The band took their name from an episode of The Goon Show. The band were noted for an extremely unusual two bass player line up. Bass player Alex Griffin played melody lines high up on one bass, and Mat cheslin played the regular basslines on the other. This gave the band a tense and highly driven sub-hardcore sound with distorted indie guitars and complicated Baggy drum beats. The band were also noted for their extremely young ages. The band formed while at sixth form college, and recorded their first album while still teenagers. This led to a strong teenage fanbase with a reputation for enjoying stage diving and moshing at their gigs. The band were also noted (and sometimes ridiculed) for their early image which consisted of uniformly crimped hair, short trousers and t shirts. The Neds (as their fans referred to them) were well known for their T shirts and produced over 80 different designs within three years.
The band quickly gathered a strong fanbase after being noticed by local superstars The Wonder Stuff and offered a support slot on a UK tour. A top 50 hit Kill Your Television followed. They recorded their debut album God Fodder shortly afterwards and had top ten hits with "Until You Find Out" and "Happy" in 1991. Several years of hard working touring followed, playing with, amongst others Mega City Four, Senseless Things and Jesus Jones. During this period they recorded their second album Are You Normal in 1992, which was promoted by the singles Not Sleeping Around and Intact.
The band spent the next few years on a worldwide tour before recording their final album Brainbloodvolume. The album had a more adult sound than before (because they were, after all, no longer teenagers), together with a more diverse sound including samplers and keyboards. Their record label released the album in America before the UK, so most fans bought in on import leading to a poor UK chart position when it was eventually released leading to tensions within the band and with the label. The poor chart showing may have also been to do with a changed music scene now fully in the swing of Britpop. The band had one last UK top 40 single with All I Ask of Myself Is That I Hold Together in 1995 following an appearance on The Word. The band split in 1995. Singer Jonn Penney formed a new band, Groundswell who had little success.
The band reformed with a different line up in 2000, for a show in Dudley. The show was a success and the band have done a christmas show every year since then, including a four date tour in 2004 where the band performed several new songs. In 2005 they again played a few late-December gigs, and in June of 2006 their first new single in 11 years, "Hibernation" was released reaching No 23 in the UK Indie Chart. The "NedFest" weekend gigs to coincide with this at Birmingingham Barfly and London Forum were filmed for a DVD "Neds Dont Exist".
In June 2007 the DVD was released and Neds returned to headline the Glastonbury Left Field Stage on the Friday night of the festival following some low key warm up gigs.
On 12 May 2008 the band announced that the original line-up of Jonn, Rat, Mat, Alex, and Dan would be performing live together for the first time since 1995 on 6 December 2008 at the Astoria London.
Two And Two Made Five
Ned's Atomic Dustbin Lyrics
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I've finally thrown some light
I won't make that stand, I won't ask you why
I just hope you know, now, I'm still as stupid, still as blind
If you don't hear forgiveness, watch my mouth
I know all this adds up, I just don't know how
If you don't have the will to breathe
I know what's all washed up will all wash out
More by luck than judgment, seems we've kept acquainted
Always absent, never present, must have tried your patience
I just take your best intentions and complicate them
If you don't hear forgiveness, watch my mouth
I know this all adds up, I just don't know how
If you don't have the will to breathe
Better start now, better start now
I know what's all washed up will all wash out
Take your hands off her, why can't you tell?
You know and I know
You only try to console yourself
Please don't touch her that's enough now
She knows you too well
Don't ask her to sympathize, not now
Not now, not now, not now, no
The lyrics to Ned's Atomic Dustbin's song Two And Two Made Five are about a person who has finally realized their own stupidity and ignorance in a situation with another person. They make it clear that they won't ask for forgiveness or try to explain their actions, but hope that the other person understands that they have become more aware of their shortcomings. There is a sense of regret and a desire to make things right, but also an acknowledgment that it may not be possible.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for forgiveness and the importance of taking action to move forward. The lyrics suggest that it is better to start now and begin the process of healing and reconciliation, rather than waiting or ignoring the situation. The bridge of the song takes a more assertive tone, with the singer warning someone to keep their hands off of someone else and not to ask for sympathy.
Overall, the lyrics of Two And Two Made Five convey a sense of self-awareness, regret, and a desire for forgiveness and reconciliation. The singer acknowledges their own shortcomings and recognizes the need to take action to make things right, while also warning others to stay away and not to expect sympathy.
Line by Line Meaning
More by chance then planned
I stumbled upon this realization.
I've finally thrown some light
I've gained some understanding.
I won't make that stand, I won't ask you why
I won't argue about it or question you.
I just hope you know, now, I'm still as stupid, still as blind
I understand that I might not fully comprehend everything yet.
If you don't hear forgiveness, watch my mouth
If you can't hear me apologizing verbally, read my lips.
I know all this adds up, I just don't know how
I understand the situation, but I don't understand how it came to be.
If you don't have the will to breathe
If you feel like giving up on this.
Better start now, better start now
You should keep going anyway.
I know what's all washed up will all wash out
I know that everything that doesn't matter will eventually go away.
More by luck than judgment, seems we've kept acquainted
We've managed to stay in touch despite ourselves.
Always absent, never present, must have tried your patience
I wasn't around enough and you probably got frustrated.
I just take your best intentions and complicate them
I tend to make things more complex, even when you're trying to help.
Take your hands off her, why can't you tell?
Stop touching her, can't you see it's inappropriate?
You know and I know
I know you're aware of it.
You only try to console yourself
You're just trying to make yourself feel better.
Please don't touch her that's enough now
I'm asking you to stop touching her.
She knows you too well
She's not fooled by your behavior.
Don't ask her to sympathize, not now
Don't expect her to understand where you're coming from right now.
Not now, not now, not now, no
It's not the right time to discuss this.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALEXANDER THOMAS GRIFFIN, DANIEL CHARLES WORTON, GARETH JOHN PRING, JOHNATHAN PENNEY, MATTHEW RICHARD CHESLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind