The band consists of Noel Hogan and various guest artists on a track-by-track basis.
Mono Band traces its roots back to what was intended to be The Cranberries' sixth studio album. Noel had been working on tracks when The Cranberries announced their hiatus. Using his home studio Noel set about exploring more electronic music of various genres. With Noel writing, recording and producing almost all of the music for each track the moniker 'Mono Band' is rather appropriate. Guest artists include Richard Walters, Marius de Vries, Alexandra Hamnede, Kate Havnevik, Nicolas Leroux, Fin Chambers, Angie Hart, and two fellow Cranberries, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler.
In May 2005, Mono Band released their debut EP, Mono Band EP, shortly before releasing their first album, Mono Band.
With the touring that followed the release of their first album it became apparent that the concept of Mono Band did not translate as favourably to touring as it did to studio recording. Not every vocalist was available for every tour date, with usually two of the vocalist performing at any given show. Over the course of touring Richard Walters began to emerge as the primary vocalist. With their touring commitment completed Noel and Richard decided to work together and formed Arkitekt.
In September 2011, Hogan wrote on his Twitter that he is working on second Mono Band album.
Waves
Mono Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I drag myself along to be with you and
Down to the sea to see you, I'm sliding
My open arms, your glassy eyes,
I take you in my touch as always
Hold me tonight contagious,
You're trembling
I heard you sigh, this is all my fault
Don't you ever feel helpless, hopeless things
And you never need sorrys of nothing yeah
May you never be scared or need to
Falling at my knees and grabbing at your feet
I couldn't find a way to make you see that
You may never feel fears or these foolish things
Don't you ever say sorry for nothing yeah
May you never be scared or need to
Pulling at your sleeve and chattering your teeth
I hope I couldn't find the words to bear this
I hope that you won't
I hope that you won't feel deceived
Falling down into it, are you falling down into it
With broken lips and cracking voice,
May I ask you not to speak or look at me now
Just hold me tonight, contagious, I'm trembling
I drink my drinks in dirty cups,
And my stomach is full of words I can't spit out
Hold me tonight contagious, God help me
I heard you say: "This is all my fault, please stay awake, this is all my fault"
Don't you ever feel helpless, hopeless things
And you never need sorrys for nothing yeah
You will never be scared or need to
Falling at my knees and grabbing at your feet,
I hope I couldn't find a way to see that
You will never feel fears of your foolish things
Don't you ever say sorry for some things yeah
You may never be scared or need to
Grabbing at your sleeves and pulling at your teeth,
I couldn't find the words to bear this
I hope that you won't feel deceived by me
I hope that you won't feel deceived by me
I hope that you won't feel deceived by me
I hope you will not feel deceived by me
The lyrics of Mono Band's "Waves" appear to tell a story of desperation and vulnerability in a relationship. The singer seems to be dragging themselves through the elements to reach their partner, using vivid imagery of broken trees and autumn leaves. Upon arrival, the two seem to embrace in a sort of sorrowful reckoning, with the refrain of "this is all my fault" appearing several times throughout the song. The singer seems to be begging their partner not to feel helpless or scared, promising that they need not apologize for anything.
As the song progresses, there is a sense that the singer is deeply troubled, and may have even caused some sort of harm or pain within the relationship. They describe their own body in distress, with "broken lips and a cracking voice," and holding their partner "contagious" with trembling. The repetition of phrases like "I hope that you won't feel deceived by me" suggest a deep sense of guilt and fear of betrayal.
Overall, "Waves" appears to be a poignant reflection on the difficulties of intimate relationships, and the fear of causing pain or being misunderstood.
Line by Line Meaning
Through broken trees and autumn leaves
I am struggling and facing challenges to be with you
I drag myself along to be with you and
Despite the difficulties, I am making an effort to be with you
Down to the sea to see you, I'm sliding
I am drawn to you and heading towards you
My open arms, your glassy eyes,
I embrace you openly while noticing your distant look
I take you in my touch as always
I am familiar with your touch and it brings me comfort
Hold me tonight contagious,
I need your touch and comfort to ease my pain
You're trembling
You are also feeling vulnerable and scared
I heard you sigh, this is all my fault
You are blaming yourself for something that is not your fault
I hear you say: "This is all my fault."
You are still blaming yourself and taking responsibility for things beyond your control
Don't you ever feel helpless, hopeless things
I don't want you to feel helpless or hopeless in any situation
And you never need sorrys of nothing yeah
You don't have to apologize for things that are not your fault or responsibility
May you never be scared or need to
I hope you never have to experience fear or vulnerability
Falling at my knees and grabbing at your feet
I am begging and pleading with you to understand me
I couldn't find a way to make you see that
I am struggling to make you understand my point of view
You may never feel fears or these foolish things
I hope you never have to experience fear or insecurity
Don't you ever say sorry for nothing yeah
There is no need to apologize for things that are not your fault
May you never be scared or need to
I hope you never have to experience fear or vulnerability
Pulling at your sleeve and chattering your teeth
I am trying to communicate with you, but you are not receptive to me
I hope I couldn't find the words to bear this
I wish I didn't have to express my pain to you
I hope that you won't
I hope that my actions and words won't hurt you
I hope that you won't feel deceived
I hope you won't feel betrayed or misled by me
With broken lips and cracking voice,
I am emotionally strained and struggling to communicate
May I ask you not to speak or look at me now
I need some space and time to collect my thoughts and emotions
Just hold me tonight, contagious, I'm trembling
I need your touch and comfort to ease my pain and fear
I drink my drinks in dirty cups,
I am not taking care of myself or my emotional needs
And my stomach is full of words I can't spit out
I have a lot of emotions and thoughts that I struggle to express
Hold me tonight contagious, God help me
I am in a desperate and vulnerable state, and I need your help and support
I heard you say: "This is all my fault, please stay awake, this is all my fault"
You are still blaming yourself and taking responsibility for things beyond your control, and you are begging me not to leave you
Writer(s): Richard Stephen Walters, Noel Hogan
Contributed by Chase K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carmen Bernardo
hugely underrated song, I think is one of the best songs ever... Noel Hogan is a brilliant musician
Johnn Pinheiro
I love this song!
joseph sanderson
just found these guys. amazing talent.
Jen
love this ❤
A Knight that says Nee
Great feeling when you find a song like this one for the first time. Beautiful song! The more I listen to it,the more I love it. The lyrics are amazing!
Erica Politica
I love this song. I love a lot of stuff by Mono Band by all the different singers. There stuff is so different and soulful.