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
Ready Or Not
Lightning Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all this time to kill
You know I can't sit still tonight
I've gotta make some noise
I'm jumping up and down
I've got to get out now
I want to shout out loud
Oh you make me feel alright
Oh it's you, you do
Crack up your face and give us a smile
Because tonight I just want to go wild
I've got a million thoughts and when I've thought them all
I'll find a million more tonight
And when I'm feeling sad
I know it's such a drag
And then I get so mad
And then I feel so bad
Oh you make me feel alright
It's like the tippermost, toppermost high
Oh it's you, you do
Ready or not
Here we go till we drop
Don't be square
Fix your face and grow your hair
Oh you make me feel alright
It's like the tippermost, toppermost high
Cause it's you, you, you
Ready or not
Here we go till we drop
Don't be square
Fix your face and grow your hair
Here, now, anywhere
The Lightning Seeds' song "Ready or Not" is an upbeat, high-energy anthem about the need to let loose, have fun, and make some noise. The lyrics make it clear that the singer is feeling antsy and bored, with "time to kill" and an inability to "sit still". They want to "jump up and down" and "shout out loud", and are looking for someone to share in their wildness. The chorus reinforces this vibe, promising that the night will be one of action and excitement, with an invitation to "go wild".
While the lyrics are straightforward, the song's upbeat guitar and catchy melody are what make it stand out. The lyrics seem to tap into feelings of restlessness and boredom that are common to many people, while the music provides a sonic release for that pent-up energy. The chorus of "Ready or Not" drives this point home, urging listeners to join in the fun and let go of their inhibitions. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of living in the moment, shaking off the mundane and embracing the thrill of the present.
Overall, "Ready or Not" is a fun and lighthearted song that encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves. It's a great example of the power of music to lift our spirits and provide a sense of release.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I can't stay home
I cannot stay at home.
With all this time to kill
I have a lot of free time.
You know I can't sit still tonight
I cannot remain quiet and still tonight.
I've gotta make some noise
I need to make some loud sounds.
I'm jumping up and down
I am leaping up and down excitedly.
I've got to get out now
I need to leave the place immediately.
I want to shout out loud
I need to scream loudly.
Oh you make me feel alright
You make me feel good.
It's like the tippermost, toppermost high
This is the best feeling ever.
Oh it's you, you do
It's because of you that I feel this way.
Crack up your face and give us a smile
Smile widely and show your teeth.
Because tonight I just want to go wild
Tonight I want to be uncontrolled and reckless.
I've got a million thoughts and when I've thought them all
I have so many thoughts and I cannot stop thinking.
I'll find a million more tonight
I will also have many more thoughts tonight.
And when I'm feeling sad
When I am unhappy.
I know it's such a drag
I know it's tedious.
And then I get so mad
I become frustrated.
And then I feel so bad
I feel negative emotions.
Ready or not
Whether you are prepared or not.
Here we go till we drop
Let's continue until we cannot go any longer.
Don't be square
Don't be boring or dull.
Fix your face and grow your hair
Primp yourself up and pay attention to your hair.
Here, now, anywhere
In any place and at any time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER CHARLES LLOYD, JACOB BRIAN DUTTON, MARVIN BERNARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
You know I can’t stay home 🏡
With all this time to kill
You know I can’t sit still tonight
I’ve gotta make some noise
I’m jumping up & down
I’ve got to get out now
I want to shout out loud
Oh you make me feel alright
It’s like the tippermost, toppermost high
Oh it’s you, you do
Crack up your face and give us a smile 😊
Because tonight I just want to go wild
I’ve got a million thoughts 💭 and when I’ve thought 💭 them all
I’ll find a million more tonight
And when I’m feeling sad 😞
I know it’s such a drag
And then I get so mad 😠
And then I feel so bad
Oh you make me feel alright
It’s like the tippermost, toppermost high
Oh it’s you, you do
Ready or not
Here we go till we drop
Don’t be square
Fix your face and grow your hair
Oh you make me feel alright
It’s like the tippermost, toppermost high
Cause it’s you, you, you
Ready or not
Here we go till we drop
Don’t be square
Fix your face and grow your hair
Here, now, anywhere
@user-ro6xv4wb5q
You know i can't stay home
With all this time to kill
Oh god, i can't sit still,
Tonight
I've gotta make some noise
I'm jumping up and down
Gotta get out now
Gotta shout out loud
Oh, you make me feel alright
It's like the tipper most topper most high
Oh it's you you you
Crack up your face and give us a smile
Cos tonight i just wanna be wild
I've got a million thoughts
and when i've thought them all
I'll find a million more,
Tonight
And when i'm feeling sad
You know it's such a drag
Then i get so mad
But then i feel so bad
Oh, you make me be alright
It's like the tipper most topper most high
Crack up your face and give us a smile
Oh it's you, you, you
Ready or not
Here we go…
@waynecatlin1593
There was definitely a summer of love in 96, brit pop was massive and everyone, literally EVERYONE was singing. There was music everywhere, class music, it was pretty fucking special!! I hope I get to experience it at least one more time before my days are done!!
@mercifulzeus01
Wayne Catlin And then there was the bloody Macarena...
@244forever
Euro 96!
@DissidentNomad
And then came.... mass immigration
@ediferdinan5563
Tis is to makeyou alrigh
@ediferdinan5563
Duo know pure saturday from asia
@RantingBrummie
Always thought they were the ELO of the 1990's. Class underrated band.
@andrewvaughan4760
Have to agree
@andrewvaughan4760
ELO toured a few years back, and what made it so nice was the fact Jeff lynne said,, he didn’t know he was so well liked!!! Genius
@michaellillis5979
Proper feel good band