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.
The idolness of gods
Ian McCulloch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like that could ever be
I'd say the world was crazy
If I'm just half the man I was
I'd say that's just because
I must have gotten lazy
Lazy...
In duty and in love
In beauty wearing off
Beware, be wary of
The Idolness of Gods
The Idolness of Gods
The Idolness of Gods
On the ropes against the tide
There's nowhere left to hide
Once you've seen my insides
Broken hope broke open wide
See the knock-out punch your pride
I've got you seats at ringside
Ringside...
In duty and in love
In beauty wearing off
Beware, be wary of
The Idolness of Gods
The Idolness of Gods
The Idolness of Gods
Oh, what now?
Oh, what now?
No, not now
No, not now
No, not now
No, not now
Nights and tears are falling down
Keep splashing to the ground
Eyelashes getting drowned-drowned
Life's frontiers grew walls around
New pastures can't be found
I'm crashing cars in your town
Your town...
In duty and in love
In beauty wearing off
Beware, be wary of
The Idolness of Gods
The Idolness of Gods
The Idolness of Gods
In "The Idolness of Gods," Ian McCulloch sings about his perception of the world and himself. He contemplates the possibility of the world being as crazy as he is, which he concludes is highly unlikely. He then acknowledges his own flaws and the fact that he may not be the man he once was because of his laziness. The chorus warns of the dangers of becoming too obsessed with duty, love, and beauty, which can lead to the idolization of gods. The bridge describes a fight against the tide and exposes the vulnerability and flaws that lay within. He warns of the dangers of being trapped in one's own world, unable to find new opportunities beyond the walls that life builds around us.
The song is filled with vivid imagery, portraying the struggle of an individual against the world and oneself. It warns of the dangers of obsessively chasing success and fame, and how it can leave one blinded to other opportunities in life. The lyrics can be interpreted as a reminder to stay grounded and not let our desires and goals consume us entirely, as this can lead to losing sight of what truly matters.
Line by Line Meaning
If the world was half as mad as me
Even if the world was a little crazy like me, I would still say the world is insane.
Like that could ever be
It's impossible for the world to be as crazy as I am.
I'd say the world was crazy
I would still label the world as mad.
If I'm just half the man I was
If I'm only half of who I used to be.
I'd say that's just because
My decline could be attributed to the fact that I became lazy.
I must have gotten lazy
I became idle and didn't strive to be my best.
In duty and in love
This express that people can become complacent about their responsibility or their relationship with someone.
In beauty wearing off
As time goes by, beauty fades and it's not regarded as it was before.
Beware, be wary of
Be vigilant and cautious of something, in this case, the Idolness of Gods.
The Idolness of Gods
This is the recurring warning in the song. It could be interpreted in various ways including a warning against worshipping false gods.
On the ropes against the tide
In a difficult and desperate situation against the opposition.
There's nowhere left to hide
No option for escape or concealment is available.
Once you've seen my insides
When you understand me and see my soul.
Broken hope broke open wide
When something that was once optimistic or promising became hopeless and it's not possible to mend it again.
See the knock-out punch your pride
Pride can be one's greatest downfall.
I've got you seats at ringside
I'm the one up front and center watching as you fall from grace.
Nights and tears are falling down
This is the artist or someone else expressing sadness and sorrow.
Keep splashing to the ground
Indicating that the tears are dropping from the eyes.
Eyelashes getting drowned-drowned
Tears are continuously falling so the eyelashes are getting soaked.
Life's frontiers grew walls around
The boundaries and limits of life are becoming more and more restrictive.
New pastures can't be found
The artist or someone else might be feeling like there are no other opportunities or exciting prospects open to them.
I'm crashing cars in your town
It's unclear whether this is literal or figurative, but it could mean that the artist is causing disruption and chaos in the lives of others around them.
Oh, what now?
An expression of confusion or uncertainty.
No, not now
Denoting that the artist is not ready to deal with something at this time.
Contributed by Bella R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Baby Irene
Really good tune. It's a tragedy how he cooked his voice. We all lose out.
Fay TheUploader
a guilty pleasure. not made anything truly great since 80/81 when the Bunnymen made 2 of the greatest lps of all time. But this is a nice mellow, middle aged wallow