Midlake began in 1999 by a group of jazz students at the University of North Texas. The original lineup consisted of Tim Smith (vocals, guitars, keyboards), McKenzie Smith (drums), Paul Alexander (bass), Eric Nichelson (guitar), and Evan Jacobs (keyboards). Their initial work (under the working name The Cornbread All-Stars) consisted of funk/jazz explorations heavily influenced by Herbie Hancock.
Later the band began to lean more toward an indie rock sound. Tim Smith quit playing saxophone and began writing songs that were heavily influenced by bands such as Jethro Tull, Radiohead, Travis, and Grandaddy. Smith says about that: "We don't want to get called a Radiohead rip-off band. I think Radiohead is a lot closer to my natural tendencies as a songwriter than a band like, um, Jethro Tull. I listen to way more Jethro Tull than I do Radiohead these days, but I could write 10 Radiohead songs before I could write one Jethro Tull song. I want to sound more like Jethro Tull, but I just can't. That's a big struggle."
Jacobs left the band and Eric Nichelson took over on keyboard. Jason Upshaw joined the band as a guitarist. Live recordings from this period, recorded at Denton's Panhandle House studio, were never released as the band felt they had moved beyond the material.
Soon before their debut EP, Milkmaid Grand Army, was recorded, Upshaw was replaced on guitars by Eric Pulido, a longtime friend of drummer Smith, to form the current lineup. Their debut full-length album, 2004's Bamnan and Slivercork, was recorded at home in Denton, Texas and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. It showed a move in the direction of lo-fi psychedelic electronica, embracing influences such as Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips. The album even caught the ear of skateboarder-turned-actor Jason Lee, who produced and directed the music video for the song 'Balloon Maker', and who continues to support and promote the band.
In 2006, after nearly a year and a half of recording and re-recording, they completed their second release for Bella Union – The Trials of Van Occupanther. The album was met with generally positive reviews.
The 3rd album release by the band is called The Courage of Others. It was released on February 1, 2010. The album sleeve pays homage to Andrei Rublev, a 1966 film by Russian writer and director Andrei Tarkovsky.
In this album Smith focusing on the human condition, death, courage (as per the album’s title), and nature. The band put aside the wonderfully corny synthesizers they used on the last record in favor of a 100-percent organic approach that fits their bearded poets of the mountain image. The album received overwhelmingly positive review.
www.midlake.net
The Blacksmith
Midlake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He fairly won my heart, wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand he looked so clever
And if I were with my love I would live forever
Oh where has my love gone with his cheeks like roses
He is gone across the sea gathering primroses
I'm afraid the shining sun might burn and scorch his beauty
Strange news is a-come to town, strange news is carried
Strange news flies up and down that my love is married
Oh I wish them both great joy, though they don't hear me
And if I were with my love I would do my duty
What did you promise me when you lay beside me
You said you'd marry me and not deny me
If I said I'd marry you twas only to try you
So bring your witness love and I'll not deny you
The lyrics of Midlake's song "The Blacksmith" tell a story of a woman who falls in love with a blacksmith. She is initially taken with his skill and cleverness, and eventually falls for him and receives a letter from him. However, he is taken away from her as he goes across the sea to collect primroses. Fearing for his beauty, she wishes she could be with him to protect him. Suddenly, strange news comes to town that he has married someone else. The woman wishes him joy, but she is heartbroken.
In the final verse, the woman confronts her former lover about his promises to marry her before he left. He admits that he only said it to try her, and refuses to marry her. The song thus ends on a cynical note, with the woman left alone and disappointed.
Overall, the song can be seen as an exploration of themes such as love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of life. It portrays the pain and disappointment that can come from a failed relationship, but also suggests that one can learn from such experiences and become wiser as a result.
Line by Line Meaning
A blacksmith courted me nine months or better
A blacksmith pursued me for a lengthy period of time.
He fairly won my heart, wrote me a letter
He successfully captured my love and expressed it through writing.
With his hammer in his hand he looked so clever
The blacksmith looked skilled with his tool in hand.
And if I were with my love I would live forever
Being with the blacksmith would make life feel everlasting.
Oh where has my love gone with his cheeks like roses
Where has my lover disappeared to with his rosy cheeks?
He is gone across the sea gathering primroses
He has traveled across the sea to gather flowers.
I'm afraid the shining sun might burn and scorch his beauty
I'm concerned that the sun may harm his good looks.
And if I were with my love I would do my duty
If I were with him, I would fulfill my responsibilities.
Strange news is a-come to town, strange news is carried
Unusual rumors are spreading around town.
Strange news flies up and down that my love is married
There are rumors that my lover has gotten married.
Oh I wish them both great joy, though they don't hear me
Although they cannot hear me, I want them to be happy.
And if I were with my love I would do my duty
If I were with him, I would behave appropriately.
What did you promise me when you lay beside me
What did my lover promise me when we were together?
You said you'd marry me and not deny me
He told me he would marry me without hesitation.
If I said I'd marry you twas only to try you
If I claimed I would marry him, it was only a test.
So bring your witness love and I'll not deny you
If he brings someone to vouch for his promise, I will not refuse him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEOFF SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mike tormey
The best..I just wish late night tales would put these classic's out on vinyl..
mike tormey
Just amazing..wish there was an unmixed vinyl version
stephen roche
The nearest you'll get to one is a live version or from the peel sessions you could try the fast and slow versions both are on here
YossarianTheMeerkat
No I like the other better too but its so great they mix up things and keep it interesting
nachtrichterC
It sounds like a modified version, Not really an improvement.