On 11 March 2018 the band announced, via a heartfelt email to fans, that David Jakes would be leaving for mental health reasons. In August 2018, he was subsequently replaced by Jack Bennett. In April 2020 the band released their first material with Bennett on Easy Life Records; the single “Bound” was premiered on BBC Radio One.
Members
Current
Mark Trotter (lead guitar/backing vocals)
Gavin Edgeley (drums/backing vocals)
Andrew Bushen (bass guitar)
Ross Smithwick (rhythm guitar/backing vocals)
Jack Bennett (lead vocals)
Former
Joel Mason (rhythm guitar)
David Jakes (lead vocals)
Black Mire
Lonely The Brave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The slicked back curd of the yellow sun
What if I said the riders had come
We're stood downstream and we ain't got nowhere to run
Hangnote
We got the bad blood coursing in
Over the rim
We got the room come falling in
Into the swim
We go hands to the ceiling
Black hearts
Fuck ‘em
What if I said that this ain't the one
Thick black words of a bellowed tongue
What if I said the climb of the drum
Will tear down scenes when you ain't go nowhere to run
Hangnote
We got the eyes up to the brim
Out of the ring
We go hands to the ceiling
We got the first light clawing limb
Under the skin
We go hands to the ceiling
Black hearts
Fuck ‘em
What if I said that this ain't the one
The slicked back curd of the yellow sun
What if I said the riders had come
We're stood downstream and we ain't got nowhere to run
Hangnote
You're leaning towers
You change shape
The lyrics of Lonely The Brave's song Black Mire are a representation of a struggle that the singer faces. The opening verse suggests that the singer is wary of the situation at hand, proclaiming that this (whatever is currently happening) isn't the way it's supposed to be. The second line about the slicked-back curd of the yellow sun is an analogy for the singer's displeasure and negativity towards the situation. The riders coming and their inability to escape signifies a feeling of being trapped or backed into a corner.
The consecutive verses talk about the singer's ever-growing dread, the looming fear of something bad happening. The lines about bad blood coursing in, hands to the ceiling, and black hearts, fuck 'em show the anger and frustration that stems from this anxiety. The following verse talks about the singer being constantly on edge, eyes up to the brim, with the sense of impending doom clawing under their skin. The final lines about you're leaning towers, you change shape carry an element of uncertainty, and suggest that the situation could go either way.
Overall, "Black Mire" by Lonely The Brave delves into a murky realm of anxiety, frustration, and fear, that one can get caught up in. It speaks to the inner turmoil and feeling of being trapped, as if in quicksand, where the harder you try to escape, the deeper you sink.
Line by Line Meaning
What if I said that this ain't the one
The singer is questioning whether this situation is the right one.
The slicked back curd of the yellow sun
The imagery depicts a harsh and unpleasant environment.
What if I said the riders had come
The singer is suggesting that danger has arrived.
We're stood downstream and we ain't got nowhere to run
There is no escape route from the danger that has arrived.
We got the bad blood coursing in
The people involved in this are fueled by anger and negativity.
Over the rim
They have reached a critical point where the situation could escalate.
We go hands to the ceiling
They may be surrendering or acknowledging the danger.
We got the room come falling in
The situation is escalating further and danger is imminent.
Into the swim
They are fully involved in the dangerous situation.
Black hearts
The people involved are malicious and unkind.
Fuck ‘em
A dismissive and derogatory statement about the situation or people involved.
Thick black words of a bellowed tongue
The artist is surrounded by harsh and negative words or energy.
What if I said the climb of the drum
The singer is referencing music, specifically the rise in intensity and danger in this situation.
Will tear down scenes when you ain't got nowhere to run
The increasing danger could lead to destruction and no escape.
We got the eyes up to the brim
The situation has become overwhelming and emotional.
Out of the ring
The artist may be overcome with emotions and unable to continue in this situation.
We got the first light clawing limb
The start of a new day or positive situation is just out of reach.
Under the skin
The people involved are deeply affected by this situation.
You're leaning towers
The people involved may be unstable or unable to withstand the pressure of the situation.
You change shape
The people involved may be transforming or adapting to the danger and stress of the situation.
Contributed by Taylor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Samjoyell Crumsworth
LYRICS
What if I said that this ain't the one,
The slicked back curd of the yellow sun,
What if I said the riders had come,
We're stood downstream and we ain't got nowhere to run,
Hangnote
We got the bad blood coursing in,
Over the rim we go hands to the ceiling,
We got the room come falling in,
Into the swim we go hands to the ceiling,
Black hearts, fuck em
What if I said that this ain't the one,
Thick black words of a bellowed tongue,
What if I said the climb of the drum,
Will tear down scenes when you ain't got nowhere to run,
Hangnote
We got the eyes up to the brim,
Out of the ring we go hands to the ceiling,
We got the first light clawing limb,
Under the skin we go hands to the ceiling,
Black hearts, fuck em
What if I said that this ain't the one,
The slicked back curd of the yellow sun,
What if I said the riders had come,
We're stood downstream and we ain't got nowhere to run,
Hangnote
You're leaning towers,
You change shape
deaddrone
What if I said that this ain't the one,
The slicked back curd of the yellow sun,
What if I said the riders had come,
We're stood downstream and we ain't got nowhere to run,
Hangnote...
We got the bad blood coursing in,
Over the rim we go hands to the ceiling,
We got the room come falling in,
Into the swim we go hands to the ceiling,
Black hearts, fuck em
What if I said that this ain't the one,
Thick black words of a bellowed tongue,
What if I said the climb of the drum,
Will tear down scenes when you ain't got nowhere to run,
Hangnote...
We got the eyes up to the brim,
Out of the ring we go hands to the ceiling,
We got the first light clawing limb,
Under the skin we go hands to the ceiling,
Black hearts, fuck em
What if I said that this ain't the one,
The slicked back curd of the yellow sun,
What if I said the riders had come,
We're stood downstream and we ain't got nowhere to run,
Hangnote...
You're leaning towers,
You change shape
Chatmak
If you don't think Lonely The Brave are the most exciting band in the UK you're lying to yourself. Great song!
Mark Douglas
David, I can only imagine that this took a lot of guts for you to do man. Alone, out front and exposed in a stripped down video concept is a very daunting thing but my God.......well done bro, you pulled it off eloquently and with solemn confidence. Hold your heads up high lads, this is an astonishing, peaceful and simply captivating video that does everything to raise the emphasis on an already epic track. love it guys, congratulations once again, can't wait for the album.
HammerDrew
Well said.
stu rice & peas
nice one, well said my friend
Kieran White
+Mark Douglas :)
Kris Peirs
+Mark Douglas exactly !!
senileandinsane
Well said!
Dan Francis
Didn't think this band could get any better, boy was I wrong, such a powerful song, the second album will be huge!
Jeroen Vree Egberts
I have heard the song over and over, and still it makes goosebumbs. Great track, voice and sound of instruments. Lonely the brave, you ROCK!
rob collins
Anyone who has anything but the utmost praise for this song........Go buy a good, solid pair of headphones. Go home. Turn your phone off. Turn the volume way up. And then listen. Really listen.
This track is something a band going 20 years would release and be proud of. LTB, the most exciting band I've ever had the pleasure of listening to and seeing live. Truly, truly awesome.