try to talk to you
I thought that you would recognize the need
That you had deep inside
But you had to get there by yourself
I don't understand, help me please
Tell me everything, make me see
You know that I would give you anything
I'll take away the pain, I'll take away the stain
I don't understand, help me please
Tell me everything, make me see
Know that I would give you anything
I'll take away the pain, I'll take away the stain
You didn't have to go
You didn't have to add this to the next
You let 'em use you good
Then they turn around and say you're sick
Is this what you deserve?
You're just a man, you're a human being
And will you listen now
This doesn't have to be the way things end
I don't understand, help me please
Tell me everything, make me see
Know that I would give you anything
I'll take away the pain, I'll take away the stain
I don't understand, help me please
Tell me everything, make me see
Know that I would give you anything
I'll take away the pain, I'll take away the stain
Ah-ahhh
Uh-uh
Ah-ahhh
Help me please,
Why don't you come to me?
I don't understand, help me please
Tell me everything, make me see
Know that I would give you anything
I'll take away the pain, I'll take away the stain
I don't understand, help me please
Tell me everything, make me see
Know that I would give you anything
I'll take away the pain, I'll take away the stain
I don't understand, help me please
Tell me everything, make me see
Know that I would give you anything
I'll take away the pain, I'll take away the stain
The lyrics of "I Try To Talk To You" by Hercules and Love Affair hint at a relationship that could have gone differently. One person in the relationship had hoped the other would come to them and recognize the need they had deep inside. However, the other person had to go through it by themselves. The singer shows their love and support by offering to help in any way possible - taking away the pain and stain, and asking for understanding as they try and make sense of the other person's thoughts and feelings.
Towards the end of the song, the singer addresses the other person more directly. They question whether the other person deserves to be used and thrown aside, and remind them that they are only human. They ask for communication, for the other person to come to them so they can talk through everything together. The song ultimately ends with the plea for help - help to understand, to communicate, and to love each other through the struggles.
Overall, "I Try To Talk To You" seems to focus on the idea of communication and support within a relationship. While the relationship in the song may not have gone as smoothly as the singers hoped, they kept the lines of communication open and offered support to the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
We could have skipped this part
We did not have to go through this painful journey.
I could have taught how to love yourself
I wished I could have helped you learn how to love and appreciate yourself.
I waited patiently
I held onto hope that you would come to me in your own time.
I hoped that you would be the one to come to me
I wished for you to come to me willingly, so we could have worked on this together.
I try to talk to you
I attempted to communicate with you and understand your struggles.
I thought that you would recognize the need
I assumed that you would understand the need to seek help.
That you had deep inside
The deep, ingrained pain and struggles that you kept hidden within yourself.
But you had to get there by yourself
You had to eventually reach out for help on your own.
You didn't have to go
You did not deserve to experience this pain and suffering.
You didn't have to add this to the next
You did not have to carry this burden onto the next chapter of your life.
You let 'em use you good
You allowed others to exploit your kindness and good nature.
Then they turn around and say you're sick
Those who took advantage of you projected their own issues onto you.
Is this what you deserve?
You did not deserve to be treated in such a manner.
You're just a man, you're a human being
You are only human and are allowed to experience pain and struggle.
And will you listen now
Perhaps you are finally ready to listen and seek help.
This doesn't have to be the way things end
There is hope and potential for healing and growth.
Ah-ahhh
Instrumental break.
Uh-uh
Instrumental break.
Help me please
A plea for assistance and guidance.
Why don't you come to me?
Asking for the individual to come to me for help.
Contributed by Isaac V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lolamuss
We could have skipped this part
I could have taught you how to love yourself
I waited patiently
I hoped that you would be the one to come to me
I tried to talk to you
I thought that you would recognise the need
That you had deep inside
But you had to get there by yourself
[Chorus]
I don’t understand, help me please
Tell me everything you’ll make me see
You know that I would give you anything
I’d take away the pain
I’d take away the stain
[Verse 2]
You didn’t have to go
You didn’t have to add this to the next
You let them use you good
Then they turned around and said you’re sick
Is this what you deserve
You’re just a man, you are a human being
And will you listen now
This doesn’t have to be the way things end
[Chorus]
I don’t understand, help me please
Tell me everything you’ll make me see
You know that I would give you anything
I’d take away the pain
I’d take away the stain
[Bridge]
Help me please
Why don’t you come to me
[Chorus]
I don’t understand, help me please
Tell me everything you’ll make me see
You know that I would give you anything
I’d take away the pain
I’d take away the stain
@mrwinky696969
It was the first time I heard and watched this music video. My body is covered in goosebumps, and my eyes have welled up with tears. I am so impressed with the choreography. I wish I had a dance partner, and we could dance so strong and lovingly. Thank you for the heartfelt lyrics, lovely voice, and thoughtful and touching physicality. Thank you. With my hand over my heart, thank you.
@admirlatifovic6662
well, you are gonna come here in 5 years when the nostalgia hits hard, and again get the goosebumps, just like I am getting it now.. 🫠🫶🏻
@BCause-qv1mk
Hercules and John Grant, two giants of alternative music. Stunning video, mesmerising dancers, pure art.
@NoNewfriendss
Biljana Ć. House music.
@BCause-qv1mk
No Newfriends John Grant is not house music. His second album had some dance beats ( collaboration with Gus Gus) but he is definitely a piano man with predominantly alternative rock/folk influence.
@NoNewfriendss
I guess that's why he is listed as featuring on the track he influenced the track but this is still house
@ivangz
Why argue over who puts music in the right bucket? Just enjoy the song and the video.
@GianniStella
at this point I realize John Grant's voice has found a residence in the deepest happiest spot of my soul - LOOOVE
@willrichardson519
Smooth, deep, Granite...
@filosofoleonardo
2019 e eu continuo sonhando em dançar essa música com um love. 😞