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.
Move
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no need to lie
First it's in your heart
Then it's in your eyes
Lie down the line
You can't take the truth
The way I am
I can't feel you move
I can't feel you move
Layers of skin
I can't touch within
Heard it in your voice
Read it in your eyes
Lie down the line
You can't take the truth
My head is sore
I can't feel you move
I can't feel you move
I can't feel you move
Running around
There's no need to lie
First it's in your heart
Then it's in your eyes
I can't feel you move
I can't feel you move
I can't feel you move
The Inspiral Carpets' song "Move" has a sort of haunting quality, with its echoing guitar riffs and lyrics that explore the difficulty of truly connecting with someone. The first verse sets the tone for the entire song, with the opening line "Lying around, there's no need to lie" suggesting that this is a relationship where honesty is valued, and yet there is still a sense of disconnect. The following lines "First it's in your heart, then it's in your eyes" place emphasis on the importance of emotions in forming a connection, and suggest that perhaps the singer is not seeing the emotions they need to see in order to truly connect with their partner.
The lyrics continue in this vein, with the chorus repeating the refrain "I can't feel you move," indicating a sense of emotional paralysis or stagnation in the relationship. The second verse explores the idea that there are "layers of skin" that the singer cannot touch within their partner, suggesting that perhaps there are deeper emotional wounds or barriers that are preventing a true connection. The repeated line "Lie down the line, you can't take the truth" further emphasizes the idea that there is a lack of honesty or openness in the relationship.
The final verse returns to the opening lines, but with a slightly altered perspective. Rather than "Lying around, there's no need to lie," the lyrics change to "Running around, there's no need to lie," suggesting that perhaps the reason for the disconnect is that the partners simply lead separate lives and are not truly invested in each other. Despite this, the final chorus still repeats the central refrain, indicating that even if the relationship isn't working, there is still a sense of longing for an emotional connection.
Overall, "Move" is a song that explores the difficulty of truly connecting with someone, even when honesty and emotion are present. The repeating refrain of "I can't feel you move" suggests a sense of emotional paralysis or stagnation, and the repeated line "Lie down the line, you can't take the truth" implies that there are deeper emotional wounds or barriers that are preventing a true connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying around
I am lying here, probably thinking or feeling something
There's no need to lie
There's no reason to be dishonest or withhold information
First it's in your heart
Feelings or emotions originate within your heart before they show on your face
Then it's in your eyes
The way you look at someone can reveal how you feel about them
Lie down the line
Eventually the truth will be revealed
You can't take the truth
You cannot handle or accept the truth
The way I am
This is just who I am as a person
I can't feel you move
I am not experiencing any emotional connection or response from you
Layers of skin
There are emotional layers within us that cannot be easily accessed by others
I can't touch within
I cannot reach or connect with your innermost emotions
Heard it in your voice
I could hear or sense how you feel through the tone of your voice
Read it in your eyes
I could see how you feel by looking into your eyes
My head is sore
I am mentally exhausted or overwhelmed
Running around
I am moving around, possibly trying to escape or ignore something
I can't feel you move
I am not experiencing an emotional reaction or response from you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENZIL BEST, PAUL WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind