Their sound is roughly based on the sounds of 90s Britpop mixed in with 60s psychedelic rock, with heavy influences of Indian pop music as well as classic hard rock throughout. Their first album, 'K' was released in the United Kingdom in 1996, and it became the fastest selling debut album since 'Definitely Maybe' by Oasis. Selling 850,000 copies in the U.K. and a further 250,000 in the U.S., the band achieved success with their singles "Hey Dude" and "Tattva" climbing into the top 40. Their second album released in 1999, 'Peasants, Pigs and Astronauts', however, did not have the success of the first, selling only a fraction of 'K' despite a slightly higher marketing budget. Later that year, Mills announced the band would be breaking up due to unwanted pressure loaded upon them by their label and the urge to move on.
On 11th July 2006, Kula Shaker announced that they would be reforming, and the group set about creating an iTunes-exclusive E.P. They started by touring smaller venues in the U.K. Their third album, 'Strange Folk', was released on 20th August 2007, and their fourth, 'Pilgrim's Progress', was released on 28th June 2010. While touring since then, they have also released a Christmas single. Frontman Crispian Mills is also known for his solo work and his role in the band The Jeevas
Cavalry
Kula Shaker Lyrics
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outnumbered too I believe
cut down surrounded
all bust up and pounded
love send the cavalry
will I lay down
here with my friends at my side
I'll write you a song
'cos I've loved you so long
and we never said our goodbyes
the night descends
and the dreaming must end
end this dream for me
love send the cavalry
love send the cavalry
The lyrics in Kula Shaker's "Cavalry" describe a dire situation in which the singer and their comrades are under attack and outnumbered. They have been cut down and surrounded, feeling "bust up and pounded." In this moment of desperation, the only hope is for love to "send the cavalry" and rescue them. The singer contemplates the possibility of death, wondering if he will lay down with his friends and watch as the flames consume them. Though they have not said goodbye, he resolves to write a song for his loved ones, as he has loved them for so long.
Line by Line Meaning
we can't turn back we're under attack
We cannot retreat as we are being assaulted
outnumbered too I believe
I think we are facing a greater enemy in number
cut down surrounded
We are being attacked on all sides and our defense is being taken down
all bust up and pounded
We are being beaten and bruised badly
love send the cavalry
May love come to our rescue like the cavalry in the battle
will I lay down
Will I surrender to give up in the battle
here with my friends at my side
I stand with my friends, ready to defend ourselves
watching the flames as they die
Watching everything we've built in ruin
I'll write you a song
I’ll leave you something more of myself before I go
'cos I've loved you so long
Because I've loved you for such a long time
and we never said our goodbyes
We never got a chance to say our final goodbye
the night descends
The dark and suffering of the night have set in
and the dreaming must end
We must wake up from the dream and face the reality
end this dream for me
Free me from this nightmare
love send the cavalry
May love come to help me escape this pain and fear
Contributed by Alexander K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.