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."
Over My Shoulder
I Am Kloot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
can't you feel the healing finger tips
coming down, on you like rain
so tell me now where do we remain?
over my shoulder it goes
and where it lands, you don't want to know
nobody listened to a word i'd say
i didn't care who knew me then
someone stupid asked if we were friends, well
over my shoulder it goes,
back to a bar, we both used to know
shut your mouth, you watch my lips
can't you feel the healing finger tips
coming down, on you like rain
so tell me now where do we remain?
over my shoulder it goes
and where it lands, you don't want to know
over my shoulder it goes
and where it lands, you don't want to know
The lyrics of I Am Kloot's "Over My Shoulder" present a complex mix of emotions including bitterness, anger, and sadness. The opening line "shut your mouth, and watch my lips" suggests a confrontational tone, but the words that follow suggest a more benevolent gesture with "can't you feel the healing finger tips coming down, on you like rain." This juxtaposition of two conflicting emotions continues throughout the song, reflecting on the singer's turmoil.
The chorus "over my shoulder it goes, and where it lands, you don't want to know" hints at unresolved issues and a sense of hopelessness. The line "I used to work night and day, nobody listened to a word I'd say" suggests a sense of futility and frustration. The use of the phrase "over my shoulder" suggests escape, but the fact that the singer doesn't want to know where it lands suggests that it may not be a healthy escape.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted in various ways, but they all seem to point out that the singer is stuck in a situation that they cannot escape. With a beautiful melody, the song ultimately conveys a sense of sadness, loneliness, and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
shut your mouth, and watch my lips
Quiet down and pay attention to what I'm about to say
can't you feel the healing finger tips
Do you not sense the positive influence I'm trying to have on you?
coming down, on you like rain
My efforts to help you are as abundant and necessary as rain in a drought
so tell me now where do we remain?
What is the current state of our relationship or situation?
over my shoulder it goes
I'm letting go of any negativity or past hurts and moving on
and where it lands, you don't want to know
The outcome of my letting go will not benefit you
i used to work night and day
I used to work tirelessly
nobody listened to a word i'd say
No one paid attention or valued my effort
i didn't care who knew me then
I didn't care about recognition, I just wanted to help
someone stupid asked if we were friends, well
Someone made a foolish assumption about our relationship
back to a bar, we both used to know
Looking back to a past meeting place where our relationship may have begun
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Andrew Hargreaves, John Bramwell, Peter Jobson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Beans on Toast
This is such a good song. Kloot should be so much bigger! Love this one so much.
Because We Can
No matter how down I feel, this is one of the only bands that brings me up. I'm not even sure how I found them but that doesn't matter now. My all time favorite band!!! I wish they'd tour in the US.
Ian Blair
Most underrated band ever!! Lyrical genius! Only seen them once live!! Hopefully will again!! Keep releasing music folks!! Nick Drake fruit tree lyrics probably suggest your projected path.."fame is but a fruit tree, so very unsound,it can never flourish, until it's stalk is in the ground" sad but likely true..
Ross Vallance
Saw you guys live in Barrow in Furness in 2006 , you bummed a cigarette after you signed my CD ... love to hear you live again
James Granger
how is it even possible to dislike this song? such a nice chill out song... should have so many more views such good lyrics as well!
Sharon Teague
Inspired video, I'd forgotten how bloody good this video is - love the Night & Day references (was there for Johnnys solo gig in Nov) But best of all is the crate - so Kloot. Love it! :)
floppyd0g
an absolute classic. one of my all time faves,
MrPreo
Best song by one the most underrated band. Thanks for this brilliant song, I AM KLOOT. :D
M St
Absolutely amazing song, still remember the very first time I heard it. What a sad world we live in where this is virtually unknown and yet total rubbish can sell millions.
onewinkatatime
Just found this band... love this song!