Coming from a family with a keen musical interest, Flannery was introduced to folk and blues music at a young age. He says that he wrote his first song at the age of fifteen. When he was in school he got together with a few local guys and formed a rock band called Black Orange but their gigging history was sporadic and they went their separate ways a few years after. Later, while undergoing a music and management course at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in Cork, Flannery commenced writing the album that would become "Evening Train", an eleven-track concept album about the exploits of two brothers. Released in 2007, the album was received positively by critics in Ireland and the United States.
Flannery's second studio album "White Lies" was released on 12 September 2008, achieving a top ten position on the Irish Albums Chart. It later went platinum and was nominated for the Choice Music Prize.
Flannery released his third studio album, Red to Blue, on 30 March 2012.
Official site: www.mickflannery.com
Up on that Hill
Mick Flannery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of all that you are made
It didn't start with you
As much as you would like it to
The path they set you on
Your battles lost and won
The fakin' and the show
All them things you think you want
And in the land where all are mourning
You hear the band you hear them call
You can be happy
You can be happy
You stood up on that hill
You thought you'd had your fill
Didn't want no pedestal
But mark my words you will
You heard your story told
You felt you were getting old
You thought it time to go
But you couldn't find no share of gold
That set you back on down the road
So take your hopes and woes
Take your bruised ego
Light a fire here
Where the air is clear
Or take your sorrow, man
To your selfish land
Run your poor mouth there
See if they care
In Mick Flannery's song Up on that Hill, the lyrics talk about the idea of identity and how it is influenced by one's past and present. The opening lyrics, "The blood that runs your veins, of all that you are made, it didn't start with you, as much as you would like it to" suggest that one's identity is inherited and shaped by one's family, ancestors and society at large. The following lines, "The path they set you on, your battles lost and won, the fakin' and the show, and all you thought you wanted, all them things you think you want" refer to the expectations and pressures society puts on individuals, making them shape their identity according to societal norms and values.
The lyrics go on to describe a land where everyone is mourning and the band's music calling out to someone to be happy. "You can be happy, you can be happy," the band sings. This could be interpreted as a metaphorical call to let go of the past, the expectations of others, and embrace what gives them joy. The chorus, "You stood up on that hill, you thought you had your fill, didn't want no pedestal, but mark my words, you will," suggests that a person can only know themselves by rising above their circumstances and experiences. However, the lyrics also caution that self-discovery can be a lonely and challenging journey.
In the final verses of Up on that Hill, Flannery's lyrics offer two options: one can either try to find happiness by lightening the burden of their emotions or by running away from their problems by seeking self-preservation. "So take your hopes and woes, take your bruised ego, light a fire here where the air is clear," is a plea for individuals to face their problems and try to overcome them. On the other hand, "take your sorrow, man, to your selfish land, run your poor mouth there, see if they care," suggests that escape from problem-solving is a form of selfishness.
Line by Line Meaning
The blood that run your veins
You are the product of your ancestry and there is nothing you can do to change that.
Of all that you are made
Your identity and existence is the result of generations of genetics, culture, and experience.
It didn't start with you
You are not solely responsible for the person you have become, as your environment had a significant role to play.
As much as you would like it to
You cannot change your history, but you can change your future.
The path they set you on
You were given certain expectations and standards to uphold which influenced your choices and experiences.
Your battles lost and won
You have faced challenges in your life and have succeeded and failed in various battles.
The fakin' and the show
You have put on a façade in various situations and have acted in a way that was not authentic to yourself.
And all you thought you wanted
You have pursued certain goals and ambitions which you thought would bring you happiness and fulfillment.
All them things you think you want
The material possessions you desire will not bring you true happiness.
And in the land where all are mourning
The world can be a dark and depressing place with many hardships.
You hear the band you hear them call
Despite the difficulties, you must find hope and meaning in the beauty that surrounds you.
You can be happy
Happiness is possible and achievable, even in moments of sorrow.
You can be happy
Happiness is possible and achievable, even in moments of sorrow.
You stood up on that hill
You took a moment to reflect and gain perspective on your life.
You thought you'd had your fill
You thought you had experienced enough in your life and were ready to move on.
Didn't want no pedestal
You did not crave attention or fame, and desired a simple life.
But mark my words you will
Despite this desire, you will inevitably become known or remembered for something in your life.
You heard your story told
You have experienced a sense of clarity and understanding of your life journey.
You felt you were getting old
You feel time is moving quickly and you are getting older with each passing year.
You thought it time to go
You contemplated leaving this earth and moving on from this life.
But you couldn't find no share of gold
You have not achieved the level of success or fulfillment that you had hoped for in your life.
That set you back on down the road
This failure has caused you to question your purpose and direction in life and has forced you to start over again.
So take your hopes and woes
Take control of your dreams and struggles.
Take your bruised ego
Deal with the damage to your self-esteem caused by past failures.
Light a fire here
Ignite a new passion and purpose in your current situation.
Where the air is clear
In an environment that is honest and transparent, free of deceit and lies.
Or take your sorrow, man
Alternatively, you can hold onto your pain and grief.
To your selfish land
Keep this grief to yourself and let it consume you.
Run your poor mouth there
Complain and express your misery to others without action or resolution.
See if they care
No one will empathize or help you if you do not take responsibility for yourself.
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.