The band originally started in 1997. They first specialized in remixes, and became known after the release of their mix of "Tequila", by Terrorvision. They were championed by British dance guru Norman Cook, whose DJ sets regularly included their work. Their sound was similar to his, to the extent that some people mistakenly believed Mint Royale to be a pseudonym for Cook himself. Their first album, On the Ropes was released in late 1999, and though it was not a big sales hit, some songs from it have achieved recognition. The single "Don't Falter", featuring Lauren Laverne from Kenickie, was a minor hit in the British charts. The song "From Rusholme with Love" has been made recognisable through its extensive use in film and television series soundtracks. Notable examples include the theme tune for the film Kung Pow! Enter The Fist, as well as being present on the soundtrack of the films Vanilla Sky, Get Carter, Serendipity and the television series ALIAS and Spaced. The song "Because I'm Worth It" has also been used as the theme tune for the Jamie Theakston and Zoë Ball chat show The Priory.
The band released their second album, Dancehall Places, in 2002, and afterwards embarked on a series of live shows and a UK tour in 2003
Mint Royale returned to the studio to start writing and recording their third album in the April of 2004. The next few months were a turbulent time for Mint Royale with founding member Chris Baker parting company with the band. However, Neil and the resident vocalists returned to the studio to complete the recording of the third album (January 2005) and the result was ‘See You In The Morning’. In 2005 the group released "Waiting in the Rain" on the "Wait for You" EP - a remix of Singin' in the Rain, which was featured in the January 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTI commercial. It reached initially #20 on the UK Singles Chart after it was released as a single (remixed and renamed as "Singing In the Rain"). This version also features on the album "See You in the Morning".
Neil Claxton ended Mint Royale on March 16, 2016, releasing the single "Time" along with some goodbye messages. until 2016. In 2020, Claxton returned to releasing music under the Mint Royale name.
Don't Falter
Mint Royale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And think too slow and drink too fast
Life had me blue and black
Till someone came and changed me back
Now you see life
These colors shimmering around you
You must decide
To risk your heart for love to find you
Hey, don't falter
You know we ought to be together
Strange, I saw ya, I sorta knew it was for ever
Please, stay with me
And never miss a chance to kiss me
Babe, I love yah
When you're with me its always summer
Now everything is fine
Because he is officially mine
And as long as we've got each other
It's gonna be officially summer
You're hypnotised
By these colours all around you
You must decide
To risk your heart for love to find you
It's only right
To have a little love around you
You must decide
To risk your heart
The lyrics to Mint Royale's song "Don't Falter" tell a story of transformation and taking risks. The singer starts out feeling down and disconnected from life, but then someone comes along and changes everything for them. They now see colors shimmering around them and must decide whether or not to risk their heart for love. The chorus urges the listener not to falter and to take a chance on love, with the singer also telling their beloved to stay with them and never miss a chance to kiss them.
The verses are about the singer's past and present, with the first verse describing how they used to feel and drink, and the second verse proclaiming that everything is now fine because they have found love. The bridge encourages the listener to be open to love and to have a little bit of it around them at all times. The song has a cheerful, upbeat feel to it, and the repeated message of not faltering and taking a chance on love is both encouraging and endearing.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to feel so sad
In the past, I used to experience a feeling of unhappiness.
And think too slow and drink too fast
At that time, I used to have sluggish thinking and drink alcohol in excess.
Life had me blue and black
My life used to be depressing and painful.
Till someone came and changed me back
However, my life turned around due to the presence of a person who transformed me.
Now you see life
These colors shimmering around you
Now, you have a different perspective on life and can see its vibrant colors around you.
You must decide
To risk your heart for love to find you
It is necessary to make a choice of opening your heart and taking a chance to find love.
Hey, don't falter
Hey, do not hesitate or lose the courage to take a step forward.
You know we ought to be together
We are meant to be together.
Strange, I saw ya, I sorta knew it was for ever
It feels strange, but I immediately knew when I saw you that we were meant to be together forever.
Please, stay with me
Please stay with me.
And never miss a chance to kiss me
Take every opportunity to kiss me.
Babe, I love yah
I love you, babe.
When you're with me its always summer
I feel happy and warm like it's always summer when you are with me.
Now everything is fine
Because he is officially mine
All is well now since the person who transformed me is officially mine.
And as long as we've got each other
It's gonna be officially summer
As long as we are together, we will always feel happy and warm like it's summer.
You're hypnotised
By these colors all around you
You are captivated by the beautiful colors around you.
It's only right
To have a little love around you
It is essential to have some love in your life.
You must decide
To risk your heart
You need to make a choice of taking a risk and opening your heart.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS BAKER, NEIL CLAXTON, LAUREN LAVERNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sendformilo620
I used to feel so sad
And think too slow and drink too fast
Life had me blue and black
Till someone came and changed me back
Now you see life
These colors shimmering around you
You must decide
To risk your heart for love to find you
Hey, don't falter
You know we ought to be together
Strange, I saw ya, I sorta knew it was forever
Please, stay with me
And never miss a chance to kiss me
Babe, I love yah
When you're with me its always summer
Now everything is fine
Because he is officially mine
And as long as we've got each other
It's gonna be officially summer
You're hypnotised
By these colours all around you
You must decide
To risk your heart for love to find you
Hey, don't falter
You know we ought to be together
Strange, I saw ya, I sorta knew it was forever
Please, stay with me
And never miss a chance to kiss me
Babe, I love yah
When you're with me its always summer
It's only right
To have a little love around you
You must decide
To risk your heart
Hey, don't falter
You know we ought to be together
Strange, I saw ya, I sorta knew it was forever
Please, stay with me
And never miss a chance to kiss me
Babe, I love yah
When you're with me its always summer
Hey
Hey, don't falter
You know we ought to be together
Strange, I saw ya, I sorta knew it was forever
Please, stay with me
And never miss a chance to kiss me
Babe, I love yah
When you're with me its always summer
@londonemski
Still lovely and heartwarming enough to make a tough 51-year old man cry!
@nickunderwood6175
❤
@carlkamuti
Yeah, this song reminds me of simpler times; times when music was all that mattered.
And ecstasy and people to share it with.
For better or worse this is part of the soundtrack of my life.
I wouldn't play this at my funeral but it will take its place as part of my Hospice Mix, it'll be there when I need a reminder of what life used to be like.
Thank you Mint Royale, and Lauren Laverne.
I fcuking love this tune!
@musictollafield3518
Surely one of the best pop songs ever? Beautiful :)
@andrewroberts8139
Yes, along with Pull Shapes by the Pipettes.
@mindrolling24
Another top song- I’m a 2020 fan. This song should be re released- people will go mental at the sight of all those bog rolls in the video, and wistfully pine for the good old days when toilet paper was plentiful, a pint cost tuppence and every home had a Vera Lynn tucked away in a corner somewhere- don’t know where, exactly.
@Jpiggye
Dude you got a like from Mint Royale for this comment. Fucking solid. Everyone I've shown this to has liked this song. Re-release it.
@thespamdance311
And when people used to write songs about love.
@bensparky
Love in a pre social media world the greatest gift we ever gave up.
@SithCats
Saw this randomly one time on MTV2 back in the day, and then never again. It took me years to track the song down again. I don't understand why this didn't become a bigger hit than it was.