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.
Lovegrove
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Head office want to know if you're a gambling man
It's just a crazy dream
The law want to know of your paid debt, this is not a mind game
The mission today is top secret (lovegrove)
A plane to catch to a far-off land (lovegrove)
Here is your identity (lovegrove), so take the job in hand
So let me take this matter in hand, Sir
And give me the tools of the trade
There's someone in this rotten plan
Who's been acting as though he's me
Like a drink? I'd rather not, he's as fit as a flea
The mission today is top secret (lovegrove)
A plane to catch to a far-off land (lovegrove)
Here is your identity (lovegrove), so take the job in hand
(Lovegrove) the ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove
You didn't get me for time wasting, you must watch yourself
You know why we play these dangerous games
You know that it will end in grief
You know that I won't meet your generous demands
You know that every poet's a thief
The mission today is top secret (lovegrove)
A plane to catch to a far-off land (lovegrove)
Here is your identity (lovegrove), so take the job in hand
(Lovegrove) the ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove
The song Lovegrove by Inspiral Carpets seems to be about a secret agent or spy named Mr. Lovegrove who is being assigned a mission. The lyrics suggest that Lovegrove's life is carefree and easy but it is about to be disrupted. "I'm gonna tear your carefree world apart at the seams" is an indication that something is about to change. The secret agency or organization that employs Lovegrove wants to make sure that he can handle the risk involved in the mission. "Head office wants to know if you're a gambling man". The lyrics also suggest that someone is trying to impersonate Lovegrove and he needs to deal with this problem before he takes on the mission.
The song's lyrics are cryptic and poetical which makes it difficult to interpret. The chorus repeats Lovegrove's name and claims him as "ubiquitous", meaning he is present everywhere. The mission is top secret and involves traveling to a far-off land. The song's second verse suggests that Lovegrove is being warned against playing too many dangerous games, and that his profession as a spy or secret agent involves risks. The lyrics suggest that there is a corrupt individual who bears resemblance to Lovegrove and is exploiting his identity. Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the life of secret agents or spies, with the looming danger always present, and the constant threat of impersonators.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna tear your carefree world apart at the seams
I will disrupt your easygoing life and create chaos
Head office want to know if you're a gambling man
Management needs to know if you're willing to take risks
It's just a crazy dream
The situation seems unreal and hard to comprehend
The law want to know of your paid debt, this is not a mind game
The authorities need to confirm if you have settled your financial obligations - this is serious, not a game
The mission today is top secret (lovegrove)
The objective of the day is classified
A plane to catch to a far-off land (lovegrove)
We must board a flight to a distant destination
Here is your identity (lovegrove), so take the job in hand
You have been given a new name and role, fulfill your duties
(Lovegrove) the ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove
Referring to the codename of the operation, which is being conducted by many people
So let me take this matter in hand, Sir
Allow me to handle this situation, Sir
And give me the tools of the trade
Provide me with the necessary equipment to accomplish the task
There's someone in this rotten plan
There is an individual in the scheme who is not trustworthy
Who's been acting as though he's me
Someone has been impersonating me
Like a drink? I'd rather not, he's as fit as a flea
I don't want a drink, I'm feeling agile and alert
You didn't get me for time wasting, you must watch yourself
Don't mistake me for someone who wastes time, be careful with your actions
You know why we play these dangerous games
You understand the reason we engage in these risky activities
You know that it will end in grief
You are aware that this situation will result in sadness
You know that I won't meet your generous demands
You know that I cannot fulfill your extensive requests
You know that every poet's a thief
The phrase means that every artist or creator borrows ideas and inspiration from other sources - this could be a metaphor for the clandestine mission
Writer(s): CRAIG GILL, GRAHAM LAMBERT, THOMAS HINGLEY, CLINTON BOON, MARTYN WALSH
Contributed by Luke E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.