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.
FREAKS
Marillion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you ever dreamed of romance, no matter how experimental?
Have you ever felt an alien drifting back into your hometown?
Did you think you were buying safety
When you bought that piece of ground?
She said all the best freaks are here
She said all the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
All the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
Have you ever woke up, sweating in the middle of the night?
You search the darkness and you're scrambling for the light
Have you ever walked down the street, heard bootsteps following you?
Don't worry my son, you've got the spook squad looking after you
He said all the best freaks are here
He said all the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
So I said all the best freaks are here
All the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me, stop staring at me
Airport terminal, patiently waiting on the last call
You feel the eyes burn the back of your head
Sign the autograph, get out of the picture, gonna have the last laugh
Feel the whispers as you head for the plane
Stop staring at me
Love and linen sheets seem so very far away
You save your pennies and you buy another day
But after all it's only hide and seek, just another game
There's so much fun to be had when you're living with a name
All the best freaks are here, all the best freaks are here,
Please stop staring at me, all the best freaks are here
All the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
Oh, stop staring at me, oh, stop staring at me
They said all the best freaks are here
All the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
All the best freaks are here
All the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
The lyrics of Marillion's song "Freaks" describe the feeling of being an outsider, a "freak", in society, and the notion of finding a community or tribe among others who share that feeling. The lyrics begin by asking if the listener has ever met a "lady" who screams "angst potential" or dreamed of experimental romance. This suggests a desire for something unconventional or out of the ordinary. The lyrics continue with the idea of feeling like an alien in your hometown and the false sense of security that can be gained from owning a space of land.
The chorus repeats the idea that "all the best freaks are here," and asks others to stop staring, suggesting that those who are different don't want to be ostracized or judged for being themselves. The lyrics describe the feeling of being followed or watched, whether on the street or in an airport terminal, and the discomfort and isolation that can come with fame. The second verse focuses on the idea of saving money and buying time, but ultimately feeling like it's just a game of hide and seek. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the plea to stop staring.
Overall, "Freaks" is a song that speaks to the universal feeling of not fitting in or feeling like an outsider, while emphasizing the importance of finding a community or tribe who accepts and embraces you for who you are.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever met a lady, screaming angst potential?
Have you ever encountered a woman who exudes pain and torment?
Have you ever dreamed of romance, no matter how experimental?
Have you ever yearned for love, no matter how unconventional?
Have you ever felt an alien drifting back into your hometown?
Have you ever experienced the feeling of being an outsider in your own home?
Did you think you were buying safety when you bought that piece of ground?
Did you believe that purchasing land would give you security and peace of mind?
She said all the best freaks are here
The woman claimed that the most interesting and unique individuals were gathered here
She said all the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
She asserted that the most intriguing individuals were present, but asked the singer to stop staring at her
So I said all the best freaks are here
In response, the singer also declared that the most captivating individuals were in attendance
All the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
The artist reiterated that the most fascinating people were present, but asked the listener to refrain from staring
Have you ever woke up, sweating in the middle of the night?
Have you ever been jolted awake in the night, drenched in sweat?
You search the darkness and you're scrambling for the light
In a state of panic, you desperately look for the source of light in the darkness
Have you ever walked down the street, heard bootsteps following you?
Have you ever been followed down the street by the heavy footsteps of an unknown person?
Don't worry my son, you've got the spook squad looking after you
Comforting words to ease the anxiety of the artist that men in black are protecting him from any unknown threat.
He said all the best freaks are here
Another individual claimed that the most fascinating and odd individuals were present
He said all the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
However, he also requested the singer to stop staring at him
Airport terminal, patiently waiting on the last call
The singer is waiting calmly at the airport terminal, waiting for the final call to board the flight
You feel the eyes burn the back of your head
The artist senses the gaze of others fixed upon the back of their head
Sign the autograph, get out of the picture, gonna have the last laugh
The artist signs an autograph, leaves the scene, and looks forward to having the final say over the situation
Feel the whispers as you head for the plane
As the singer heads towards the plane, they overhear hushed murmurs and whispering
Stop staring at me
The singer once again implores others to stop staring at them
Love and linen sheets seem so very far away
The idea of love and comfort seems distant and unattainable
You save your pennies and you buy another day
The artist scrimps and saves to make it through one more day
But after all it's only hide and seek, just another game
In the end, life is just a game of hide and seek, with obstacles to overcome and challenges to face
There's so much fun to be had when you're living with a name
Despite the difficulties, there can still be enjoyment and fulfillment found in living with a unique identity or reputation
Oh, stop staring at me
The artist concludes the song with one last plea for the judgmental stares of others to cease
They said all the best freaks are here
A third party proclaims that the most interesting and nonconformist individuals are present
All the best freaks are here, please stop staring at me
The same speaker asks others to stop staring at them, despite the presence of such unique and captivating individuals
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEREK WILLIAM DICK, IAN MOSLEY, MARK KELLY, PETE TREWAVAS, STEVE ROTHERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind