Anderson and Berenyi had been friends since the early 1980s, and published the Alphabet Soup fanzine together. In 1986 Anderson joined The Rover Girls as bassist and Berenyi joined The Bugs as guitarist but neither band lasted long.
Lush formed in 1987, initially named The Baby Machines, with a line-up of Meriel Barham (vocals), Emma Anderson (guitar), Miki Berenyi (guitar), Steve Rippon (bass), and Chris Acland (drums). After Rippon joined, the band members decided on a change of name to Lush, making their live debut at the Camden Falcon on 6 March 1988. Barham was fired, with the rest of the band deciding she lacked commitment (she later joined Pale Saints). Anderson and Berenyi then took on lead vocal duties.
Lush gained recognition when Robin Guthrie helped the band sign to 4AD. The band's first release was Scar, an EP, in 1989. Critical praise for Scar and a wildly popular live show established Lush as one of the best-selling alternative bands of the period. That year the EPs Mad Love, produced by Robin Guthrie, and Sweetness and Light, produced by Tim Friese-Greene of Talk Talk fame, followed.
In 1990 the compilation Gala, which combined the material from the first three EPs, was released by Reprise in the United States, this being the first exposure of Lush in North America.
Lush's first full-length album of completely new material was Spooky in 1992. Produced by Robin Guthrie, Spooky featured a sound very similar to Guthrie's band Cocteau Twins, with walls of sound and a great deal of flange. Reviews were mixed and critics of the album hold that Guthrie's production brought the sound away from the band's original creative vision. Bassist Steve Rippon left the band at this stage in order to concentrate on writing, though his book Cold Turkey Sandwich - a fictionalized chronicle of his time in touring - was rejected by publishers. He was replaced by Phil King. Also in 1992, Lush toured America as part of the Lollapalooza festival.
The band's second studio album Split was released in 1994 and featured a harsher sound alternated with long and softer tracks as "Desire Lines" and "Never-Never". Despite critical praise, the album sold poorly.
After adapting to the newly popular sounds of the Britpop era, Lush's 1996 Lovelife became the biggest seller of their career, including the hit singles "Ladykillers", "500" and "Single Girl", which was released in several different versions with different tracks along with the title track. Also on this album, Jarvis Cocker from Pulp contributed guest vocals to "Ciao!" and the record included the now classic/melancholic favorite "Last Night".
In 1996, drummer Chris Acland committed suicide by hanging, at his parents' house, allegedly due to depression. The situation proved too hard for the band, and in 23 February 1998 the three remaining members of Lush decided to disband.
Emma Anderson has since formed a new band, Sing-Sing, who have released two full-length albums to date.
On September 28th 2015 Lush announced their reunion. The reunited band consists of Anderson, Berenyi & King with the addition of Justin Welch on drums, an old friend of Acland.
Lush discography:
Scar EP (1989)
Mad Love EP (1990)
Sweetness and Light EP (1990)
Gala compliation of the above EPs (1990)
Spooky (1992)
Split (1994)
Lovelife (1996)
Ex
Lush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess I'll be the same again, but it's not that easy to just be a friend
Look at where we are today with our pointless efforts to lay the blame
Maybe things can never work after so much betrayal and so much hurt
We're in the same position but a million miles apart
Maybe things will work eventually, but I just don't know where to start
Something takes it's place
Does it really have to be hate?
So, what's it gonna be?
It's up to you and me
I just hope it isn't too late
Things you say to me, to love and hate you.
For all the pain, all it does is get us nowhere
Yes, maybe in the end, we can be good friends want to but it isn't easy
Woah!
So, love has been and gone, how do we go on?
Is there something still worth saving?
Well, what's it gonna be, we can wait and see
Tell me, do you think we'll make it?
Let's stop the silly games, dishing out the blame
I know that we feel the same way
This doesn't have to be such a tragedy
Everything will work out some day
Well, maybe in the end, we can just be friends, I want to but it isn't easy
Yes, maybe in the end, we will be good friends, this is how it really should be
The song "Ex" by Lush puts emphasis on the difficulty of letting go of a past relationship and moving on. The lyrics suggest that the love has ended and that something else has taken its place - possibly hatred or bitterness. The singer of the song laments about the situation they are in, expressing their confusion about whether they should continue to hold onto hope for reconciliation or let go completely. Reflecting back on the past, the singer acknowledges that they used to be able to make their partner happy or sad, but now the situation seems too complicated to just be friends. The chorus indicates that the decision to let go and move on is up to both parties in the relationship, but there is still a glimmer of hope that they could possibly reconcile and be good friends again.
The chorus of the song suggests that there's an overwhelming sense of ambivalence which plagues those who have gone through breakups. It can be hard to move on, and it can be even harder to hold onto hope for the future. It is difficult to let go of something you once invested time, energy, and passion into. The song is relatable due to its themes of heartbreak and the uncertainty of what's to come. It highlights a fundamental human experience, and many people have experienced the emotions expressed in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time I knew how to make you happy or make you blue
I used to know how to manipulate your emotions, for better or worse
Guess I'll be the same again, but it's not that easy to just be a friend
I'll try to act the same as before, but being just friends is not an easy option
Look at where we are today with our pointless efforts to lay the blame
Our current situation is the result of futile attempts to attribute fault
Maybe things can never work after so much betrayal and so much hurt
There has been so much pain and damage that perhaps things can never be fixed
We're in the same position but a million miles apart
We're in similar emotional states, but very distant from each other
Maybe things will work eventually, but I just don't know where to start
There is hope for a resolution, but it's unclear how to begin solving the problem
When love has gone away
After the end of a romantic relationship
Something takes it's place
A new emotion fills the void left by the love that is no longer present
Does it really have to be hate?
Is it necessary for that new emotion to be hatred?
So, what's it gonna be?
What will our relationship become?
It's up to you and me
We both have a role in determining the future of our relationship
I just hope it isn't too late
I'm worried that we've already passed the point of no return
Things you say to me, to love and hate you.
Your words express both love and hatred towards me
For all the pain, all it does is get us nowhere
Despite all the suffering, our relationship is not progressing
Yes, maybe in the end, we can be good friends want to but it isn't easy
There is a possibility of being friends eventually, but it will require effort
Woah!
Expressing surprise
So, love has been and gone, how do we go on?
After the end of love, how do we move forward?
Is there something still worth saving?
Is there any hope of salvaging our relationship?
Well, what's it gonna be, we can wait and see
We'll have to wait and see what happens
Tell me, do you think we'll make it?
Do you believe our relationship can be saved?
Let's stop the silly games, dishing out the blame
We should stop playing games and accusing each other of blame
I know that we feel the same way
I understand that we have similar feelings
This doesn't have to be such a tragedy
Our situation doesn't have to be a tragic end
Everything will work out some day
Eventually, things will fall into place
Yes, maybe in the end, we will be good friends, this is how it really should be
Ideally, we can maintain a positive friendship in the end.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MIKI BERENYI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind