A hyperactive and erratic boy, Mark struggled to f… Read Full Bio ↴Who is Mark Hole?
A hyperactive and erratic boy, Mark struggled to find an outlet for his restless energy and natural exuberance. School was never easy and Mark was diagnosed with heavy dyslexia – adding further to his frustration. This, combined with frequent clashes with teachers over his refusal to conform, young Hole was regularly suspended. He was never expelled though, perhaps because of that winning smile, but certainly because his fiery little heart was always in the right place. So it went on, until on one school day the saviour of Mark’s soul presented itself…Music! Suddenly Mark Hole, impossible little wretch, was getting excellent reports – “Mark’s great! He is well behaved and focused.’ And a new direction emerged…
Mark began to find his way as a musician in his teens, beginning with his voice and his innate ability as a showman. At Eddington & Shapwick dyslexic school in Somerset, Mark discovered that there were no outlets for dramatic or musical talent. As is his nature, he decided to set up his own creative ventures at the school - if there was any opportunity to be the centre of attention then Mark was there! Soon though, his hunger for a move on to a bigger stage was ferocious and it led him to Hurtwood House – a theatre and stage school in Dorking with an impressive reputation. Mark quickly grasped the chance to shine and played leading roles in several productions, including the complex task of embodying the eponymous anti-hero in Woyzeck.
Aged 16, a promising and talented young performer, Mark hadn’t actually written any songs. Then came a major turning point. He met Rob Castell. Rob was a fellow pupil at Hurtwood House and on their first encounter Rob was playing the piano singing a song that he had written about a friendship gone wrong. It blew Mark away and opened his eyes to a new world that invited him in. From that point on Mark tinkered away on a piano every day - self-taught, one finger at first, then two, and so on - trying to write songs…
Mark has never understood why there has to be a set of rules for song-writing, and this independent style is evident in F-Sharp, the debut album. In Mark’s own words he says, “There was no God that laid down the rules on how to write a song. A song can do whatever it likes. If it wants to be twenty minutes long or two minutes long then that’s fine. I am not saying it should be but it could be. The important thing is whether you like it or not.”
On finishing school, Mark gained a place at Webber-Douglas drama school in London. Although gifted as an actor, even his peers remarked on his clear ambitions for a career in music, “this guy clearly just wants to play the piano and sing”. They were right – and happily for the listening world, that is what Mark does, all day every day. It may have turned out slightly differently though, as Mark was for a number of years involved in The Seed, a kind of English Red Hot Chilli Peppers that gathered a huge amount of momentum. As frontman and co-writer, Mark’s charisma and talent contributed to the band’s success on the London scene and things were looking promising. However in truly spectacular style the group had a rather ignominious ending on the eve of their EP launch, courtesy of an intra-band bust-up. It was a blessing in disguise though, as the band’s loss was Mark’s gain, meaning he could focus on his solo work. Within six months, F Sharp was completed. The first album finished, the career only beginning…
Mark Hole on MySpace: www.myspace.com/markhole
Official site: http://www.markhole.com
Torture Garden
Mark Hole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am just awful
'Cause my love
Is just not what you're looking for
No, my love
It's just not what you're looking for
I opened up the darkness
A different kind of man
You'll be pleasantly surprised
With a love of what you want
I would be the guy
Who think of you before himself
Don't wanna see you
'Cause I know it's not allowed
You are the best thing
In whatever happens now
I won't wait for your call
If any call at all
I would be happy to hear your voice
Because I can't try anymore of it
Your love breaks my heart
So I suggest we just get on with it
With the world in the corner
I will still adore you as before
We were in love with the torture
Broken in the garden of war
Then she says:
You are so wonderful
I am just awful
'Cause my love
Is just not what you're looking for
But you know I won't forget you
Even if I got a little old
I'd find out where you live
And leave a rose in the road
Even if you were to stop me
You can never stop this kind of love
We were in love with the torture
Broken in the garden of war
Then she says:
I can't try anymore of it
Your love breaks my heart
So I suggest we just get on with it
Oh, with the world in the corner
I will still adore you as before
We were in love with the torture
Broken in the garden of war
Then she says:
You are so wonderful
I am just awful
Cause my love
Is just not what you're looking for
No, our love
It's just not what you're looking for
Because I can't try anymore of it
Your love breaks my heart
So I suggest we just get on with it
With the world in the corner
I will still adore you as before
We were in love with the torture
Broken in the garden of war...
The lyrics of Mark Hole's song "Torture Garden" seem to speak of a failed relationship where the singer expresses his love for the other person, but can't seem to make it work. There is a sense of disappointment and frustration as the singer acknowledges that his love is just not what the other person is looking for. The singer seems to be aware of his shortcomings and accepts that the relationship is ending.
The reference to a "different kind of man" suggests that the singer may have tried to change who he is to suit the other person's expectations but ultimately failed. The overall mood of the song is melancholic and the repeated phrase "in love with the torture" highlights the painful experience of heartbreak.
In the end, the singer suggests that they just "get on with it" and move on from the failed relationship. Despite this, there is still a sense of love and affection between the two, as evidenced by the references to leaving a rose in the road and the singer's continued adoration for the other person. The lyrics of the song suggest that love can be painful and difficult, but ultimately worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
You are so wonderful
The singer addresses his love interest and starts with a compliment that reflects her positive attributes.
I am just awful
The singer says he is the opposite of his love interest and sees himself as someone who is unbearable.
'Cause my love
The singer explains the reason why their relationship is not working and confesses that his love is the issue.
Is just not what you're looking for
The singer acknowledges that his love interest has certain expectations from a romantic relationship that he cannot fulfill.
No, my love
The singer reaffirms that his love is not what the other person desires.
It's just not what you're looking for
The singer reiterates that his love interest is not getting what she wants from their relationship.
I opened up the darkness
The singer explains that he showed his true self to his love interest, even the things that he is not proud of.
So you cannot recognize
The singer expresses the idea that by revealing his true self, his love interest may not recognize him anymore.
A different kind of man
The singer presents himself as a person with unique qualities and not the standard idea of what a man should be.
You'll be pleasantly surprised
The singer reassures that his love interest would be delighted if she were to look deeper beyond his surface and see his true qualities.
With a love of what you want
The singer says that he is willing to meet the expectations of his love interest and fulfill her desires.
I would be the guy
The singer says that he is willing to be the man who puts the needs of his love interest before himself.
Who think of you before himself
The singer explains that he is willing to do whatever it takes to make his love interest happy, even if it means sacrificing his own well-being.
Don't wanna see you
The singer is frustrated and says that he does not want to see his love interest anymore.
'Cause I know it's not allowed
The singer acknowledges that it is not socially acceptable for him to be with his love interest.
You are the best thing
The singer compliments his love interest and emphasizes how important she is to him.
In whatever happens now
The singer acknowledges that they are going through tough times in their relationship.
I won't wait for your call
The singer says that he will not wait for his love interest to contact him.
If any call at all
The singer doubts if his love interest will contact him at all.
I would be happy to hear your voice
The singer admits that he misses his love interest and would be pleased to talk to her.
Because I can't try anymore of it
The singer confesses that he has reached his limit in trying to make the relationship work.
Your love breaks my heart
The singer explains that his love interest's feelings are causing him pain.
So I suggest we just get on with it
The singer suggests that they accept the situation and move forward.
With the world in the corner
The singer acknowledges that the entire world is against their relationship.
I will still adore you as before
The singer says that he will always love his love interest, regardless of the circumstances.
We were in love with the torture
The singer reflects on the painful nature of their relationship, which was full of ups and downs.
Broken in the garden of war
The singer uses the metaphor of a garden of war to describe the violent nature of their relationship, which led to its breakdown.
Then she says:
The lyrics indicate a change in speaker, and it is now the turn of the singer's love interest to speak.
But you know I won't forget you
The love interest declares that, even if the relationship is over, she will always have a place in her heart for the singer.
Even if I got a little old
The love interest acknowledges that time may pass, and she may age, but her feelings for the singer will not fade.
I'd find out where you live
The love interest hints that she would go to great lengths to find the singer if she ever lost contact with him.
And leave a rose in the road
The love interest uses the metaphor of a rose to convey the idea that her love will keep blooming, even if they are apart.
Even if you were to stop me
The love interest acknowledges that the singer may not want to see her, but she would still love him regardless.
You can never stop this kind of love
The love interest believes that their love is beyond the power of external forces to stop it.
Then she says:
A change in speaker reveals that the love interest is repeating her earlier lines from the song.
Cause my love
The love interest expresses how her feelings are affecting the relationship negatively.
No, our love
The love interest changes the perspective and says that their love as a couple is no longer working.
Writer(s): Mark Hole
Contributed by Isaac V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sandra Shields
I have no idea of why this man hits me - I travelled miles (in London terms) to see this man, at this place, because I love what he does. Clarity of voice, clarity of lyric, clarity of personality, clarity of everything. Who could refuse Mark Hole as a friend, a lover, a moment spent. This man produces beautiful things. Maybe, at the moment, he doesn't quite get how good he is. But I am sure we all love him. I certainly love Mark Hole x
LaWendeltreppe
You won't believe it, but I found you via airbnb, Mark, and although your flat is not exactly what I am looking for, your voice is touching and the music has a beautiful sadness. Well done! Wish you both good luck with the music & the flat. :)
(And the station announcement at the beginning added a great feel to it too.)
favoursandsins
This is absolutely fantastic; I love it!
Macrae Morse
Happened across this performance by chance... amazing voice and songs.
Ash Kennedy
Quality voice and song
Noëlle Picarra
There's a certain poetry in singing in a big station ^^. I really like the song. Very nice. Kuddos to Finn Jones because that's his tweet that made me come here ^^.
Sandra Shields
Mark Hole is special.
TheAshleyYoyo
What is the song at the beginning? I loved that!
Charlotte Borlai
whats the song at the beginning?