Metronomy began in the tiny, bohemian market town of Totnes, Devon, when Joseph’s Dad sold his son a computer so he could sit in his bedroom and make electronic music. He was inspired by the likes of Autechre, LFO and Aphex Twin, more as a creative hobby than a pop masterplan.
After decamping to Brighton for Uni, Metronomy released their debut album in June 2006. It was called Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe), and its obtuse but fascinating, largely instrumental electro-pop reflected the eccentricity of its title, and the enduring influence of Totnes.
Joseph admits that he only, finally, saw the commercial possibilities of Metronomy when DJ, producer, Trash founder and electro-punk avatar Erol Alkan began to feature the single You Could Easily Have Me in his sets, and asked Metronomy to play at his club. Cue the need for a proper live show, and the additions of Gabriel Stebbing, Oscar Cash, dance routines and clothes that blink.
Move on 2 years and Nights Out a wonky love-child of Giorgio Moroder, New Order, Pet Shop Boys and Unfinished Sympathy is a second album that feels like a debut. The first to be vocal-led, with the self-effacing Joseph stepping up and grabbing the mic for most of the tracks; and, crucially, the first to introduce Metronomy as a fully live propsition, rather than a pseudonym for Joseph‘s solo work.
As Metronomy’s busy touring schedule built a buzz amongst kids who instinctively get the dance/art crossover, In April 2009 the Metronomy show took another leap in its evolution, with the addition for the first time of a live drummer in Anna Prior, and bassist Gbenga Adelekan. The new Metronomy was completely live, proving it is possible for electronic bands to put on show as authentic as any rock band.
Meanwhile Joseph has embarked on a series of prestigious remixes for the likes of Klaxons, Franz Ferdinand, Gorillaz and collaborations with Kate Nash and Florence and The Machine. Metronomy produced part of the highly acclaimed Roots Manuva album Slime and Reason.
Back On The Motorway
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So now she's run off with my car
But I can't live without her
(and it's so hard to take)
So I've set off out to find her
I'm back on the motorway
At this wheel I'd drive the earth for her Every carriageway a mile for her
These five gears and wheels could drive to her
But this carriageway can't take me there
Drivin' at ninety miles per hour
It's hard to know what's comin'
Then on the horizon
Something makes me brake
I can see me darlin' ahead on the motorway
(I can see us dying on the bonnet of a chevrolet)
So why's my baby lying on the side of the motorway
(I wish that I had never said the things that I'd told her today)
'Cos now she's left me crying on the shoulder of the motorway
At this wheel I'd drive the earth for her
Every carriageway a mile for her
These five gears and wheels could drive to her
But this carriageway can't take me there
The lyrics of Metronomy's "Back on the Motorway" tell the tale of a man who realizes he has made a grave mistake by breaking his lover's heart, causing her to leave him and take his car with her. Despite the pain he is in, he cannot imagine living without her, so he embarks on a journey to find her. As he travels down the motorway at breakneck speed, he reflects on his feelings and what he would do to get back to his lover.
The first verse sets the scene for the rest of the song. The singer admits that he has played with his lover's heart, leading her to run off with his car. Despite the fact that he knows what he did was wrong, he still wants her back in his life. He sets off on a journey to find her, embarking on the motorway with the hope of catching up to her. The second verse is more introspective, as the singer reflects on his love for his lost companion. He declares that he would do anything to be with her, even if it means driving the earth for her. However, he begins to realize that his current mode of transportation is not enough to get him to where he needs to be. No matter how fast he tries to drive, he is unable to get to his lover.
The chorus of the song reinforces this idea. The singer laments that he is back on the motorway, but this time he is unable to reach his destination. He realizes that he may never be able to make up for what he has done, and that his love may be lost forever. The final verse is the most poignant, as the singer reflects on the pain and sadness he feels. He expresses deep regret for the things he said to his lover, wishing that he had never spoken them. Now that she is gone, he is left crying on the side of the motorway, with no idea how to move forward.
Overall, "Back on the Motorway" is a haunting song that captures the pain and confusion of love gone wrong. The lyrics are simple but powerful, conveying a sense of loss and longing that is palpable. It is a masterful example of Metronomy's songwriting abilities, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
I went and messed around with her heart
I hurt her emotionally and played with her feelings
So now she's run off with my car
As a result of my behavior, she took my car and left
But I can't live without her
Despite what happened, I still love her and can't imagine life without her
(and it's so hard to take)
This situation is unbearable for me to deal with
So I've set off out to find her
I'm determined to locate her and make things right
I'm back on the motorway
I'm driving back on the main road to track her down
At this wheel I'd drive the earth for her
I care about her deeply and I'm willing to go to any length to make things right
Every carriageway a mile for her
I'm willing to travel as far as needed to find her and make amends
These five gears and wheels could drive to her
My car is the tool that will get me to her
But this carriageway can't take me there
The road I'm on can't bring me to her physically or emotionally
Drivin' at ninety miles per hour
I'm speeding, in a hurry to find her and make things right
It's hard to know what's comin'
I can't predict what will happen next
Then on the horizon
Suddenly in the distance, in my view
Something makes me brake
I must stop suddenly for an unknown reason
I can see me darlin' ahead on the motorway
I saw her in the distance on the road, my love is still there
(I can see us dying on the bonnet of a chevrolet)
Despite my love, I can predict that this could end tragically
So why's my baby lying on the side of the motorway
I arrived too late and now she's hurt and alone on the side of the road
(I wish that I had never said the things that I'd told her today)
I regret the hurtful things I said that pushed her away
'Cos now she's left me crying on the shoulder of the motorway
The road has become a place of emotional pain and regret for me
Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Baguenaudeur
Man early Metronomy was something else
@accountnamewithheld
good?
@TheAustralianTomato
that intro, song of healing anyone?
@toanton8459
This song has the most epic intro in metronomys history
@gazelle8431
Metronomy know how to do epic intros
@maanceto2
Metronomy is one of the few bands that made me like all of their musics!
@peanut9633
Sounds so good on speakers but pierces my right ear through headphones
@FlavioDiniz
They sould make a music video about this music. I always imagine the entire clip in my mind when I listen to this music ^^
@darthhades80
This song hits so hard
@maxk880
My favorite track from the album :D