Allegedly nicknamed "King Monkey" by Dodgy's drummer Mathew Priest. Brown is well known to standout from the crowd and had his own unique style, whilst in The Roses he used to often wear big baggy flares and his landmark t-shirt with banknotes on. He now has a more casual look: Adidas Jackets, tracksuit bottoms, army trousers and a pair of shades. He is also recognisable for his varying hairstyles including: Blonde mohawk (early Stone Roses days) short (also early Stone roses days) undercut (similar to John Squire's) Big Hair (1989) bob cut (early 90's) Skinhead and his most well known hairdo long and shaggy with a fringe.
He has had two top 5 singles in the UK, My Star and Dolphins Were Monkeys. In 2005 he collaborated with Noel Gallagher from Oasis for the track Keep What Ya Got. He has also collaborated with U.N.K.L.E. on two tracks, 1999's Be There and Reign in 2004.
Recently Brown has started playing Stone Roses songs during gigs, fuelling speculation that a reunion may be on the cards. But In September 2005 Ian appeared to rule out a Stone Roses reunion saying "there's more chance of me reforming the Happy Mondays than the Roses". Happy Mondays in fact have reformed, but yet Brown appears pessimistic about a likelihood of any reunion. A reunion would also hinge on the co-operation of Roses guitarist John Squire who recently stated his desire to turn his back on music and focus on painting.
His latest album, My Way, was released September 2009.
Marathon Man
Ian Brown Lyrics
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The heat I radiate shall melt away all icy sheets
100 million years before the burnout of the sun
Dreams to be fulfilled, life's still yet to come
If to fail is your fate and to succeed is destiny
Place you hand up on your heart and rise above in liberty
I am the marathon man, catch me if you can Got miles and miles already run, miles and miles still left to come
And I am the marathon man with the whole world in my hands
When the heat disturbs your senses, sweet surrender to the realms
When the cold breaks down defenses, you'll find me standing at the helm
100 million years before the burnout of the sun
Dreams to be fulfilled, life's still yet to come
If to fail is your fate and to succeed is destiny
Keep your eyes up on the prize, all join hands with me
I am the marathon man, catch me if you can
Got miles and miles already run, miles and miles still left to come
And I am the marathon man with the whole world in my hands
If to fail is your fate and to succeed is destiny
Keep your eyes up on the prize, all join hands with me
I am the marathon man, catch me if you can
Got miles and miles already run, miles and miles still left to come
And I am the marathon man with the whole world in my hands
The lyrics of "Marathon Man" by Ian Brown describe a world in flux, with quiet mountains and blaring sirens serving as a microcosm for the tensions and contradictions present in life. The singer speaks with a steadfast sense of determination, declaring himself to be the "marathon man" who has already accumulated countless miles but still has many more to go. He suggests that success and failure are predetermined fates, but that rising above these outcomes is possible through sheer willpower and a belief in rising above "in liberty."
While the words of "Marathon Man" are straightforward and minimalist, their message is one of resilience and hope. The singer portrays himself as a stalwart figure who can persist through any hardship, and the lyrics suggest that even in the face of societal upheaval or personal turmoil, one can still find a way to move forward. The repeated use of the phrase "100 million years before the burnout of the sun" underscores this sense of continuity and eternity, with the singer suggesting that nothing is permanent and everything is subject to change.
Overall, the lyrics of "Marathon Man" present a portrait of existential uncertainty and the enduring human spirit. While the somber themes are matched by a hopeful outlook, the song's minimalist structure allows the lyrics to stand out in stark relief, underlining the message of resilience and perseverance that runs throughout.
Line by Line Meaning
Silence in the mountains, sirens wail in city streets
Nature can be peaceful, but the noises of the city can be overwhelming.
The heat I radiate shall melt away all icy sheets
My strong determination will overcome even the toughest obstacles.
100 million years before the burnout of the sun
Our time on Earth is short compared to the life of the sun.
Dreams to be fulfilled, life's still yet to come
There is still time to achieve our goals and live our dreams.
If to fail is your fate and to succeed is destiny
Sometimes we fail, but we can ultimately succeed if it is meant to be.
Place you hand up on your heart and rise above in liberty
Stay true to your values and beliefs and you will achieve freedom.
I am the marathon man, catch me if you can
I am determined and unstoppable in pursuit of my goals.
Got miles and miles already run, miles and miles still left to come
I have accomplished a lot, but there is still a long way to go.
And I am the marathon man with the whole world in my hands
I have the power to achieve anything I set out to do.
When the heat disturbs your senses, sweet surrender to the realms
When faced with challenges, accept and overcome them.
When the cold breaks down defenses, you'll find me standing at the helm
Even in difficult times, I remain committed and strong.
Keep your eyes up on the prize, all join hands with me
We can achieve great things together if we focus on our goals.
Contributed by Aaliyah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.