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.
Lately
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For someone like her to get in contact with me
She could be the greatest
I know she'd be the greatest
If only she was open to see me
It's alright though
'Cause I got time
Time isn't my essence and time isn't the line
She'll give me a buzz
I'll call her my baby
And she'll call me her cuz
Well, I think I'm in love 'cause
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
Well, that is love
Yeah, that is love and it's hard to do
It's a job for two
How do I do what I do
If I don't get nothing from you?
And I've so much work what to do
Yeah, I've so much work to do now
Oh, it's work for you 'cause
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
The singer of Metronomy's "Lately" is eagerly waiting for someone special to get in touch with him. He believes that she has the potential to be the "greatest" if only she was open to seeing him. He reassures himself that it's alright because he has time, and time isn't the line for him. He is confident that she will eventually give him a call and he will finally be able to call her his "baby" while she calls him her "cuz." The singer reflects that he may be in love.
In the chorus, the singer confesses that he has been calling this person lately, even when he has nothing to do. He believes that this is love, but acknowledges that it is not an easy task. Loving someone is a job for two people, and he wonders how he can continue to do his part if he doesn't get anything in return from the person he loves. The singer recognizes that he has a lot of work to do, but he is willing to do it for her.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been waiting around
I've been patiently waiting for a certain someone to contact me
For someone like her to get in contact with me
I'm specifically waiting for a woman to contact me
She could be the greatest
I believe this woman has incredible potential
I know she'd be the greatest
I'm certain that if she only knew me, she'd be impressed
If only she was open to see me
Unfortunately, this woman is not yet aware of my existence or potential
It's alright though
Despite the situation, I'm okay with waiting and hoping for her to notice me
'Cause I got time
I'm not in a rush. I have the patience to wait for her
Time isn't my essence and time isn't the line
I'm not obsessed with time or the idea of things happening quickly
She'll give me a buzz
I anticipate that someday this woman will contact me
I'll call her my baby
If she gives me the chance, I want her to be my girlfriend
And she'll call me her cuz
I hope that she'll feel comfortable being close with me, like family
Well, I think I'm in love 'cause
I believe that I am falling in love with this woman
Lately, I call you
Recently, I've tried to contact you
When I do nothing, oh
Even when I don't have any particular reason to contact you
Well, that is love
This behavior of constantly trying to connect indicates that I am in love
Yeah, that is love and it's hard to do
Trying to pursue someone who is not yet interested is a difficult task
It's a job for two
A relationship requires effort and attention from both parties
How do I do what I do
Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying to pursue this woman
If I don't get nothing from you?
I feel like I've gotten no response from her yet
And I've so much work what to do
In the meantime, I have other things to occupy my time
Yeah, I've so much work to do now
I have responsibilities and tasks to attend to, despite my feelings for her
Oh, it's work for you 'cause
If this woman ever gets involved with me, it will require some effort and commitment from her as well.
Lately, I call you
I still try to contact you, even though I haven't heard back from you
When I do nothing, oh
It seems like I'm just calling for the sake of calling, but it's really because I have feelings for you
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Joseph Patrick Kennith Mount
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JoseCots
I've been waiting around
For someone like her to get in contact with me
She could be the greatest
I know she'd be the greatest
If only she was open to see me
It's alright though
'Cause I got time
Time isn't my essence and time isn't the line
It's alright though
She'll give me a buzz
I'll call her my baby
And she'll call me her cuz
Well, I think I'm in love 'cause
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
Well, that is love
Yeah, that is love and it's hard to do
It's a job for two
How do I do what I do
If I don't get nothing from you?
And I've so much work what to do
Yeah, I've so much work to do now
Oh, it's work for you 'cause
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
Lately, I call you
When I do nothing, oh
Alytella
I was sleeping while listening to my spotify playlist and this song came on. It was like 2 am and waking up to this song in a dark room lit up by the street lights from outside was one of the most amazing experiences, didn't realize how good this song is.
Outer Space Tarot 🪐
This just made my day.
C
Cheesy
Qasim Anwar
I just can't stop listening to Metronomy, its been over a decade and everything just keeps turning into diamonds.
Wayo Mono
Wow enserio que han cambiado su sonido. ME ENCANTA SU MÚSICA METRONOMY, NUNCA DECEPCIONAN
Jurianug
Can't wait to hate it at first but then end up loving it the more I listen to it like everything else they release
Jinx
I liked it at first ♡
Kayan Pontes
I liked it at first too. Sounds like Bloc Party + Two Door Cinema Club with the trademark synths that make Metronomy recognizable.
Wasert
Jurianug that didn’t happened with The English Riviera... that one is insta Love
ozimek.official
Jurianug so trueee hahaha ❤️