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.
Werewolf
Metronomy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comes stepping along
He don't even break the branches where he's gone
Once I saw him in the moonlight, when the bats were a flying
I saw the werewolf, and the werewolf was crying
Cryin' nobody knows, nobody knows, body knows
How I loved the man, as I teared off his clothes.
When I see that it's risen; that fool moon again
For the werewolf, for the werewolf has sympathy
For the werewolf, somebody like you and me.
And only he goes to me, man this little flute I play.
All through the night, until the light of day, and we are doomed to play.
For the werewolf, for the werewolf, has sympathy
For the werewolf, somebody like you and me.
The song "Werewolf" by Metronomy tells the story of a werewolf who is wandering around in the night, crying and howling. The first verse describes the werewolf's movement as he steps along, without breaking any branches along his path. The singer reveals that he once saw the werewolf in the moonlight, with bats flying around. He describes the werewolf crying, which creates a sense of sympathy and pathos towards the creature.
The chorus suggests a sense of longing and pain. The werewolf is crying, and nobody knows why. The lyrics, "How I loved the man, as I teared off his clothes" provide a metaphorical context. It could represent how the werewolf is transforming from a man into a beast. The werewolf's pain is associated with its transformation into a beast during the full moon. As the moon rises, the werewolf transforms, and the pain the singer feels is due to the upcoming transformation.
The third verse contains lines that are somewhat puzzling at first glance - "Only he goes to me, man this little flute I play. All through the night, until the light of day, and we are doomed to play." It can be interpreted as the werewolf's flute-playing providing some sort of solace to the singer, and that they are both doomed to wander at night, playing their respective parts.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the werewolf, oh the werewolf
The singer is drawing attention to a mythical creature often associated with darkness and terror- the werewolf.
Comes stepping along
The werewolf moves gracefully despite its massive size, weight and power.
He don't even break the branches where he's gone
The werewolf treads carefully and masterfully, leaving no traces or destruction behind.
Once I saw him in the moonlight, when the bats were a flying
The singer recalls a particular sighting of the werewolf- at night, when the moon was out in full and the bats were out.
I saw the werewolf, and the werewolf was crying
The werewolf, often depicted as a monster, was crying, indicating that it may have emotions and vulnerabilities like any other creature.
Cryin' nobody knows, nobody knows, body knows
The werewolf's tears are private, and even though it appears like he is sad, nobody knows why he is crying.
How I loved the man, as I teared off his clothes.
The werewolf is not the only creature with emotions- the singer once loved a man passionately to the point that they tore off his clothes.
Cryin' nobody know, nobody knows my pain
The singer's pain is as private as the werewolf's tears- nobody knows how they feel inside.
When I see that it's risen; that fool moon again
The sight of the full moon triggers the singer's pain and longing.
For the werewolf, for the werewolf has sympathy
Despite being a dangerous creature, the werewolf has the ability to feel and understand the pain of others.
For the werewolf, somebody like you and me.
The werewolf is not so different from humans, and possesses characteristics that we can relate to.
And only he goes to me, man this little flute I play.
The singer is able to communicate and connect with the werewolf through music, using a small flute to do so.
All through the night, until the light of day, and we are doomed to play.
The singer and the werewolf spend the night playing music, but their connection and joy are short-lived, as they are both cursed and fated to their respective forms.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: MICHAEL HURLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind