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
Out on the Highway
Kula Shaker Lyrics
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For their blue-eyed son
The men are all beaten
'Cos their day is done
You were out on the highway
With the stars in your eyes
Just saying 'alas alas alas
Too young'
The sky is blue and purple
And the moon is proud
And in the churchyard they are whisperin'
Beneath the ground
You were out on the highway
With the stars in your eyes
Singing 'alas alas alas
We were too young to die
Too young'
Be good to yourself
Be good to your heart
Be good to yourself
Love with your heart
Reach out in life
Reach out in death
And love will be your requiem
Well if you had the world at your feet
If you had the love that you seek
We are the stars we are the sky...
We're too young
Too young
The lyrics to Kula Shaker's song "Out on the Highway" paint a picture of the aftermath of a tragedy. It seems to describe a funeral, with both men and women grieving for someone they have lost. The line "The women are a-weeping for their blue-eyed son" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that this loss is even more heartbreaking because the deceased was someone's child. The men are described as "beaten," which could refer to their emotional state or perhaps even to physical violence that occurred as a result of this tragedy.
The chorus of the song shines a light on the fact that the deceased was young, with the repeated phrase "We were too young to die" expressing a sentiment that is both tragic and universal. The verses and chorus come together to create a haunting feeling of loss and sadness. The lines "Be good to yourself, be good to your heart, be good to yourself, love with your heart" could be interpreted as a plea for listeners to cherish their loved ones while they're still with them, as life is fragile and unpredictable.
Overall, the lyrics to "Out on the Highway" are a poignant reminder of the injustices of life and the pain of losing someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
The women are a-weeping
The females are crying inconsolably
For their blue-eyed son
Because they lost their beloved blue-eyed child
The men are all beaten
Their fathers and brothers are crestfallen and hopeless
'Cos their day is done
Because the day is over and the outcome is bleak
You were out on the highway
You were out travelling
With the stars in your eyes
Filled with optimism and dreams
Just saying 'alas alas alas
Expressing sympathy with a melancholy chant
We were too young to die
Death came too soon in life
Too young'
Premature death is harsh
The sky is blue and purple
The sky is marvelous and surreal
And the moon is proud
The moon is magnificent and self-confident
And in the churchyard they are whisperin'
Underneath the ground, people are communicating discreetly
Beneath the ground
Under the surface
Singing 'alas alas alas
Uttering regret and sorrow in a song
Be good to yourself
Take care of your well-being
Be good to your heart
Take precautions for your physical health
Love with your heart
Express affection and compassion
Reach out in life
Establish connections whilst still alive
Reach out in death
Establish connections even in death
And love will be your requiem
Love will be the celebratory tribute of your existence
Well if you had the world at your feet
If you held significant power
If you had the love that you seek
If you found genuine love
We are the stars we are the sky...
We form the cornerstone of the universe
We're too young
We're inexperienced and lacking maturity in life
Too young
Being too young can lead to unfavorable circumstances
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wayne Hulme
one of the most underrated bands ever, only took 12 years for a comment