Born in Buxton, Derbyshire, Cole grew up in nearby Chapel en le Frith and went to New Mills Grammar School. After failing in law at University College London, he later attended (but did not graduate from) the University of Glasgow where he studied philosophy and English and met the other members of band that would become The Commotions. Their 1984 debut, Rattlesnakes, contained numerous literary and pop culture references to figures like Norman Mailer, Grace Kelly, Eva Marie Saint, Truman Capote and Joan Didion. The group produced two more albums, Easy Pieces and Mainstream, before disbanding in 1989, when Cole re-located to New York to record with legendary musicians like Fred Maher and Robert Quine (as well as a then largely unknown Matthew Sweet).
This solo setting produced two acclaimed albums, Lloyd Cole in 1990 and 1991's Don't Get Weird on Me Babe. The latter was recorded in two parts: one side continued the New York rock mastered on his first solo album, while the other side featured a session orchestra, much in the style of Burt Bacharach or Scott Walker. Although some reviewers have claimed Don't Get Weird on Me Babe (the title being a quote from the American neo-realism poet Raymond Carver) to be a creative peak, it produced significantly lesser record sales, and the contract with Capitol Records ended.
Subsequently signed by Rykodisc, Cole continued redefining his sound with Bad Vibes (1993), a collaboration with producer/remixer Adam Peters using a harder, grunge and psychedelica inspired sound. Love Story (1995) established stripped-down, largely acoustic sound landscapes with the help of Stephen Street (famous for his work with Blur and The Smiths) and former Commotions Neil Clark and Blair Cowan; the album produced a minor hit with the song "Like Lovers Do".
In 2000, after years without a contract, Cole recorded a disc with the New York band The Negatives, featuring Jill Sobule and Dave Derby of the Dambuilders. He has since released solo albums on smaller independent labels. Sanctuary Records, the company responsible for the revival of Morrissey, released Music in a Foreign Language (2003) in the U.K. Recorded largely by Cole himself (including tracks recorded directly into a Mac), the songs had a stark, folk-inspired singer-songwriter style. One Little Indian, home of Björk, released Music in a Foreign Language in the U.S.; they also collected a number of outtakes (recorded from 1996 to 2000) on 2004's Etc. and released an instrumental ambient electronica album, Plastic Wood, the same year.
Cole continued to tour, playing intimate club venues in a one-man acoustic setting. In 2004, to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of Rattlesnakes, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions reformed to perform a one-off, sell-out tour in the U.K. and Ireland. An avid golfer, he is also known for playing concerts in towns suspiciously close to famous golf courses. He also shares a passion for this sport with Alice Cooper who is said to introduce the song "Only Women Bleed" claiming "not even Lloyd Cole has written a song about menstruation" when playing live.
Cole's album "Antidepressant" was released in 2006 featuring the former Commotions guitarist Neil Clark on some tracks.
The follow-up Broken Record, released in September 2010, marked a departure from his solo recordings, as it was performed by a band of longstanding friends and working partners, including Fred Maher, Joan Wasser, Rainy Orteca, Dave Derby and Blair Cowan – as well as two musicians, Matt Cullen (guitar; banjo) and Mark Schwaber (guitar; mandolin).
An album co-funded by fans, Standards, was released in June 2013.
A studio album – Guesswork – was released on July 26, 2019 by earMUSIC.
Be There
Lloyd Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep your eye on the economy, sign on, shine on
And everybody knows that this is nowhere
Everybody knows that this is nowhere, nowhere
But you`ve got to be here
Yes you`ve got to be right there
Yes you got to be there
Man you got to be right there
Yes you got to be here yeh
Bide your time milk and three sugars please, sign on, sign on
You need a line, you need some poetry, right on, right on
And everybody knows that this is nowhere
Nobody knows that this is nowhere oh yeh
But you`ve got to be there
Yes you`ve got to be right there
Yes you got to be there yeh
In Lloyd Cole's song "Be There," the lyrics touch on themes of economic struggle and the need to persevere despite the difficult circumstances. The opening lines encourage the listener to "sign your name without apology," which can be interpreted as a call to embrace personal agency and take ownership of one's situation. The following line about "keeping your eye on the economy" suggests that economic hardship is a reality that cannot be ignored. Despite this, the repeated refrain of "shine on" serves as a hopeful reminder to stay positive and continue to strive towards success despite the odds.
The chorus contains the repeated phrase "everybody knows that this is nowhere," which could indicate a sense of futility or stagnation. However, the following line "but you've got to be here" emphasizes the importance of being present and engaged despite any feelings of hopelessness. The repeated refrain of "yeah, you've got to be there" reinforces this sentiment and speaks to the importance of perseverance and active participation in one's own life.
The second verse continues with references to everyday routines and the need for creative expression. The line "bide your time, milk and three sugars please" suggests a sense of waiting or patience, which can be difficult in the face of economic uncertainty. The following line about needing poetry and a creative outlet is a reminder that even in difficult times, it's important to have hobbies or passions that bring joy and purpose to life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Be There" offer a message of resilience, perseverance, and the importance of staying present and engaged in one's own life despite difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Sign your name without apology, sign on, sign on
Be confident in your actions and decisions, commit fully
Keep your eye on the economy, sign on, shine on
Stay informed and remain dedicated to your work, despite external factors
Everybody knows that this is nowhere
The current situation is stagnant and uneventful
But you've got to be here
You must stay present and engaged, even when nothing is happening
Bide your time milk and three sugars please, sign on, sign on
Be patient and wait for the right moment to act
You need a line, you need some poetry, right on, right on
You require inspiration and creativity to succeed
Nobody knows that this is nowhere oh yeh
The lack of progress is not universally recognized or acknowledged
Yes you've got to be right there
Remain dedicated and attentive to the task at hand
Man you got to be right there
Emphasize the importance of being fully present
Yes you got to be here yeh
Underscore the necessity of staying engaged and committed
Yes you got to be there
Maintain your focus and dedication at all times
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jan İzmir
Great song! Great singer!
Does anyone know what the singles from this album were? Many thanks!
ipa ja
about couple decades ago when i used to work at superdrug we had to endure listening to songs on a loop. some were crap, others mediocre and others made the time fly by. there was a song by eternal i loved but this song came before it. so i knew i had to rush to be on shopfloor to catch my eternal song. but as time went by this song grew and grew on me. fast forward to today and i can listen to both songs, in the same order, online. magnificent. eternal song is faith in love ;-)