No-Man is a British duo formed in 1987 by Tim Bowness and Porcupine Tree's … Read Full Bio ↴No-Man is a British duo formed in 1987 by Tim Bowness and Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson.

The band has so far produced seven studio albums and a number of singles/outtakes collections (most notably, 2006's career retrospective, All the Blue Changes).

Originally a sample-based proto-Trip hop/Ambient/Electro-Pop styled music, No-Man's sound has become more organic, diverse and band-oriented in subsequent years. The band has been lauded "Conceivably the most important English group since The Smiths" by Melody Maker music newspaper.

The name No-Man was adopted in 1990 and first used on the self-released June 1990 single release, Colours (a cover of the 1960s Donovan song). The single achieved Melody Maker and Sounds (british music paper) "Singles of the Week" accolades and was re-released by Liverpool-based label Probe Plus in October, 1990.

Between 1991 and 1994, No-Man were managed by Talk Talk's manager Keith Aspden. During this period, the band received highly positive UK music media support (including more "Singles of the Week" in Melody Maker, Sounds and Irish music paper, Hot Press), had 2 indie top 20 hits (Days in the Trees and Ocean Song), a Billboard Top 40 dance hit (the US only single, Taking It Like a Man) and had high profile contracts with One Little Indian, Hit & Run Publishing and Epic/Sony.

Subsequently, mirroring the evolution of artists such as Talk Talk, David Sylvian, Radiohead, Scott Walker and Kate Bush, with each successive release, the band has moved further away from its more conventional Pop/Rock roots.

Since the mid-1990s, No-Man has released material via Snapper Music, Third Stone/Adasam and internet label, Burning Shed (www.burningshed.com).

Included amongst the many artists and guest musicians the band has worked with are electronic artists Roger Eno, Faultline, Scanner, Muslimgauze and The Shamen, Jazz musicians Ian Carr and Theo Travis, and the legendary likes of King Crimson personnel, Robert Fripp, Pat Mastelotto and Mel Collins, and ex-Japan members, Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Mick Karn.

Drawing from a diverse mix of Singer-songwriter, Post Rock, Minimalist, Progressive rock, Jazz, and Contemporary Ambient sources for inspiration, No-Man's sound is distinctive, yet difficult to categorise.

As of 2012, No-Man live band members include Steven Bennett (keyboards), Pete Morgan (bass guitar), Michael Bearpark (guitar), Steve Bingham (electric violin), and Andy Booker (electronic drums).

In 2019, the duo released Love You To Bits. there first new record in over a decade.

Colours
No-Man Lyrics

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Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair
In the morning when we rise,
In the morning when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best.

Green is the colour of the sparkling corn
In the morning when we rise,

In the morning when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best.

Blue is the colour of the sky
In the morning when we rise,
In the morning when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best.

Freedom's a word i rarely use
Without thinking (oh yeah),
Without thinking (oh yeah)
Of the time, of the time
When i've been loved.

Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair
In the morning when we rise,
In the morning when we rise.

That's the time, that's the time
I love the best.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to No-Man's song "Colours" revolves around the emotions and sensations experienced by a person, particularly the singer, in different moments of the day. The first verse starts with "Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair," a reference to a beloved person who brings happiness and comfort in the morning, the time when they arise. The color yellow has many connotations, including joy, optimism, and hope, which reinforces the positive emotions experienced by the singer in this situation. The repetition of "that's the time, that's the time I love the best" emphasizes the importance and impact of these moments on the singer's mood and well-being.

In the second verse, the color green refers to the "sparkling corn" that the singer sees in the morning. This image is symbolic of nature's vitality and growth, representing a sense of freshness and renewal that contributes to the positive emotions experienced by the singer in the morning.

The third verse describes the color blue as the "color of the sky." The sky is a vast and ever-changing presence, reminding the singer of the infinite possibilities and wonders of the world. The blue color offers a sense of calm and serenity, which further contributes to the positive association the singer has with the morning.

The fourth verse offers a different perspective, with the mention of the word freedom. While freedom is typically associated with positive emotions, the singer acknowledges that its meaning is complex and personal, and it can evoke both positive and negative emotions. The mention of the phrase "when I have been loved" adds a layer of complexity and allows for a range of interpretations, including the idea that love and acceptance can be a powerful source of freedom.

Overall, the song "Colours" is an uplifting and thoughtful reflection on the power of emotions and the beauty of the natural world. It reinforces the idea that positive experiences and emotions can be found in even the smallest and simplest things in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair
My true love's hair is the color yellow, and it makes me think of them when we wake up in the morning, which is my favorite time of day.

In the morning when we rise,
This is the time of day when the events described in each stanza occur.

That's the time, that's the time
This time of day is particularly meaningful to me.

I love the best.
I have especially strong feelings of affection and attachment during this time of day.

Green is the colour of the sparkling corn
The color green is associated with the fresh, vibrancy and growth of the corn, which I observe in the morning, the time of day I prefer the most.

Blue is the colour of the sky
The color blue is associated with the vastness of the sky, which I observe in the morning, the time of day I prefer the most.

Freedom's a word I rarely use
I do not often speak the word 'freedom,' and when I do, it reminds me of times when I have been loved.

Without thinking (oh yeah),
I use this phrase as confirmation and emphasis that I do not often say 'freedom.'

Of the time, of the time
I am reflecting on past experiences when I have felt loved and the word 'freedom' has come up.

When I've been loved.
My personal association with the word 'freedom' is tied to experiences of feeling loved in the past.

Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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