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.
My Alibi
Lloyd Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess I left without my coat
I just got to walking round and round your block
Very, very rock and roll
Remember when you said you're my best friend
If that's the best that I've got
And any time I needed anything
I guess I had another bright idea
Why don't I share it with you
I went right up and knocked on Trouble's door
And they said - Mister, we've been waiting for you
Could you be my alibi
Could you drive my getaway car?
Get me out of jail free
Baby, you and me?
I'm freezing cold because I've been out all night
I guess I left without my coat
I just got to walking round and round your block
Very, very rock and roll
Could you be my alibi
Could you drive my getaway car?
Get me out of jail free
Baby, you and me?
The lyrics of Lloyd Cole's song My Alibi speak to the desperation that comes with being caught in a difficult situation with no way out. The singer of the song is freezing cold and has been out all night, having left without his coat. He finds himself walking around the block of the person he looks up to as a best friend, seeking solace and a way out of whatever trouble he's gotten himself into. He talks about having needed help from this person before, but now, he feels like he's asking for a lot more than he ever has in the past.
He then talks about having had a bright idea and wanting to share it with this friend. He goes to knock on Trouble's door, fully aware of the consequences of his actions but seemingly unable to stop himself. He lays out a bold request for them to be his alibi, to drive his getaway car, and get him out of jail if the situation arises. He ends the song by circling back to his predicament, cold and alone on the streets, once again seeking help from his friend.
This song is a powerful commentary on the precarious nature of relationships and how one can find themselves dependent on someone in a moment of crisis. It speaks to the human need for companionship and support, especially when things go wrong.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm freezing cold because I've been out all night
I'm feeling cold and chilly because I've been outside throughout the night
I guess I left without my coat
I think I may have forgotten to bring along my coat while leaving
I just got to walking round and round your block
I started wandering aimlessly around your neighborhood
Very, very rock and roll
This reckless and adventurous behavior is what being rock and roll is all about
Remember when you said you're my best friend
I recall you telling me that I'm your closest pal
If that's the best that I've got
If your friendship is the best thing I have going for me
And any time I needed anything
And every time I've been in need of anything
Well, I guess I need to cash that cheque
I suppose I should finally leverage your goodwill and ask for something specific
I guess I had another bright idea
I came up with another brilliant but ill-advised plan
Why don't I share it with you
Why not divulge my latest hare-brained scheme to you
I went right up and knocked on Trouble's door
I deliberately sought out danger and risk and went straight into the danger zone
And they said - Mister, we've been waiting for you
And in response, they welcomed me with open arms, as if they knew I would show up
Could you be my alibi
Can you vouch for me and provide an excuse for my absence
Could you drive my getaway car?
Can you assist me in my flight from my misadventure and be my driver
Get me out of jail free
Help me escape imprisonment without any legal issues
Baby, you and me?
Can we do this together?
Could you be my alibi
Would you be willing to lie for me and provide me with an alibi
Could you drive my getaway car?
Will you aid and abet me in my criminal activity by being my driver
Get me out of jail free
Can you help me evade the consequences of my actions and help me escape from prison
Baby, you and me?
Can we do this together and get away with it
Contributed by Jordan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.