They released their debut album Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down - which contains the UK Top 10 hit 5 Years Time - in August of 2008.
A year later, following the end of a relationship between Charlie Fink and Laura Marling, the band released The First Days Of Spring, a concept album written about Laura. It came with a film to accompany the album, written and directed by Charlie.
The band's third album Last Night on Earth was released in March 2011. This album produced a hit single with L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N., which sold over 242,000 copies in the UK that year.
In 2013 their fourth album, Heart of Nowhere, was released. This release was also accompanied by a short film of the same name.
The band announced their split on 1 April 2015, stating that the band members would pursue solo musical projects.
Lifetime
Noah and the Whale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got high a thousand times in your brother’s room
Talked about how we break free, guess it came too soon.
We grew up, drifted apart, now you’re getting married
While I’m waiting for my life to start.
(Chorus)
Are you ready to make that call?
It was only a few years ago, but it feels like a lifetime.
(Verse)
The year your brother left home is mostly you and me
We spend our whole summer there on his balcony.
We were young, that was then
And I can’t help the feeling that is never coming back again.
(Chorus)
Are you ready to make that call?
It’s gonna be a lifetime.
It was only a few years ago, but it feels like a lifetime.
Are you ready to make that call?
It’s gonna be a lifetime.
It was only a few years ago, but it feels like a lifetime.
(Bridge)
And we used to dream of what was beyond these walls
And we used to pray that one day we’ll see them fall
And there’ll be nothing, nothing but time
And there’ll be nothing, nothing but time.
The lyrics to Noah and the Whale's song Lifetime speaks about the passage of time and the changes that take place in our lives, particularly in our relationships with others. The first verse reminisces on the past when the singer and his friend would get high a thousand times in the friend's brother's room, and they talked about breaking free from their current lives. However, as often happens, plans come and go, and the two eventually drifted apart. Now, the friend is getting married while the singer is still waiting for his life to start. These moments in the past are seemingly not so far gone, yet they feel like a lifetime ago.
The second verse is a flashback to the year that the friend's brother left home. It was mostly just the singer and his friend that spent the summer together on the brother's balcony. They were young and carefree, and the singer yearns for those moments that he feels will never be coming back again. The chorus asks if the friend is ready to make that call, the one that will solidify the commitment to their partner and begin the journey of a lifetime. It was only a few years ago, yet it feels like a lifetime.
The bridge speaks to the dreams that they used to have beyond the walls that kept them contained. They used to pray for the chance to see those walls fall and for there to be nothing but time ahead. However, time passes, and things change. The song tells the story of the nostalgia and often bittersweet recollection of the memories from our past, and the inevitability of change as we move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
We got high a thousand times in your brother’s room
We spent countless moments being under the influence in your brother's place.
Talked about how we break free, guess it came too soon.
We discussed our desire to liberate ourselves, but it happened too quickly.
We grew up, drifted apart, now you’re getting married
We matured and distanced from each other, and now you're tying the knot.
While I’m waiting for my life to start.
Meanwhile, I feel like I'm still waiting for my life to commence.
Are you ready to make that call?
Are you prepared to commit to your decision?
It’s gonna be a lifetime.
It's a lifetime commitment you'll make.
It was only a few years ago, but it feels like a lifetime.
Even though it's just recent, it feels like a long time ago.
The year your brother left home is mostly you and me
When your brother moved out, it became just about you and me.
We spend our whole summer there on his balcony.
We wasted our summer days staying on his balcony.
And I can’t help the feeling that is never coming back again.
And I can't shake the notion that it will never happen again.
And we used to dream of what was beyond these walls
We once fantasized about what's outside these walls.
And we used to pray that one day we’ll see them fall
We hoped that one day they will collapse or vanish.
And there’ll be nothing, nothing but time
And then we'll have nothing but time.
And there’ll be nothing, nothing but time.
And again, we'll have nothing but time.
Writer(s): Charles Fink Copyright: Hangman Music Ltd.
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JESSIE
Loved this song so much much when it came out and I'm back here now, after 5 years time. Looking back, it's crazy how time doesn't slow down for anyone. I was heartbroken then, and married now. Had few friends then, none now. The people in this video all have their stories, but the stories are not for them to share with me, just like how your story is not for you to share with me.
I think.. the correct words I'm looking for is.. yearning for something I didn't and will not have, connections with relatable people. I'm nostalgic for something that never happened! What makes this song and video so good is that these actors/actresses and lyrics are all relatable. We all connect, maybe not directly, but from afar. ((Sorry, crazy ramblings by a fan :P ))
ARTV
I feel this
six eyes
I completely and utterly agree with every last word you just typed.
Marcos Peralta
Mucha nostalgia en tan pocos minutos. Buena Canción.
Sally Crosby sings
The lyrics of this song resonate with me so deeply. "And we used to dream of what was beyond these walls, and we used to pray that one day we'd see them fall, and there'd be nothing, nothing but time," So glad someone's had a chance to say it.
Bob P
Amazing track with nostalgia inducing lyrics, can't get enough of the song and cant help but reminisce when listening to it.
ieornl
nostalgic..and I feel a little prick in my heart every time I hear the line "Now you're getting married, while I'm waiting for my life to start" from this good song.
Heidi
Does this song make anyone else cry? I’ve cried at it so many times
Roxy
This is such a great song and the video fits so well!
Liwer -
I love this song very much!!!