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.
Caravan
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The myst'ry of their fading light
That shines upon our caravan
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
Across the sand so I may keep
The mem'ry of our caravan
You are so inviting
Resting in my arms
As I thrill to the magic charms
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
My dream of love is coming true
Within our desert caravan
The lyrics of Inspiral Carpets' song "Caravan" paint a vivid picture of a desert journey taken by the singer and their lover. The opening lines set the scene with the image of a clear night sky, filled with stars that twinkle brightly before slowly fading away. The mystique and beauty of the fading light is particularly captivating, and is further enhanced by the sense of isolation and adventure that the journey brings.
As the caravan continues its journey across the sand, the singer invites their lover to rest upon their shoulder, allowing them to bask in the warmth and comfort of their embrace. The physical proximity shared between the two lovers is echoed in the poet's emotional connection to the memory of this journey, which they hold dear.
The lyrics are infused with a sense of anticipation and excitement as the singer revels in the enchanting presence of their lover who, to them, is the very definition of magic. The joy and wonderment that they experience in this moment is palpable, making the song feel like a love letter written to someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Night and stars above that shine so bright
The brightness of the sky with the shining stars at night.
The myst'ry of their fading light
The mysterious aspect of the stars' fading light.
That shines upon our caravan
The stars' light shining on the caravan during the night.
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
As we move slowly and cautiously, you sleep on my shoulder.
Across the sand so I may keep
As we navigate through the sand, I hold onto the memory of this moment.
The mem'ry of our caravan
The cherished memory of this journey.
This is so exciting
This adventure is exhilarating.
You are so inviting
Your presence is warm, welcoming and inviting.
Resting in my arms
Being relaxed and feeling safe in each other's arms.
As I thrill to the magic charms
Feeling excited and enjoying the magical moments with each other.
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
Being together and enjoying the beauty of the blue sky.
My dream of love is coming true
This moment feels like a dream come true as we experience love together.
Within our desert caravan
All these beautiful experiences happening within our caravan journey in the desert.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RACHEL MARY BERKELEY PORTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind