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.
Two Worlds Collide
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I find these days it's the only way I can survive
What have I done with my life?
Is this the end, when two worlds collide?
Oh, in this dusty city with all the gods on the hill
Will not one of them help us?
The temple which they built is an empty shell
The people who I see, scurrying on the streets, oblivious to our needs
What have I done with my life ?
Is this the end, when two worlds collide?
What have I done with my life?
Is this the end, when two worlds collide?
Today I stole the sun from the sky, the color from the heart of a rose
Today I took food from the hand of a starving child
What have I done with my life?
Is this the end, when two worlds collide?
What have I done with my life?
Is this the end, when two worlds collide?
(I guess that makes me a bad man)
(I guess that makes me a bad man)
(I guess that makes me a bad man)
The song "Two Worlds Collide" by Inspiral Carpets is a poignant look at the struggles of someone living in poverty who is forced to resort to stealing and fighting in order to survive. The lyrics describe the desperation of this individual who questions what they have done with their life and wonders if the collision of their world with a wealthier one is ultimately going to lead to their downfall. The imagery used in the song is stark, with references to a dusty city and an empty temple that is meant to symbolize the lack of help that is available to those in need.
What makes this song particularly powerful is the sense of loss and regret that comes through in the lyrics. The singer is aware that their actions are hurting others and causing harm, but they feel that they have no other choice. The line "today I stole the sun from the sky, the color from the heart of a rose" is a vivid example of this -- the singer is taking what little joy and beauty there is in the world and distorting it to meet their own needs.
Overall, "Two Worlds Collide" is a song about the struggle to survive in a world that is often unfair and unjust. It asks difficult questions about what it means to be good or bad, and whether circumstances can justify actions that might otherwise be considered wrong. Ultimately, the song is a plea for empathy and understanding, reminding listeners that the people who are struggling to survive in a system that is rigged against them are not inherently bad or evil.
Line by Line Meaning
I steal to feed, I fight to breathe, through hunger not greed
I am forced to steal and fight for survival as I am constantly battling hunger and not greed
I find these days it's the only way I can survive
Stealing and fighting is the only way I can stay alive
What have I done with my life?
I question the choices I've made in my life
Is this the end, when two worlds collide?
Is this the end of the world as we know it when two different ways of life come together?
Oh, in this dusty city with all the gods on the hill
In this city covered in dirt, where the wealthy live on the hilltops
Will not one of them help us?
Will none of the wealthy people help those in need?
The temple which they built is an empty shell
The religious institutions they built are hollow and without true support
The people who I see, scurrying on the streets, oblivious to our needs
The people I see rushing past on the streets are unaware of the struggles we face
I wonder sometimes how so many could be so blind?
I am puzzled by the lack of empathy and understanding in so many people
Today I stole the sun from the sky, the color from the heart of a rose
I did something terrible today, even to nature itself
Today I took food from the hand of a starving child
I stooped so low as to take food from a starving child
What have I done with my life?
The choices I've made have led me to a life of crime and desperation
Is this the end, when two worlds collide?
Is this the inevitable consequence when two different worlds meet and clash?
I guess that makes me a bad man
I accept that what I've done makes me a villain in the eyes of society
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited
Written by: CLINTON DAVID BOON, CRAIG DOUGLAS GILL, GRAHAM PAUL LAMBERT, MARTYN JOHN WALSH, THOMAS WILLIAM HINGLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Patrick Plitt
No internet at all. No one will know the struggle.
There was a show on TNT or TBS called Alternative Express. It was on like at 4:30am. I thought that and 120 were my windows to the world.
I think bands and musicians actually had to have talent to get places back then.
I think the internet has uncovered a lot of talented folks but I think it's made so many who might be talented lazy instead.
@jmangell
I spent a freshman semester as a college radio DJ. This was the last song I played before my brief, pathetic career came to an end. At least I went out in style.
@stephenroche5107
Don't dou yourself down dude.
@thebestofu-tubebytheresaes5189
Never give up!!!! Have faith! Do good and good will be returned to you!
@sarakinnear6535
I like your style !! 💖
@DissidentNomad
Not to worry, my career as a DJ was even shorter.
@paulneumann7739
Lol great song
@caesarsmith4711
74 years old, love them and always have
@la5latic65
It’s 2024. Who, like me, is watching and adoring this still ? 💯🎶❤️
@davidsherrick898
I'm here..! If this wasn't for I .C. I'd be dead
@davidsherrick898
It makes me a bad man!😊