The band were originally signed to renowned Glasgow indie label Chemikal Underground, but call a number of labels home, being distributed by different labels such as Matador in the United States and Play it again Sam Records in the United Kingdom. They have also developed their own label called Rock Action Records, named after guitarist Ron Asheton of The Stooges, who had his name changed to Rock Action.
Mogwai are named after the creatures from the film Gremlins (the word itself is Cantonese for 'ghost' or 'hunter' dependant on the semi or literal translation), although Braithwaite comments that "it has no significant meaning and we always intended on getting a better one [name], but like a lot of other things we never got round to it.".
Their style has been influenced by such bands as The Cure, Joy Division, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, and post-rock granddaddies Slint. During 2004 the band were handed support slots on the tours of two of their heroes, the Pixies and The Cure. It has easily identifiable connections to genres like shoegaze, math rock, art rock, and occasionally instrumental metal. While Mogwai's sound bears little resemblance to punk rock, the band seems to identify closely with the punk ethic.
Mogwai's influence on the indie rock scene can be heard in the work of Explosions in the Sky, Italians Giardini di Mirò, Qatsi, and most other contemporary post-rock.
The fifth Mogwai album, Mr. Beast, was released in March 2006 and returned to the heavier sounds of 1997's Mogwai Young Team. Mr. Beast saw Mogwai dropping most of their "post-rock" crescendoing with songs developing more like rock, with direct hooks and lyrics.
Mogwai produced the remix track of 'Plans' on the British group Bloc Party's 2005 album Silent Alarm Remixed.
In October 2006 Mogwai returned with a soundtrack to the documentary of global football star Zinedine Zidane called Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, released through their own label Rock Action. They have also released a soundtrack to Darren Aronofsky's 'The Fountain' in collaboration with Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet.
The Hawk is Howling was released in September 2008.
In February 2011 the band released their 7th Studio Album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. And, in July 2013, Mogwai performed their soundtrack to Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait for the first time at a number of dates across the UK. Shortly afterwards, on 5 August, the band revealed via Twitter that they were recording a new studio album at Castle of Doom Studios, released in early 2014 called Rave Tapes.
Guitarist John Cummings left the band in 2015.
2016 saw the band take part in two soundtracks. Atomic was released in April for the documentary 'Atomic, Living in Dread and Promise', and was composed entirely by the band. They also contributed to Before the Flood (Music from the Motion Picture), which featured Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Gustavo Santaolalla.
In 2017, Mogwai released Every Country's Sun, their ninth studio album, which heralded a return to their earlier sound.
Mogwai appeared on another film soundtrack in 2018. Helicon 1, from their 1997 album Ten Rapid, was featured on the original motion picture soundtrack of ‘Beautiful Boy’.
Lineup:
Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals)
Barry Burns (guitar, keyboards, vocals)
Dominic Aitchison (bass)
Martin Bulloch (drums)
Official website:
http://www.mogwai.co.uk/
Mexican Grand Prix
Mogwai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heart breaker
I'll take you
In a tail race
Is this wonder land
My fire,
My passion
(Run and see)
(Keep runnin' now)
(Keep runnin' now)
(I run and see)
I run and see
(Keep runnin' now)
Keep runnin' now
(Run and see)
I run and see
(Run and see)
Keep runnin' now
(Runnin' now)
All because I wouldn't save your mind
All because I wouldn't save
All because I let you lose your life
When you lose your own way
(I run and see)
It's so sad
(Keep runnin' now)
I will take her
(Run and see)
'Cause you're lost in
(Keep runnin' now)
Keep runnin' now
(I run and see)
I can't blame you
(Keep runnin' now)
For getting me here
Can't get you
(Run and see)
Out my head, yeah
(Runnin' now)
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Come close
Open the door
Draw the curtains
On the stairs
Half dreamer
Cream in the eye
Say goodbye
To the child there
(I run and see)
(Keep runnin' now)
(I run and see)
(Keep runnin' now)
(I run and see)
(Keep runnin' now)
(Run and see)
(Runnin' now)
(Run and see)
(Runnin' now)
The lyrics of "Mexican Grand Prix" by Mogwai are open to interpretation, as they seem to be abstract and nonsensical. However, the song seems to be about driving recklessly, taking risks and eventually losing control. The phrase "tail race" refers to a stream or channel created by diverting the water from a dam's turbines, and it may symbolize a dangerous race in which the participants follow each other closely, like the water following the turbines. The lines "All because I wouldn't save your mind / All because I let you lose your life / When you lose your own way" suggest that the singer is responsible for the consequences of their actions, but also that they allowed someone else to follow them blindly and suffer the consequences. The repetition of "Keep runnin' now" and "I run and see" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the singer is trying to escape something or reach a goal, but they are not sure what it is.
On a musical level, "Mexican Grand Prix" is a dynamic and guitar-driven instrumental piece that gradually builds up to a cathartic climax. The drums and bass provide a propulsive rhythm while the guitars weave intricate melodies and harmonies. The song features several sections with different dynamics and textures, including a quiet interlude with piano and strings, and a distorted solo that evokes the sound of a roaring engine. Overall, the song conveys a sense of excitement, danger, and release, as if the listener is experiencing a thrilling ride.
Line by Line Meaning
Fast love
Intense, passionate love that is quick to develop
Heart breaker
Someone who causes heartache or emotional pain by their actions or decisions
I'll take you
I will accompany you or be there for you
In a tail race
A term used in hydroelectric power generation that refers to the water discharge from a turbine
Is this wonder land
Asking if this is a magical, marvelous place
My fire,
The intense passion and desire that burns within
My passion
The strong enthusiasm and drive for something
And mistake
A reference to a previous poor decision that was regrettable
(Run and see)
An urgent call to action or to move quickly
(Keep runnin' now)
A sense of urgency and importance placed on continuing to move forward
(I run and see)
The singer personally experiences or witnesses something important
I run and see
The artist is in motion, possibly striving for a goal or trying to escape something
It's so sad
Expressing empathy or sympathy for a difficult situation
I will take her
Vowing to protect and care for someone
'Cause you're lost in
Indicating why an action or decision was made
I can't blame you
Acknowledging that someone else is not at fault for a particular situation
For getting me here
The situation being discussed is a result of decisions or actions made by the other person
Can't get you
Unable to stop thinking about or being affected by someone or something
Out my head, yeah
Can't stop thinking about something, despite efforts to do so
Come close
Invitation to approach and interact more closely
Open the door
A literal instruction to open a door, or a figurative instruction to be more open or receptive
Draw the curtains
A literal instruction to close the curtains, or a figurative instruction to keep something private or hidden
On the stairs
Reference to a specific location, possibly where something important happened
Half dreamer
Someone who is partially awake or partially lost in their thoughts or fantasies
Cream in the eye
An unusual or unexpected occurrence, possibly causing confusion or disruption
Say goodbye
A farewell, possibly indicating that something has ended or is about to end
To the child there
Reference to a specific person or situation involving a child
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Cummings, Luke Paul Sutherland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bert. H Buysse
Fast love
Heart breaker
I'll take you
In a tail race
Is this wonder land
My fire,
My passion
And mistake
I run and see
(Keep runnin' now)
Keep runnin' now
(Run and see)
I run and see
(Run and see)
Keep runnin' now
(Runnin' now)
All because I wouldn't save your mind
All because I wouldn't save
All because I let you lose your life
When you lose your own way
It's so sad
(Keep runnin' now)
I will take her
(Run and see)
'Cause you're lost in
(Keep runnin' now)
Keep runnin' now
(I run and see)
I can't blame you
(Keep runnin' now)
For getting me here
Can't get you
(Run and see)
Out my head, yeah
(Runnin' now)
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Keep' runnin' now, keep' runnin' now
Come close
Open the door
Draw the curtains
On the stairs
Half dreamer
Cream in the eye
Say goodbye
To the child there
Gerhard Landauf
Heard them once play that song live. Absolutely mindblowing.
Llewelyn Moss
2021 and still here, what a feeling! 🤟🏼
#1 guy
their best album since young team
i love cody and hawk but the vocal mixes they added to so many of these tracks really make them stand out
Roman Bird Dog
I'm dying to hear the "epic 23-minute track" that will come with the album... especially considering how ridiculously huge "My Father My King" was
Gregor Milligan
I wonder how many of these people knew who Mogwai actually are. Amazing, I love Mogwai and Glasgow even more now.
Daniel Esteban
Great video. Shows all the different people that stay in Glasgow. Awesome
Roberto Chávez
Lo hubieran grabado en México!!!!!
Giannis Zaxariadis
perfect rythm
projectno5
the one think i love about this music video is i live in glasgow and i could probably take you to ever place they show in this video.
cxtuwu
i'd rather you didnt thanks