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.
Sold
Lloyd Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got everything you want at 24
So what do you do
When all your dreams come true
What do you believe in
There's nothing left to want
So who do you blame when nothing is wrong
And what do you do
When all your dreams come true
Are you feeling lucky are you feeling lost
Was it all too easy now how do you get it off
Cause your train won't stop
Now all your dreams came true
The opening line of Lloyd Cole's song Sold creates a powerful image of someone who seems to have the Midas touch - everything they touch, turns into gold. This gives us an idea of the subject of the song who has achieved everything they ever wanted at the young age of 24. Yet, despite having everything this person desired, there’s a sense of ennui and misdirection implied. The lyricist asks how the subject would cope with their "dreams coming true" and what they believe in since they seem to have achieved everything they ever wanted. But perhaps most ominously, who can they legitimately blame when everything goes perfectly right?
Seemingly aware that the good times may be coming to an end, the chorus questions how the fortunate person is feeling—are they still lucky, or lost now that everything has come so easily to them? The train metaphor further paints a picture of someone whose journey whisks along without any break or pause, and it's unclear if they're aware that they're barrelling towards an uncertain destination, without any chance of getting off.
The lyrics of Sold painting a fascinating picture of a life that, from the outside, appears perfect. Yet there is a subtle insinuation that something about this ever-expanding world won't feel right. The song makes us ponder about the meaning of fulfilment, and how we define it for ourselves. It addresses the human tendency to keep striving for something that can never truly be measurable or enough.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything you touch turns into gold
You have a Midas touch; everything you come into contact with becomes successful or profitable.
Got everything you want at 24
At a young age, you have already achieved all the things you wanted in life.
So what do you do
Given that you have everything, what activities or actions you pursue?
When all your dreams come true
You have accomplished everything you once desired in life.
What do you believe in
You question what drives you or inspires you now that you have achieved all your aspirations.
There's nothing left to want
You feel like there is nothing else to strive for or obtain since you have all that you desired.
So who do you blame when nothing is wrong
Despite nothing being wrong, you shift the blame onto someone or something when there is no reason to do so.
And what do you do
Given that everything is perfect or ideal, what activities or actions will keep you stimulated?
(all your dreams)
You have accomplished everything you once desired in life.
Are you feeling lucky are you feeling lost
Do you feel fortunate or aimless now that you have accomplished everything?
Was it all too easy now how do you get it off
Having it all may have come to you effortlessly, but now you wonder how to take a break from it all.
Cause your train won't stop
You feel like you are on a fast-moving train that won't slow down regardless of how you feel.
Now all your dreams came true
You have accomplished everything you once desired in life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHUGGIE OTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Michael-TJ
This is great. One of my favourite things he's ever done.
@mikeandrewhayden1699
This is beautiful. A classic; no doubt about it. Wow. Thank you, Mr Cole.
@neilturner2109
I’ve followed Lloyd cole for many years and love his diversity. I’ve seen him in concert twice and really enjoyed those too. Music in a Foreign Language is a masterpiece. His music is offbeat (I say that in the nicest way). He seems to have gone a little more electronic with his later material which I haven’t totally got into. But I always admire whatever he does for the fact that’s it’s so different to mainstream pop. I’m seeing him again concert in Adelaide South Australia this coming December.
@dikless222
Fantastic album!
@AlanHaire
My faith has been restored Lloyd. Best of the best you have ever done. Rattlesnakes used to be my favourite song of all time. This is on the same level. I totally love this. xxx
@robmccann9844
Great song,his last 3 albums have been brilliant
@amangogna68
Great music, amazing vocals and video !
@richardmacleod1400
Lloyd Cole’s love of electronica, such as Roedelius, might also be an underlying influence in the intro, as part of the Iggy, Bowie and Eno era. Really nice track!
@sylviedangela-uo4xw
Your music and your songs have always been peculiar and so special. I hope you'll come back soon Lloyd. This is Not You! (A fan born in 1968)
@papaonta
he's still like he used to be