Nothing But Thieves’ origins lie in schoolmates Conor, Joe and Dave’s efforts in a variety of bands in their hometown of Southend, Essex. They gained valuable experience on the local live circuit, even if they weren’t going to change the world. Then Dom joined their school in the sixth form and everything went up a notch. A classically trained guitarist from the age of six, Dom brought a musicality and learning to the table which made everyone sit up and take notice. Not that this puts him on a pedestal with his bandmates. They all agree that it’s the mix of his formal training with Joe’s self-taught chops which lies at the heart of the Nothing But Thieves sound.
They released their debut ep, "Graveyard Whistling" on July 18, 2014. The band's single "Itch" picked up Hottest Record and Track Of The Day accolades on Radio 1 and also made it onto the Radio 1 playlist, as well as being added in regular rotation of Sirius XM new hard-rock channel Octane. The same year they signed to RCA Records.
They released their self-titled debut album on October 16, 2015. Frontman Conor Mason said in an interview about the album: Since this record was our first album we especially wanted to make each song stand out in the best way possible. I guess there are tones, lyrics and themes that tie in throughout the album; however, we generally wanted each song to have its own space and world. Overall, I think we achieved the variety we were after and it’s nice that our fans feel the same way too.
They released their sophomore album, called "Broken Machine", on September 8, 2017. The concept for the album came alive soon after the band had written and demoed “Broken Machine,” the 4th track, which became the centerpiece of the album. Lead singer Conor Mason describes it as a metaphor for systems that seem perfect on the surface but cracked underneath, whether that’s mental health, love, religion, or even politics. The singles leading up to the album’s release are “Amsterdam,” released on May 2, 2017, “Sorry” released on August 14, 2017, “Broken Machine” released on August 21, 2017, “I’m Not Made By Design” released on August 26, 2017, and “Particles” released on January 11, 2018.
They released a new ep, titled "What Did You Think When You Made Me This Way?" on October 19, 2018. The lead single of the ep, "Forever & Ever More", was supported by a music video. On October 23, 2020, the band released Moral Panic. Which then followed with a tour in 2021 with Yonaka and Airways.
The band released three singles in 2023, "Welcome to the DCC" on March 15, "Overcome" on May 10 and "Keeping You Around" on June 23, before finally releasing their fourth studio album, "Dead Club City" on June 30, 2023, which peaked number 1 in the U.K Official Album Charts. They then released the single "Oh No :: He Said What?" on January 29, 2024 before dropping the deluxe edition of "Dead Club City" on March 15, 2024, this included the addition of new songs such as "Time :: Fate :: Karma :: God" and "Pure You" as well as the stripped edition of beloved songs from the original album.
Live Like Animals
Nothing But Thieves Lyrics
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We'd make a difference if we cared
We put our lives all up for sale
We get our truth in the Daily Mail
It's madness
Get used to it
Another unit to be sold
So we're gonna live like animals
We're gonna live like animals
It's madness
It's gone to shit
And now the kids are opening their eyes
And now the kids are starting up a fire
Dancing around, dancing around the light
So drink our blood like a parasite
For occupation, socialite
Just looking for another hit
Opinion's what you say it is
It's tragic
Could get used to it
So write your name as you come in
In case we want to kick you out
We're gonna make 'em build a wall
We're gonna live like animals
It's madness
It's gone to shit
If you're a something, don't ask for nothing
If you're a nothing, don't ask for something
If you're a something, don't ask for nothing
If you're a nothing, don't ask for something
And now the kids are opening up their eyes
And now the kids are starting up a fire
Dancing around, dancing around the light
So wake up, so wake up
So wake up, so wake up
So wake up
This ain't a dream
'Cause everything's exactly how it seems
And now the kids are opening their eyes
And now the kids are starting up a fire
Dancing around, dancing around the light
So wake up, so wake up
So wake up, so wake up
So wake up
This ain't a dream
'Cause everything's exactly how it seems
So wake up
The Nothing But Thieves song "Live Like Animals" appears to be a commentary on the current state of society and people's behavior. The song talks about how media outlets on TV and newspapers put the fear of the unknown into people's minds, asking them to be scared, and how people have now quite easily traded their privacy and personal information for a few seconds of social media fame or a moment of public attention. The lyrics suggest that people are becoming more like animals, driven by their base desires and urges to survive and get ahead at any cost. The song paints a bleak picture of how the world is headed and seems to be a call to awaken people to the reality of the world they live in.
The verse "Another unit to be sold, Pig-love is all we'll ever know" might signify people being treated as units or numbers at the cost of their individuality while "pig-love" refers to animalistic nature devoid of human values. The chorus "We're gonna live like animals" reinforces the idea of how people have lost their empathy and our behavior is regressing to a more savage state. However, the song ends with an almost hopeful note, "So wake up/ This ain't a dream/ Cause everything's exactly how it seems", suggesting a call for action and change in behavior.
Overall, the lyrics of "Live Like Animals" paint a stark picture of a society that has lost hope and is living in a downward spiral of animalistic behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
The TV tells us to be scared
We are becoming increasingly dependent on the media's influence to control our emotions
We'd make a difference if we cared
If we showed compassion to others and acted on our empathy, we could positively impact the world around us
We put our lives all up for sale
We are willing to share our most intimate moments in exchange for fame or popularity
We get our truth in the Daily Mail
Our perception of reality is solely based on the news we consume from traditional media outlets
It's madness
The state of the world has become overwhelming and chaotic
Get used to it
We have become desensitized to the chaos and have accepted it as the norm
Another unit to be sold
We are but products in a capitalist society, our value determined by our ability to generate profit
Pig-love is all we'll ever know
Our relationships are shallow and based solely on superficial attraction and personal gain
So we're gonna live like animals
Given the circumstances, we are choosing to become savage, animalistic creatures
It's gone to shit
The current state of the world is beyond repair or redemption
And now the kids are opening their eyes
The younger generation is starting to recognize the issues with society and is willing to fight for change
And now the kids are starting up a fire
The young people are leading the charge for a revolution, igniting a passion within themselves and others
Dancing around, dancing around the light
The fire they've sparked within themselves is giving them newfound energy to overcome the darkness
So drink our blood like a parasite
Others are taking advantage of our pain and suffering for their own benefit
For occupation, socialite
Some are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve fame or wealth, even if it means exploiting others
Just looking for another hit
People are always seeking the next high, whether it be from drugs, fame, or social media attention
Opinion's what you say it is
The truth has become subjective, with everyone deciding what they believe based on their own biases and perceptions
It's tragic
The current state of society is heartbreaking and depressing
Could get used to it
We might begin to normalize and accept the tragic state of society as the new normal
So write your name as you come in
We are living in a culture where we are all treated like mere guests, with little control over our own lives
In case we want to kick you out
We are willing to turn on each other at the drop of a hat, without regard for empathy or loyalty
We're gonna make 'em build a wall
We are so divided that we are willing to physically separate ourselves from others with whom we disagree
If you're a something, don't ask for nothing
If you want to be considered valuable in this society, you must be willing to offer something in return
If you're a nothing, don't ask for something
If you have nothing to offer, society has deemed you as disposable and unworthy of help or compassion
So wake up
It's time to become aware of the issues around us and take action
This ain't a dream
The state of the world is not a figment of our imagination
'Cause everything's exactly how it seems
The world is in a state of chaos and turmoil, and we can't continue to ignore it
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Conor Mason, Dominic Alexander Roberto Craik, Joseph Langridge-Brown, Michael Seamus Crossey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind