The group initially signed with Elektra Records in 1993. However, just before they released their first single, two tragedies struck the band. Lead singer Hunt was seriously injured in a car accident resulting in his being in a coma for three days. Shortly after, the UK arm of the record label closed its doors leaving the Longpigs' future in doubt. Elektra set a price of £500,000 to release them from their contract.
The Longpigs contract was purchased by U2's new record label, Mother Records. The band had a series of fortunate gigs, including opening for Echobelly, Supergrass and finally Radiohead in early 1995. Their first singles, Happy Again, She Said and Jesus Christ did little in the charts. The band played the 1995 Reading Festival and subsequently, new track All Hype was featured on the compilation CD Volume 14: Reading '95 Special.
Their next single, the poppy Far, managed to hit the UK Top 40. In March 1996, this was followed by the ballad On & On which received considerable radio play and hit the UK Top 20. The song had a guitar riff remarkably similar to Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. In April 1996 the band released their debut album The Sun Is Often Out, which was declared one of 1996's 50 best albums by both Q Magazine and Melody Maker. On the heels of their newfound success, the band then repackaged and re-released She Said which hit the UK top 30 in June 1996.
The band waited more than two years to release their next material, an eternity in the Britpop world. Their second album, Mobile Home, was released in 1999, with singles including Blue Skies and The Frank Sonata. Despite briefly reaching the UK top 20, the album failed to achieve any notable success. Dee Boyle left the band, and shortly after Mother Records folded in 2000, the rest of the band split up. Guitarist Richard Hawley went on to tour with Pulp.
In late 2004, Hunt lent his voice to the self-titled album by pop/electronic supergroup Mayonnaise on the Lunaticworks/BMG label. Richard Hawley has a flourishing solo career and has also worked with Jarvis Cocker in the electro group Relaxed Muscle. Hunt has since been seen recording with a new band, Gramercy with the help of Dylan Rippon (producer of albums by Emma Townsend) and Nigel Hoyle, once of Britpop-rockers Gay Dad.
Miss Believer
Longpigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
stares you in the face
i don't know where yet
it's going and
sometimes things are easy
easy to forget
the words beneath your breath
so let's rush up to the ridge
watch all the lights go out
you stole away my heart
quiet as the fin of a tiger shark
and you and i will dance there
free
there
call me a miss believer
anything will do
if this world will not love you
i will
call it miss believing
or a childhood sloping off
and promises promises promises promises
oh mrs no misses stolen kisses
how this is done
so let's rush up to the ridge
watch all the lights go out
you stole away my heart
quiet as the fin of a tiger shark
and you and i will dance there
free
there
The lyrics of Longpigs' song "Miss Believer" tell a story of searching for something that is often difficult to find. The first verse refers to the uncertainty of life and how the road can seem endless, with no clear direction of where it's going. The second verse is about the ease of forgetting important things, such as the words we speak and the people we care about. It's as if we are all rich men, with so much power and freedom that we forget what truly matters in life.
The chorus is where the title of the song comes from, with the singer calling themselves a "miss believer". They are willing to believe in anything if it means that the world will love them. The promise of love, whether from a person or a higher power, seems like the only thing worth believing in sometimes. The third verse speaks to the pain of broken promises and stolen kisses, but the hope that still remains.
The song then builds to the climax, with the singer and their love rushing up to the ridge and watching the lights go out. This moment of stillness and quietness is where they steal each other's hearts, free from the chaos of the world. The comparison to the fin of a tiger shark is interesting and leaves room for interpretation. Is their love dangerous or powerful? It's open to the listener's imagination.
Overall, "Miss Believer" is a song about the beauty and pain of searching for something to believe in. It's an exploration of the human heart and our endless capacity for hope and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes the road is lindless
Occasionally, the path we travel has no clear direction or purpose.
stares you in the face
It is plainly obvious and cannot be ignored.
i don't know where yet
Despite this, I am uncertain of what lies ahead.
it's going and
Although the road continues, its end is unknown.
sometimes things are easy
Occasionally, life is simple and uncomplicated.
easy to forget
Such moments can be dismissed, missed or overlooked easily.
the words beneath your breath
The things you keep hidden, the words that remain unspoken.
like rich man
Comparing these unspoken words to the possessions hidden away by wealthy individuals.
so let's rush up to the ridge
Let us hurry to a place of height, both literally and metaphorically.
watch all the lights go out
Observe the end of day and the disappearance of activity as darkness descends.
you stole away my heart
You took control of my heart and emotions.
quiet as the fin of a tiger shark
Done in a subtle and secretive way, like the fin of a tiger shark cutting through the water.
and you and i will dance there
Together we will celebrate and enjoy our liberation.
free
Absence of constraints and limitations.
there
Indicating a specific location, both literal and metaphorical.
call me a miss believer
Refer to me as one who holds beliefs not typically accepted by society or those around them.
anything will do
Any label or descriptor will suffice.
if this world will not love you
If society or others will not accept or appreciate you.
i will
I will love and accept you for who you are.
call it miss believing
Refer to it as the act of holding unconventional or unpopular beliefs.
or a childhood sloping off
It might also be associated with memories from earlier years, memories that are now fading away.
and promises promises promises promises
Repeated assurances, but with no real intent to follow through on those promises.
oh mrs no misses stolen kisses
Referring to someone who has missed out on romantic connections and experiences due to missed opportunities or lack of confidence.
how this is done
The process or method by which one misses out on opportunities or experiences.
Contributed by Noah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aoi Tsuki
Go Vanna!!! I love you!! (This is Shabelby <3) ;O Omg~~ This is way back from before you cut your hair! Great job!! <33
sailortwilight94
go vanna its bailee u soo rock