The band is one of the few outfits still burning with the fire of punk, but managing to combine it with the ideals and knowledge of English folk music - a balancing act they've made into a fine art over the years. And they have deep roots in the U.K. folk scene, emerging from both the Whitstable Oyster Co. Ceilidh Band, which formed in 1975, and Fiddler's Dram, a group put together in 1973 by Dave Arbus, whose fiddle work had graced releases by East of Eden and the Who.
Prosser, Telfer, and Taylor were also in Fiddler's Dram, whose moment of fame arrived in 1979 with the British hit single "Day Trip to Bangor" - released after they'd split up. They reconvened for a last album when Kearey joined them. He also became part of the band's alter ego, the roots-oriented Oyster Ceilidh Band, as they'd now become. With Fiddler's Dram no longer extant, the members put their energies in the newly renamed Oyster Band in 1981, playing gigs around England and self-releasing albums on their own Pukka label.
The band returned in 2003 after the longest recording layoff of its career with Rise Above, which included eight originals and two English traditional numbers, and featured the work of Irish piper James O'Grady throughout.
In 1990, the band collaborated with renowned folk singer June Tabor for the album Freedom and Rain and a tour.
Current Lineup:
Chopper - bass guitar, cello, vocals
John Jones - melodeon, lead vocals
Alan Prosser - guitars, viola, vocals
Ian Telfer - fiddle, English concertina, vocals
Dil Davies - drums
http://www.oysterband.co.uk/
The Soul's Electric
Oysterband Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thunder is drawing near
Smell static in the air
The soul′s electric
When bodies congregate
It's fight or celebrate
Poor humans just can′t wait
Galaxies wheel above
London lies dreaming of
Two hundred words for love
The soul's electric
Spirals of love and war
Is your love worth fighting for?
A-a-ah - feel the soul's electric
A-a-ah - the moon is much too high
A-a-ah - the soul′s electric
A-a-ah - a hundred ways to fly
A-a-ah - feel the soul′s electric
A-a-ah - we cannot get too high
A-a-ah - wide-eyed and restless
A-a-ah - we were born to fly
Out of the house
Out of our heads
Out of the cradle
Out of the house
Out of our heads
Out of the cradle
A-a-ah - feel the soul's electric
A-a-ah - hear the city breathe
A-a-ah - within the soul′s electric
A-a-ah - the skin never sleeps
The lyrics to Oysterband's song "The Soul's Electric" convey a sense of anticipation and excitement. The opening lines, "Up where the air is clear, Thunder is drawing near, Smell static in the air, The soul's electric," create a vivid image of an impending storm. It suggests that something powerful and transformative is about to happen. The phrase "the soul's electric" implies that there is a deeper spiritual energy or intensity building up.
The next set of lyrics, "When bodies congregate, It's fight or celebrate, Poor humans just can't wait," explores the dynamics of human interaction. It reflects the idea that when people come together, there is often a tendency to either engage in conflict or celebrate together. It also highlights the impatience of humans, emphasizing a desire for action and excitement.
The mention of galaxies wheeling above and London dreaming of "two hundred words for love" adds a cosmic and dreamlike dimension to the lyrics. It suggests that there are infinite possibilities and depths to explore in the realm of love and connection. This further emphasizes the idea that the soul's energy and potential are limitless.
The chorus, with its repetitions of "feel the soul's electric" and the references to flying, embodies a sense of freedom and transcendence. It suggests that there are countless ways to experience and express the electrifying energy of the soul. The repeated phrase "we were born to fly" reinforces the idea that human beings are meant to pursue their dreams and push boundaries.
The final section, "Out of the house, Out of our heads, Out of the cradle," seems to encourage breaking free from limitations and societal constraints. It implies a call to escape the ordinary and embrace a more adventurous and liberated existence. The verses that follow, with their focus on the city breathing and the skin never sleeping, evoke a sense of constant movement and liveliness. It symbolizes the idea that the soul is always in motion and seeking new experiences.
Overall, "The Soul's Electric" is a song that celebrates the potential and vitality of the human spirit. It encourages listeners to embrace their own inner energy, pursue their passions, and transcend the limitations of daily life. The lyrics paint a picture of a world filled with electric possibilities and a longing to fully explore and express the depths of the soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Up where the air is clear
In a place where there are no obstacles or barriers
Thunder is drawing near
An approaching intensity or tension
Smell static in the air
Sense the energy and anticipation in the atmosphere
The soul's electric
The inner essence is vibrant and full of energy
When bodies congregate
When people come together
It's fight or celebrate
They either engage in conflict or express joy
Poor humans just can't wait
Humans are impatient and eager for something
Galaxies wheel above
The vastness of the universe is in motion overhead
London lies dreaming of
The city of London is filled with dreams and aspirations
Two hundred words for love
A multitude of ways to express affection and connection
The soul's electric
The inner essence is vibrant and full of energy
Spirals of love and war
Cycles of both affection and conflict
Is your love worth fighting for?
Is the love you have worth putting effort into defending?
A-a-ah - feel the soul's electric
Experiencing the intense energy of one's inner essence
A-a-ah - the moon is much too high
The moon represents an unattainable goal or desire
A-a-ah - the soul's electric
The inner essence is vibrant and full of energy
A-a-ah - a hundred ways to fly
Numerous possibilities and paths for exploration and freedom
Out of the house
Escaping the confines and limitations of one's dwelling
Out of our heads
Moving beyond rational thinking and embracing emotions
Out of the cradle
Breaking free from childhood and dependency
A-a-ah - hear the city breathe
Perceiving the vibrancy and life of the urban environment
A-a-ah - within the soul's electric
Deep inside, the inner essence is vibrant and energized
A-a-ah - the skin never sleeps
The physical body is always active and receptive
Writer(s): Alan Prosser, Chopper, Ian Telfer, John Jones, Lee Partis, Ray Cooper
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.