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.
Weakness
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're on your own again, try to concentrate
The faults you have you show to me, aaahh
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL IN ME (AAH)
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL FOR FREE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
COME INTO THE FIRE
Time will tell just what you will and what you are
Twist my hand behind my back, so what ?
The lowest voices speak to me so slow, aaahh
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL IN ME (AAH)
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL FOR FREE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
COME INTO THE FIRE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL IN ME (AAH)
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL FOR FREE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
COME INTO THE FIRE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH
Phone rings in an empty house, there's no one there
Letter falls on a pile on the floor, everything's been sold Evening comes to a lonely street, this emptiness is yours YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL IN ME (AAH)
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL FOR FREE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
FEEL YOURSELF ALIVE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
COME INTO THE FIRE (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
WEAKNESS (AAH)
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
WEAKNESS (AAH)
W-E-A-K-N-E-S (WEAKNESS),
W-E-A-K-N-E-S (WEAKNESS) (WEAKNESS)
W-E-A-K-N-E-S, (WEAKNESS)
W-E-A-K-N-E-S-S
The song "Weakness" by Inspiral Carpets discusses the feeling of weakness in oneself caused by the actions and faults of another person. The singer addresses the person who makes them feel weak and alone, and though they have tried their best, nothing seems to satisfy this person. The chorus repeats the phrase "You're the weakness I feel in me, you're the weakness I feel for free," emphasizing the impact this person has on the singer's self-worth and emotional wellbeing.
The second verse continues the theme of powerlessness, with the singer acknowledging that time will reveal the true nature of this person and their effect on the singer. The phrase "twist my hand behind my back, so what?" suggests a surrender to this person's control, even if it causes physical pain. The lowest voices speaking to the singer "so slow" evoke a sense of dread and isolation.
The final verse paints a picture of emptiness and loneliness, with the ringing phone, letter on the floor, and everything being sold indicating a sense of abandonment and helplessness. The repetition of the word "weakness" in the outro serves to emphasize the pervasive feeling of vulnerability and powerlessness in the singer's life.
Overall, the song explores the ways in which one person's actions can have a profound impact on another, leading to feelings of weakness and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
I've done the best I can, nothing seems to satisfy
Despite my best efforts, I can't seem to please you
You're on your own again, try to concentrate
You're alone and need to focus on yourself
The faults you have you show to me, aaahh
You're displaying your flaws to me
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL IN ME (AAH)
You are the source of my weakness
YOU'RE THE WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS)
I FEEL FOR FREE (AAH)
I feel free and alive when I am weak for you
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
FEEL YOURSELF ALIVE (AAH)
Being weak makes you feel alive
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
COME INTO THE FIRE
Embrace your weakness and take risks
Time will tell just what you will and what you are
Only time can reveal your true nature and potential
Twist my hand behind my back, so what ?
I'm not afraid of your physical aggression
The lowest voices speak to me so slow, aaahh
I am comforted by the softest and slowest sounds and voices
Phone rings in an empty house, there's no one there
Loneliness and disconnection
Letter falls on a pile on the floor, everything's been sold
Loss and abandonment
Evening comes to a lonely street, this emptiness is yours
The emptiness and loneliness belong to you
WEAKNESS (WEAKNESS),
WEAKNESS (AAH)
Weakness, weakness
W-E-A-K-N-E-S (WEAKNESS),
W-E-A-K-N-E-S (WEAKNESS) (WEAKNESS)
Spelling out the word 'weakness'
W-E-A-K-N-E-S, (WEAKNESS)
W-E-A-K-N-E-S-S
Spelling out the word 'weakness'
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLINTON DAVID BOON, CRAIG DOUGLAS GILL, GRAHAM PAUL LAMBERT, MARTYN JOHN WALSH, THOMAS WILLIAM HINGLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
morg ala
absolute tune
PFCMilne
Soundtrack to my pubescent years!
Paula Barnett
A (BIG) MOO from me too ... love 'em
modsheff1
KEEP THE FAITH OLDHAM STYLE! moooo!
Katie Mcshane
Think this ones my favorite