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)
Lit Up
Lush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the whole world's forgotten you
And your life is so dull and predictable
Your room seems like a cell
And you don't sleep very well
And to ridicule
One day things won't seem the same way, I know
Morning in the mirror
Things will suddenly seem much clearer I promise, it's alright
His words don't flatter me
And they're printed for all to see
I don't care, he's not there
It's all history
The future's yours to hold
And you're really not very old
And your life is so white, so clean and so bright
And holds mystery
Morning in the mirror
Things will suddenly seem much clearer I promise it's alright
One day things won't seem the same way, I know
One day things won't seem the same way, I know
One day things won't seem the same way, I know
In Lush's "Lit Up," the singer addresses someone who feels forgotten by the world and trapped in a dull, predictable life. They are unable to sleep well while feeling stuck in their room which feels like a cell. The only interactions they have with their friends involve being mocked and ridiculed. Despite feeling trapped, the singer assures the person that things will change and they will see themselves more clearly in the future. The lyrics portray a sense of hope and a reminder that life is full of mystery and possibility.
The repeated line of "morning in the mirror" suggests a moment of self-reflection, where the person will suddenly see their life and themselves more clearly. The song encourages the listener to hold onto hope and not to let negative experiences define them. It is a reminder that life is constantly changing and there is always a chance for a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
You feel like I do
I understand and can relate to the emotions you're experiencing
Like the whole world's forgotten you
You feel alone and unimportant
And your life is so dull and predictable
Your life lacks excitement and change
Your room seems like a cell
Your living space feels confining and restrictive
And you don't sleep very well
Your insomnia is likely due to stress and anxiety
And your friends only talk to point and to mock
And to ridicule
Your friends are not supportive and may even be contributing to your negative feelings
One day things won't seem the same way, I know
Things will eventually get better and your outlook will change
Morning in the mirror
Things will suddenly seem much clearer
I promise, it's alright
You will gain clarity and a sense of calm as time goes on
His words don't flatter me
And they're printed for all to see
I don't care, he's not there
It's all history
Someone hurt you in the past but you're moving on from it and it no longer affects you
The future's yours to hold
And you're really not very old
And your life is so white, so clean and so bright
And holds mystery
You still have your whole life ahead of you and it can be full of new and exciting experiences
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EMMA VICTORIA JANE ANDERSON, EMMA ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michał Malawski
Fajna piosenka. 🙂
Stina Wannhoff
♥️