Their dΓ©but single, 'To You', on Ugly Man Records was produced by and featured backing vocals by Guy Garvey, lead singer of Πlbow.
DΓ©but album Natural History was released in March 2001 on Wall of Sound offshoot We Love You. It was followed by the self-titled I Am Kloot in September 2003 on the Echo label. In their early years I Am Kloot were regarded by many as an example of the 'quiet is the new loud' trend in indie rock, as they gained prominence in the same years as, for example, Turin Brakes and Norway's Kings of Convenience. I Am Kloot, however mostly acoustic, were definitely not always 'quiet', if only because of Bramwell's rough singing and Hargreaves' often powerful drumming.
The third 'Kloot' LP, Gods and Monsters, was released in April 2005. The band subsequently announced their departure from the label, citing reasons such as a lack of financial support and the cancellation of singles at short notice. The band released a compilation of radio sessions, BBC Radio 1 John Peel Sessions in October 2006, a collection of two Peel Sessions and other rarities.
Their fourth album, I Am Kloot Play Moolah Rouge, was released in April 2008. Once again a compilation album followed in its slipstream, this time 2009's collection of B-sides, rare recordings, sessions, and previously unreleased material, entitled B.
Following the somewhat disappointing sales of the 'Moolah Rouge' album, I Am Kloot had Elbow's Guy Garvey and Craig Potter produce their next studio album, which turned out to be a majestic return to form. Sky at Night (released July 2010) was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and charted at #24 in the U.K. album charts.
I Am Kloot were back on the map. 2013's Let It All In became their highest charting album in the U.K. (#10), but would turn out to be their final studio LP together. There would be two more releases (a soundtrack album called From There to Here in 2014, and a 2015 live album entitled Hold Back the Night: I Am Kloot Live) before John Bramwell announced (in late 2017) that the group had quietly split up a year or so earlier.
"There was no heavy break-up or anything," Bramwell said. "I just wanted to do something else. I'll never say never to getting back together but I was in I Am Kloot most of my adult life, but just as you can go to a great place on holiday year after year, sooner or later you want to go to somewhere else."
Black and Blue
I Am Kloot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You want them all but what you want is this girl
You can stick those rules, they're just second best
They give you so much but you land up with less
They give you money when what you need is love
It makes you smile pretending it's all enough
See the world now it's bruised black and blue
So give up the chance to be true
Dream for tomorrow, live for today
Someone, somewhere may just throw it away
It's been to the bottom, turned to the top
Lift up your eyes as if you were nearer to god
So get your bicycle and go earn your keep, there'll be
Nine million cycles here by this time next week
See the world now it's bruised black and blue
You want it all but all I want is you
So give up the chance to be true
We all wind up like we knew we'd do
Bruised black and blue
So many words are hard but true
We all wind up like we knew we'd do
Bruised black and blue
Bruised black and blue
In "Black and Blue," I Am Kloot singer John Bramwell is singing about the difficulty of finding true love and happiness in a world that is seemingly full of endless opportunities and distractions. The song starts with Bramwell acknowledging the lure of fame and fortune ("Lights are shining all around this world / You want them all but what you want is this girl"), but quickly dismisses them as empty pursuits ("They give you money when what you need is love / It makes you smile pretending it's all enough").
Instead, Bramwell sings, he wants to focus on his relationship with a particular woman, and he urges her to do the same ("You want it all but all I want is you / So give up the chance to be true"). The chorus repeats the phrase "See the world now it's bruised black and blue," which could be interpreted as a commentary on the ways in which constant striving for success and satisfaction can leave us feeling depleted and damaged.
The second verse of the song suggests that even if we do achieve our goals, it may not bring us the happiness we thought it would. Bramwell encourages listeners to appreciate the present moment and to make the most of what they have ("Dream for tomorrow, live for today / Someone, somewhere may just throw it away"). The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, reinforcing the idea that despite our best efforts, we may all end up feeling "bruised black and blue."
Line by Line Meaning
Lights are shining all around this world
There are many distractions and opportunities in the world.
You want them all but what you want is this girl
Despite all the opportunities, the singer is only interested in a specific girl.
You can stick those rules, they're just second best
Following societal rules may not lead to true happiness.
They give you so much but you land up with less
Pursuing material wealth may lead to a feeling of emptiness.
They give you money when what you need is love
Money cannot replace the emotional fulfillment that love brings.
It makes you smile pretending it's all enough
People may pretend material things are enough to make them happy, but it's not true.
See the world now it's bruised black and blue
The world is broken and hurting.
You want it all but all I want is you
The singer only desires the one he loves, not material wealth or success.
So give up the chance to be true
Don't sacrifice authentic love for temporary pleasures.
Dream for tomorrow, live for today
Hope for the future, but also enjoy the present.
Someone, somewhere may just throw it away
Opportunities may slip away and be wasted.
It's been to the bottom, turned to the top
Life can have its ups and downs.
Lift up your eyes as if you were nearer to god
Look to a higher power for guidance and strength.
So get your bicycle and go earn your keep, there'll be
Work hard and provide for yourself, as there will always be more competition and challenges ahead.
Nine million cycles here by this time next week
There will always be more people trying to succeed and make their way in the world.
We all wind up like we knew we'd do
Inevitably, everyone ends up dealing with the struggles and pain of life.
Bruised black and blue
These struggles can leave us feeling emotionally battered and bruised.
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nicoleroyle97
Lights are shining all around this world
You want them all but what you want is this girl
You can stick those rules, they're just second best
They give you so much but you land up with less
They give you money when what you need is love
It makes you smile pretending it's all enough
See the world now it's bruised black and blue
You want it all but all I want is you
So give up the chance to be true
Dream for tomorrow, live for today
Someone, somewhere may just throw it away
It's been to the bottom, turned to the top
Lift up your eyes as if you were nearer to god
So get your bicycle and go earn your keep, there'll be
Nine million cycles here by this time next week
See the world now it's bruised black and blue
You want it all but all I want is you
So give up the chance to be true
We all wind up like we knew we'd do
Bruised black and blue
So many words are hard but true
We all wind up like we knew we'd do
Bruised black and blue
Bruised black and blue
@paalston
Lights are shining all around this world
You want them all but what you want is this girl
You can stick those rules, they're just second best
They give you so much but you land up with less
They give you money when what you need is love
It makes you smile pretending it's all enough
See the world now it's bruised black and blue
You want it all but all I want is you
So give up the chance to be true
Dream for tomorrow, live for today
Someone, somewhere may just throw it away
It's been to the bottom, turned to the top
Lift up your eyes as if you were nearer to god
So get your bicycle and go earn your keep, there'll be
Nine million cycles here by this time next week
See the world now it's bruised black and blue
You want it all but all I want is you
So give up the chance to be true
We all wind up like we knew we'd do
Bruised black and blue
So many words are hard but true
We all wind up like we knew we'd do
Bruised black and blue
Bruised black and blue
1
@gemmalovegrove3832
I saw I Am Kloot perform this live in Utrecht in either 2000 or 2001 and searched for years for a copy. Such a beautiful song.
@robmetcalfe
What should be an Oscar winning performance combined with what should be Mercury prize winning song...perfection right there.
@nwoantix3867
BBC Ambulance drove me here ;)
@katbark
Me, too! Beautiful song and voice.
@keithmayes4358
katbark and me! Lovely song, made me think of Bob Dylan.
@lewisdinnage7169
NWO AntiX
Snap
@claresherry5558
Me too
@richardalexander8514
NWO AntiX - totally - had to find out what it was !!
@robmetcalfe
When i hear John sing , it makes think of a beautiful LS Lowry painting that has suddenly become audible.
@freedomwarrior7319
Deep song shame this music is not noticed more deserves a lot of credit