1) The foll… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands with the name Malachai:
1) The following is about the Bristol Band.
They are comprised of Gee (vocals) and Scott Hendy (aka Boca 45). Their sound is a mix of beats and samples, drawing on a wide range of influences from dub to sixties pop, all tied together by Gee’s distinctive voice.
Discovered by Geoff Barrow from the Bristol band Portishead, Malachai released a limited-edition 12” on Barrow’s Invada label, called ‘Fading World’. This track was used as the music to accompany the ‘I Count: Stop Climate Chaos’ video that first aired at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival.
‘Fading World’ is set to be followed by the band’s major label debut, ‘EP 1’ on Island Records later in 2007. The lead track from ‘EP 1’, titled ‘The Battle’ received considerable hype from Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe.
2) Surgido em 2005 no Brasil, o Malachai mescla influências do Rock Rural, Progressivo e Psicodélico produzido no país nas décadas de 1960 e principalmente de 1970 com os primórdios do Rock americano e dos estilos que deram origem ao gênero, como o Country e o Blues. Ainda assim, o Malachai quer distância da palavra nostalgia. Com uma proposta artística de inquietude e criação de conceitos instigantes sempre olhando para frente, a vontade é justamente modernizar esses estilos que fizeram a cabeça dos músicos do Presente, Passado e Futuro, ultilizando as novas tecnologias. Partindo desse ponto, a banda constrói uma identidade própria e fala de um mundo que soa mágico, mas que é um reflexo do mundo que conhecemos. Através de muito surrealismo e ironia, o Malachai canta as mazelas e as delícias da vida com a mesma paixão.
How Long
Malachai Lyrics
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they won’t play no more songs
maybe I could just hum instead
would anyone notice it?
if I rolled up my fist, and if I banged a wall
but made it sound like a drum instead
would anyone notice it, well I’m hoping you did
don’t leave me standing
come on get up, come on get up (get up)
don’t be misled
come on how long, come on how long
how long have you been sitting?
come on get up come on get up (get up)
have you been dead?
I travelled through fog mist
Took a turn that was wrong
Maybe I should’ve stayed in bed
With nothing but sheets to wear
There’s two loaves and five fish
There’s the mountains of god
Seems a long way to go for breakfast
But now that you’ve had your fill
Tell me now how you feel
come on get up, come on get up (get up)
don’t leave me standing
come on get up, come on get up (get up)
don’t be misled
come on how long, come on how long
how long have you been sitting?
come on get up come on get up (get up)
have you been dead?
The lyrics of Malachai's song "How Long" are quite complex and multi-layered. At its core, the song is about feeling like your heartstrings have been worn out and unable to play any more songs. The singer considers giving up music altogether and just humming instead, wondering if anyone would notice. The lyrics also raise the question of whether making noise is enough to get someone's attention or if they need something more noticeable, like banging a wall but making it sound like a drum instead. The chorus then shifts to a plea for action, urging the listener to get up and not be misled or sitting dead.
The second verse continues with the theme of taking the wrong turn, suggesting that maybe the singer should have stayed in bed. There's a reference to the biblical story of the two loaves and five fish, which represents the abundance that comes from sharing. However, despite having their fill, the singer still asks how the listener feels, perhaps emphasizing the need for emotional connection and understanding.
The song seems to be ultimately about feeling disconnected and hoping for connection with someone else. The repeated plea to "get up" and not be dead could be interpreted as a call to action to get out of a rut or to wake up to the possibilities of connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I’ve worn out my heartstrings
My heart has been through so much pain that it can no longer feel love or play music.
they won’t play no more songs
My heart can no longer express its emotions through music.
maybe I could just hum instead
Perhaps I can still express my emotions through other means.
would anyone notice it?
I wonder if anyone cares enough to pay attention to my emotions.
if I rolled up my fist, and if I banged a wall
If I express my frustrations through violence.
but made it sound like a drum instead
But used it to create music instead of destruction.
would anyone notice it, well I’m hoping you did
I hope that you can see the beauty in my pain and how I've turned it into something meaningful.
come on get up, come on get up (get up)
I'm urging you to take action and join me in expressing yourself.
don’t leave me standing
Don't leave me alone in expressing myself.
don’t be misled
Don't be fooled by societal expectations and norms that discourage self-expression.
how long have you been sitting?
How long have you been suppressing your emotions?
have you been dead?
Have you been emotionally dead while physically alive?
I travelled through fog mist
I've been through a difficult journey.
Took a turn that was wrong
I made mistakes that led me to where I am now.
Maybe I should’ve stayed in bed
Perhaps it would've been better to avoid the pain altogether.
With nothing but sheets to wear
With no responsibilities or expectations to fulfill.
There’s two loaves and five fish
Despite my struggles, there are still small blessings to be grateful for.
There’s the mountains of god
There are still challenges to overcome.
Seems a long way to go for breakfast
My journey has been long and difficult, with small rewards along the way.
But now that you’ve had your fill
Despite the challenges, you have been able to find satisfaction and fullness in life.
Tell me now how you feel
Share your emotions with me.
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.