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.
Three Boats Down From The Candy
Marillion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Three boats down from the candy, rollers coast invade the deepest sleep
Three boats down from the candy, carnal dancer let their senses preach
It's a social disease, it's the new moral cancer
Don't think crying wolf will give you the answer
You ask for my love on the strength of a kiss
But can't you just play for experience?
I don't need your chains
Romance lies in ruin let debauchery reign, let it rain
Wipe the tears from your eyes, wipe the sweat from your thighs
Don't crawl to me with sentiment, my laughter drowns your cries
You're a memory trapped on Polaroid, a puppet drawn on celluloid
So drink the wine, confess your sin, just flotsam in a silent void
Three boats down from the candy
I'll remember you
Three boats down from the candy, much to much to lose
Three boats down from the candy, those words were never true
Three boats down from the candy
I'll remember you
I'll remember you
I'll remember you
The lyrics of "Three Boats Down From The Candy" by Marillion describe a scene of excess and indulgence, with empty deckchairs on a floodlit beach and carnal dancers preaching to the senses. The repetition of the phrase "three boats down from the candy" reinforces this image of an overstimulated, almost sickly sweet environment, while the line "It's a social disease, it's the new moral cancer" suggests a critique of this way of life. The singer seems to reject this world, declaring "I don't need your chains" and urging the listener not to "crawl to me with sentiment". Instead, they describe themselves as a poet and a minstrel, suggesting a focus on art and creativity as a way to escape this environment.
However, there are also elements of sadness and longing in the lyrics. The line "You ask for my love on the strength of a kiss / But can't you just play for experience?" implies a deep desire for real connection and emotional intimacy, rather than just surface-level pleasure-seeking. The reference to a memory trapped on Polaroid and a puppet drawn on celluloid suggests a sense of being trapped or stuck in the past, unable to move on. Ultimately, the song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer saying "I'll remember you" three times, as if trying to hold onto something fleeting and transitory.
Overall, the lyrics of "Three Boats Down From The Candy" paint a vivid picture of a world of excess and indulgence, but also suggest a yearning for something deeper and more meaningful. The repeated refrain of "I'll remember you" adds an extra layer of poignancy to the song, creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy.
Line by Line Meaning
Three boats down from the candy, vacant deckchairs on a floodlit beach
The scene is set at a beach with a lot of light, few people around, and the sound of waves crashing in the background.
Three boats down from the candy, rollers coast invade the deepest sleep
The sound of waves is so intense that it’s difficult to fall asleep.
Three boats down from the candy, carnal dancer let their senses preach
The singer is observing that people on the beach are enjoying the pleasures of life in a sensual way.
It's a social disease, it's the new moral cancer
The singer is making a commentary on the behavior he’s observing, and is stating that it’s a bad influence on society.
Don't think crying wolf will give you the answer
The singer is warning that misleading others will not lead to true solutions.
You ask for my love on the strength of a kiss
Someone is asking the singer for love after just kissing them, expecting more without putting in effort.
But can't you just play for experience?
The singer advises that it would be better to enjoy each other's company without any expectations, as they both have much to learn.
I'm a poet, I'm a poet, I'm a minstrel, I'm a minstrel
The singer is introducing themselves, and their art.
I don't need your chains
The singer is asserting their independence and not wanting to be controlled by someone else's expectations.
Romance lies in ruin let debauchery reign, let it rain
The singer is advocating for embracing excess and letting go of romantic ideals.
Wipe the tears from your eyes, wipe the sweat from your thighs
The singer is telling someone to clean themselves up and get over it.
Don't crawl to me with sentiment, my laughter drowns your cries
The singer doesn't want someone to come crying to them, because they won't be taken seriously.
You're a memory trapped on Polaroid, a puppet drawn on celluloid
The person is a memory captured in a photograph, an artificial image that lacks substance.
So drink the wine, confess your sin, just flotsam in a silent void
The singer is telling the listener to indulge in the physical pleasures of life, because ultimately they are inconsequential in the grand scheme.
Three boats down from the candy
The refrain repeats to reinforce the location and setting of the song.
I'll remember you
The singer promises to remember someone, possibly in a negative light.
Three boats down from the candy, much to much to lose
The scene is still set at the beach, but now with the addition of the high stakes of the situation.
Three boats down from the candy, those words were never true
The singer is reminding someone that the things they promised were all lies.
I'll remember you
The refrain repeats a final time, reinforcing the singer's promise to remember.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEREK WILLIAM DICK, MARK KELLY, DIZ MINNETT, MICHAEL JAMES POINTER, STEVE ROTHERY, PETE TREWAVAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michelmasse4712
The best Poet off all time. Thanks for all the nice Lyrics. Love you FISH
@yone1968
I absolutely agree with you Michel 👍👍👍
@richardhoyle3440
You can,t put a price on Fish.s haunting melodic voice!
@stevieblueboy2748
Yes indeed
@aaabbb-pb4fw
one of the most melodic solos...fantastic..
@cheeseandonions9558
I love how Fish sings these songs as though he was spitting with disgust...
@volkerstahl6640
Roller gefahren .... das Lied im Kopf gehabt .... ❤
@VolovskyMichael
One of the most exciting Marillion piece for my upinion
@matt004474
Love this song.
@andreagrillini4052
Hi Stephan! ;-)
MARILLION THE FISH YEARS - FACEBOOK - All the best Freaks are here!