In 1994 and 1995 they won the Brit Award for Best British Dance Act. In 1994, they won the Mercury Music Prize for the album Elegant Slumming. The victory sparked controversy as they beat Britpop band Blur, who were deemed by critics to be more 'worthy' than a mere dance band. With ten Top Ten UK singles, the band was one of the most consistent hit-makers of the 90s, and the album Bizarre Fruit stayed in the UK charts for two years.
In the United States, their biggest success was on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where they achieved five Top 5 singles, four of which hit number one.
With the closure by BMG of the deConstruction dance record label in the late 1990s, M People gained their own record label called M People Records to release their 1997 album Fresco.
After the release of The Best of M People in 1998, the band took a long break. Heather Small recorded a solo album and it seemed that the band had split, although a repackaged greatest hits album was released in 2005 and the band also embarked on a short tour of the UK. Small continued to pursue a solo career, as her song Proud was the soundtrack to the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid.
Fan Site: http://www.mpeople-heathersmall.co.uk
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Rhythm And Blues
M People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothin' but trouble, inside of me liberty in chains.
Born to a Nation, the children and their innocence
An idiot wind blows through this land
Dear Lord give me strength.
Breakin' out of the skin
Need some rhythm and blues.
It's those rhythm and blues.
Down in the ghetto, marking time with self-belief
Babylon voices, square-eyed dreams of dignity.
Feeling the pressure, searching for another place
Lift up our voices, use our minds
We will be released.
Breakin' out of the skin
Need some rhythm and blues.
Coming deep from within
It's those rhythm and blues.
The sun shine in our eyes
My skin in a different disguise.
The lyrics of M People's song "Rhythm And Blues" reflect the struggles of oppression and the desire for freedom. The first verse talks about the singer's internal conflict, describing their troubled past and the feeling of being trapped. The reference to "liberty in chains" symbolizes the restriction of their freedom, perhaps by societal or personal limitations. The singer asks for strength from a higher power, suggesting a need for spiritual guidance to break free from the internal constraints.
In the second verse, the focus shifts to the external struggles faced by marginalized communities, particularly those living in poverty. The use of the term "Babylon voices" signifies the corrupting influence of society on people's beliefs and values. Despite this, the chorus emphasizes the power of music as a means of escape and liberation. The use of the phrase "breaking out of the skin" refers to shedding the past and embracing a new identity, symbolized by the "rhythm and blues" that arises from a deeper part of the self.
The final line of the song - "The sun shine in our eyes, my skin in a different disguise" - conveys a sense of renewed hope and optimism. The sun is often seen as a symbol of hope, and the singer describes the feeling of being transformed into a new person, shedding their old skin and embracing a new identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hard to imagine the blood that's runnin' through my veins
It's difficult to fathom the emotions and experiences that I feel and have encountered in my life.
Nothin' but trouble, inside of me liberty in chains.
I am nothing but problems and difficulties, feeling trapped and oppressed.
Born to a Nation, the children and their innocence
As a citizen of this country, I am concerned about the youth and how they are exposed to harsh realities at an age when they should still be carefree and innocent.
An idiot wind blows through this land
The current state of affairs in this country is nonsensical and ridiculous.
Dear Lord give me strength.
I am calling upon a higher power for help and guidance to overcome my struggles.
Breakin' out of the skin
I need to find a way to break out of my current situation and become something new.
Need some rhythm and blues.
I require some music that speaks to me and helps me through tough times.
Coming deep from within
These emotions and feelings are not just surface level, but come from the core of my being.
Down in the ghetto, marking time with self-belief
I am living in a lower class area, but still maintain a sense of confidence and determination.
Babylon voices, square-eyed dreams of dignity.
People around me may be talking about grandiose plans, but ultimately reality sets in and they continue to struggle for basic respect and honor.
Feeling the pressure, searching for another place
I am under a lot of stress and need to find a new environment or outlet to release these tensions.
Lift up our voices, use our minds
We need to speak out and think critically to enact change.
We will be released.
We will eventually be freed from our current struggles.
The sun shine in our eyes
We are optimistic and hopeful for a brighter future.
My skin in a different disguise.
I am a unique individual with a distinct identity that may not conform to societal norms.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL PAUL HEARD, MIKE PICKERING, HEATHER SMALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind