After releasing 300 copies of two of their songs, the band was discovered by, and eventually signed with, independent label Warp Records in 2004, releasing their critically-acclaimed debut album A Certain Trigger" in May 2005. Widely described as one of the best British albums of the year, the album helped the band develop a strong and diverse fanbase both in the UK and abroad, and also earned them a nomination for the coveted Mercury Music Prize. Three songs from the record, Apply Some Pressure (re-released), Graffiti and Going Missing, reached the Top 20 in the UK music charts in 2005. Maxïmo Park also contributed a song titled Wasteland to the War Child album Help: A Day in the Life, midway through that year. The final single from A Certain Trigger, I Want You To Stay, was released in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2006.
Maxïmo Park's second album, Our Earthly Pleasures was released on April 2, 2007. Singles included Our Velocity, Girls Who Play Guitars, Books From Boxes and Karaoke Plays. In August 2008 Paul Smith announced that the band had finished recording their third album and were looking for someone to produce it. It is expected for release in early 2009.
As a result of their rapidly increasing popularity both in the United Kingdom and overseas, 2005 also proved to be a highly exciting year for the band from a touring perspective, with a number of successful tours of Europe, as well as supporting The Bravery in the United States and performing a number of sellout shows in Japan and Australia. While performing across Europe at the Glastonbury and Lowlands music festivals and the Carling Weekend, their enormous success in the United Kingdom was confirmed through their place as support for Kaiser Chiefs on the NME Rock and Roll Riot Tour, and their appearance at the XFM Winter Wonderland shows in London in December of 2005. In a similar vein, the band headlined the NME Awards Tour in the UK, featuring Arctic Monkeys, Mystery Jets and We Are Scientists, and expanded their presence in Asia by performing in Thailand as part of the Rock 100 Festival in Bangkok.
The The National Health Songfacts reports that Maximo's Park fourth album relates to the state of society at large: "The nation is out of control," said Paul Smith, "and the record is about taking back control, and being a force for change in your own life. It can't speak for everybody but it has its eyes and ears all around us. Our songs are built on empathy. I would hope it's as vital a music as people would want to hear." The National Health will be released June 11, 2012.
The band also enjoys playing in their hometown, Newcastle. In early 2007, despite global success, they decided to play in three small venues and price tickets at only £5. These venues were The Head Of Steam, The Cumberland Arms and The Cluny. The band also headlined Freevolution 2007, a free outdoor music festival in Newcastle/Gateshead sponsored by Orange phones.
Kiss You Better
Maxïmo Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Were I never want to see my home,
I know that you'll provide the brains,
But who'll provide the brawn,
And if it comes down to me and you,
You know id kiss you better,
I kept the message you sent me
If you're scared,
My beliefs make me bound
I think its time we compiled a list,
Of places where we shouldn't go,
Now is not the time to lose your voice,
Everyone should have a choice,
And if you should ever fall,
You know id kiss you better,
I kept the letters that you sent me
Close your eyes,
If you're scared,
My beliefs will make you drown
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
The Maxïmo Park song Kiss You Better is a heart-wrenching ballad about the fear of losing someone and the willingness to protect them at all costs. The singer begins by acknowledging that he is at a point in the night where he never wants to go back home. He is aware that he needs someone to help him make important decisions and provide the brains, but he also needs someone to be his backup, to provide the brawn. He then reassures the person he is singing to that if they ever get into a situation where it's just the two of them, he would be there for them and kiss them better. The singer also keeps the message and letters that the person sends him, indicating the importance of their presence in his life.
Later in the song, the singer talks about compiling a list of places they should never go to, emphasizing the importance of not taking unnecessary risks. He also notes that everyone should have a choice, reflecting the importance of individual freedom in relationships. Again, he assures the person that he would always be there for them if they should ever fall. The backing vocals echo the message of support being offered, saying, "Close your eyes if you're scared, my beliefs will make you drown." The song ends with the repeated chorus, asking if the person is so scared that they would just let something bad happen.
Overall, Maxïmo Park's Kiss You Better is a powerful song about love, commitment, and support in the face of fear and danger.
Line by Line Meaning
I know the night has reached that stage again,
I am familiar with the feeling of wanting to avoid returning home at this point in the night.
Were I never want to see my home,
I feel a strong aversion towards going back to my house.
I know that you'll provide the brains,
I am confident in your intellectual capabilities.
But who'll provide the brawn,
I am uncertain about who will supply the physical strength.
And if it comes down to me and you,
In a situation where we are faced with a challenge, it will fall upon the two of us.
You know id kiss you better,
I would make it better by kissing you if necessary.
I kept the message you sent me
I have held onto the message you sent me.
There with me,
I will be by your side.
If you're scared,
If you are afraid.
My beliefs make me bound
My principles restrain me.
I think its time we compiled a list,
I believe we should create a record.
Of places where we shouldn't go,
Of locations we should avoid.
Now is not the time to lose your voice,
This is not the moment to fall silent and stop expressing your thoughts.
Everyone should have a choice,
All people ought to have a say in the matter.
And if you should ever fall,
In case you experience a setback.
You know id kiss you better,
I would make it better by kissing you if necessary.
I kept the letters that you sent me
I have held onto the messages you sent me.
Close your eyes,
Shut your eyes.
If you're scared,
If you are afraid.
My beliefs will make you drown
My convictions will overwhelm you.
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
Are you so fearful that you will allow it to occur without attempting to prevent it?
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
Are you so afraid that you will not take action against it?
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
Are you so intimidated that you will not fight up against it?
You, are you so scared that your just gonna let it happen
Are you so petrified that you will not resist it?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARCHIS TIKU, DUNCAN ROBERT LLOYD, LUKAS JAMES WOOLLER, PAUL ANTHONY SMITH, THOMAS ALEXANDER ENGLISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarah
This video needs more comments, so I'm just going to say: I fricking love this song.
SophieBelfryBatz
how does this not have more views?? Thanks for uploading this, i love this song! <3
San
Damn, this song is so sick.
Alcaseiver
tooo many memories!!
Karen Rettig
<3
Ja Nee
Nicola!!!
Jessica Rau
You, are you so scared that *you're just gonna let it happen?