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)
Take
Lush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I said too much
Forgive me for the way that I've been falling in and out of touch
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
We don't have to say goodbye
I want you to spend the night
Can't you see that I'm still trying
I don't want to see you crying
'Cause I made a mistake
And I want to make it right
I want to be loving you all night
I want to show you how much you mean to me
I need you to be right here with me
We can make it through alright
We should be doing all the things that lovers do
Believe me when I say my love is true
Can we forget about all the things I said when I was drunk
I think I said too much
Forgive me for the way that I've been falling in and out of touch
Don't take back your love
I didn't mean it when I said that I said that I just wanted to give up
Think I said too much
Don't be dramatic babe 'cause you're the only one I'm thinking of
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
Don't take back your love
The song 'Take' by Lush is about a woman who is deceitful and manipulative towards a man she meets. She describes him as "perfect" but only in her dreams, as he is merely a pawn in her game to satisfy her own desires. The woman's intentions are not honest, as she does not even recall the man's name. Her actions are purely physical, and she mocks the man's belief that he has won the night.
Despite her physical attraction to him, the woman expresses her inner turmoil, revealing that she is green inside, but the man is still blind to her true intentions. She views their interaction as a transaction where he has claimed his prize and she had her price, implying that she used him as a means to an end. The song ends with the woman refusing to be the only one to lose, indicating that she will not allow the man to have his way with her without any gain of her own.
Overall, the lyrics of 'Take' highlight the theme of manipulation and the consequences that arise when we use people for our own selfish desires. The woman in the song feels no remorse for using the man for her own satisfaction and views their interaction as a game that she has won.
Line by Line Meaning
He's perfect
The person addressed is seemingly perfect.
At least within his dreams
Their perfection, however, is only found in the dream world.
To satisfy my scheme
This person's perfect qualities are being used to further a personal objective, likely one that is not in their best interest.
He doesn't know my game
The addressed person is unaware of the ulterior motives of the artist.
I don't recall his name
The addressed person is so insignificant to the artist that they can't even remember their name.
And though it's true
Despite the previous lines, the singer is not completely morally bankrupt.
My flesh is new
The singer is physically young and inexperienced.
Believe me dear
The artist is still attempting to come across as trustworthy.
My mind is clear
The artist believes they are not being clouded by any emotional attachment.
He's smiling
The addressed person is feeling pleased with themselves.
(smiling at me)
The singer is being smiled at by the addressed person.
He thinks he's won the night
The addressed person believes they have succeeded in their pursuit of the artist.
I'm laughing
The singer finds amusement in the situation.
(laughing at him)
The addressed person is being laughed at by the singer.
Imagine what you like
The singer is insinuating that the addressed person does not know what is happening.
I know he's seen
The addressed person has caught on to the fact that the artist is not being genuine.
Inside I'm green
The artist is envious of the addressed person.
But still he's blind
Despite the previous line, the addressed person fails to see the true intentions of the singer.
To what goes on inside my mind
The intentions and motivations of the singer are likely much darker than what the addressed person believes.
He claimed his prize
The addressed person believes they have won the artist over.
I had my price
The artist is not without their own interests in this situation.
I know it's cruel
The artist acknowledges the morally questionable actions they are taking part in.
But I refuse
Despite acknowledging the wrongs of their actions, the singer is unwilling to stop.
To be the only one to lose
The artist is willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top, even if it means causing harm to the addressed person.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Barry Jenkins, Sean Yunus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vincent Fiasco
Wow!! What a lovely surprise!
Miriam
What a heart sank!!
Xavier D.
HES SMILING AT ME