Moby plays keyboards, guitar and bass guitar. He took his performing name from the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, who is his great-great-granduncle. His work, while focused in general on various forms of electronic music, have explored many other styles.
Early years
Moby used to be in a punk rock band called the Vatican Commandos, which was formed in 1980. The group evolved away from punk in 1989 for electronic music. He realized his music tastes and growth were going in a different direction than his previous band's vibe, and he broke off on his own.
His first album "The Story So Far (aka Moby)" featured the single "Go", which gained popularity in many discos, and earned a spot on the UK charts. The song is so popular that Moby still plays "Go" regularly in his sets. "Go" is a progressive track using the string line from "Laura Palmer's Theme" from the TV drama Twin Peaks.
1994-1998
His first album for the UK based MUTE Records was Everything Is Wrong (which had US distribution via Elektra) , which earned early critical praise and minor commercial success. He followed that up with a hard rock/electronic album called Animal Rights in 1996. In 1997, he released I Like to Score, a collection of music included in movies. Among those tracks was an updated version of the James Bond theme used for the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. However, both Animal Rights and I Like to Score had only limited success and Moby and Elektra parted company however he remained signed to MUTE.
1999-2004
After a decade's worth of music, Moby's breakthrough album was 1999's Play. Mainstream reviewers raved about his talents on the album (released on V2 Records) though some early fans were let down. The album has 18 tracks and was the first album in history to have all of its tracks commercially licensed: "Porcelain," for instance, appeared on TV commercials for Bailey's Irish Cream, Hong Kong's PCCW and Nordstrom, and Volkswagen's MKIV Jetta; "Find My Baby" was on a commercial for American Express featuring golfer Tiger Woods. The album's tracks eventually were accepted in various radio formats, but because of Play's extensive licensing, the album could have been financially successful even without radio play. In addition to fame garnered through its licensing, Play is also notable for its extensive sampling of old blues recordings collected by Alan Lomax. In a 2005 posting on his web site, Moby theorized that his eagerness to license his music is a result of "growing up in poverty."
In 2001, Moby founded the Area:One Festival. It was a popular touring rock festival that featured an eclectic range of musical genres. A second tour was organized for the following year.
In 2001 Moby also earned the ire of Eminem after calling his music misogynistic and homophobic; Eminem later satirized Moby (among others) in "Without Me," calling him a "fag" and questioning his relevance with the claim "Nobody listens to techno." Moby replied that he hadn't played techno since 1992. The two were in a confrontation at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, though Moby expresses respect for Eminem as an artist.
In 2002, Moby briefly had a television show on MTV, Señor Moby's House of Music, which focused mostly on more obscure electronic music. Also in 2002, Moby released 18, an album that had 18 tracks. The most popular song on the album was "We Are All Made of Stars". Moby says he wrote "We Are All Made of Stars" because of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks, which happened on his birthday.
2005
In 2005 Moby released "Lift Me Up", a single from his album Hotel, which featured, in addition to numerous remixes, UK company Digimpro's software. The program allows users to remix the song - using any or all of the samples included—and save it as an MP3 file. Thus unlimited, personalized versions of the title track were possible. Digimpro had previously seen exposure with group Erasure's single "Breathe," allowing users the same ability. Instead of his usual usage of samples, all of the vocals and instruments on "Hotel" were performed live in the studio by Moby and vocalist Laura Dawn, who is the Cultural Director of MoveOn.org.
For certain dates on Moby's 2005 European tour, Liveherenow provided concert goers with CDs of the show 10 minutes after the show finished. Other Mute Records artists like Erasure and Client have previously used this company for similar reasons.
2006
Moby has recently scored the soundtrack for Richard Kelly's upcoming movie 'The Southland Tales'. Whilst he is generally against composing music for films, he was a huge fan of Kelly's previous film 'Donnie Darko' and could not resist the offer the director gave him.
ITV in the United Kingdom use Moby's song "Lift Me Up" for their coverage of Formula One racing by using the song as the intro. and also snippets to segues for interviews and advertisements.
Also, Moby had one of his older songs used in a Original HBO series, The Sopranos. This song, "When its Cold I'd like to Die" was used in the last scene in which Tony was in his dream state.
Besides music
Moby is a vegan, non-denominational Christian and self-proclaimed "simpleton" (for his often sincere and idealistic political assessments).
Moby lives in New York City. Until recently he co-owned a small restaurant and coffee shop called TeaNY, where he occasionally waited tables. He also organized the Little Idiot Collective, a group of artists that also includes cartoonist and musician James Kochalka. He's a huge fan of the TV series "The Simpsons".
Moby's official website is at moby.com.
Activism
Moby is a well known advocate for a variety of progressive causes, working with MoveOn.org, and PETA, among others. He created MoveOn Voter Fund's "Bush in 30 Seconds" contest along with singer Laura Dawn and MoveOn Executive Director Eli Pariser.
He also actively engages in nonpartisan activism. He has performed benefit concerts for the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, promoting music therapy. Moby also serves on the Board of Directors of Amend.org, a nonprofit that implements injury prevention programs in Africa.
He is an advocate of network neutrality and he testified before the US House committee debating the issue in 2006.
Lift Me Up
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take us so far (take us so far)
Broken down cars (broken down cars)
Like strung out old stars (like strung out old stars)
Plain talking (plain talking)
Served us so well (served us so well)
We traveled through hell (traveled through hell)
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Plain talking (plain talking)
Making us bold (making us bold)
So strung out and cold (strung out and cold)
I'm feeling so old (feeling so old)
Plain talking (plain talking)
Has ruined us now (ruined us now)
You never know how (you never know how)
Sweeter than thou (sweeter than thou)
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now ama
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
Lift me up, lift me up
Oh la la la la
The lyrics to Moby's song "Lift Me Up" describe a journey through hardships and struggles, guided by "plain talking" and a desire to be lifted up. The first verse speaks of the tangible, physical limitations that have been overcome: "broken down cars" and "strung out old stars" that may have hindered progress on the path. However, the singer acknowledges that this "plain talking" has also "ruined us now" in some way; perhaps it has led to a jaded outlook, or a sense of feeling "so old." Throughout the song, there is a hopeful plea for some kind of uplifting force to come and carry the singer to a higher plane, beyond the struggles of earthly life.
While the lyrics may be interpreted in a number of different ways, it seems likely that the song is intended to be a kind of universal anthem for anyone who has struggled to overcome adversity. The emphasis on plain speaking, rather than fancy or flowery language, suggests a down-to-earth, practical approach to life. At the same time, the repeated refrain of "Lift me up, lift me up / Higher now ama" is a call for something transcendent, something beyond the mundane world of "plain talking" and broken cars.
Overall, "Lift Me Up" is a powerful, emotive song that speaks to the human desire for transcendence and transformation. Its lyrics are open to interpretation, but its message is clear: even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Plain talking (plain talking)
Speaking clearly and honestly
Take us so far (take us so far)
Has only gotten us so far
Broken down cars (broken down cars)
Damaged vehicles
Like strung out old stars (like strung out old stars)
Similar to aging celebrities past their prime
Served us so well (served us so well)
Has been helpful to us in the past
We traveled through hell (traveled through hell)
We have gone through a difficult time
Know how we felt (oh how we felt)
Understand the emotional pain we have experienced
Lift me up, lift me up
Raise me higher
Higher now ama
To an elevated state
Plain talking (plain talking)
Honest communication
Making us bold (making us bold)
Giving us courage
So strung out and cold (strung out and cold)
Emotionally drained and distant
I'm feeling so old (feeling so old)
Feeling aged and weary
Has ruined us now (ruined us now)
Has caused us harm
You never know how (you never know how)
It's hard to predict the future
Sweeter than thou (sweeter than thou)
Arrogant or self-righteous
Oh la la la la
Vocalization with no clear meaning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard Melville Hall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Udontknow
Lyrics
Plain talking (plain talking)
Take us so far (take us so far)
Broken down cars (broken down cars)
Like strung out old stars (like strung out old stars)
Plain talking (plain talking)
Served us so well (served us so well)
Traveled through hell (traveled through hell)
No, how we fell (oh, how we fell)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Push me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Push me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Plain talking (plain talking)
Making us bold (making us bold)
So strung out and cold (so strung out and cold)
I'm feeling so old (feeling so old)
Plain talking (plain talking)
Has ruined us now (has ruined us now)
You never know how (you never know how)
Sweeter than thou (sweeter than thou)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Push me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Push me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Lift me up, lift me up (higher, now I'm up)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
(Feeling so bored)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
(Feeling so bored)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
(Feeling so bored)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
(Feeling so bored)
Lift me up, lift me up (oh, la, la, la, la)
(Feeling so bored)
@mathieu2243
Plain talking
(Plain talking)
Take us so far
(Take us so far)
Broken down cars
(Broken down cars)
Like strung out old stars
(Like strung out old stars)Plain talking
(Plain talking)
Served us so well
(Served us so well)
Traveled through Hell
(Traveled through Hell)
We know how it felt
(We know how it felt)Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now i'm up
[x4]Plain talking
(Plain talking)
Making us bold
(Making us bold)
So strong out and cold
(So strong out and cold)
Feeling so old
(Feeling so old)Plain talking
(Plain talking)
Has ruined us now
(Has ruined us now)
You never know how
(You never know how)
Sweeter then tough
(Sweeter then tough)Lift me up, lift me up
Higher now i'm up
[x8]Lift me up, lift me up
Oh, la, la, la, la
[x8]
@moby
my new video for the reprise version of "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" is out now! https://youtu.be/5tcKf4Kh9oE
@jardinhelene6466
Qq!!!!!!!!
@ZnPeChan
неожиданно
@celesteayunta7629
ADORARTE- SALUDOS DESDE ARGENTINA!
@ok-one555
I agree!!!
@asamarabelemdeoliveira3297
Hello, Moby..hug from Brazil!!
@soundbreakerful
moment of silence for everyone who is still searching for this song....
@moonkilig3234
I hummed this at work today. I'm french and i grew up with this song on a cd in my childhood. And i typed "let me out o lalala" in youtube xD
@williamgerost1558
well said and so true , deep sympathy for the lost ones about this song 'quest !!
@boulux8254
@@moonkilig3234 la même