In October 1978, McCulloch founded Echo & the Bunnymen with Will Sergeant (guitar), Les Pattinson (bass), and a drum machine (allegedly named Echo), making their live début at Eric's in November that year. In October 1979 the Bunnymen exchanged the drum machine for Pete de Freitas on drums. With their line up solidified, the Bunnymen played in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing their critically praised debut album, Crocodiles in 1980, and the heavier, bass driven, Heaven up Here in 1981. They released their third album Porcupine in 1983 with the lead single "The Cutter" finishing in the Top 10 of the UK Charts. Ocean Rain followed in 1984.
In 1988, McCulloch left the group to pursue a solo career under the impression the Bunnymen would be laid to rest, if only temporarily. When the remaining Bunnymen continued using the name with new singer Noel Burke, the split became permanent with McCulloch referring to the band as "Echo & the Bogusmen".
In 1990, McCulloch released the album Candleland which reflected a more mature outlook on the world, owing to the recent deaths of McCulloch's father and his friend Pete de Freitas. The album peaked at number 18 in the UK Charts. It yielded two Modern Rock Tracks hits, "Proud To Fall" (No. 1 for 4 weeks) and "Faith and Healing." His album Mysterio was released in 1992, but the public's interest in the former Bunnyman was waning and it sold less than its predecessor. Shortly after, McCulloch left the public eye to devote more time to his family.
McCulloch rekindled his relationship with Will Sergeant, leading to the formation of Electrafixion in 1994. The band released the album Burned which peaked at number 38 in the UK and included the top-30 hit "Sister Pain." The band soon found themselves performing set lists composed of half Electrafixion songs and half Echo & the Bunnymen songs.
In 1997, Echo & the Bunnymen reformed and released the album Evergreen to positive reviews and chart success. Evergreen made the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart and the single "Nothing Lasts Forever reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.[12] The reformed Bunnymen have since recorded several further albums, the most recent being Meteorites[/abum] which was released in 2014.
Empty As A House
Ian McCulloch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or just looking out for something?
So long I've longed to shout my luck is in
Trade my bad things in for good - things
Everyone grows out of their clothes
And everyone goes their own way
Everyone's shown a different way home
And under their stones their bones lay
Were there really any good times?
Empty as a house with nothing in
Just some DNA and bloodlines
Everyone needs someone who'll bleed
A place and be part of someone
Everyone bleeds what everyone needs
Their blood in the hearts of loved ones
I will be found,I will be found
I will be found, I will be found
I will be found, I will be found
I will be found
Ain I on the outside looking in
Or still waiting for that some time?
Empty as a house with nothing in
Just some DNA and bloodlines
Everyone grows out of their clothes
And everyone goes their own way
Everyone's shown a different way home
And under their stones their bones lay
I will be found, I will be found
I will be found, I will be found
I will be found, I will be found
I will be found
The lyrics of Ian McCulloch's "Empty As A House" delve deep into the complexities of human emotions and the struggles that come with them. McCulloch's introspective lyrics leave the listener wondering if he is on the outside looking in or just searching for something more. The opening line "Am I on the outside looking in, or just looking out for something?" speaks to the feeling of loneliness and confusion that many people experience in their lives. The next line, "So long I've longed to shout my luck is in, trade my bad things in for good-things," suggests that he's tired of being left out and wants to turn his life around.
The next few lines of the song discuss the idea that everyone grows out of their clothes and goes their own way. The phrase "Everyone's shown a different way home, and under their stones their bones lay" is a reference to the fact that everyone has a unique life journey that ultimately ends the same way, with death. The chorus is a powerful affirmation that McCulloch will be found, that he will find his place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I on the outside looking in
Am I excluded from a group or situation that I desire to be a part of?
Or just looking out for something?
Or am I searching for something that I don't yet have?
So long I've longed to shout my luck is in
For a while, I have desired to express that I am fortunate in life
Trade my bad things in for good - things
Exchange my negative circumstances for positive ones
Everyone grows out of their clothes
Everyone experiences growth and change
And everyone goes their own way
And everyone follows their unique path
Everyone's shown a different way home
Everyone is guided to their destination differently
And under their stones their bones lay
And beneath the surface, their true nature lies
Memories cast doubts forgotten things
Recollections of the past cause skepticism about whether things were truly good
Were there really any good times?
Can I be certain that my past experiences were truly positive?
Empty as a house with nothing in
Feeling unfulfilled and lacking purpose
Just some DNA and bloodlines
Identifying as a product of one's genetics and family lineage
Everyone needs someone who'll bleed
Everyone requires a close companion who will share their pain
A place and be part of someone
To belong to somebody and have a place in their life
Everyone bleeds what everyone needs
Everyone experiences pain and requires the support of others
Their blood in the hearts of loved ones
The emotional connection and intertwined lives between those who are close
I will be found, I will be found
I will be discovered, I will be discovered
Or still waiting for that some time?
Or am I still anticipating the arrival of a particular moment?
I will be found
I will be discovered
Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Heidi Hedeker
Thanks, this is a sweet, dark, wonderful song....my favorite from this album. Completely stubborn and full of heart, genuinely Ian 'Mac"