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
Smile
Melanie Garside Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And people walk around with nothing to say
I walk the roads and I look at the floor
Because there the sky's always grey
There are markets and people, men selling flowers
Coffee shops with windows to while away the hours
You were lost, you were lost in your own insecurity
Send your smile be happy be happy be happy with
Now I'm sitting and I'm looking at the floor
And I'm thinking about you and what you said last night
You look so beautiful in candlelight to me
And there's nothing I can add to that
There are dirty unwashed curtains, china cats in windows
Women stand out on doorsteps with nothing to do, nothing to do
You were lost, you were lost in your own insecurity
Send your smile, be happy be with me
Send your smile, be happy, be happy, be happy with me
Feeling touch me moving closer
Feeling touch me moving closer
They mean nothing, no, nothing, no, nothing
They mean nothing, no, nothing, no, nothing, nothing, nothing
Send your smile, be happy, be with me
Send your smile, be happy, be happy, be happy with me
Send your smile, send your smile and be happy with me, be happy with me
The lyrics of Melanie Garside's song "Smile" paint a picture of a dull and lifeless town where people have nothing to talk about and the sky is always grey. The singer walks around lost in their own thoughts, looking at the ground while observing the different markets, coffee shops, and people selling flowers. They reminisce about a conversation they had with someone they care about the previous night, stating that they looked beautiful in candlelight. The singer is aware of the mundane and bleak surroundings they find themselves in and addresses the insecurity of the person they are thinking about. The chorus repeats "Send your smile, be happy, be with me" as the singer expresses the desire for the person to be in their life and to find happiness together.
The lyrics evoke a sense of isolation and loneliness despite being surrounded by people. The singer is searching for a connection with the person they care about and a way out of the mundane existence they find themselves in. The message of the song is simple, yet heartfelt - the singer longs for the person they care about to share their happiness and smile with them.
Line by Line Meaning
In this town where the streets never change
The town is mundane and lacks individuality, with nothing new to offer.
And people walk around with nothing to say
People here are either uncommunicative or have nothing to share of value.
I walk the roads and I look at the floor
The singer is disengaged and uninterested in the surroundings.
Because there the sky's always grey
The atmosphere of the town is constantly gloomy and depressing.
There are markets and people, men selling flowers
There are events and merchants, but they don't offer anything new or worthwhile.
Coffee shops with windows to while away the hours
The only entertainment options are mundane coffee shops, where people waste their time.
You were lost, you were lost in your own insecurity
The person being addressed was preoccupied with their own insecurities and issues.
Send your smile be happy be with me
The artist is requesting the other person's attention and affection.
Now I'm sitting and I'm looking at the floor
The artist is still disengaged and uninterested in their surroundings.
And I'm thinking about you and what you said last night
The artist is consumed with thoughts of the other person and their words.
You look so beautiful in candlelight to me
The singer finds the other person's appearance appealing and attractive.
And there's nothing I can add to that
The artist is unable to add any new or original thoughts to their adoration.
There are dirty unwashed curtains, china cats in windows
The surroundings are unclean and cluttered, with no aesthetic value.
Women stand out on doorsteps with nothing to do, nothing to do
The singer is surrounded by people who are idle and lack purpose.
Feeling touch me moving closer
The singer is physically attracted to the other person.
They mean nothing, no, nothing, no, nothing
The physical sensations hold no significance without emotional connection.
Send your smile, be happy be with me
The artist reiterates their desire for the other person's attention and affection.
Send your smile, be happy, be happy, be happy with me
The singer wants the other person to be content and joyful in their presence.
Send your smile, send your smile and be happy with me, be happy with me
The singer pleads with the other person to share their happiness and be together in joy.
Contributed by Samuel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.