Formed in Colchester, Essex, England, in 1979 by Robbie Grey (vocals), Gary McDowell (guitar, vocals), and Michael Conroy (bass, vocals), Modern English was originally known as "The Lepers". The group expanded to "Modern English" when Richard Brown (drums) and Stephen Walker (keyboards) were subsequently added to the line-up of the indie rock band (later Ted Mason, Matthew Shippley). A debut single, "Drowning Man" was released in 1980 on the Limp Records label. The band's full-length debut, called 'Mesh & Lace' and released by 4AD Records a year later, drew heavily on the gloomy gothic rock sound already patented by bands such as Bauhaus and Joy Division.
The follow-up album, titled 'After The Snow' and recorded by the same line-up, introduced warmer sounds and strong guitar harmonies (most notably on the hit "I Melt With You") in contrast to the tinny bleakness of the debut, although keeping the same post-punk dramatic focus. The August 1982 release was well received in the U.S., selling 500,000 units, and the band relocated to New York, New York to consolidate a popularity encouraged by college radio. Their subsequent album Ricochet Days had a crisper production with hits such as "Ricochet Days" and "Hands Across the Sea".
By the time of Stop Start, released in the US by Sire Records in 1986, Walker and Brown had left, and Aaron Davidson (keyboards, guitar) (later of March Violets) had joined. The band had tried too hard for commercial success, pushed by their label and subsequent producers. Grey returned to England to form a new outfit, but reconvened Modern English in 1990 with Davidson and Conroy. They released Pillow Lips on the TVT label, selling 300,000 units. Robbie Grey and band member Ted Mason co-wrote and produced a second release for TVT, recording with live strings and multiple harmonies. It received very little enthusiasm from TVT and has been seen as the least successful Modern English album. Locked into contractual obligations with TVT, Grey subsequently put the band on hold in 1991 to study and travel, and Mason handled the legal issues of getting out of the TVT deal.
In 1995, Modern English with Matthew Shipley (keyboards), Ted Mason (guitar, vocals, production) recorded Everything's Mad for the Imago label. Robbie Grey continues to tour extensively on the US club circuit with Matthew and new guitarist Steven Walker writing new songs and playing them to packed audiences across the US, and in 2001 signed a new recording contract with A.P.G. Music. The new lineup recorded a new album with legendary producer Hugh Jones who originally produced "I Melt With You." 2007 saw the repackaged–remastered re-release of Everything's Mad for the Mi5 Recordings label distributed by Caroline/EMI. A Modern English rarities album with unreleased material was expected in early 2008, but it became stalled.
The group put out their latest studio effort in 2010 with 'Soundtrack'. Said work reunited them with Hugh Jones, the producer of 'After the Snow'. As of 2013, Modern English has sold close to four million records worldwide, and they were present at the BMI awards in the Dorchester Hotel in London where Robbie Grey, Mick Conroy and guitarist Steven Walker were presented with a lifetime achievement award for 3 million radio plays of "I Melt With You."
Coming Up For Air
Modern English Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The magic that's inside,
All the colours of the rainbow,
And the treasures we hide,
If you want to keep it,
Then tears just aren't enough,
Don't live off all your memories,
Start drowning in your love.
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Breathing in deeply,
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Breathing in deeply,
Coming up for air
Somewhere beneath the surface,
Is the deepness of the sea,
When a heart still fills with wonder,
And happiness is free,
Just continue on your journey,
Cause wisdom's not enough,
Don't let the waves erode you,
Stop drowning in your love.
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Breathing in deeply,
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Breathing in deeply,
Coming up for air
The air smells good,
The air smells fine,
Release the pressure on my mind.
No-one wants to lose the magic that's inside.
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Breathing in deeply,
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Coming up for air
Breathing in deeply,
Coming up for air
The song "Coming Up For Air" by Modern English is an uplifting and inspiring song about not losing yourself in the past and continuing to find joy and love in life. The lyrics speak to the idea that it's easy to get lost in memories and the past, but it's important to keep moving forward and experiencing new things. The singer urges the listener to not live off of their memories and to start "drowning in your love." This metaphor suggests that love and new experiences can be life-giving and refreshing, like taking a deep breath of fresh air.
The verses go on to describe the deepness of the sea and the wonders that can be found beneath the surface. The singer implies that the journey is important and should be continued despite the challenges one may face. The chorus repeats the phrase "coming up for air" as a reminder to keep taking deep breaths and finding joy in life. The line "the air smells good, the air smells fine" suggests that life is worth living and should be enjoyed.
Overall, "Coming Up For Air" is a song about finding joy and fulfillment in life despite the challenges we face. The lyrics encourage listeners to continue on their journey and not let memories or challenges hold them back from living their best life. The metaphor of drowning in love suggests that love is life-giving and can help us stay afloat in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
No-one wants to lose,
Everyone wants to hold on to the beauty inside them.
The magic that's inside,
The amazing qualities that make a person who they are.
All the colours of the rainbow,
The variety of experiences that make life exciting and fulfilling.
And the treasures we hide,
The personal accomplishments and strengths that may not be immediately visible to others.
If you want to keep it,
In order to preserve these qualities,
Then tears just aren't enough,
Crying and feeling sorry for oneself does not prevent these attributes from slipping away.
Don't live off all your memories,
One must not cling to the past to retain happiness, but actively seek it in the present.
Start drowning in your love.
One should completely immerse oneself in the good feelings that make life worth living.
Somewhere beneath the surface,
Underneath the superficial aspects of life,
Is the deepness of the sea,
Lies the complexity and mystery of existence.
When a heart still fills with wonder,
Despite the ups and downs of life, if one still has a sense of amazement and joy,
And happiness is free,
True happiness does not depend on external sources or circumstances.
Just continue on your journey,
Continue to move forward in life,
Cause wisdom's not enough,
Intelligence and learning are not enough to experience life fully and deeply.
Don't let the waves erode you,
Do not let the challenges of life wear away at one's spirit and happiness.
Stop drowning in your love.
But instead, embrace and be consumed by the positive emotions in one's life.
The air smells good,
The environment around is pleasant,
The air smells fine,
The atmosphere is peaceful and positive.
Release the pressure on my mind.
Relax and let go of any stress or worries.
Coming up for air
Taking a moment to breathe,
Breathing in deeply,
Inhaling with intention and purpose,
Coming up for air
Resurfacing after being underwater for a time.
Coming up for air
Stepping away from one's troubles and responsibilities for a moment.
Breathing in deeply,
Clearing one's mind and centering oneself in the present.
Coming up for air
Emerging from a difficult situation or time in one's life,
Breathing in deeply,
Taking stock of the world around oneself, and really seeing it for what it is.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind