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.
Drunk
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta $5 in my pocket
Want to buy me some gin
A drop of gas in the tank, let me
Think it over again
'Cause I'd rather be drunk on a cloud
Away from here than to be sober,
So sober
No friends comin' through I think I lost 'em all
No man to take their place
So I decided to make this call
That I'd rather be drunk and
Drive away from
Here
I don't want to be sober, no not sober
Yea
(CHORUS)
Broke and alone
No where to go
And lonlieness is killin' me s-s-slow
(Verse 2)
One stog left to light
I think I'll smoke just a half
By the time I finish this drink
I'll roll the last of the grass
'cause I'd rather feel pumped
Than to drown in my tears
That'll help me peel over, sleep the night sober
Yea
Did I drink too much?
'cause the road's all lop-sided
I only drove a small way
I thought I swore not to take this right
Now my air's bein' pumped
And I'm drenched in my tears
I don't want to peel over, just want to be sober
Yea
(Repeat chorus)
I wish I could have listened to my consience
And not drunk a drip
I wouldn't be here in so many pieces
I shouldn't have drank a sip
(Heavy breathing as music fades)
The song "Drunk" by Metronomy appears to be a narrative about someone who wants to escape from their life by getting drunk. The song seems to be about trying to escape their loneliness and misery by getting drunk. The singer wants to buy gin and get high as they feel it will help them forget their problems. They are seen driving despite being drunk and they contemplate how they would rather be drunk on a cloud than present in their current life. The singer admits they preferred being inebriated than sober.
The chorus repeats the theme of the singer's loneliness and struggles. They are broke and alone, and the loneliness is killing them slowly. In the second verse, the singer appears to be almost sorry for their decision to get drunk. They realise that drinking has led them down the wrong road, and now they would like to be sober instead. They long to escape their misery but now regret their earlier decisions.
One can speculate that the song is about the cyclical nature of addiction, and how it pulls the singer in different directions. They want to escape reality with alcohol, but they feel sad when they are sober, and when they drink too much, they regret it. The song is haunting and serves as a cautionary tale.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta $5 in my pocket
I have only $5 and I want to buy some gin
Want to buy me some gin
I want to buy myself gin
A drop of gas in the tank, let me
Think it over again
I have very little gas left in my car and I need to think again before making a decision
'Cause I'd rather be drunk on a cloud
Away from here than to be sober,
So sober
Yea
I prefer to be drunk and escape reality than to be sober and face my problems
No friends comin' through I think I lost 'em all
No man to take their place
So I decided to make this call
That I'd rather be drunk and
Drive away from
Here
I have lost my friends and I am lonely, so I rather be drunk and drive away from here
I don't want to be sober, no not sober
Yea
I don't want to be sober
One stog left to light
I think I'll smoke just a half
By the time I finish this drink
I'll roll the last of the grass
I have one cigarette left to smoke and I want to smoke half of it, then I'll smoke the last of my weed
'cause I'd rather feel pumped
Than to drown in my tears
That'll help me peel over, sleep the night sober
I'd rather be high and feel good than to feel sad and cry, smoking will help me sleep sober tonight
Did I drink too much?
'cause the road's all lop-sided
I only drove a small way
I thought I swore not to take this right
Now my air's bein' pumped
And I'm drenched in my tears
I don't want to peel over, just want to be sober
Yea
I am questioning if I drank too much because the road looks distorted, I only drove a short distance but I am lost, now I am crying and don't want to feel sick, just want to be sober
Broke and alone
No where to go
And lonliness is killin' me s-s-slow
I am broke and lonely. I have nowhere to go and my loneliness is slowly killing me
I wish I could have listened to my consience
And not drunk a drip
I wouldn't be here in so many pieces
I shouldn't have drank a sip
I regret not listening to my conscience and drinking alcohol, I am hurt and regretful that I drank
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CHARLENE KEYS, CRAIG BROCKMAN, NISAN STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Love Story Mobile Winery
After Markquett, after his sentencing, after lil Rayful, in between T, in between, boss, being pregnant and married. Being sober the first time. Broke and alone. 16 years ago . I came along way