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.
Holiday
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Save, saving up for a holiday
A week in Paris, a trip to Rome
I can't afford to go on my own
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
I've [Incomprehensible] my bikini
For my holiday
We won't go to Paris
It's full of things that you like too much
We won't go to Germany
It's full of girls that you like to touch
We won't go to Paris
It's full of things that you like too much
We won't go to Germany
It's full of girls that you like to touch
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
In "Holiday" by Metronomy, the lyrics tell the story of someone who has been saving up money for a vacation on their own, but is being pressured by their partner to go on vacation together. The singer has saved up enough to go to Paris or Rome but is being discouraged from these destinations because their partner likes them too much (in the case of Paris) or might be interested in other people (in the case of Germany). The repetition of "So you want me to yourself / Well, you must know that won't happen" emphasizes the singer's desire to maintain their independence and not sacrifice their vacation plans for someone else's whims.
The line "I've [incomprehensible] my bikini / For my holiday" suggests that the singer is excited and prepared for their upcoming trip, possibly indicating a sense of freedom and adventure. The theme of independence and freedom is further emphasized by the fact that the partner is not invited on the trip, despite their objections. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of frustration with the partner's attempts to control the situation and a determination to maintain autonomy and take the much-deserved vacation.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been watching my money
I've been saving my money
Save, saving up for a holiday
Saving up money to go on a vacation
A week in Paris, a trip to Rome
Planning a trip to Paris and Rome
I can't afford to go on my own
I can't afford to travel alone
So you want me to yourself
You want to have me all to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
But you should know that's not possible
I've [Incomprehensible] my bikini
I've packed my bikini
We won't go to Paris
We won't be going to Paris
It's full of things that you like too much
You have too many interests in Paris
We won't go to Germany
We won't be going to Germany
It's full of girls that you like to touch
You have a tendency to flirt with girls in Germany
So you want me to yourself
You want to have me all to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
But you should know that's not possible
So you want me to yourself
You want to have me all to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
But you should know that's not possible
So you want me to yourself
You want to have me all to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
But you should know that's not possible
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH PATRICK MOUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Isaac Reynoso
I've been watching my money
Save, saving up for a holiday
A week in Paris, a trip to Rome
I can't afford to go on my own
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
I've [Incomprehensible] my bikini
For my holiday
We won't go to Paris
It's full of things that you like too much
We won't go to Germany
It's full of girls that you like to touch
We won't go to Paris
It's full of things that you like too much
We won't go to Germany
It's full of girls that you like to touch
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
So you want me to yourself
Well, you must know that won't happen
Salomé
Esta canción es tremendo viaje, Metronomy siempre tiene su espectacular originalidad ♡
Gabriel Morais
I saw Metronomy live yesterday and they played this song. Honestly I never thought I'd hear it live, I guess they wouldn't play it anymore since they have newer stuff out. It was fucking awesome and the entire crowd loved it.
Brett Boatwright
I am 63 and fell in love with this song on first listen, and I believe when you create a list of the greatest songs of all time, a song must be at least 10 years old to make sure it sticks with you and does not date. Every time it pops up on my playlist I hit repeat many times, still now and I can safely say that this song is easily in the Top 10 of the Greatest Songs of All Time, along with Rick Lobster - B52s, Closer - NIN, Blue Monday - New Order, The Power and the Passion - Midnight Oil, I Turn My Camera On - Spoon, This Year - Mountaingoats, Me & Guilliani Down By the School - !!!, A Forest - The Cure and Muthafukka On a Motorcycle - Machine Gun Felatio. It takes a truly remarkable song to make my list and Holiday easily does it. You guys make my day everytime I hear your songs, never stop,
Sunday Skye
Love this band so much more with every song I hear.
Brother brian
You'd make a cute couple if im honest.
Amber Phillips
so what i like about this video (and song) is that they completely draw away from any idea of being appealing or inticing to basically anyone who does not have an open mind or a knack for things that are unique. i love that. they're just like "we're doing us and we're having fun, don't like it? we literally could not care less." nowhere ever does it say having fun and making good music means perfection.
David Cabrera
This band's sound is still so refreshing after all these years
Damo Winst
i think this music will stand the test of time for sure!
Mitzifer Nolasco S.
me acompaña en mis noches tristes, la amo, gracias por tantas joyas musicales, Metronomy
goredoll
I’ll never get over this song. Amazing.