She began her musical career in the early-1990s fronting a band named Tabitha Zu. Punky in a glittery sort of way, they were an indicator of things to come. Although largely tipped for the top and even playing the Reading Festival in 1992, they only released one EP, titled On Reality, before morphing into the simply named Zu. As Zu, again, only one EP, The Apart, was released, before they disbanded.
Melanie Garside re-emerged in 1996 with her hair cut short and dyed orange, and with her first solo album, Fossil. At this stage, she was frequently described as "The indie scene's Shania Twain". Two singles were released from the album; Big White Room, and She Knows.
This stage did not last long, with Mel re-appearing once again, this time fronting a three-piece band, calling themselves Our Lady Of Miracles. Under this guise, Melanie dropped the indie label and returned to making quirky rock music. After playing a few gigs they changed their name to The Vertigo Angels and released their only album Eradicate Apathy in 2003. Two singles; 'Burned' (Hijack)' and 'Firefly', were also released. Although the album was met with critical acclaim, The Vertigo Angels appear to have disbanded. This is also around the time Melanie became Maple Bee (sometimes Maplebee), being credited this way on the Eradicate Apathy album.
It was around this time that Melanie, as Maple Bee, joined the Mediaeval Baebes. She has sung on their latest albums, Mirabilis - as well as arranging and performing lead vocal on All For Love Of One - and the soundtrack to the BBC television series The Virgin Queen.
She has also released one album as Maple Bee to date, Chasing Eva. Chasing Eva was originally released in 2003 as a single album, but was re-released with all new artwork as a double CD in 2004. The album is penned entirely by Melanie except two tracks written in collaboration with other musicians, and a cover of Doris Day's Perhaps, Perhaps. Melanie, a talented guitarist, plays almost all the instruments as well as singing. Mel has also stated on her website that she is currently working on a new MapleBee record.
From 2004 to 2005, she played bass in her sister, KatieJane Garside's band, Queenadreena, and appeared on their latest album, The Butcher and the Butterfly. She toured with them for a short time, before leaving to focus on her other projects.
Maple Bee and writer/producer Pike Galloway are currently working together as a duo under the name of Huski, with an album, entitled Love, Peace, Pain due for release in July 2006, following the three track single Make Me Your Picture (iTunes exclusive), on May 22nd.
Credit to: www.wikipedia.com
Besides
Melanie Garside Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your eyes cast close and your long dark curls
As we lay down under the sun
I was right beside you
And we knew our day had to end
But we jumped in deep and we took what we need
And I watched you dance through the trees
And we knew our day had to end
But we jumped in deep and we took what we need
And I watched you dance through the trees
I need you here beside me
And through the deepening dark
We were one and slept close under the sun
And the moon gave light well enough
To know you're here beside me
And looking back still I see
That you were closer nearer to me
Than all I've known in the time
When you've not been beside me
So I'll reach out to you when you sleep
And we'll dance and make love there under the trees
And I know that you're hearing my song
And know I'm there beside you
I can see you back where we were
With your eyes cast close and your long dark curls
As we lay down under the sun
I know you're here beside me
The lyrics to Melanie Garside's song "Besides" convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past relationship. The singer is reflecting on a day spent with their lover, where they took what they needed from the moment and danced through the trees. Despite the knowledge that the day had to end, they were content and in tune with each other. The singer then talks about how, even though they are no longer together, their lover is still closer to them than anyone they have known in that time. They dream of dancing and making love under the trees with their lover once again.
The language used in the song is both romantic and haunting. The idea of dancing through the trees is both whimsical and eerie, while the line "We were one and slept close under the sun" is intimate and evocative. The repetition of the line "I need you here beside me" underscores the feeling of longing expressed throughout the song, and the final line "I know you're here beside me" provides a sense of comfort to the singer.
Overall, "Besides" is a poignant and heartfelt song that encapsulates the bittersweet nature of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see you back where we were
I can visualize you in the same place where we first met
With your eyes cast close and your long dark curls
Your eyes were closed and your long curly hair was covering your face
As we lay down under the sun
We were lying together basking in the sun
I was right beside you
I was lying right beside you
And we knew our day had to end
We were aware that our time together was limited
But we jumped in deep and we took what we need
We indulged in the moment and got what we wanted
And I watched you dance through the trees
I enjoyed watching you dancing among the trees
I need you here beside me
I long for you to be near me right now
And through the deepening dark
Even as the darkness set in
We were one and slept close under the sun
We slept together snuggled up close while it was still sunny outside
And the moon gave light well enough
The moon provided enough light to see by
To know you're here beside me
I was able to tell that you were still here beside me
And looking back still I see
Even now when I think back, I still remember
That you were closer nearer to me
You were closer to me than anyone else
Than all I've known in the time
More than anyone else I've ever known in the time we spent together
When you've not been beside me
During the times when we were apart
So I'll reach out to you when you sleep
I'll try to connect with you while you sleep
And we'll dance and make love there under the trees
We'll express our love and dance together under the trees
And I know that you're hearing my song
I'm aware that you're listening to my song
And know I'm there beside you
And you can feel me being there beside you
I know you're here beside me
I'm sure that you're still here beside me
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.