The band originated with vocalist Stephen Holt (vocals) and guitarist Graham Lambert. Another uncredited founding member, was basist Glenn Chesworth. His partnership with the band lasted only a couple of years. The band emerged alongside The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays from the indie scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bassist, Martyn Walsh, and drummer, Craig Gill, joined in 1984. Playing garage rock, they were joined by keyboardist, Clint Boon, who changed their sound based around harmonic (and often psychedelic) keyboards and jangly guitars.
After a couple of singles on a local indie label, Holt left the group and was replaced by Tom Hingley. The band were propelled to fame after being 'discovered' by the Radio 1 DJ John Peel and had their greatest chart success in the UK with a single entitled This is How it Feels, which is a song about loneliness and unemployment.
At the time of their initial success, the band earned some notoriety for their squiggly-eyed cow 'Cool as Fuck' T-shirts; a student at Oxford Polytechnic was prosecuted on obscenity charges for wearing one. One of their roadies, Noel Gallagher, went on to great success with the band Oasis. The band is named after an Inspiral Carpets tour poster which included the venue Swindon Oasis.
They reworked their single Find Out Why as the theme tune to early 90's kids TV show 'The 8:15 From Manchester'. Another release I Want You was used by Sony to advertise their in-car entertainment systems on this advert ; an early example of advertising agencies co-opting and promoting non-mainstream music to add kudos to mainstream brands (a trend that has increased significantly).
After the release of their 4th studio album, Devil Hopping, they started to record new, more darker-sounding demos in 1995 which their label, Mute Records rejected. An amicable split followed but they re-formed in 2003 for a tour and new compilation. For the next several years, they played gigs on and off, until Hingley could no longer give his 100% commitment so original vocalist, Stephen Holt, rejoined in March 2011.
Biggest Mountain
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had someone told me
What would come
And how things would be
Then those days would've been a much brighter place
But the doubt of not knowing
Leaves a stigma that is hard to shake
[I'm gonna build a monument]
I'll cut the stone today
[On the side of a mountain]
Where all my doubts once lay
[The biggest mountain]
One thing I can guarantee
Is what you've done means everything to me
Waking Monday
Reading Saturday's news
In a town
I've not seen before
Curious
Small and ugly room
I can't find the door and everywhere
There's faces smiling at me
To celebrate our bond
[I'm gonna build a monument]
I'll cut the stone today
[On the side of a mountain]
Where all my doubts once lay
[The biggest mountain]
One thing I can guarantee
Is what you've done means everything to me
In my youth
Had someone told me
What would come
And how things would be
Then those days would've been a much brighter place
And the doubts of not knowing
Leaves a stigma that is hard to shake
To celebrate our bond
[I'm gonna build a monument]
I'll cut the stone today
[On the side of a mountain]
Where all my doubts once lay
[The biggest mountain]
One thing I can guarantee
Is what you've done means everything to me
To celebrate our bond
[I'm gonna build a monument]
I'll cut the stone today
[On the side of a mountain]
Where all my doubts once lay
[The biggest mountain]
One thing I can guarantee
Is what you've done means everything to me
To celebrate our bond
[I'm gonna build a monument]
I'll cut the stone today
[On the side of a mountain]
Where all my doubts once lay
[The biggest mountain]
One thing I can guarantee
Is what you've done means everything to me
Everything to me
Everything to me
The song "Biggest Mountain" by Inspiral Carpets is about the singer's realization that the doubts and uncertainties of youth have left an indelible mark on their life. The singer wishes that they had known more about what was to come and how things would turn out when they were younger. The song's verses reflect on the past and the difficulties of navigating through life with little guidance. The singer feels that they are still haunted by the doubts that plagued them in the past.
However, the chorus brings a message of hope and positivity. The singer declares their intent to build a monument on the biggest mountain to celebrate the bond they have with someone who has meant everything to them. The monument represents a symbol of their togetherness and solidarity. By putting their doubts to rest and celebrating their connection with others, the singer is able to move forward with a brighter outlook.
Overall, "Biggest Mountain" is a song about confronting the uncertainties of life and finding comfort in the presence of loved ones. The monument the singer builds signifies their triumph over their doubts and their desire to focus on the things that matter most to them.
Line by Line Meaning
In my youth
As a young person
Had someone told me
If someone had warned me
What would come
What the future held
And how things would be
How it will be
Then those days would've been a much brighter place
Knowing the future would have made life happier
But the doubt of not knowing
Uncertainty and lack of knowledge
Leaves a stigma that is hard to shake
It leaves a negative impact that's difficult to overcome
To celebrate our bond
As a way to honour our connection
[I'm gonna build a monument]
I will create something significant
I'll cut the stone today
I'll start working on it immediately
[On the side of a mountain]
Somewhere visible and grand
Where all my doubts once lay
Where I used to have uncertainties
[The biggest mountain]
The most substantial and impressive feat
One thing I can guarantee
The only thing I'm sure about
Is what you've done means everything to me
Your actions matter a lot to me
Waking Monday
Starting the week off
Reading Saturday's news
Reading old news that is no longer relevant
In a town
A new and unfamiliar place
I've not seen before
I'm visiting for the first time
Curious
Feeling inquisitive
Small and ugly room
An unattractive and cramped space
I can't find the door and everywhere
I'm disoriented and lost
There's faces smiling at me
People are welcoming me with friendly faces
Everything to me
Means the world to me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited
Written by: CLINTON DAVID BOON, CRAIG DOUGLAS GILL, GRAHAM PAUL LAMBERT, MARTYN JOHN WALSH, THOMAS WILLIAM HINGLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind