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.
Commercial Reign
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, commercial reign
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear
Ah, commercial reign
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll
Ah, commercial reign
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll
Ah, commercial reign
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear
Ah, commercial reign
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll
Ah, commercial reign
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear
Ah
, commercial reign
The lyrics of Inspiral Carpets' song "Commercial Reign" speak to the emptiness and dissatisfaction that can arise as a result of consumer culture and commercialization. The repetition of Mary's crying for her baby doll and Peter's moaning for his teddy bear emphasize the loss of innocence and the longing for simpler times. The phrase "commercial reign" suggests that the consumer culture has taken over, with materialism and marketing being the driving forces behind society.
The song's repeated use of the phrase "Ah, commercial reign" could be interpreted as a commentary on the pervasive influence of advertising and consumerism in our lives. The line "Mary's crying for her baby" could be seen as an indictment of the way that companies market to children, creating a sense of need and desire for products that they may not truly want or need. Similarly, "Peter's moaning for his teddy bear" points to the way that advertisers create a sense of nostalgia for simpler times in order to sell products that are meant to bring back those memories.
Overall, "Commercial Reign" is a powerful commentary on the way that commercialism and marketing have infiltrated every aspect of modern life. It suggests that society has lost touch with what's truly important, and that we need to reevaluate our priorities if we want to find happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll
A distressing situation in which a young girl is upset and emotionally affected by the loss or absence of her toy doll due to commercialism.
Ah, commercial reign
A statement of lamentation concerning the high level of control or influence by the commercial industry which often leads to the exploitation of consumer desires and emotions.
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear
An expression of grief by a young boy who is unhappy and displeased with the manipulation of his emotions through the marketing and promotion of teddy bears.
Contributed by Makayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@1BillHarding
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll.
Ah, ah, ah, commercial rain.
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear.
Ah, ah, ah, commercial rain.
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll.
Ah, ah, ah, commercial rain.
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear.
Ah, ah, ah, commercial rain.
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll.
Ah, ah, ah, commercial rain.
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear.
Ah, ah, ah, commercial rain.
Mary's crying for her baby, for her baby doll.
Ah, ah, ah, commercial rain.
Peter's moaning for his teddy, for his teddy bear.
Ah, ah, ah . . .
@timsmith3621
Anyone hosting an at-home rave party should lead off the evening with this song. If nobody dances, send them all home.
@royalnass1029
yeah they have to at least wave there arms around or something
@colbypaul7749
And those going home could listen to "this is how it feels to be lonely!"
@dj-um7el
โ@@colbypaul7749 true
@bazhaynes2984
Spot on geezer !
@user-bx6zr6my4d
Teddy bear ๐งธ lol
@Jimmy_Cooper
Great watching the crowd clips in this video ( and other videos from the era ) ...NOT A CAMERA PHONE IN SIGHT . Just people getting sweaty ๐
@trevor8419
This popped into my head yesterday after being stuck in the recesses of my mind for decades!
@user-if1um3ys8p
Love this song Taz scfc tim
@SteveRes
Monster tune from the Carpets, trippy af. Hit the North!