In 1989 Ian Broudie began recording alone under the name "Lightning Seeds" and achieved success with the psychedelic synthpop hit Pure, from the album Cloudcuckooland, which reached the U.K. Top 20. The same year Joy and All I Want were also released but failed to make an impression. "Pure" had some success in the US Billboard Top 40 reaching number thirty-two. Both "Pure" and "All I Want" also reached the Modern Rock Tracks top ten. In 1991 Broudie returned to song-writing and moved labels from Rough Trade to Virgin.
The album Sense featured the song "The Life of Riley", written by Broudie for his son, which reached twenty-eight in the U.K. singles chart and just registered at ninety-eight in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. An instrumental version of the song later became better known as the BBC TV theme for the "Goal of the Month" competition. "Sense" marked Broudie's first Lightning Seeds song-writing collaborations with former Specials singer Terry Hall. The album's title track "Sense", co-written with Hall, climbed to thirty-one in the U.K. Singles Chart; however, the album stagnated at fifty-three.
Broudie's contract expired with Virgin and Epic agreed to sign him. Broudie put other projects on hold and embarked on a touring schedule.
By the end of 1993 Broudie had finished the Jollification (1994) album, which included contributions from Terry Hall and Simon Rogers as well as Ian McNabb. A promotional tour began in August 1994 with their lineup consisting of, guitarist Paul Hemmings, drummer Chris Sharrock, bassist Martyn Campbell, and keyboardist Ali Kane. The tour benefitted from the success of the second single from the album Change, which reached thirteen in the U.K. singles charts, becoming Lightning Seeds' second U.K. top-twenty hit. The album Jollification became a critical success, and the singles taken from this album, "Lucky You", "Marvellous" and "Perfect" made noticeable impact. Mark Farrow's album cover featured the use of computer graphics to create an enormous strawberry and depicting seeds with superimposed human faces.
The band bought Eel Pie Studios, created using a barge moored on the River Thames, from Pete Townshend of The Who. During this period a number of songs were recorded for the fourth studio album Dizzy Heights. The single "Ready or Not" was released before the album, and reached twenty in the U.K. singles chart.
In 1996 the Football Association commissioned Broudie and Lightning Seeds to write theme music for the Euro '96 football tournament. Broudie agreed on the condition that comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel wrote the lyrics. The resulting song, "Three Lions", became the band's first number one on the U.K. singles chart, and was adopted as a football chant, not only in the U.K. but also in countries such as Germany, where the single and accompanying video reached sixteen.
During this period the band achieved three more U.K. Top 20 hits, including a cover version of The Turtles' "You Showed Me", which beacame one of their biggest hits. Between 1996 and 1997 the band's line-up changed. Chris Sharrock left to work with World Party and was replaced by Mat Priest from Dodgy. Angie Pollock, who had previously worked with Shakespears Sister and Terry Hall, replaced Ali Kane on keyboards.
1997 saw the release of Like You Do, and a U.K. promotional tour followed. "What You Say", one of two new songs included with the compilation, was released but failed to register in the top 40. Part way through the tour Zak Starkey, son of The Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr, replaced Priest on drums.
In 1998 "Three Lions '98" was recorded for the World Cup in France, featuring a re-written lyric. The song reached number one in the U.K. singles chart, and became the first song to top the charts on two separate occasions with different sets of lyrics. In 1998 Lightning Seeds also performed on the main stage at the Glastonbury Festival and the V Festival in the U.K.
Their 1999 album Tilt was dance-orientated, and featured collaborations with Stephen Jones. The single "Life's Too Short" rose to twenty-seven in the U.K. Singles Chart. "Sweetest Soul Sensations" reached sixty-seven, and did not attract serious attention.
In 2000 Lightning Seeds performed along with Space and Stereophonics at Cream 2000. Later that year Broudie confirmed, in the Liverpool Echo, that Lightning Seeds were to take a long break after a final show at Liverpool's L2 venue.
The band's second greatest hits album The Very Best of the Lightning Seeds was released on the 12th June 2006, followed by the re-release of "Three Lions", which rose to nine in the U.K. Singles Chart.
In the summer of 2006 Ian Broudie formed a new Lightning Seeds line-up for indoor shows and festival appearances. The band released their sixth studio album, Four Winds, in May 2009, and appeared at festivals during July, August, and September the same year
* Official website
If Only
Lightning Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's serious stuff
Till it's laughed at
This moment's not the past
It's nothing at all till I say that
Angel throw me a line
It's about time
It's about time
I will escape
I just can't wait
Don't tell me there's no tears left to cry
Don't tell me that you're lonely you're lonely
Remembering the who, how and why
Don't tell I'm your only if only
The glitter and the gloom
A catch a glimpse of you in the room
Dollar bills for dreams
Nothing round here's quite what it seems
Angel throw me a line
It's about time
It's about time
Never too late
I wills escape
I just can't wait
Don't tell me there's no tears left to cry
Don't tell me that you're lonely
You're lonely
Remembering the who, how and why
Don't tell me I'm your only if only
If I could feel it
If only
If I could mean it
If only
The lyrics in Lightning Seeds' song "If Only" seem to revolve around the idea that life is not always what it seems, and that the present moment is only as significant as we make it. The first few lines, "A joke is not a joke, it's serious stuff, till it's laughed at, this moment's not the past, it's nothing at all till I say that," suggest that the way we perceive things and our ability to find humor in them can have a profound impact on our experiences. The lyrics "Angel throw me a line, it's about time, never too late, I will escape, I just can't wait" seem to imply a sense of desperation and a desire to break free or find some sort of escape from the current reality. The song goes on to say "Don't tell me there's no tears left to cry, don't tell me that you're lonely, remembering the who, how and why, don't tell me I'm your only if only," which seems to suggest that despite the struggles and uncertainty of life, there is always hope and a sense of connectedness with others.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be a bit abstract and open to interpretation, but they convey a sense of longing, hope, and a desire to find fulfillment and purpose in life. The use of poetic language and metaphors adds depth and beauty to the lyrics, making it a powerful and thought-provoking song.
Line by Line Meaning
A joke is not a joke
A humorous remark may seem light in nature, but it can have serious implications and consequences.
It's serious stuff
A joke has the potential to impact someone's emotions and well-being, making it important to be mindful of what you say.
Till it's laughed at
The tension and weight of a joke dissipate once someone laughs at it, indicating that they have understood and found it amusing.
This moment's not the past
The present instance is not a reflection or continuation of historical events, it exists independently.
It's nothing at all till I say that
The meaning and significance of something is subjective and based entirely on individual interpretation and expression.
Angel throw me a line
A plea for help or guidance from a higher or spiritual power, as if reaching out for a lifeline.
It's about time
Something is overdue or necessary, and should have been addressed earlier.
Never too late
It's never too late to make a change or pursue a new venture, even if it feels daunting or hopeless.
I will escape
A desire to break free from negative circumstances or experiences and move towards a better reality or future.
I just can't wait
Excitement and anticipation for a positive outcome or change, revealing a strong motivation to succeed.
Don't tell me there's no tears left to cry
Even in the darkest of moments, it's important to allow yourself to feel and express your emotions. Ignoring or suppressing them devalues their impact and significance.
Don't tell me that you're lonely you're lonely
Feeling isolated or disconnected from others can be painful and difficult. It's important to communicate and reach out for support and companionship when needed.
Remembering the who, how and why
Reflecting on past experiences or relationships can offer insight and clarity, helping you to navigate current situations or avoid future pitfalls.
Don't tell I'm your only if only
Affection and commitment to someone can be complicated, and it's not healthy or realistic to rely entirely on one person for emotional fulfillment or support.
The glitter and the gloom
Life is full of highs and lows, moments of celebration and sorrow. It's important to acknowledge and appreciate both the good and the bad.
A catch a glimpse of you in the room
Seeing someone who holds personal significance can be powerful and emotional, even in brief or fleeting encounters.
Dollar bills for dreams
The pursuit of wealth and material possessions can distract from or replace more meaningful goals and ambitions in life.
Nothing round here's quite what it seems
Appearances can be deceiving, and things are not always as they initially appear. It's important to look beyond the surface to fully understand a situation or person.
If I could feel it
A yearning for a deeper connection or understanding of oneself or others, expressing a desire to experience true emotion.
If only
A wish or hope for something that seems out of reach or unachievable, revealing a sense of longing or regret.
If I could mean it
A desire to understand and engage more honestly and authentically with others and the world, indicating a motivation to improve relationships and personal character.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN ZACHARY BROUDIE, MICHALE PICKERING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarah Crozier
Oh god, I forgot how much I adore this song. I forgot how much I adore the Lightning Seeds...never letting it happen again :)
Lynnie Heal
Thank you to the #TheLightningSeeds for their music .
Marc Domicello
Its amazing to think that this, the L.S. 5th album in the 1st 10 years is really great. However, their 1st 4 albums were all so all -time great that this album gets a bit lost. If any other artist other than the L.S. would have released this album it would have been ranked among that bands best.
Phil Smith
This song is pure perfection!
Rosemary Mooney
Perfection 💙
Djbofi1
Great come back 💪🏻 🍓
mikestagramming
Reminds me of the U2 Pop album
Hafkina mum
Fabs !
David Carter
Rex and Bobby theme
Benjii_ Raid
First