With a lineup composed of Sam Fryer (vocals, guitar), Chilli Jesson (vocals, bass), Pete Mayhew (keyboards) and Will Doyle (drums), the band's musical output was primarily based around the rock genre, with some Garage rock and psychedelic influences. Their first single 'Best of Friends' was voted NME's song of the year for 2012. Palma Violets second single 'Step Up For The Cool Cats' was announced and released on 9th February. Palma Violets' debut album 180 was released on the 25 February 2013.
Following the release of their 2015 album Danger in the Club, there was a noted silence from the band on social media leading to speculation that the band had split up. This was confirmed in an interview by Matt Wilkinson with guitarist Sam Fryer on 11 July 2018. All the members of Palma Violets bar Alexander "Chilli" Jesson are currently in a new band called Gently Tender with Celia Archer of The Big Moon. Of the affair he noted "We didn't fall out or anything like that. We just changed as people. We were 18 when we started the band and everything is quite easy to get on the same page, write the same kind of music all the time. Whereas when you hit 24 after 5 years of touring, I think you just become different people and we naturally just moved on"
English Tongue
Palma Violets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way that we work we're a close knit plan
And everybody knows just who I am
My name's Hugh Diver I'm the starlit strand
There must be someone with an English tongue marking your words for the miles you lost
It's gonna be a cruel cruel winter
All the folk poke their eyes at me
is it just my fame or infamy?
Up jumped the devil and the cavalry
Everyone's excited they're watching me
And everybody knows just who I am
My name's Hugh Diver I'm the starlit strand
There must be someone with an English tongue
marking your words for the miles you lost
It's gonna be a cruel cruel winter
Let him go
Let him go
And everybody knows just who I am
And everybody knows just who I am
And everybody knows just who I am
My name's Hugh Diver I'm the starlit strand
The lyrics to Palma Violets' song "English Tongue" depict the struggles of an individual who feels misunderstood by society. The opening line, "You can't judge life if you don't understand," sets the tone for the song as it suggests that the singer strongly believes that people are making assumptions about his life without fully comprehending his situation. He then goes on to explain that their community operates based on a close-knit plan, and everyone knows who he is, hence, he is not an outsider but still feels like one.
This loneliness and isolation felt by the singer are further emphasized in the lines, "All the folk poke their eyes at me, is it just my fame or infamy?" He feels like an object of scrutiny, and people are only interested in him because of his status as a starlit strand. However, he questions if it is his fame or infamy that is attracting this attention. Despite the attention that he receives, the singer still believes that there is a sense of betrayal by society, as evidenced by the line, "There must be someone with an English tongue marking your words for the miles you lost."
The song ends with a plea for acceptance and understanding, implying that society needs to let him be himself and not judge him based on their normative values. The repeated line, "Let him go" suggests a desire to let the singer be and for society to accept him for who he is, free of judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't judge life if you don't understand
Life cannot be judged without comprehending its workings
The way that we work we're a close knit plan
We are a tightly connected group with a defined approach
And everybody knows just who I am
My identity is well-established with widespread recognition
My name's Hugh Diver I'm the starlit strand
I am Hugh Diver and I embody a poetic and dazzling persona
There must be someone with an English tongue marking your words for the miles you lost
Your language must have an English-speaking influence to explain your wandering ways
It's gonna be a cruel cruel winter
The upcoming season will be harsh and unforgiving
The go zone girls in the club don't agree they called me in but there was nothing to see
The popular ladies at the club did not approve of me and I was unimpressive to them
All the folk poke their eyes at me
Many people are staring and judging me
Is it just my fame or infamy?
Am I being noticed for my positive or negative reputation?
Up jumped the devil and the cavalry
A chaotic and dangerous situation has just erupted
Everyone's excited they're watching me
People are energized and paying attention to me
Let him go
Release him
And everybody knows just who I am
My identity is widely recognized
My name's Hugh Diver I'm the starlit strand
I am still Hugh Diver, the enchanting character
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@elchetaminG
sLYRICS:
You can’t judge life if you don’t understand
The way that we work we’re a close knit plan
And everybody knows just who I am
My name's Hugh Diver I'm the starlit strand
There must be someone with an English tongue marking your words for the miles you lost
It’s gonna be a cruel cruel winter
The go zone girls in the club don’t agree they called me in but there was nothing to see
All the folk poke their eyes at me
is it just my fame or infamy?
Up jumped the devil and the cavalry
Everyone’s excited they’re watching me
And everybody knows just who I am
My name’s Hugh Diver I’m the starlit strand
There must be someone with an English tongue
marking your words for the miles you lost
It’s gonna be a cruel cruel winter
Let him go
Let him go
And everybody knows just who I am
And everybody knows just who I am
And everybody knows just who I am
My name’s Hugh Diver I’m the starlit strand
@katrinab3432
Have had Palma Violets and Wolf Alice on repeat all week - can't wait to see Wolf Alice live!!
@MrKavanagh108
Brilliant ! Can't wait for the new album
@TheNenek7
They've chosen a great song for the video. It's my favourite from the lp 'Danger in the Club' ;-)
@ronaaancolhoooun2427
I'm so glad they've not taken a weird turn.
Long live Palma Violets!!!
@bblizcleary
In love with this song and band
@octaviobobadilla3060
Me encanta!
@robynjefferson6554
Love this ❤️
@digitalmarcel
Love the Palma Violets!!!!
@elchetaminG
sLYRICS:
You can’t judge life if you don’t understand
The way that we work we’re a close knit plan
And everybody knows just who I am
My name's Hugh Diver I'm the starlit strand
There must be someone with an English tongue marking your words for the miles you lost
It’s gonna be a cruel cruel winter
The go zone girls in the club don’t agree they called me in but there was nothing to see
All the folk poke their eyes at me
is it just my fame or infamy?
Up jumped the devil and the cavalry
Everyone’s excited they’re watching me
And everybody knows just who I am
My name’s Hugh Diver I’m the starlit strand
There must be someone with an English tongue
marking your words for the miles you lost
It’s gonna be a cruel cruel winter
Let him go
Let him go
And everybody knows just who I am
And everybody knows just who I am
And everybody knows just who I am
My name’s Hugh Diver I’m the starlit strand
@Rachellecast1
This is cool, you guys are cool. I dig it