On 27 April 2006, a track from Bradfield's debut solo album entitled "That's No Way To Tell a Lie" premiered on Janice Long's show on Radio 2.
Bradfield played three dates in late May 2006 (Manchester Roadhouse, King Tut's Glasgow and London Barfly) to offer fans a chance to preview his new solo material. He also played a couple of Manic Street Preachers songs such as "Ocean Spray" (to which he contributed the lyrics, a first for him), as well as "This Is Yesterday".
Released as a single on the 10th July 2006, "That's No Way To Tell a Lie" charted at number 18.
His solo album "The Great Western" was released on Columbia Records on 24th July 2006 and reached number 22 in the Album Chart. He also has enlisted the help of Super Furry Animals drummer Daf Ieuen to provide drums for the track "Run Romeo Run". Manic Street Preachers bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire provides lyrics for the track "Bad Boys and Painkillers". The album also includes a cover of Jacques Brel's "To See a Friend In Tears".
He also wrote the score for the August 2016 horror film The Chamber, which was released as a soundtrack album in March 2017. It is his first (and so far only) foray into movie soundtracks.
After well over a decade, Bradfield announced his second solo album entitled "Even In Exile", based on the life of Chilean artist Víctor Jara, to be released in August of 2020.
To See A Friend In Tears
James Dean Bradfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For certain songs and certain dates
The tender gave way to the firebrand
And Europe gave way to the States
So now that money's all but scentless
Noses and consciences are clear
The pointless flowers can be dispensed with
So our defeats are just reminders
Of death that waits behind it all
The body wilts before the mind does
Surprised to see how soon it falls
It's true our women have deceived us
All hunted species disappear
It's true we've shot the golden eagles
To see a friend in tears
It's true our cities are exhausted
Made by and for the middle aged
Our weakness gave them more than force did
We thought that love could cure a toothache
And in the underground we're drowning
Accelerating through the years
You think you'll find the truth by frowning
To see a friend in tears
It's true our mirrors don't show heroes
We lack the courage to be Jews
Without the elegance of Africa
With our youthful fireworks all defused
And all these men who are our brothers
Wonder why we don't want to hear
How their worst enemies are their lovers
To see a friend in tears
The song "To See A Friend In Tears" by James Dean Bradfield is a poignant commentary on the state of the world and human relationships. The lyrics speak of the continuous wars and conflicts that still persist despite the passing of time. The line "For certain songs and certain dates, the tender gave way to the firebrand" refers to how certain ideologies and beliefs can create a passionate fervor that can lead to violence and destruction.
Bradfield also touches on the theme of materialism and how it overtakes our values and morality. The line "So now that money's all but scentless, noses and consciences are clear" comments on how the obsession with wealth and status leads to a disregard for the natural world and empathy towards others. The reference to "pointless flowers" signifies how material possessions hold little value compared to the emotional connection with a friend in need.
Moreover, Bradfield alludes to the fragility of life and how we are all mortal beings. The line "It's true our defeats are just reminders of death that waits behind it all" is a sobering reminder that our time is limited, and no amount of wealth or power can change that. He further highlights the impermanence of life by referring to the physical decay of the body and how it contrasts with the resilience of the mind.
The song ends on a note of cynicism about the state of human relationships. Bradfield suggests that we are failing to see beyond our differences, and the idea of brotherhood is fading away. The final line "How their worst enemies are their lovers to see a friend in tears" implies that even our closest relationships are fraught with conflict and that empathy only extends to those who align with our worldview.
Overall, "To See A Friend In Tears" is a contemplative song that touches on broader issues of war, materialism, mortality, and human relationships. It encourages introspection and reflection on these issues that continue to plague our society.
Line by Line Meaning
So men are still at war in this land
This world is still plagued by wars, causing destruction and loss of life.
For certain songs and certain dates
Some wars are fought because of specific beliefs or cultural differences that lead to conflicts.
The tender gave way to the firebrand
People no longer value kindness or empathy, but instead, use aggression and force to get their way.
And Europe gave way to the States
America has become a dominant force, surpassing Europe in terms of power and influence.
So now that money's all but scentless
Money has lost its value, and people are no longer solely motivated by greed or material possessions.
Noses and consciences are clear
People have become more aware of their actions and the impact they have on others, making them more mindful of their choices.
The pointless flowers can be dispensed with
Superficial gestures or objects are no longer important, and instead, true emotions and connections hold more weight.
To see a friend in tears
True friendship is proven and strengthened when someone is vulnerable and emotional, showing the depth of the relationship.
So our defeats are just reminders
Failures serve as a reminder of our mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
Of death that waits behind it all
Death is omnipresent, and no matter our successes or failures, it is a constant looming presence in our lives.
The body wilts before the mind does
While our physical bodies may age or deteriorate, our minds and spirits can remain strong and resilient.
Surprised to see how soon it falls
We often underestimate the fleetingness of time and the speed at which life passes us by.
It's true our women have deceived us
Women have been misrepresented or undervalued in society, leading to disappointment and disillusionment.
All hunted species disappear
The world is rapidly losing biodiversity, and many species are being lost forever due to human exploitation.
It's true we've shot the golden eagles
Human greed and carelessness has caused harm to even majestic and revered creatures, causing further environmental damage.
To see a friend in tears
True friendship is solidified through shared emotional experiences, both happy and sad.
It's true our cities are exhausted
Urban centers have become drained of life and energy, created and maintained by the older and more apathetic generation.
Made by and for the middle aged
Urbanization has been a result of the desires and needs of older generations, leaving younger generations with weakened infrastructure and opportunities.
Our weakness gave them more than force did
Those in power have taken advantage of the vulnerabilities of the weaker members of society, leading to unfair and unjust systems.
We thought that love could cure a toothache
We believed that love and romantic relationships could solve all of life's problems, including physical and emotional pain
And in the underground we're drowning
People can become trapped or overwhelmed by societal pressures and expectations, leading to suffocation and emotional distress.
Accelerating through the years
Time seems to fly by, and with each passing moment, our lives feel like they are speeding up faster and faster.
You think you'll find the truth by frowning
We often believe that being serious or solemn will lead us to greater understanding, but in reality, it only causes us to miss out on the joy of life.
To see a friend in tears
True friendship is proven and strengthened when someone is vulnerable and emotional, showing the depth of the relationship.
It's true our mirrors don't show heroes
We often compare ourselves to others, but we don't see ourselves as the amazing and heroic individuals we truly are.
We lack the courage to be Jews
We lack the strength and conviction to fully own our identities and cultures, feeling ashamed or inferior to others.
Without the elegance of Africa
We have lost touch with the vast cultural and artistic history of Africa, which has brought a light and beauty to the world.
With our youthful fireworks all defused
While we may have had vibrant and exciting energy in the past, it has dimmed and been dulled by the harsh realities of the present.
And all these men who are our brothers
Despite our differences, we are all connected through our humanity and deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.
Wonder why we don't want to hear
Many refuse to acknowledge or listen to the struggles of others, preferring to remain ignorant and complacent.
How their worst enemies are their lovers
Sometimes, the people closest to us can be the ones who hurt us the most, revealing the complex nature of human relationships.
Contributed by Zachary P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.