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.
Why I Love Country Music
Lloyd Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're unhappy most of the time
We don't talk we don't fight
I'm just tired she's way past caring
But she says she is fine
She tells lies most of the time
what she needs I don't have
That's not in the hand that I'm holding
She plays country records until the morning
This is mine all of mine
She is not she is not mine
And I feel fine only when I'm sleeping
only with the t.v. on
She and I and empty wine and whiskey bottles
And she write beneath crumpled sheets
She is everything I need
But she would rather be any place but here
Jane is fine always fine
We're unhappy most of the time
We don't talk we don't fight I'm just tired
She's way past caring
So we drink Spanish wine we tell lies
We're killing and we feel fine
Well what's the crime?
The lyrics of Lloyd Cole's song Why I Love Country Music depict a relationship that is strained and unhappy. The persona and his partner, Jane, seem disconnected from each other and are not communicating. Even though Jane claims to be fine, she tells lies most of the time. The persona seems aware that there's something missing in the relationship, but it's not in his hands to provide it.
The only time the persona feels okay is when he's sleeping or watching TV. When they drink Spanish wine and listen to country records, the persona seems to find solace. The empty wine and whiskey bottles on the table suggest that the couple is trying to numb their pain with alcohol. Jane writes beneath crumpled sheets, implying that she's not happy with their situation, and even though she's everything that the persona needs, she would rather be any place but here.
Overall, the lyrics of the song tell a sad story of a relationship that is falling apart, and the only comfort that the couple can find is in country music and wine.
Line by Line Meaning
Jane is fine always fine
Despite our unhappiness, Jane always presents herself as fine.
We're unhappy most of the time
Our general state of being is one of unhappiness.
We don't talk we don't fight
Our relationship is devoid of communication or conflict.
I'm just tired she's way past caring
I'm exhausted while she lacks any motivation or concern.
But she says she is fine
She insists that she is content, despite all evidence to the contrary.
She tells lies most of the time
She tends to deceive in order to escape from the reality of our situation.
What she needs I don't have
I'm unable to provide what would make her happy.
That's not in the hand that I'm holding
I can only work with what I have, and unfortunately it's not enough.
So we drink Spanish wine
We turn to alcohol as a way to escape from our problems.
She plays country records until the morning
One of her coping mechanisms is listening to country music all night.
This is mine all of mine
Country music is a personal refuge for the singer.
She is not she is not mine
Despite being in a relationship, the artist feels alone and disconnected from his partner.
And I feel fine only when I'm sleeping
The only time the singer is at peace is when he's unconscious.
Only with the t.v. on
Even then, he needs an external stimulus (TV) to distract him from his problems.
She and I and empty wine and whiskey bottles
Alcohol is a shared habit of avoidance and numbness in their relationship.
And she write beneath crumpled sheets
Jane writes beneath the sheets, likely reflecting on her dissatisfaction and longing for something more.
She is everything I need
Despite their problems, the artist can't find it in himself to want someone else.
But she would rather be any place but here
Jane is unhappy with their relationship and wants out.
We're killing and we feel fine
Their relationship is deteriorating, but they're numb to the pain they're causing each other.
Well what's the crime?
The artist muses that their behavior is not criminal, but it's certainly not healthy either.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BobutBrody
Jane is fine, always fine
We're unhappy most of the time
We don't talk, we don't fight
I'm just tired, she's way past caring
But she says, she is fine
She tells lies most of the time
What she needs, I don't have
That's not in the hand that I'm holding
So we drink Spanish wine
She plays country records until the morning
This is mine, all of mine
She is not, she is not mine
But I feel fine
Only when I'm sleeping
Only with the tv on
She and I and empty wine and whisky bottles
And she white beneath crumpled sheets
She is everything I need
But she would rather be
Any place but here
Jane is fine, always fine
We're unhappy most of the time
We don't talk, we don't fight
I'm just tired, she's way past caring
So we drink Spanish wine
We tell lies, we're killing time
And we feel fine
Well, what's the crime?
Bob Laughlin
This is one of the best lyrics ever written. The pure despair of how a pair most always ends up as a still-life painting.
Viviane Dias
I love this album and this band, so much. <3
Renato Yanez
Um sensacional play com lindas musicas de uma excelente banda de new rock and country!
Bobby P
Well done for uploading this. It is easily one of Lloyd's best. Although there are a few live, slower versions, this is by far the best. Thank you.
okrajoe
Why I love this album!
Gregory Dykhouse
Great track from a great decade!
Tony P
Brilliant I just really love his voice...
BobutBrody
Jane is fine, always fine
We're unhappy most of the time
We don't talk, we don't fight
I'm just tired, she's way past caring
But she says, she is fine
She tells lies most of the time
What she needs, I don't have
That's not in the hand that I'm holding
So we drink Spanish wine
She plays country records until the morning
This is mine, all of mine
She is not, she is not mine
But I feel fine
Only when I'm sleeping
Only with the tv on
She and I and empty wine and whisky bottles
And she white beneath crumpled sheets
She is everything I need
But she would rather be
Any place but here
Jane is fine, always fine
We're unhappy most of the time
We don't talk, we don't fight
I'm just tired, she's way past caring
So we drink Spanish wine
We tell lies, we're killing time
And we feel fine
Well, what's the crime?
BobutBrody
I recently got Lloyd to write out the lyrics by hand and I sent them to an ex named Jane who I was on bad terms with. It thawed things out a little.
teresa cole
Love this. Reminds me of the misery of a bad marriage. I listened to this a lot and the whole Lost Weekend album.
Thankfully life got better