In 1993, the start of the turnaround occurred. Paul Weller invited the band to support him on some dates of his tour. On the back of these performances, Weller invited guitarist Steve Cradock to play on one of his singles, and vocalist Simon Fowler to sing on his album, Wild Wood. Cradock was asked to play live with Weller on his tour, and the money Cradock made kept the band afloat during this time.
Britpop fame (1995–2000)
The band recorded a demo that was sent to various industry figures. After hearing this tape, Noel Gallagher invited the band to play with Oasis on their 1995 tour. This support slot brought OCS to the attention of more record labels, and eventually in late 1995, the band signed with MCA Records. With the explosion of the Britpop scene, OCS's music became nationally and internationally known. Their second album Moseley Shoals was released to mixed-to-positive reviews, containing four hit singles and reached No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart. They also played at one of the concerts at Knebworth House supporting Oasis in August 1996.
Marchin' Already, the follow-up to Moseley Shoals, went to No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart, displacing Oasis' Be Here Now at the top of the charts in 1997. In 1998 they headlined their own arena tour in support of Marchin' Already and played three sold out nights at Stirling Castle, Scotland.
One from the Modern was released in 1999, and peaked in the UK Albums Chart at No. 4. The record spawned three top 40 singles, "Profit in Peace", "So Low" and "July". A Greatest Hits album, Songs for the Front Row, was released in 2001.
Post-Britpop (2001–2008)
After splitting with bassist Damon Minchella, the band continued to record and perform. Releases in 2001 (Mechanical Wonder), 2003 (North Atlantic Drift), 2005 (A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad) and 2007 (On the Leyline) continued the trend of releasing new material every two years.
2004 saw the band release their first live album, Live: One for the Road. The album was a compilation of nineteen live tracks taken from various concerts. In 2006 the band released a live acoustic album, Live at the Jam House, which consisted of fifteen live tracks and also contained four new songs in "Great Man in Waiting", "The Word", "Still Trying" and "Matilda's England".
The band also released a live album in December 2006, which was recorded at Birmingham Academy and spread over two discs. People attending the gig were able to purchase the recording straight afterwards.
Recent years (2009–present)
In 2009, the band went into the studio with producer Gavin Monaghan, known for his work with Editors, Scott Matthews and The Twang, to work on a new album, Saturday, with a release date of 1 February 2010 to mark the 21st anniversary of the band. The album had a working title of 'Rockfield', named after the studios where it was recorded, but it was released as Saturday - both "Rockfield" and "Saturday" being tracks thereon.
On 2 November 2009, the band released a free downloadable version of a new song, "Mrs Maylie". "Magic Carpet Days", the first single from Saturday, was released on 25 January, followed by the album a few days later. The album charted at No. 35 on the UK Albums Chart. A second single, "Saturday", was released in May 2010 but it failed to chart. On 24 July 2010 they performed at the Wickerman Festival.
On 11 October 2010, the band released a 4-CD box set, 21, to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the band. It included many previously unreleased tracks and a brand new song entitled "Twenty One".
In March 2011, the band released a 15th anniversary special edition of their 1996 hit album Moseley Shoals. It consisted of the full album, b-sides and live tracks. The band played a full UK tour in support of the re-release. December saw the limited edition release of a double CD/DVD release of the band's Moseley Shoals gig at O2 Academy Birmingham, which was filmed on 26 February 2011. They performed an acoustic set at Lanford Live in 2011 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. In December 2012, the band announced the forthcoming release of their tenth studio album, Painting, which was released on 11 February 2013. They also played at V-festival where Inbetweeners actor James Buckley performed "The Circle" with them in Chelmsford and at The Electric Picnic Festival in Stradbally, Ireland.
In 2014 a special edition of Marchin' Already was released on a 2 CD edition and a special deluxe 4 disc box set which included a DVD of their live performance at Stirling Castle in 1998. Early 2015 saw the band celebrate their 25th anniversary with some acoustic concerts around the UK. They released a double CD live album which was recorded at the Manchester concert on the tour.
The following year, in 2016, the band announced several special concerts around the UK to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 1996 hit album Moseley Shoals. They also played several dates in Australia for the first time in their career.
On 22 June 2016, the band officially announced that Scottish musician Raymond Meade would be joining the band permanently on bass, following the departures of both Dan Sealey and Andy Bennett. Meade had already played live with the band since the start of the year.
In November 2018 the band unveiled their first new material in five years since the release of Painting. The four track EP was released on 10" vinyl and available only at the band's Christmas shows. The EP received a 5 stars rating from Flick of the Finger, with the publication stating that 'Lushly textured, these four compelling and diverse new offerings are nothing short of brilliant.' In 2023 the band released a career-spanning box set entitled Yesterday, Today 1992–2018, which contained all their studio albums and 5 bonus CDs, totalling 230 tracks. The set also came with a 72-page book. A companion vinyl box set was also released, covering their first three studio albums from 1992–1997. In May, a follow-up vinyl set was released, covering the three studio albums released between 1999-2003. August saw the release of the final box set, covering the remaining four albums, 2005-2013.
Studio albums
Ocean Colour Scene (1992)
Moseley Shoals (1996)
Marchin' Already (1997)
B-Sides: Seasides & Freerides (1997)
One from the Modern (1999)
Mechanical Wonder (2001)
North Atlantic Drift (2003)
A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad (2005)
On the Leyline (2007)
Saturday (2010)
Painting (2013)
Robin Hood
Ocean Colour Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's inspirational
When your life is a mess light one more cigarette
It's so logical
Well it's something your mother can't abide
But it's something that I freely prescribe
It never felt so good
As the night that you and I played robin hood
Stealing from the backrooms of my mind
Remembering a time when we were five
A time I thought we'd left behind
When I'm starting to cry
Come and sit by my side
I will love you so
And when nightmares come
I will try to be fun, even though;
I'm so scared you know
Well it's something your mother can't abide
But it's something that I freely prescribe
Take yourself for a ride
It never felt so good
As the night that you and I played robin hood
Stealing from the backrooms of our minds
Stealing from a time when we were five
A time I thought we'd left behind
Stealing from the backrooms of our minds
Stealing from a time when we were five
A time I thought we'd left behind
When you're starting to choke take some pills with your coke
It's hysterical
The lyrics to Ocean Colour Scene's song "Robin Hood" capture the essence of being lost and seeking comfort in unhealthy habits. The chorus urges the listener to "take yourself for a ride," which can be interpreted as both an invitation to explore and have fun, but also as a dangerous invitation to engage in reckless behavior. The first verse, "When you're starting to choke take some pills with your coke, it's inspirational" speaks to the idea that when life gets tough, people often turn to drugs or other vices for comfort. Similarly, the second verse suggests that smoking cigarettes is a logical solution to a messy life.
The second half of the first verse, "Well it's something your mother can't abide, but it's something that I freely prescribe" adds another layer to the song's commentary on personal struggles. Often times, parents or authority figures try to prevent people from engaging in self-destructive behavior, but those grappling with their own issues can find solace in someone who supports their unhealthy choices.
Overall, "Robin Hood" is a melancholic yet hopeful song that addresses universal themes of pain, escapism, and the search for companionship in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're starting to choke take some pills with your coke
When you feel overwhelmed or stressed, take something to numb the pain and distract yourself from reality. It might not be the healthiest approach, but it can provide temporary relief.
When your life is a mess light one more cigarette
When things are falling apart and you feel lost, sometimes the only solace you can find is in the comfort of a cigarette. It's not a permanent fix, but it can help you cope.
Well it's something your mother can't abide
This behavior might not be socially acceptable or approved of by those closest to you, but sometimes you have to do what's best for yourself, even if it goes against the wishes of others.
Take yourself for a ride
Escape from the mundanity of life and go on an adventure. Embrace new experiences and see where they take you.
It never felt so good
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be scary, but the feelings of excitement and liberation that come with it are unmatched.
As the night that you and I played robin hood
Recreating childhood memories and reliving past experiences with someone you care about can be a bonding and nostalgic experience.
Stealing from the backrooms of my mind
Uncovering forgotten memories and revisiting old thoughts and emotions can be therapeutic, even if it's painful at times.
Remembering a time when we were five
Nostalgia can transport us to a simpler time and remind us of the joy and innocence we felt in childhood.
When I'm starting to cry come and sit by my side
Being there for someone when they are vulnerable and emotional can be a powerful act of love and support.
I will love you so
Love is a powerful force that can provide comfort, acceptance, and security when we need it most.
And when nightmares come I will try to be fun, even though; I'm so scared you know
Even in the midst of fear or uncertainty, finding ways to make light of a situation can be a way to cope and find the strength to push through.
Stealing from the backrooms of our minds
We all have parts of our past that we keep hidden away and forgotten. Revisiting these memories, even if it's painful, can help us understand ourselves better and heal.
A time I thought we'd left behind
It's easy to think that we've moved on from our past and left it behind, but often these memories and experiences shape who we are and continue to influence us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAMON MINCHELLA, OSCAR LLOYD HARRISON, SIMON FOWLER, STEPHEN CRADOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamiemckelvie342
I’m 29, and my generation has had a lot of value from OCS, I can only hope the kids now get it too
My friend died and his funeral was today, he was 40 when he died and he took me in when I was 16, when I had basically nobody, taught me about art music style everything
I owe a solid 50% of who I am and what I’ve achieved to just him and bands like OCS
I don’t really dress like a mod these days but I truly believe once you’re a mod, you’re always a mod, it doesn’t leave you
We had a party with his close friends afterwards and we all had a big hug and a cry to this song
What this band has done for our friendships is indescribable
@lunacloud3455
When you're starting to choke take some pills with your coke
It's inspirational
When your life is a mess light one more cigarette
It's so logical
Well it's something your mother can't abide
But it's something that I freely prescribe
Take yourself for a ride
It never felt so good
As the night that you and I played robin hood
Stealing from the backrooms of my mind
Remembering a time when we were five
A time I thought we'd left behind
When I'm starting to cry
Come and sit by my side
I will love you so
And when nightmares come
I will try to be fun, even though;
I'm so scared you know
Well it's something your mother can't abide
But it's something that I freely prescribe
Take yourself for a ride
It never felt so good
As the night that you and I played robin hood
Stealing from the backrooms of our minds
Stealing from a time when we were five
A time I thought we'd left behind
Stealing from the backrooms of our minds
Stealing from a time when we were five
A time I thought we'd left behind
When you're starting to choke take some pills with your coke
It's hysterical
@stevebrucesnose
I’m 40, I hope they know the value they added to the lives of my generation.... saw & met them up & down the country, songs & scenes of my life. Legends. Big love to them x
@charliemc1227
So so true, huge part of our younger years. Christmas 2020 and this throws me back to the good old days. Wish everyone well for the future.
@johnnymorris2034
I don't think they know, honestly. I just watched Simon and Oscar in Lincoln, so humble and just so amazing.
@jamiemckelvie342
I’m 29, and my generation has had a lot of value from OCS, I can only hope the kids now get it too
My friend died and his funeral was today, he was 40 when he died and he took me in when I was 16, when I had basically nobody, taught me about art music style everything
I owe a solid 50% of who I am and what I’ve achieved to just him and bands like OCS
I don’t really dress like a mod these days but I truly believe once you’re a mod, you’re always a mod, it doesn’t leave you
We had a party with his close friends afterwards and we all had a big hug and a cry to this song
What this band has done for our friendships is indescribable
@nagoya09
100% mate!!
@jameshartley4246
One of the most underreated bands ever. Well thought out lyrics and beautiful music - the perfect combination.
@jonpon69
Bet they are super chuffed Oasis championed them a bit.
@cordoroy9515
Agree whole heartedly.
@Lawnboyspost1975TheHomeOfDave
Others will always say Blur and Oasis are the bands of the 90's , for me always and forever it will be these guys. First job, first car, first flat, all done to the sound track of Moseley Shores. Great times!
@michaeljones-davidon7363
I'm fuxking in tears here ..... Simons Voice and arrangements get me every time.......