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
Modern Blues
Kula Shaker Lyrics
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crawled out the morning
climbed up the ceiling
Blew out the gaslight
ain't got my mind right
I'm on the wrong side calling calling
I've got the modern blues for you honey
I've got the modern blues for you honey
I've go the modern blues yeah
here come the bad times
don't follow leaders
fold up the red flag
tear up your Nietzsche
forget tomorrow
all thoughts are borrowed
I've got this feeling falling falling
I've got the modern blues for you honey
I've got the modern blues
I've got the mind
to find where you're coming
I got the evening news hey yeah yeah
somebody spare me
this twisted philosophy
I'm searching for meaning
in a world of mediocrity
I can't move for preachers
can't find no teachers
think i'm gonna stay here in bed
so blue blue so blue blue
'cos I wasted my whole life
working for fools
running on amphetamine
turning purple and blue
I've got blood on my fingers
I've got stones in my shoes
I said what's a man
what's a man what's a man to do
I've got the modern blues for you honey
I've got the modern blues
I've got the modern blues for you honey
I've got the modern blues
'cos I wasted my whole life oh
working for fools
The song "Modern Blues" by Kula Shaker is about feeling trapped and disillusioned by the world. The singer of the song has lost hope and is "on the wrong side calling," indicating that they are lost and searching for direction. The lyrics mention crawling out of the morning, climbing the ceiling, and blowing out the gaslight, which allude to feeling suffocated and trapped. The chorus repeats, "I've got the modern blues for you honey" as a way of expressing the singer's frustration and cynicism about the world.
The second verse mentions "here come the bad times" and advises to "fold up the red flag" and "tear up Nietzsche" as a possible reference to political ideologies or unwarranted optimism. The singer also states that all thoughts are borrowed, indicating a sense of intellectual frustration or feeling like nothing is original. The bridge of the song expresses the singer's struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that feels mediocre. The song ends with the repeated line, "I've got the modern blues," indicating that despite the desire for change, the singer feels stuck and incapable of escaping the modern world's constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
system wonder I stopped believing
I question the system and no longer have faith in it
crawled out the morning
I struggled to get out of bed this morning
climbed up the ceiling
I feel trapped and overwhelmed
Blew out the gaslight
I am aware of the deceptions around me and refuse to be fooled
ain't got my mind right
I am struggling with my thoughts and emotions
I'm on the wrong side calling calling
I feel lost and disconnected from my surroundings
I've got the modern blues for you honey
I am feeling unhappy and disillusioned with modern society
here come the bad times
I am anticipating difficult times ahead
don't follow leaders
I am distrustful of authority figures
fold up the red flag
I am rejecting political ideologies and movements
tear up your Nietzsche
I am rejecting traditional philosophical and moral systems
forget tomorrow
I am focused on the present moment and not worrying about the future
all thoughts are borrowed
I realize that my beliefs and ideas are influenced by outside sources
I've got this feeling falling falling
I am experiencing a sense of despair and hopelessness
I've got the mind
I am determined
to find where you're coming
to understand where you are coming from
I got the evening news hey yeah yeah
I am aware of the negative events happening in the world
somebody spare me
I am pleading for help and relief
this twisted philosophy
I am critical of certain beliefs and ideologies
I'm searching for meaning
I am looking for purpose and significance in life
in a world of mediocrity
I am disappointed with the lack of excellence and originality in the world
I can't move for preachers
I am frustrated with the abundance of people trying to tell me what to do and think
can't find no teachers
I am struggling to find guidance and wisdom
think i'm gonna stay here in bed
I am so overwhelmed that I don't want to face the day
so blue blue so blue blue
I am very sad and depressed
'cos I wasted my whole life
I regret the choices I have made in life
working for fools
I have spent too much time doing meaningless work for unappreciative people
running on amphetamine
I have been pushing myself too hard and am exhausted and burnt out
turning purple and blue
I am physically and emotionally drained
I've got blood on my fingers
I am responsible for the harm I have caused
I've got stones in my shoes
I am burdened by my past mistakes and regrets
I said what's a man
I am questioning the traditional societal expectations and roles of men
what's a man what's a man to do
I don't know how to fit into the current world and feel lost
Contributed by Stella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.