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
Figure It Out
Kula Shaker Lyrics
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will we find a way that we all see
way beyond the lives of you and me
way beyond those cities into the sky
will we find a way that we all see
are we alone here facing the world
are we alone here facing the world
trying to figure it out
when you know it just can be sure
sri krishna sankirtanam
what for love of God are we to do
wearing out disguises
through and through
understand the qualities of time
synchronise your watches to the sky
are we alone here facing the world
trying to figure it out
are we alone here facing the world
trying to figure it out
when you know it just can be sure
figure it out maybe I'll never be sure
figure out singing the names of the Lord
yeah you can riff on your ideas
for another million years
but I'm running out of time
and you keep changing your mind
see the only thing that's real
are the feelings that I feel for you
so come on and love me for sure
sri krishna sankirtanam
The song "Figure It Out" by Kula Shaker explores the idea of finding a way beyond the material world and into the spiritual realm. The lyrics suggest that there is more to life than what can be seen with the naked eye, and that we are all facing the same struggle of trying to understand our place in the world. The repeated phrase "are we alone here facing the world, trying to figure it out" emphasizes the human desire for connection and understanding.
The line "what for love of God are we to do" may refer to the idea that all actions should be done in the name of love, especially the love of a higher power or deity. The use of the phrase "sri krishna sankirtanam" throughout the song, which translates to "the chanting of Lord Krishna's names," further reinforces this spiritual theme.
The song encourages listeners to focus on what is truly important - the feelings they have for others - rather than getting lost in endless intellectual pursuits or material possessions. The final line, "so come on and love me for sure," suggests that love and connection with others is the key to finding meaning and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
will we find a way that we all see
Is there a way we can all come together and see things beyond ourselves and our personal lives, even beyond what our cities can offer? Will we find this way?
way beyond the lives of you and me
This way should go beyond our individual lives and should involve something greater than just ourselves.
way beyond those cities into the sky
The way must also transcend the boundaries of cities and reach beyond them and flow into the sky where it can be seen by all.
are we alone here facing the world
Do we face the challenges of the world alone by ourselves, without any help or guidance?
trying to figure it out
Are we struggling to find a solution to our problems?
when you know it just can be sure
Despite the uncertainty, is there a source of knowledge that can provide us with certainty and assurance?
what for love of God are we to do
What is the purpose of our existence and how can we live up to our divine potential?
wearing out disguises through and through
Are we putting on different masks and hiding our true selves out of fear or insecurity?
understand the qualities of time
To find answers, we must understand the nature of time and its impact on the world around us.
synchronise your watches to the sky
Align our lives with something larger than us and set our sights on that which inspires and lifts us higher.
figure it out maybe I'll never be sure
Despite our efforts, we may never be completely certain or confident of our conclusions.
figure out singing the names of the Lord
One way to figure it out is through devotion and by singing the sacred names of the divine, which can fill our hearts with love and wisdom.
yeah you can riff on your ideas for another million years
We can spend endless time and energy on our own ideas and philosophies but they may not necessarily lead us to the truth we seek.
but I'm running out of time
Our time on this earth is limited and we must make the best use of it while we can.
and you keep changing your mind
Others may offer different opinions or keep changing their stance, which can confuse us and make it harder to make progress.
see the only thing that's real
Amidst all the confusion and uncertainty, the only thing that remains real and true are the emotions and feelings we share with others.
are the feelings that I feel for you
Love and connection with others are some of the most important things that can give meaning to our lives.
so come on and love me for sure
Let us embrace love and cherish the connections we have with others, and seek to build bridges and find common ground.
sri krishna sankirtanam
A chant invoking the divine, which can inspire and elevate us to a higher state of awareness and consciousness.
Contributed by Levi R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.