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.
Market Square Heroes
Marillion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found my thoughts shift slowly into phase
Declared the constitution of the walkway
I realise it's time to plan the day
I'm a Market Square hero gathering the storms to troop
Cause I'm a Market Square hero speeding the beat of the street pulse
Are you following me, are you following me?
Well suffer my pretty warriors and follow me
I left the ranks of shuffling graveyard people
I got rust upon my hands from the padlocked factory gates
Silent chimneys provide the silent steeples
Cause I'm a Market Square hero gathering the storms to troop
Cause I'm a Market Square hero speeding the beat of the street pulse
Are you following me, are you following me?
Well suffer my pretty children and follow me, follow me
I am your Antichrist show me allegiance, Are you following me?
I am your Antichrist pledge to me defiance, Are you following me?
Suffer my pretty warriors, Suffer my fallen child, Are you following me?
The time has come to conquer and I'll provide your end
We march
I give peace signs when I wage war in the disco
I'm the warrior in the ultra violet haze
Armed with antisocial insecurity
I plan the path of destiny from this maze
Cause I'm a Market Square hero gathering the storms to troop
Cause I'm a Market Square hero speeding the beat of the street pulse
Are you following me, are you following me?
Well suffer my fallen angels and follow me
I'm the Market Square hero, I'm the Market Square hero
We are Market Square Heroes, to be Market Square Heroes
The lyrics of Marillion's song "Market Square Heroes" portray the image of a rebel leader, a passionate and ambitious man who aims to gather a group of followers to fight together against society's norms and rules. The song starts with the singer finding a smog at the end of his rainbow, which represents the disillusionment of his dreams and the harsh reality of life's challenges. He then declares the constitution of the walkway, a symbol of his own path and his right to lead others who willingly follow him.
The chorus highlights the singer's role as a market square hero, who is gathering storms and speeding the beat of the street pulse. He is calling for people to follow him courageously, even at the risk of their lives. He is convinced that he is a legitimate leader and a hero of the people, and that he can provide his followers with the sense of purpose and direction that they are craving.
The song's lyrics then unfold to reveal that the singer was a worker who has left his job to pursue his dreams. He's got a golden handshake that nearly broke his arm, which means that he received a significant compensation package for his resignation. He had enough of being a shuffling graveyard person, which is indicative of the feeling of being stuck in a dull, lifeless job. He has rust on his hands from the padlocked factory gates, signifying that he has been working hard for a long time. The silent chimneys provide the silent steeples, indicating that he is leaving old traditions behind to pursue new ones.
Line by Line Meaning
I found smog at the end of my rainbow
I encountered disappointment or disillusionment where I was expecting success or happiness.
I found my thoughts shift slowly into phase
My way of thinking began to change over time.
Declared the constitution of the walkway
I stated the rule or authority over the path I was taking.
I realise it's time to plan the day
It dawned on me that I needed to organize my day.
I'm a Market Square hero gathering the storms to troop
I am someone who rallies others, unites them to face challenges or obstacles together.
Cause I'm a Market Square hero speeding the beat of the street pulse
I am someone who sets the pace of the community, keeps the rhythm flowing.
Are you following me, are you following me?
Are you joining me in my quest, are you with me?
Well suffer my pretty warriors and follow me
Come along with me and endure hardship, my loyal soldiers.
I got a golden handshake that nearly broke my arm
I received a generous compensation deal which nearly caused me physical harm due to its weight.
I left the ranks of shuffling graveyard people
I decided to step away from the monotonous, unfulfilling lives lived by many people around me.
I got rust upon my hands from the padlocked factory gates
My hands were stained with rust because the factory where I worked was closed and locked.
Silent chimneys provide the silent steeples
The idle chimneys of the factory replaced the church towers as the most prominent features of the town.
I am your Antichrist show me allegiance, Are you following me?
I am your rebel or antagonist, show me your loyalty, are you joining me?
I am your Antichrist pledge to me defiance, Are you following me?
I am your subversive or oppositional force, promise me your challenge to the status quo, are you supporting me?
Suffer my pretty warriors, Suffer my fallen child, Are you following me?
Endure the trials and tribulations with me, my brave soldiers, my lost and struggling offspring, are you with me?
The time has come to conquer and I'll provide your end
It's time to take over and I'll put an end to the problems or challenges.
I give peace signs when I wage war in the disco
I use symbols of peace while I engage in conflict or rebellion in the club or dance floor.
I'm the warrior in the ultra violet haze
I am the fighter, the defender in the colorful or psychedelic atmosphere.
Armed with antisocial insecurity
I have a lack of confidence, trust or connection with others as my weapon.
I plan the path of destiny from this maze
I envision the direction or route of my fate from this tangled, confusing situation.
We are Market Square Heroes, to be Market Square Heroes
We are the leaders, the pioneers of the community or society, and we aspire to continue holding this status.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEREK WILLIAM DICK, POINTER, STEVEN THOMAS ROTHERY, PETER TREWAVAS, MARK KELLY, STEVE JELLIMAN, MINNITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@martinbuschjost4057
30 years ago, two friends and I drive from cologne to south france and we listen to that album a hundret times! Remembers me until now, for one of the best vacations I ever had! Miss those times....
@redkop510
Agree...rewind the clock...if only.
@Tevildo
Our generation - the ones who grew up in the early eighties, who were too old for Nirvana and too young for Pink Floyd - are very neglected these days. But we still had fun. And this track reminds us of why we did...
@davidforshaw4810
👍 True! 🎶🔑
@erikhof410
i love marillion, the band got in my life because my father loves this band, when i was a kid, we always listened to this band, it got me, its in my heart, i cant live without marillion. Rock on!
@andycuthbert2763
Met the great man in a newsagent in Newcastle the morning of the gig I was attending at the o2. Was buying some tabs n looking for a place to buy a hat! Top bloke !
@rem-n-nissrockduo9822
Brilliant song one of their best ever
@user-kd4hz3dw1t
Amazing keyboards😮
@guashin
best version of this song
@drewyardley7667
Jair Enrique Moncada Rugama no the live version is the best from the script tour when fish goes on the bongos and bangs the fuck out of them because Pointer was a carp drummer