The Fish era is often categorized as neo-progressive. They originally started as "Silmarillion" (from Tolkien's book) with heavy influences from classic Genesis but went on to develop their own distinctive sound. The band was formed in 1979 by Mick Pointer (drums), Steve Rothery (guitar), Doug 'Rastus' Irvine (bass), and others, soon adding vocalist Fish (real name Derek W. Dick), Diz Minitt (bass), and Brian Jelliman. By the time of their first album, 1983's Script for a Jester's Tear, the bass position had been taken over by Pete Trewavas and keyboards by Mark Kelly.
The studio albums Fugazi (1984), Misplaced Childhood (1985), and Clutching at Straws (1987), as well as the 1984 live album Real to Reel all sold respectably, and the band scored a hit single in Britain with Kayleigh in 1985.
When Fish left the band in 1988 after four albums he was replaced by Steve Hogarth. A former member of The Europeans and some-time collaborator with The The and Julian Cope, Hogarth brought a new energy to the band.
Across a further ten albums, Hogarth – along with existing members Rothery, Kelly, Trewavas, and Mosley – have reinvigorated and constantly redefined Marillion’s sound. They forged into new musical territories with a succession of inventive, emotional albums, displaying little regard to the vagaries of hit charts or radio playlists.
After the release of 1999’s marillion.com the band freed themselves from record company pressure once and for all by launching their own record label, the Intact imprint.
Thanks to their pioneering embrace of the Internet through their website http://marillion.com, Marillion have developed a unique and intimate relationship with their fans. From sponsoring entire tours of the USA to funding the recording of recent albums, Marillion’s global fan-base is unique in its affection and dedication. As a result, such passionate, wholesale support has allowed Marillion to step outside of the conventional music industry and find their own path.
In 2001 Anoraknophobia saw Marillion take the groundbreaking step of asking fans to pre-order an album 12 months before release. An amazing 12,000 people signed up, helping to finance the recording. The band once again took pre-orders for the 2004 release Marbles, but this time the money was channelled into a campaign fund to promote its launch. The success of singles Don't Hurt Yourself and You're Gone – the latter making it all the way to number 7 – vindicated the band's independent strategy.
Their 2007 album Somewhere Else reached number 24 in the UK album chart with their most recent single Thankyou Whoever You Are hitting the UK singles chart at number 15. The band shows no signs of fading away after more than 25 years of activity.
Their 15th album, "Happiness is the road", was physically released in October 2008 but was originally available exclusively from the band's website. It was released with little promotion and a deluxe pre-order package was made available as with Marbles. 'Happiness is the Road' is the second studio double album of a long career (2004's Marbles was the other). A UK and European tour followed the album's release, and the band is taking special effort to record every show in the "Happiness on the Road" tour, making the recordings available from the band's website.
Charting The Single
Marillion Lyrics
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Slow French kissing with the Dauphin's daughter
If I fall in love now I'll be floating in Seine
Plastered in Paris I've had an Eiffel
Gonna make my escape on the midnight train
Choo, choo to you - Choo, choo to you - Charting the single
Schnapping my fingers on an alcoholiday
Sniff round a Fraulein when I'm scent to Cologne
Let sugar daddy melt in his home sweet home
Home is where the heart lies, but if the heart lies
Where is home, is where the heart lies, but where is home?
Get a pizza the action when I Romeo again
Chianti see you with me, so just let him wine
Juliet on the balcony, it's pasta serenade
Wedding rings, I know when Venice time, Venice time
To chart the single, to chart the single
Charting the single, charting the single
The chicks are getting cheaper on the not so common market
Stockpile experience before the blond hairs turn to grey
Before the blond hairs turn to grey
I like to train, express myself in the universal language
Ego on my face in the nicest possible way
It's absolutely the nicest possible way
Charting the single
I got no clause in my contract, got no shares in my name
I'm just charting the single in a bachelor's game
Charting the single
It's a solo performance on a one way street
You'll never have the chance again and never again we'll meet
Charting, charting, charting, charting the single
The lyrics of "Charting The Single" by Marillion are about a man who is actively seeking out various experiences and relationships across Europe. He kisses the daughter of the Dauphin in France, drinks in Paris, smells a woman in Cologne, woos Juliet in Italy, and enjoys the company of women in general throughout the song. He doesn't want anything too serious or too permanent, preferring instead to live in the moment and not be tied down to anyone or anything. The title of the song, "Charting The Single," implies that the singer's goal is to live a life free of attachments and complications, and to keep his options open for as long as possible.
The imagery in the song is vivid and playful, with references to various European locales and foods. The lyrics also touch on the theme of home and where the heart lies. The singer seems unsure of where he belongs or where his home is, and is content to keep moving and experiencing new things.
Overall, "Charting The Single" is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates the joys of living freely and unencumbered. Its playful lyrics and European references make it an enjoyable listen, while its underlying themes of freedom and self-discovery give it deeper meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah!
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement.
Slow French kissing with the Dauphin's daughter
Engaging in romantic activities with the daughter of the French heir to the throne.
If I fall in love now I'll be floating in Seine
If I were to fall in love now, I would feel like I am in heaven while floating in the Seine River in Paris.
Plastered in Paris I've had an Eiffel
Getting drunk in Paris and experiencing the Eiffel tower.
Gonna make my escape on the midnight train
Planning to escape from Paris on a train at midnight.
Choo, choo to you - Choo, choo to you - Charting the single
Making a reference to the train, while also asserting that they are 'charting the single' (i.e., living the single life).
Schnapping my fingers on an alcoholiday
Snapping fingers while enjoying an alcoholic vacation.
Sniff round a Fraulein when I'm scent to Cologne
It is implied that the artist will pursue a lady when visiting the city of Cologne.
All night hotel Liebling make your mark
Inviting a lady to spend the night at a hotel, naming her affectionately ('Liebling'), and suggesting that she 'make her mark' (presumably in making love to the artist).
Let sugar daddy melt in his home sweet home
Insinuating that the artist considers himself to be someone with whom a woman can enjoy a romantic and sexual fling, even if she has a more established and monied partner.
Home is where the heart lies, but if the heart lies
Recognizing that home is where one's love is, but also suggesting potential complications ('if the heart lies') with this idea.
Where is home, is where the heart lies, but where is home?
Questioning the exact location of home, while admitting that it is defined by where one's love is.
Get a pizza the action when I Romeo again
Jokingly referencing Romeo and Juliet and implying that he wants to get in on the romantic action with another woman.
Chianti see you with me, so just let him wine
Suggesting that Chianti (presumably a man) should be left to drink his wine, as the singer pursues a romantic partner.
Juliet on the balcony, it's pasta serenade
Drawing another reference to Romeo and Juliet, and suggesting romance on a balcony, with pasta serving as a romantic complement to the scene.
Wedding rings, I know when Venice time, Venice time
Implying that the artist knows when it is time to commit and get married, and suggesting that Venice would be an ideal location for a romantic wedding ceremony.
To chart the single, to chart the single
Reiterating the theme stated earlier that the artist is 'charting the single life.'
The chicks are getting cheaper on the not so common market
Implying that women are becoming more casually available, and using a market analogy to suggest that love is transactional.
Stockpile experience before the blond hairs turn to grey
Encouraging the singer to accumulate romantic experiences before they become too old.
I like to train, express myself in the universal language
Indicating a preference for travel, and for expressing oneself through the act of learning languages and engaging with new cultures.
Ego on my face in the nicest possible way
Asserting that the artist is confident and proud, but in a pleasant manner.
It's absolutely the nicest possible way
Emphasizing how pleasant this type of confidence is.
I got no clause in my contract, got no shares in my name
Asserting that the singer has no commitments or attachments, and is therefore free to pursue romantic opportunities.
I'm just charting the single in a bachelor's game
Reiterating the theme of living the single life, but also framing it as a game.
Charting the single
Finalizing the repeated theme throughout the song of living life as a single person.
It's a solo performance on a one way street
Acknowledging that living the single life is a personal journey that lacks a clear destination.
You'll never have the chance again and never again we'll meet
Asserting that opportunities for romantic experiences are fleeting, and that he and his previous romantic interests will never encounter each other again.
Charting, charting, charting, charting the single
Finalizing the theme of living the single life in the chorus of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEREK WILLIAM DICK, MARK KELLY, MICHAEL JAMES POINTER, PETE TREWAVAS, STEVE ROTHERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind