Metronomy began in the tiny, bohemian market town of Totnes, Devon, when Josephâs 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 ÂŁ5000 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 Josephâs solo work.
As Metronomyâs 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.
How Say
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You left me nothing but a lot of memories and pain
I thought that you were happy
That we would be forever but I was wrong
I couldn't see the signs you gave
You never even let me know, no, no, no
How could you say you love me
If you really didn't mean it?
Baby, I trusted you with all my heart
You took my love, tore it apart
How could you say you love me
If you didn't mean it, if you didn't mean it?
No, no, didn't mean it
I never left your side, I was there through thick and thin
And baby when you would cry, your heart I would always mend
How could you throw love away? You left me flat right on my face
I'm so sad, my feelings all have run away
And I'm living in loneliness, so lonely, so lonely
How could you say you love me
If you really didn't mean it?
I gave you all the love I had to give
Baby, I trusted you with all my heart
You took my love, tore it apart
How could you say you love me
If you didn't mean it, if you didn't mean it?
How could you say you love me
If you really didn't mean it?
I gave you all the love I had to give
Baby, I trusted you with all my heart
You took my love, tore it apart
How could you say you love me
If you didn't mean it, if you didn't mean it?
Tore my love, tore my heart, baby
You hurt me so bad, now I'm standing here so sad
Oh, babe, oh, my, my baby
Don't know what to do
Don't know what to say
Don't know how to feel, hurt me so bad
If you didn't mean it
You shouldn't have said
In the song "How Say" by Metronomy, the lyrics describe the pain and heartache of a failed relationship. The singer is addressing their former lover and expressing their hurt and confusion about how they could have claimed to love them but then left them in the rain with nothing but memories and pain. The singer had believed that they were happy and would be together forever, but now realizes that they were wrong and could not see the signs that their lover was giving. The singer gave all their love and trust to their partner, but now feels abandoned and alone.
The chorus of the song repeatedly asks the question, "How could you say you love me if you really didn't mean it?" The singer feels betrayed and hurt that their former lover could make such a strong claim of love and commitment and then turn around and abandon them. The hurt is so deep that the singer is unable to process their feelings and is left standing in sadness and confusion.
Overall, the song deals with the pain of heartbreak and the confusion that comes when someone we love does not seem to reciprocate our feelings. It is a universal theme that many people can relate to, and the lyrics are written in a way that captures the emotional turmoil of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
You really hurt me, you left me out in the rain
You caused me real emotional pain, abandoned me to suffer alone.
You left me nothing but a lot of memories and pain
All I have left from our relationship are painful memories and heartache.
I thought that you were happy
I believed that you were content and joyful in our relationship.
That we would be forever but I was wrong
I had faith in our love lasting indefinitely, but I was mistaken.
I couldn't see the signs you gave
I was unaware of the hints and signals you gave me about our relationship breaking down.
You never even let me know, no, no, no
You never communicated to me that our love was fading away, you just let it happen.
How could you say you love me
I question the truth in your statements of love.
If you really didn't mean it?
If your words were not sincere, why did you speak them?
I gave you all the love I had to give
I devoted all of my love and affection towards you.
Baby, I trusted you with all my heart
I trusted you completely, with all of my heart and soul.
You took my love, tore it apart
You destroyed my love and shattered my heart.
No, no, didn't mean it
You did not truly love me.
I never left your side, I was there through thick and thin
I stood by you unfalteringly, through all the good and bad times.
And baby when you would cry, your heart I would always mend
Whenever you were sad, I offered you emotional support and comfort.
How could you throw love away? You left me flat right on my face
Why would you waste our love and dump me so carelessly?
I'm so sad, my feelings all have run away
I am extremely upset and my emotions have become numb.
And I'm living in loneliness, so lonely, so lonely
I am now consumed by loneliness and isolation.
Tore my love, tore my heart, baby
You ravaged my love and broke my heart, my dear.
You hurt me so bad, now I'm standing here so sad
Your actions caused me immense pain, and now I am left with sorrow and despair.
Oh, babe, oh, my, my baby
An expression of affection towards the other person.
Don't know what to do
I am unsure of what to do next.
Don't know what to say
I am at a loss for words.
Don't know how to feel, hurt me so bad
I am unable to process my emotions, due to the severe hurt I am experiencing.
If you didn't mean it
If your love was not genuine.
You shouldn't have said
You should not have voiced your love to me falsely.
Writer(s): Joseph Patrick Mount Copyright: Metronomy Ltd.
Contributed by Elijah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To Anton
Pip Paine is propably my favourite album from metronomy, the original sound of every track even though there are hardly any vocals yet it's so good and provides same kind of emotions like newer albums.
Pickchore
This is the only Metronomy I acknowledge.
Pickchore
Amazing track.
The high pitch synth from 1:50 that drops right down is my favourite.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
this song makes me so happy and i don't know why
Karla Itzel
One does not simply forget about this firsts albums great songs
I fucking love Metronomy <3
Riannas Art
Do u still REMEBER itâs been 4 years
Ovsky
vraiment SHAME a tout ce qu'y connaissent pas !!! du lourd du propre du metronomy a l'ancienne quoi !
Ruy Camargos
an exquisite electronic piece
Lucrezia Ciaffaglione
why isn't this on Spotify?? đ˘
Ismael L
This song make me wanna dance like a stupid