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.
Things I Want to Tell You
No-Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
roll me over slow.
roll me over on my right side,
my left side hurts me so.
I'm what you left behind,
I'm fading from your mind.
I'm fading from your mind.
there are things I want to tell you
I no longer tell you.
ways I want to hold you gone to waste.
it's harder in the evenings,
waiting for the phone rings
(the hollow thump of life that has no taste).
I'm what you left behind,
I'm fading from your mind.
I'm what you left behind,
I'm fading from your mind.
roll me over.
The repetitive plea to "roll me over" in No-Man's song "Things I Want to Tell You" reveals the singer's physical and emotional pain. Rolling over on their right side provides some relief from the pain on their left side. The pain serves as a metaphor for the hurt the singer experiences from a relationship that has ended. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been left behind and is fading from their former partner's mind. The repetition of the line "I'm fading from your mind" underscores the feeling of being forgotten.
The singer acknowledges that there are things they want to tell their former partner but no longer do. Additionally, they express regret that the ways they once held their former partner are now "gone to waste." These lines suggest that the relationship has ended badly and that there may have been a lack of communication between the two parties. The singer is left with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires.
The chorus's repetition of the line "I'm what you left behind" further underscores the singer's sense of loss and being forgotten. Ultimately, the song's meaning speaks to the universal experience of loss and heartbreak that resonates with many.
Line by Line Meaning
roll me over on my right side,
I am in physical pain and need to be repositioned for comfort
roll me over slow.
Please move me gently to avoid exacerbating my pain
roll me over on my right side,
My left side hurts too much, so I need to shift to my right side
my left side hurts me so.
The pain in my left side is unbearable and causing me distress
I'm what you left behind,
I am the past that you have moved on from
I'm fading from your mind.
You are forgetting about me and our past experiences
there are things I want to tell you
There are feelings and thoughts I have that I am keeping from you
I no longer tell you.
I have stopped sharing my innermost thoughts and emotions with you
ways I want to hold you gone to waste.
The physical and emotional connection I once had with you is now lost
it's harder in the evenings,
The nighttime is especially difficult for me
waiting for the phone rings
Hoping for any contact or communication from you
(the hollow thump of life that has no taste).
My life feels meaningless and empty without you in it
roll me over.
I need assistance with my physical positioning once again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVEN JOHN WILSON, TIMOTHY JOHN BOWNASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
barcigian
This one, together with Alan Parson´s Time, WILL play at my funeral for sure!
josefvickers
I would have loved this to have been on one of their live albums but honestly can't imagine how on earth this would work outside the studio. Beautiful, simple, complex and heartbreaking all at once.
barcigian
Don´t forget the magical voice of Tim Bowness! No-Man without him is incomplete!
Guilherme Garcia
Guys.. you and Steven Wilson are genius! Tnx for your music.. you make my life better!
barcigian
This song should be a movie opening someday... or the ending credits!
Franco Girón Franco
Steven Wilson Thank you for all
Kirtana Krishna
Steven Wilson - Because you exist, the world is a better place.
Detelin Yosifov
Me like..S.W.= genius!!!!! ;)
Mike L
Thank you steven and Tim from Crete
nino vasev
this is it...........