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.
Sun Don't Shine
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now you're gone, and the sun, it don't shine
One thing's for certain, it was good fun
But now you're gone, there is no sun
NOW THE SUN, IT DON'T SHINE
BECAUSE I KNOW, YOU ARE NOT MINE
You were the victim of nobody's charms
We had something good, we can't take away
Will you see me tomorrow, well who can say?
NOW THE SUN, IT DON'T SHINE
BECAUSE I KNOW, YOU ARE NOT MINE
I speak in words that you can understand
So why should it be that you won't hold my hand?
You burnt me, just like a fire
There's no love, and here, there's no desire
NOW THE SUN, IT DON'T SHINE
BECAUSE I KNOW, YOU ARE NOT MINE
NOW THE SUN, IT DON'T SHINE
BECAUSE I KNOW, YOU ARE NOT MINE
The lyrics to Inspiral Carpets' "Sun Don't Shine" depict the aftermath of a romantic relationship that has come to an end. The singer acknowledges that while the relationship was enjoyable in the moment, it has now become a source of pain and darkness. The lyrics also explore the confusion and frustration of unrequited love. The singer asks why the person they love won't hold their hand, and portrays the relationship as a fire that has burned out, leaving no love or desire in its wake. The repeated refrain of "Now the sun, it don't shine because I know, you are not mine" emphasizes the feelings of loss and emptiness that come with the end of a relationship.
One interesting fact about "Sun Don't Shine" is that it was one of Inspiral Carpets' earliest singles, released in 1987 on the band's own Cow Records label. The song was written by singer Stephen Holt and features a prominent organ riff from Clint Boon. Another interesting fact is that the song was not included on the band's debut album, Life, which was released the following year. Instead, it was included on the band's second album, The Beast Inside, which came out in 1991. "Sun Don't Shine" was also included on the 2003 compilation album The Singles, which collected the band's biggest hits and fan favorites.
Despite never becoming a major hit, "Sun Don't Shine" has become a fan favorite and a staple of Inspiral Carpets' live shows. The song's melancholy lyrics and catchy organ riff have made it a favorite for sing-alongs and encores. Another interesting fact is that the song was covered by Scottish alternative rock band Idlewild on their 2008 compilation album Scottish Fiction: Best of 1997-2007. The cover version received positive reviews and brought attention to the original song and Inspiral Carpets' discography.
Chords (if known):
Intro: C G F G C G F G
Verse: C G F G C G F G
Chorus: F G C F G C F G C F G C
Line by Line Meaning
You wrote you love me, well that's fine
You expressed your love for me, which at the time felt good.
But now you're gone, and the sun, it don't shine
However, now that you're no longer with me, it feels like the sun doesn't shine anymore.
One thing's for certain, it was good fun
Despite everything, I acknowledge that we had some good times together.
But now you're gone, there is no sun
But now that you're gone, those good times are over and it feels like there's no joy in life anymore.
The first kiss, in your arms
I remember our first kiss, and how it felt to be in your arms.
You were the victim of nobody's charms
I believed that I was the only one who truly appreciated and cared for you.
We had something good, we can't take away
Regardless of how things ended, I still cherish the fact that we had something good, even if it couldn't last.
Will you see me tomorrow, well who can say?
Despite my feelings for you, I know that there's a chance we may never meet again.
I speak in words that you can understand
I try to communicate with you in a way that makes sense to you.
So why should it be that you won't hold my hand?
Despite my efforts, it seems like you won't reciprocate my feelings for you.
You burnt me, just like a fire
Your rejection of me hurt me deeply, like being burned by a fire.
There's no love, and here, there's no desire
Without your love and affection, there's no passion or motivation for me to continue pursuing a relationship with you.
NOW THE SUN, IT DON'T SHINE
Now that our relationship is over, it feels like there's no joy or happiness in life anymore.
BECAUSE I KNOW, YOU ARE NOT MINE
I know that we can never be together, which makes it even harder to move on and find happiness.
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
80scazual
One of there best, very underated band, an one of the best live bands you'll see
Thatguy
No worries mate! I often wondered that myself, it's definately one of the Inspiral's best songs. It says alot about the quality of their material. Even the album tracks were classic!
Arktix
got to say inspirals are so underated, this album is quintisential of that era , although i was but so young in those day (11-18 - 1987-1995 ) it was so formative in my life. This band and certainly this album has style charm, and verve and to find someone has finally posted it is great. I have this on vinyl but since the digital age (and my stylus borke) plus i never dare play this record as i love it so much i ddint have, and looked some 2 3 years on her efor it .. so thank you
bohsblur
thank you for posting this. a little gem from the boys. life was truely a classic c.d.
Salford66
I have been hoping for ages that someone would post this so thanks for doing it. I have always loved this song and it holds a lot of memories for me. I can't understand why it is not regarded as one of their very best. Thanks again
Fernando N V Pessoa Jr
A wonderful, beautiful and very sad song! Congrats for have posted it!!!
Thatguy
No worries! Yeah Life was a classic album! Their best i think...
Thatguy
No worries, glad enjoyed it!
nottforest
Cantando.. Big song!!!.. Life I will buy it... xdd
Marky
Beautiful Noise....