Their début single, 'To You', on Ugly Man Records was produced by and featured backing vocals by Guy Garvey, lead singer of Еlbow.
Début 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."
Northern Skies
I Am Kloot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reflected light upon your face
Some people think stars rule our lives,
Some people they think otherwise
They can be replaced.
Where did you go on that big black night?
Did you take the coast road back through your life?
They'll do all right for me
We shroud our lives in mysteries,
Shooting stars and storming seas, if we
Have any sense
Storm clouds roll, they're free to break
And we're free to make
The same mistakes again and again
Where shall we go
On that big, black night?
Shall we take the coast road back through our lives?
See the sand, the moon, the stars that shine the light and say, well
They'll do all right without me
Above there are no stars tonight, just northern skies
Reflected light and fields of snow.
Some people think stars rule our lives,
Some people they think otherwise
What does anybody know?
Where shall I go on that big, black night?
Shall I take the coast road back through my life?
See the sand, the moon, the stars that shine the light and say, well
They'll do all right for me
Where shall I go on that big, black night?
Shall I take the coast road back through my life?
See the sand, the moon, the stars that shine the light and say, well,
They'll do all right for me
See the stars and constellations
Sit beneath their congregation
The song "Northern Skies" by I Am Kloot is a beautiful contemplation on the insignificance of human life in the face of the vast expanse of the universe. Through reflecting on the stars and northern skies, the lyrics explore the idea that the stars, which many people think rule our lives, can actually be replaced. The song suggests that instead of relying on the whims of the universe, we should focus on making the most of the time we have on earth and accept that we will inevitably make mistakes along the way.
The first verse focuses on the absence of stars and the reflective quality of the northern skies. It questions the belief that stars control our lives and suggests that they can be replaced. The second verse asks a series of questions about life's journey and where we should go on the "big, black night" of death. The final verse brings the focus back to the stars and suggests that our lives are shrouded in mystery, but we still have the freedom to make mistakes.
The power of "Northern Skies" lies in the way it beautifully fuses existential questioning with the beauty of the natural world. The song encourages listeners to embrace the mysteries of life and to make the most of the time we have on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Above there are no stars tonight just northern skies
There are no visible stars tonight in the sky, only the reflection of light on your face from the northern skies.
Some people think stars rule our lives,
Some people believe that the positions of the stars and planets influence our lives.
Some people they think otherwise
Others disagree with this belief.
Where did you go on that big black night?
Wherever you went on a dark and ominous night remains a mystery.
Did you take the coast road back through your life?
Did you reflect on your past as you traveled home?
They'll do all right for me
The stars and moon provide enough light for me to see where I'm going and be content.
Shooting stars and storming seas, if we
We weave our lives in mysteries, made up of fleeting moments like shooting stars and tumultuous events like storming seas.
Have any sense
We should be aware of life's inherent uncertainties and dangers.
Storm clouds roll, they're free to break
The darkness and negativity of life can come suddenly and without warning.
And we're free to make
But we have the freedom to learn from our mistakes and try again.
The same mistakes again and again
Although we may repeat the same mistakes and endure the same obstacles in life.
What does anybody know?
Who knows the ultimate truth about our existence and destiny?
See the stars and constellations
Observe the celestial bodies in the sky and the patterns they form.
Sit beneath their congregation
Sit and contemplate the mysteries of life beneath the vastness of the universe.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Alexander Jobson, Arnold Bramwell, Peter Hargreaves
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
elisa hainka
Lyrics:
Above there are no stars tonight just northern skies
Reflected light upon your face
Some people think stars rule our lives,
Some people they think otherwise
They can be replaced.
Where did you go on that big black night?
Did you take the coast road back through your life?
See the sand, the moon, the stars that shine the light and say, well
They'll do all right for me
We shroud our lives in mysteries,
Shooting stars and storming seas, if we
Have any sense
Storm clouds roll, they're free to break
And we're free to make
The same mistakes again and again
Where shall we go
On that big, black night?
Shall we take the coast road back through our lives?
See the sand, the moon, the stars that shine the light and say, well
They'll do all right without me
Above there are no stars tonight, just northern skies
Reflected light and fields of snow.
Some people think stars rule our lives,
Some people they think otherwise
What does anybody know?
Where shall I go on that big, black night?
Shall I take the coast road back through my life?
See the sand, the moon, the stars that shine the light and say, well
They'll do all right for me
Where shall I go on that big, black night?
Shall I take the coast road back through my life?
See the sand, the moon, the stars that shine the light and say, well,
They'll do all right for me
See the stars and constellations
Sit beneath their congregation
Khatijah Rahmat
Heard this voice peeking through the din of a busy restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, of all places. There’s something about his voice that’s resigned and strong at the same time, saying such bittersweet words, that got me hooked. Lovely, hidden gem of a song.
Mark Long
Played this at my son Ashley’s funeral, the lyrics mean so much to me,our relationship, and what happened the night I found him.
Kevin red badger Walls
❤💔 sorry to hear your sad news mate
Đanfranko Geza Martinčić
So sorry, stay strong, it's heavy task. Peace & love
X-75 Hurricane
Too, too sad my friend...crying for you and your boy Ashley. Arohanui from Aotearoa NZ.
HattyMarris
Such a stunning song, we can only hope that one day the world shares this view and recognises I Am Kloot for what they really are: Simply one of the hardest working and best bands currently out there. How can these guys not get the success they deserve when there's people who walk into fame just by going on shitty talent shows!
rowwalsh101
Sheer brilliance, the greatest band most of the world have not heard of. Hope they do get the recognition they deserve for writing some of the best music and lyrics in recent years.
brownyunited
I Am Kloot are one of the best bands around and have been for ten years. This song is awsome. I can't get enough of it.
Michael Hannah
Brilliant song by John Bramwell that will always remind me of my friend Hazel Davies, who passed away recently. It was played at her funeral. She was a force of nature and loved Liverpool and the Northern Skies. 💔
Mark Wilson
Absolutely fantastic song, up there with Nick Drakes Northern Sky. Superb.