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
Hometown
Kula Shaker Lyrics
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In my hometown all the buildings are empty
And the streets are paved with memories of my old life
My hometown, where I first saw you
My hometown, where I adored you.
How we laughed at the questions that no one dares ask.
I see a boy dressed in black
I hear a voice calling me back
every day I'm thinking about my hometown
Tragedy, tyranny, things ain't wot they used to be!
Every night I'm walking, walking back to my hometown.
In my hometown, they survived the Blitzkrieg
And worked hard all day, from 8.30 to 5.
In my hometown, never say never
In my hometown, for worse or for better,
Till a tiny pinprick came and stole their life away.
I see a boy dressed in black
I hear a voice calling me back
My hometown, my hometown,
everybody's dreaming in my hometown
Tragedy, tyranny, things ain't wot they used to be!
Every night I'm walking, walking back to my hometown.
My hometown, my hometown,
there's something spooky about my hometown,
Tragedy, tyranny, everybody's dreaming believing sleeping.
Every day I'm thinking about my hometown.
The lyrics to Kula Shaker's song "Hometown" paint a vivid picture of nostalgia and longing for a place that holds deep personal significance. The singer reflects on his hometown, where the buildings now stand empty, and the streets are paved with memories of his old life. It is a place where he first saw the person he adored, and together, they laughed at the unasked questions.
Despite the emptiness, the singer feels a strong connection to his hometown. He sees a boy dressed in black, perhaps representing himself or someone he used to know, and he hears a voice calling him back. This highlights the sense of longing and the desire to return to the familiarity and comfort of his hometown.
The song also touches upon the struggles and resilience of the people in the singer's hometown. They survived the Blitzkrieg, a period of intense bombing during World War II, and worked hard every day. However, a tragic event, symbolized by a tiny pinprick, took away their lives and changed the town forever.
Throughout the lyrics, there is a recurring theme of tragedy and tyranny, suggesting that the singer's hometown has faced hardships and challenges. But despite these difficulties, there is a distinct sense of dreaming, believing, and sleeping, indicating the resilience and hope that still reside within the hearts of the people from this place.
Overall, "Hometown" explores the bittersweet emotions tied to one's place of origin, the memories and connections that linger, and the longing to return despite the changes and challenges faced by the town.
Line by Line Meaning
In my hometown all the buildings are empty
In the place where I grew up, all the structures stand vacant and abandoned
And the streets are paved with memories of my old life
The roads are metaphorically constructed from the recollections of my past existence
My hometown, where I first saw you
The location where I initially laid eyes upon you, my love
My hometown, where I adored you.
The place where I deeply cherished and admired you
How we laughed at the questions that no one dares ask.
The humorous moments we shared while mocking societal inquiries deemed too taboo
I see a boy dressed in black
Within my vision, I perceive an individual adorned entirely in dark attire
I hear a voice calling me back
An audible manifestation beckoning me to return to my origins
My hometown, my hometown, every day I'm thinking about my hometown
Thoughts of my place of birth occupy my mind incessantly
Tragedy, tyranny, things ain't wot they used to be!
Adversity, oppression, the circumstances have significantly changed and deviated from the past
Every night I'm walking, walking back to my hometown.
Each evening, I find myself journeying on foot, returning to the familiar streets of my birthplace
In my hometown, they survived the Blitzkrieg
Within the confines of my hometown, its inhabitants endured and withstood the intense bombings of war
And worked hard all day, from 8.30 to 5.
Toiled diligently throughout the daylight hours, adhering to the customary schedule of 8:30 AM to 5 PM
In my hometown, never say never
In the place I call home, it is ingrained not to dismiss any possibility
In my hometown, for worse or for better,
In the location of my upbringing, whether the circumstances are unfavorable or favorable,
Till a tiny pinprick came and stole their life away.
Until a minuscule puncture emerged and robbed them of their existence
My hometown, my hometown, everybody's dreaming in my hometown
Within my birthplace, the inhabitants universally indulge in dreams and aspirations
Tragedy, tyranny, things ain't wot they used to be!
Adversity, oppression, the circumstances have significantly changed and deviated from the past
Every night I'm walking, walking back to my hometown.
Each evening, I find myself journeying on foot, returning to the familiar streets of my birthplace
My hometown, my hometown, there's something spooky about my hometown,
There exists an eerie quality, an unsettling atmosphere within my place of origin
Tragedy, tyranny, everybody's dreaming believing sleeping.
Adversity, oppression, all individuals are engaged in dreaming, believing, and slumbering
Every day I'm thinking about my hometown.
Continuously, throughout each day, my thoughts revolve around my birthplace
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mills / Bevan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind