Adopting the name from Albert Deutsch's 1948 report on the US mental health system signalled a break with their earlier Mansun/Britpop pastiches in order to marry the hooks and songs to the kind of new post-rock sounds being made by groups like Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Herlihy had landed a development deal with Parlophone Records, giving the band an opportunity to explore expensive and expansive instrumentation & ultimately allowing haunting instrumental The American Revolution to see release in 2002 on Hermetech Records. The limited single Black Dollar Bills followed in 2003; it sold out quickly and gave the band slots at UK festivals as well as a multi-album deal with Sony & Columbia Records.
Preceded by the 2003 single Enemies/Friends, the album's release was postponed indefinitely following Jimmi Lawrence's studio suicide in January 2004; however, the group recorded and toured new experimental material as Thee Dust Rackets and bounced back four months later with album The Lost Riots and UK Top 15 single The Red The White The Black The Blue. Later, Nehemiah was released as another single, reaching #30. Fans who recieved copies of the Dust Rackets record at gigs were encouraged to share them with friends by post and keep them off the internet, allowing as many fans as possible to hear the series while building a strong community around them.
The band spent most of 2005 writing and demoing material for their second album, the vast majority of which was given to their fans in the form of more free 'Dust Rackets' albums and YouSendIt downloads, before returning to the studio with Ken Thomas to record Left. A limited edition EP, Blood Meridian, was released in April 2006. The followup single Sing It Out charted at #39 in the UK and new album Left was expected to gain a similar position. However, the album failed to make the UK top 40 amidst a lukewarm critical response, many of whom were disappointed that the band had moved away from the intense, post-rock stylings of their earlier material, though band members were equally annoyed that Sony Columbia released the main edition of the album in a chart-ineligible DualDisc format.
The band released their final single 'Left' on August 18th 2006, before breaking up later that week. They played their last gig on the 27th at the Reading and Leeds Festival.
Members of the band went on to join projects including ambient electronic/post rock Troubles, Sam's Autechre-influenced solo project 'Blocks, DJs CERN, work with fan groups Tim and Sam's Tim and the Sam Band With Tim And Sam and The Deirdres, Sons of Noel and Adrian and indie rock quintet-duo The Northwestern.
January
Hope of the States Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to wash my eyes out
I want to mean every thing I say
And never be scared again
I refuse to be ashamed
However many doomed attempts it takes
To forget my history
All my mistakes and every thing I waste
I fell apart in January
But I fixed myself for everybody
I know tomorrow we'll be better
Without you all I don't know where I'd be
I hope a day will come to make me forget Everything
When it comes ill sing it out
And praise the lord
I saved myself
I fell apart in January
But I fixed myself for everybody
I know tomorrow we'll be better
Without you all I don't know where I'd be
I fell apart in January
But I fixed myself for everybody
I know tomorrow we'll be better
Without you all I don't know where I'd be
The song "January" by Hope of the States is about coming to terms with one's past, mistakes, and regrets, but moving on to a brighter future. The lyrics express a desire to be innocent and carefree again, to be able to mean everything that is said without fear or shame. However, the singer acknowledges that this is not possible and that they must instead focus on learning from their history, mistakes and wasted opportunities.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "I fell apart in January, but I fixed myself for everybody," which could be interpreted as a reflection on a specific event or period of time in the singer's life. This event may have caused them to hit rock bottom, but eventually they were able to pull themselves together for the sake of those around them. The singer expresses gratitude for the support of others and acknowledges that they wouldn't be where they are without their help.
Overall, "January" is a song about self-reflection, growth, and resilience. It acknowledges the pain and difficulties of life, but emphasizes the possibility of overcoming them with perseverance and support from others.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be a kid again
I long to return to a state of innocence and freedom, unburdened by the responsibilities and challenges of adulthood.
I want to wash my eyes out
I wish I could cleanse my perspective and see the world with fresh eyes, devoid of cynicism or jadedness.
I want to mean every thing I say
I aspire to a level of honesty and sincerity where every word I speak is imbued with profound meaning and significance.
And never be scared again
I yearn for a sense of security and invincibility, free from the fear and uncertainty that plague me in my daily life.
I refuse to be ashamed
I am determined to overcome my past mistakes and live a life free from guilt, regret, or shame.
However many doomed attempts it takes
I am willing to persevere through countless failed attempts in order to achieve my desired outcome, despite the odds being against me.
To forget my history
I long to leave behind the baggage and pain of my past, to move forward unencumbered by my previous mistakes.
All my mistakes and every thing I waste
I regret the time and opportunities I have squandered in my life, and wish I could reclaim them to do better.
I know tomorrow we'll be better
Despite the difficulties and hardships of the present, I believe that the future holds promise and hope for improvement.
Without you all I don't know where I'd be
I recognize the support and contribution of others in my life, and am grateful for their presence and impact on my journey.
I hope a day will come to make me forget Everything
I look forward to a time where I can let go of all the pain and trauma of the past, and start anew, unfettered by my past experiences.
When it comes ill sing it out
When the moment of liberation finally arrives, I will celebrate and express my joy and relief vocally and without restraint.
And praise the lord
I will acknowledge the role of a higher power in guiding me towards this moment of clarity and redemption.
I saved myself
Through perseverance, self-reflection, and the support of loved ones, I was able to rescue myself from a place of darkness and find my way towards a better future.
I fell apart in January
In a particular season or moment of my life, I experienced a sense of loss, despair or disillusionment that threatened to undo me.
But I fixed myself for everybody
Despite the pain and difficulty of this period, I was able to pull myself together and continue to function for the benefit of those around me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID PATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind