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.
Inside My Head
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
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She'll speak to me, then she won't show
The picture of you, inside my head
THE PICTURE OF YOU, INSIDE MY HEAD
HAS JUST, BEEN BURNED
She speaks a language, I've never heard
The picture of you, inside my head
THE PICTURE OF YOU, INSIDE MY HEAD
HAS JUST, BEEN BURNED
We're gonna be together very soon
And I will not be dancing by the light of the moon
Don't tell me you don't care for me
'Cause that'd be the way it was meant... to... be...
She talks of things, I've never seen
Takes me places, that I've never been
The picture of you, inside my head
THE PICTURE OF YOU, INSIDE MY HEAD
HAS JUST...!
The lyrics of the song "Inside My Head" by Inspiral Carpets speaks of a girl who speaks of colors that the singer doesn't even know exist. She speaks to him but then suddenly disappears, leaving him with the picture of her inside his head. The picture of her inside his head has just been burned, which could mean that he's trying to forget her but can't seem to do so. She speaks a language he's never heard before, which keeps him guessing every word. The picture of her inside his head is a constant reminder of her.
The chorus of the song repeats the line, "The picture of you, inside my head has just been burned," emphasizing the singer's desire to forget this girl but being unable to do so. The bridge of the song talks about them being together soon and him not dancing in the light of the moon. He then tells her not to say that she doesn't care for him because that's the way it was meant to be.
The song revolves around the theme of unrequited love and the pain and frustration that comes with it. The lyrics describe the singer's struggle to forget this girl who has become a constant presence in his head. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy tune contrast with the sad and melancholic lyrics, showcasing the idea of the singer trying to mask his pain with a happy exterior.
Line by Line Meaning
She'll speak of colours, I don't even know
Although she speaks of colours, I cannot comprehend them as they are not familiar to me.
She'll speak to me, then she won't show
She communicates with me, but then suddenly becomes silent and unresponsive.
The picture of you, inside my head
THE PICTURE OF YOU, INSIDE MY HEAD
HAS JUST, BEEN BURNED
The image of you that I held inside my mind has been destroyed or forgotten.
She speaks a language, I've never heard
Keeps me guessing, every word
Her speech contains unfamiliar linguistic elements which confuses me and makes it difficult to predict her intentions and thoughts.
We're gonna be together very soon
And I will not be dancing by the light of the moon
Don't tell me you don't care for me
'Cause that'd be the way it was meant... to... be...
We will be reunited in the near future, and our reunion will not be trivial or mundane. Do not deny your love for me, as it is our destiny to be together.
She talks of things, I've never seen
Takes me places, that I've never been
The picture of you, inside my head
THE PICTURE OF YOU, INSIDE MY HEAD
HAS JUST...!
She describes sights and experiences that I have not yet encountered, and leads me on an adventure to unknown destinations. However, the image of you in my mind has once again been erased.
Contributed by Nathaniel W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.