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.
Simple
No-Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
on your lips,
you turn around
and spit.
you spit the moon right out of your mouth
for me,
you touch the sky and start to shout
chorus:
I could really love you,
I could give my heart away.
I could really love you,
it's so simple,
it's so simple.
I picture
my ideal.
how it looks,
and how it feels.
no more dreams turning to armchairs
again.
no more plans turning to blank stares,
as long as you are there.
(chorus)
it's so simple, simple, simple...
I could really love you,
it's so simple.
The lyrics to No-Man's song "Simple" convey the idea of finding simplicity and happiness in love. The first verse paints a picture of a moment where the sun is on the singer's lover's lips, but they quickly turn around and spit. This spitting action symbolizes the lover's ability to rid themselves of any negativity, including perhaps any past emotional baggage that they might have had, in order to start anew. The lover shows the singer how they can do the same by "spitting the moon right out of [their] mouth."
This newfound simplicity in the lover's life allows them to touch the sky and shout, removing all doubts that the singer might have had about the relationship. The chorus affirms the singer's newfound love and describes how they could easily give their heart away: "I could really love you, it's so simple, it's so simple."
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's longing for a simple life free from disappointments and unfulfilled dreams. They picture their ideal life and how it would feel. However, now that the lover has come into their life, they no longer fear that their dreams will turn into armchairs or their plans will turn into blank stares. As long as the lover is there, the singer can find happiness and simplicity.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to find simplicity and happiness in love, letting go of past baggage and negative emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
with the sun
on your lips,
You are radiant and full of energy.
you turn around
and spit.
You cleanse yourself of negativity.
you spit the moon right out of your mouth
for me,
You show your true self to me, no illusions or facades.
you touch the sky and start to shout
removing all my doubts
You inspire and reassure me, lifting my spirits.
I could really love you,
I could give my heart away.
I am ready to be vulnerable and commit to you.
I picture
my ideal.
I know what I want and need in a relationship.
how it looks,
and how it feels.
I have a clear vision of what a fulfilling relationship feels like.
no more dreams turning to armchairs
again.
I won't settle for an unfulfilling life or relationship.
no more plans turning to blank stares,
as long as you are there.
With you by my side, I have hope and motivation to pursue my dreams.
it's so simple,
it's so simple.
Love doesn't have to be complicated or difficult.
I could really love you,
it's so simple.
I am confident that I could love you with ease and simplicity.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: TIM BOWNESS, STEVEN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
karapacibenny
Thanks Lot For This Wonderful Song !!!
Alex Alvarez
The guitar etnry at 3:22 is Robert Fripp, as is (more obviously) the Frippertronics for the coda
Noks&Good Mood
Dead Can Dance sample enriches the track so much.
Nikolaj Pinoteau
@IggyNub my guess is that it's just Lisa Gerrard voice , i'm not an expert on Dead Can Dance , but i too find also that her voice sample DOES enrich that excellent piece of music , A. LOT...when it comes back at 4:22 , it's a genuine relief, because it was so much waited and needed by my ears, if you see what i mean ^^
IggyNub
Could you point the sample out to me?
Radio Ardilla
Why did you fade out? The song just comes to an abrupt ending and you should have left the video like that.
Anelessbg
Yes, indeed :)
Antares
eoule