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.
Your Urge
Maxïmo Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It doesn't make you bad
On our admission the makeweight lifted
Stop dwelling on the past
I think about the three of us. I wonder how we tesselate
It would've been much wiser to allow these feelings to abate
Empty words, so free of connotations
Codify your utterance, communicate your needs
Prepare your vocabulary
My nervous system fails me,
my thoughts are becoming fugitive
When I'm in your arms, I wonder how much I can give
The weekend is a Godsend
The night-time is a lifeline
Another useless fumble
Another drunken stumble
The pinkness 'round your iris
Reveals that you've been crying
But I don't know what my crime is
I cause upset without trying
People are judged on their mistakes
And how much money that they make
No-one wants to lose their youth
In a trench like this
Visiting the same places
Kissing all the same faces
Building up support
Looking for rapport
I empty out my pockets at the end of the night
Another scrawled first name
Another sense of shame
I need to get to bed before I fail myself again
We got too close that night and I reached out for your hand
The night-time is a lifeline
The weekend is a Godsend
Another useless fumble
Another drunken stumble
Oh, but the pinkness near your iris
Reveals that you've been crying
But I don't know what my crime is
Behind my crumbling veneer
My strength is sapping
My heartstrings are snapping
My strength is sapping
And my heartstrings are snapping
The lyrics of the song 'Your Urge' by Maxïmo Park seem to be about a person who is struggling with their feelings for someone, maybe in a complicated relationship where there are three people involved or maybe just unrequited love. The singer tries to convince the person that it's okay to follow their urges and not feel guilty about them because they do not make them a bad person. They reflect on the past and regret not allowing these feelings to abate. The chorus emphasizes how the weekend and night-time are a Godsend and lifeline respectively, maybe indicating that these are the only times where the person can be with their special someone. The bridge talks about how people are judged on mistakes and money, which is something that the singer seems to disagree with - showing how oppressive societal standards can be. The song ends with lines that hint at the singer's vulnerability and the emotional turmoil they are going through.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released as the second single from Maxïmo Park's debut album - A Certain Trigger - in 2005. The song peaked at number 35 on the UK Singles Chart. On Spotify, 'Your Urge' has over 1.5 million streams making it one of the band's most popular songs on the platform.
Another unique fact is that the song features the use of a musical saw, which is played by band member, Lukas Wooller. The musical saw is an instrument that is rarely used in mainstream music, and its use in this song is instrumental in helping to create a distinctive sound.
The song also features a word that isn't commonly used in music lyrics, let alone everyday language. The word 'tessellate' features clearly in the chorus, and it means to cover a surface with shapes that fit together without gaps or overlaps - indicating a sense of completeness and wholeness that the singer longs for.
Another interesting fact is that the song's music video features a choreographed routine with hundreds of dancers bouncing synchronized balls, creating a visually stunning display. The video was directed by Paul Gore and received critical acclaim for its unique and captivating concept.
The song has also been played multiple times live, even years after its release, showing its enduring popularity with fans. The song is a staple of Maxïmo Park's live shows and is often performed towards the end of their setlist.
The song's lyrics have been described by many as poetic and deep, indicating the band's craft in creating music that's not just catchy but also profound. The song addresses themes of vulnerability, love, and societal standards that many people can relate to.
The chords of the song are as follows: D, G, D, D, Bm, A, F-sharp, G.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to deny your urge
It's okay to have desires and feel a certain way about someone or something.
It doesn't make you bad
Having those desires doesn't define you as a bad person.
On our admission the makeweight lifted
Admitting to ourselves or others about our true feelings and desires can be liberating.
Stop dwelling on the past
Don't let your past mistakes or regrets prevent you from moving forward and pursuing your true desires.
I think about the three of us. I wonder how we tesselate
Reflecting on how three different people can fit or work together in a particular situation or relationship.
It would've been much wiser to allow these feelings to abate
Suppressing your feelings or desires can be the smarter choice, even if it's difficult to do so.
Empty words, so free of connotations
Words that lack meaning or emotion behind them.
All dreams come to an end
Realizing that all things eventually come to an end, including desires and aspirations.
Codify your utterance, communicate your needs
Clear and concise communication of your desires or needs is beneficial.
Prepare your vocabulary
Make sure you have the appropriate words to express your feelings or desires.
My nervous system fails me, my thoughts are becoming fugitive
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to fully convey or process one's thoughts or desires.
When I'm in your arms, I wonder how much I can give
Feeling an emotional connection with someone and wanting to express or give as much as possible.
The weekend is a Godsend, The night-time is a lifeline
Looking forward to the weekends and evenings as a means of escape or relief from daily life.
Another useless fumble, another drunken stumble
Making another mistake or experiencing another failure in trying to achieve one's desires or goals.
The pinkness 'round your iris reveals that you've been crying
Observing physical signs of someone's emotional pain or sadness, even if the reason is unknown.
But I don't know what my crime is, I cause upset without trying
Feeling guilty or responsible for someone else's emotional distress, even if unintentional.
People are judged on their mistakes, and how much money that they make
Society often judges individuals based on their past missteps or financial success.
No-one wants to lose their youth
Feeling the pressure to achieve one's desires or goals before time runs out or circumstances change.
In a trench like this, visiting the same places, kissing all the same faces
Feeling stuck in a repetitive or unfulfilling lifestyle or relationship.
Building up support, looking for rapport
Seeking out emotional connections and support from others.
I empty out my pockets at the end of the night, another scrawled first name, another sense of shame
Feeling regret or disappointment in oneself after another failed attempt at pursuing one's desires or goals.
I need to get to bed before I fail myself again
Recognizing the need to prioritize self-care and avoid making further mistakes or bad decisions.
We got too close that night and I reached out for your hand
Feeling a strong emotional connection with someone and feeling the desire to reach out and make a connection physically.
Behind my crumbling veneer, my strength is sapping, my heartstrings are snapping
Despite appearing strong on the surface, internal struggles and emotions are causing one's will to falter and emotions to become overwhelming.
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