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.
Charlotte Street
Lloyd Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I sensed I was not alone
She said "do you know how to spell 'audaciously'?"
I could tell I was in love
And so I forced a smile contrary to my style
And she looked into my eyes
She said "do you want to go heaven,
Or would you rather not be saved?
I'm on my way, will you not see?
I don't need your sympathy
I won't read your poetry, oh sweetness please
So she took me back to her basement flat
Which was down on Charlotte Street
Though it was never my intention
We were not intense, not least because--
"Well. if you must just take, then I'm a piece of cake"
That is what she said to me
And so I gave myself to her charity
Well at least that's how it seemed
Here comes my train
I'm on my way, what got into me?
I don't need your sympathy
I won't read your poetry, oh bittersweets
I was looking for a rhyme for the New York Times when I was distracted
Yes, those were precious times together that we wasted
Now I'm working hard for my union card
I must be leaving Charlotte Street
Though it was never my intention to stay so long
So long
The song "Charlotte Street" by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions is a story of a chance encounter and a fleeting romance. The lyrics say: "I was looking for a rhyme for the New York Times when I sensed I was not alone. She said 'do you know how to spell "audaciously"?' I could tell I was in love." This indicates that he meets a woman who catches his attention with a witty question. As they talk, he finds himself falling for her and even considers spending eternity with her when she asks him, "do you want to go heaven, or would you rather not be saved?"
They end up going to her basement flat on Charlotte Street, and the lyrics reveal that their connection is not very intense, as he says: "though it was never my intention, we were not intense, not least because..." and she interrupts with, "well if you must just take, then I'm a piece of cake." The relationship seems to be more about physical pleasure than emotional intimacy. The song ends with the singer leaving Charlotte Street, reflecting on the time he spent there, which seemed precious but ultimately wasted.
Overall, the song tells a bittersweet story of a brief relationship that was enjoyable but not destined to last. The lyrics are full of poetic language that conveys the emotional complexity of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I was looking for a rhyme for the New York Times
He was searching for inspiration to write a poem or song
When I sensed I was not alone
He realized there was another person nearby
She said 'do you know how to spell 'audaciously'?'
She asked him if he knew how to spell a particular word
I could tell I was in love
He realized he had feelings of love for her
And so I forced a smile contrary to my style
He smiled even though it was not his usual demeanor
And she looked into my eyes
She made eye contact with him
She said 'do you want to go heaven, Or would you rather not be saved?'
She asked him a deep, philosophical question
Here comes my train
Her train has arrived
I'm on my way, will you not see? I don't need your sympathy
She's leaving and doesn't want his pity
I won't read your poetry, oh sweetness please
She's not interested in his romantic gestures
So she took me back to her basement flat Which was down on Charlotte Street
She brought him to her apartment on Charlotte Street
Though it was never my intention We were not intense, not least because--
He didn't plan to become involved with her and their relationship was not very serious
'Well. if you must just take, then I'm a piece of cake' That is what she said to me
She made a sarcastic comment about how easy she was
And so I gave myself to her charity Well at least that's how it seemed
He slept with her, but wasn't sure if it was an act of kindness or something else
I'm on my way, what got into me? I don't need your sympathy
He's leaving and reflecting on why he got involved with her
I won't read your poetry, oh bittersweets
He's still not interested in her love poems
I was looking for a rhyme for the New York Times when I was distracted
He was interrupted in his search for inspiration
Yes, those were precious times together that we wasted
He regrets the time he spent with her
Now I'm working hard for my union card I must be leaving Charlotte Street
He's moving on and pursuing other goals
Though it was never my intention to stay so long So long
He didn't plan on staying with her for an extended period of time
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roadArt132
This song is soundtrack to some beautiful times in Sydney Australia.. rainy days I was in my early twenties.. reminds me of some beautiful love story with some beautiful long gone girl. It has the abstraction of knowing it wouldn't last long and yet it was intense and beautiful.. like the song
@louisehession6676
My first album it ment so much to me I got lost in the stories and the music to This day I am a regular at his concerts
@eswift2335
Gorgeous sincapated rhythm, guitars, outrageously charming and jarring lyrics... Love it.
@betogomez
One of the most beautiful songs in the 80s
@williamrae9954
Along with Love & Money 'Your Beautiful' !
@20yearwritersblock
reminds me of being alone one christmas many years ago. only music can evoke such a memory. wonderful song. not heard it for ages. thanx for posting.
@iesus68
it was my favourite from Rattlesnakes... it IS my favourite from one of the best album done in the eighties.
@dlp2006
everyone should own this album
@1minnows
One of the best debut albums I have ever heard.
@edenbrough5101
Or have their best friend tape it for them.