Vocalist and songwriter Nicola Hitchcock and Saul Freeman Ex-Thieves joined forces in the mid-nineties to form Mandalay, signed to V2 records and released three albums. Mandalay's debut album "Empathy" release in 1998. In 2000, Mandalay release their second album "Instinct". In 2001, "Solace" a two disc album released exclusively in the US. Disc one of the album Solace included a mix of tracks from the albums Empathy and Instinct and disc two remix tracks with contributions from several artists including Nitin Sawhney, Wagon Christ, Futureshock, Alex Reece, Calderone and Charlie May.
Incorporating guest musicians Jon Hassell and Steve Jansen (Japan), Freeman's intimate, pristine production and Hitchcock's heartbreaking vocal performances earned the duo props throughout the latter part of the decade in their native U.K., specifically with the albums Empathy and Instinct.
This Life
Mandalay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to stay, oh no
You had to go spoil it all
I know you had to go
Now I find these endlessly, colourblind days to fill
.. you never will
(take this life)
Take it all in your hands
You are mine
I could smile
again
I dream you come to me ( come back to me )
and comfort me and now
I dream
Where did the time go?
Where did the time go?
did live go?
I know you had to go spoil it all
and now I know
you never will
take this life
take it all in your hands
you are mine
I could smile
again
Just what you said was cold advice
I discovered sticks go with knives
I discovered I could have died in your chain
still I feel, so won't you stay?
The lyrics of Mandalay’s “This Life” speak of a relationship that ended abruptly and left the singer feeling colorblind and empty. The first verse suggests that the other person in the relationship had to leave, even though they ruined everything by doing so. The second verse speaks of the singer dreaming of their ex-partner coming back to them and comforting them, reminding them of memories they shared. The chorus urges the ex-partner to “take this life” and “take it all in your hands”, suggesting that the singer feels powerless and wants the ex-partner to take control.
The final verse speaks of the hurt that the singer experienced in the relationship, with the line “I discovered I could have died in your chain”. Despite this, they still want the other person to stay, showing that the singer can’t let go of their desire to be with them. However, the ending is unresolved, as it’s unclear whether the ex-partner will stay or whether they’ll continue to lead the singer on and then leave.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a mixture of bitterness, regret, longing, and desperation - all emotions that are often present in the aftermath of a relationship ending.
Line by Line Meaning
(You couldn't even bring yourself) to stay, oh no
You didn't have the strength to continue being here, you had to leave.
You had to go spoil it all
You ruined everything before you left.
I know you had to go
I understand that you had to leave.
Now I find these endlessly, colourblind days to fill
Now I'm trying to fill my empty days, but it feels like everything is lacking meaning.
.. you never will
I know you'll never be able to fill the void you left.
Take this life
Take control of your own life.
Take it all in your hands
Take responsibility for your life and your decisions.
You are mine
You belong to me in some way, perhaps emotionally.
I could smile
I could be happy again.
I dream you come to me ( come back to me )
I imagine you coming back to me and making things right.
and comfort me and now
And in that dream, you offer me comfort and reassurance.
Where did the time go?
I wonder where all the time has gone.
did live go?
What happened to my life in the meantime?
Just what you said was cold advice
Your words were unfeeling and distant.
I discovered sticks go with knives
I found out that you can hurt someone badly with even the smallest of actions.
I discovered I could have died in your chain
I realized that I was trapped in a harmful and dangerous situation with you.
still I feel, so won't you stay?
Despite everything, I still have feelings for you and want you to stay.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MOACIR SANTOS, YANNA COTTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Potsinovuvachka
You couldn't even bring yourself
To stay, oh no
You had to go
Spoil it all
I know you had to go
Now I find these endlessly
Colourblind days
To fill
You never will
(Take this life)
Take this life
Take it all
In your hands
You were mine
I could smile
You understand, fine
Again
I dream
You come to me
(Come back to me)
And comfort me
But now I dream
Where did the time go
Where did the time go
Did your love go
I know
You had to go
Spoil it all
And now I know
You never will
(Take this life)
Take this life
Take it all
In your hands
You were mine
I could smile
You understand, fine
(Take this life)
Take this life
Take it all
In your hands
You were mine
I could smile
Again
Just what you said was cold advice
I discovered sticks go with knives
I discovered I could've die in your chains
Still I feel, so won't you stay
Oh, babe
(Take this life)
Take this life
Take it all
In your hands
You were mine
I could smile
You understand, fine
(Take this life)
Take this life
Take it all
In your hands
You were mine
I could smile
Again
@nutlessneo
20 years and still one of the most beautiful albums ever
@777pusher
This 2cd I have (and yes, I’m old school) hadn’t been in my car player for probably 10-15 years, and it hasn’t stopped playing in my car for over a week now.
@paradigmprophecyisback6578
You arent kidding. I rock this song when ever I want to reminisce the trip hop era. I miss this so much. It almost brings tears to my eyes. Is that weird for me to say
@ICTS22
I was a dj back in the 90's and I often played the chillout rooms. There was such a flood of this style of music back then that this and many other a gem slipped through the cracks for me. I found it on a compilation from a used bin, but grateful to have added it to my collection.
@highmeat
Nicola's vocal is extraordinary. This song makes me feel like I'm on clouds.
@paradigmprophecyisback6578
Yes agreed. It makes me cry with happiness
@fiber1881
Just discovered and started listening to Mandalay. Repeating Empathy over and over and over. Love it!
@iiimadmaniii
Its too bad they only had that one album. In my history they were one of the last trip hop potentials
@cjhooooker
+iiimadmaniii they released one more album in the year 2000 titled "Instinct", that one is also very good
@ethoswithme
glass of wine, a sketch book, 1 am, this song