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)
Girl
Lush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can be someone but you can't be me
And I know that somehow I will never be free
Years ago in the darklands I was dressed like a toy
Now this doll has her own hands and she wishes you felt joy
When there might be another it makes you shiver in the cold
That is why I don't bother involving you in my world
Over and over you never listened to me
There was too much affection you treated me as if I were clay
Home became like a prison in my mind I kept running away
The opening lyrics of Lush's song "Girl's World" serve as a warning to the listener: no matter how much they strive to be like the singer or understand her, they never truly will. The second line reveals the theme of the song: the singer is trapped, unable to truly be free. She looks back to a time in her past where she was "dressed like a toy," suggesting that she was used and manipulated by someone who saw her as an object rather than a person. Now, she has her own agency, but wishes those around her could feel the same sense of empowerment.
The next lines suggest that the singer has grown distant from someone in her life ("that is why I don't bother involving you in my world") and perhaps with good reason - this person has broken glasses and bases and lied repeatedly. There was too much affection, but it was not genuine - instead, the singer was treated as if she were clay, something malleable and easily shaped. Home became a prison, and she was constantly running away, putting a halt to the cycle of abuse.
Line by Line Meaning
You can be someone but you can't be me
I recognize that you have your own path in life, but no matter what, you cannot take my place
And I know that somehow I will never be free
Despite my efforts to break free, I cannot escape the chains that bind me to my current situation
Years ago in the darklands I was dressed like a toy
I used to be controlled by external forces, almost like a puppet
Now this doll has her own hands and she wishes you felt joy
I have taken control of my own life and I hope that my actions bring happiness to those around me
When there might be another it makes you shiver in the cold
The thought of me with someone else makes you feel insecure and alone
That is why I don't bother involving you in my world
I choose not to let you into my personal life because it causes more harm than good
Smashing glasses and breaking bases you lied to me
You have caused damage both physically and emotionally by deceiving me
Over and over you never listened to me
You have continuously ignored my requests and feelings
There was too much affection you treated me as if I were clay
You became too possessive and controlling, molding me into the person you wanted me to be
Home became like a prison in my mind I kept running away
My home environment became suffocating and oppressive, leading me to escape mentally and emotionally
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EMMA ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Oliviacaptain
Single girl I don't wanna be a single girl
Single girl I don't wanna be a single girl
Don't wanna be on my own again tonight
Don't wanna put out the light
Single girl who would wanna be a single girl?
Don't wanna talk to myself again tonight
Don't wanna put out the light
When you abandoned me
Well it was heaven-sent
When I abandoned you
It was what you meant
Well it was you that knew it
And it was you that went
Having changed our minds it was meant to be
Don't wanna clean up your mess again tonight
Don't have to be in a fight
I'm going to what I want again tonight
Living without you - it's alright
Single girl I just wanna be a single girl
@Lrules364
Hands down, this band was one of the best shoegazing bands of the 90's. There is no comparison, nor any other band quite like them. I just wish they would come back to tour again. Though I can understand their reasons not to.
@br00talKidHxC
they are back touring.....
@vermilliongecko
@Ricehugs Aaaaaaand they've split up again.
@helderjulio7753
Cocteau Twins the best. Second lush in theyr shoegaze period before brit pop influence. Rip Chris A.
@deluxedjsireland224
@Helder Julio I prefer them post Britpop. They were better at being Blondie than My Bloody Valentine. Cocteaus were considered a bit old-hat during the shoegaze era, more like a Ramones to shoegaze's punk..Godfathers to the scene but detached from it. But I'd agree with you 100% if we can view shoegaze in its full context including its forefathers. They were always my favourite and I think their music, all of it, has stood the test of time far better.
@ericgenestvideoclips
them and mbv are my fav
@jrb1802uk
I saw Lush at the Brixton Academy in 1991 with a group of mates. I was at the bar getting in the beers where Miki Berenyi was. She was also having a drink on the other side of it. She smiled and winked at me. I've never been so proud. My mates was so fucking envious. I Will never forget that night.
@johnsmith8906
30 years later I envy you now. :)
@dambrooks7578
@john smith you are not the only one ;-)
@larrydavid6852
You lucky devil haha!