The band was formed in 2005 and consists of Tommy Sanders (vocals), Peter Cattermoul (bass/vocals), David Thorpe (guitar), Jonny Sanders (drums) and Peter Hefferan (guitar/vocals).
Their debut album Little Death was produced by Gareth Parton (The Killers, The Go! Team, The Futureheads and Neil's Children) and was released in January 2007.
The bands singles 'Come On Feet' and 'Knots' were released in 2007 on Stolen Recordings. Since then the band have released four more singles. Most notably 'Mr. Understanding' in 2008.
At the beginning of 2009 they released a double A-Side of 'Jennifer' and 'Blood Gets Thin'.
Their second album One Thousand Pictures was released on 23 May 2011.
All releases are available through up and coming label, Stolen Recordings, at www.stolenrecordings.co.uk or their Myspace
Pete and the Pirates' Website
Pete and the Pirates' Myspace
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United
Pete and the Pirates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cool but your tone is careless
Shapes that the moonlight's making
Who's got your hands shaking?
Eye through an ashtray and you my darling
But this moonlight is not moonlight
It's electric, electric light
On the carpet, and when you lie down talking
I'm not listening
I just think it's funny how we are
United, united, united on the carpet
United, united, united once again oh
These houses along my street
They're so ugly staring down at me
They hold meetings in the night time, they speak quietly
They try to make me leave
They're laughing, I'm not listening
I'm just thinking how good it will be when we are
United, united, united on the carpet
United, united, united on the carpet
You're in my heart
You're in my car as well
You're in my heart
You're in my car
When I fall asleep
I often hope that it's for good but God I...
Don't want to die
I just want some sunshine
United, united, united on the carpet
United, united, united on the carpet
You're in my heart
You're in my car as well
You're in my heart
You're in my car as well
The lyrics to Pete and the Pirates' song "United" portray a mood of detachment and disillusionment, as the singer observes the world around him with a sense of detachment and disconnect. The singer uses vivid imagery to describe the moonlight as "electric" and "soft", highlighting the otherworldly quality of the atmosphere he finds himself in. While his partner is talking, he admits he is not listening, reflecting a sense of disillusionment and weariness.
The song's chorus, which repeats the phrase "United, united, united on the carpet," is enigmatic, but suggests a longing for intimacy and connection that is perhaps unfulfilled. The image of the singer lying on a carpet with his partner suggests a space where they can be close and connected, but the repetition of the phrase hints at a distance that remains unbridged.
The song's final stanza speaks to the singer's sense of alienation from the world around him, as he longs for "sunshine" and life, and admits to fearing death. This final stanza suggests a deeper existential angst beneath the detached persona the singer has been projecting throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh well you look so reckless
You appear daring
Cool but your tone is careless
Although you seem composed, you are speaking thoughtlessly
Shapes that the moonlight's making
The patterns created by the moonlight
Who's got your hands shaking?
What or who is causing your hands to shake?
Eye through an ashtray and you my darling
Looking through an ashtray, and you, my love
But this moonlight is not moonlight
This moonlight is not natural
It's electric, electric light
It's a bright, electric light
It lands so soft in my bedroom
It falls gently in my bedroom
On the carpet, and when you lie down talking
On the carpet, and when you talk while lying down
I'm not listening
I'm not paying attention
I just think it's funny how we are
I find amusing how we are
United, united, united on the carpet
Joined and together on the carpet
United, united, united once again oh
Joined and together once again, oh!
These houses along my street
These houses on my street
They're so ugly staring down at me
They are unattractive and glaring at me
They hold meetings in the night time, they speak quietly
They have meetings at night and speak in low voices
They try to make me leave
They attempt to force me to leave
They're laughing, I'm not listening
They are laughing, but I'm not paying attention
I'm just thinking how good it will be when we are
I am only thinking about how great it will be when we are
You're in my heart
You occupy a special place in my heart
You're in my car as well
You are in my car too
When I fall asleep
When I drift off to sleep
I often hope that it's for good but God I...
I frequently wish it's permanent, but God, I...
Don't want to die
I do not want to die
I just want some sunshine
I just want some happiness or joy
Contributed by Alexandra R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mauricio José Clavijo
Oh well you look so reckless
Cool but your tone is careless
Shapes that the moonlight's making
Who's got your hands shaking?
Eye through an ashtray and you my darling
But this moonlight is not moonlight
It's electric, electric light
It lands so soft in my bedroom
On the carpet, and when you lie down talking
I'm not listening
I just think it's funny how we are
United, united, united on the carpet
United, united, united once again oh
These houses along my street
They're so ugly staring down at me
They hold meetings in the night time, they speak quietly
They try to make me leave
They're laughing, I'm not listening
I'm just thinking how good it will be when we are
United, united, united on the carpet
United, united, united on the carpet
You're in my heart
You're in my car as well
You're in my heart
You're in my car
When I fall asleep
I often hope that it's for good but God I...
Don't want to die
I just want some sunshine
United, united, united on the carpet
United, united, united on the carpet
You're in my heart
You're in my car as well
You're in my heart
You're in my car as well
Shane Zuniga
Love this band so much
bellabambi45
i love this, i think i heard it on the radio so wrote your band name on my hand to remind myself to look up later. Glad I did.
Milan Campion
2019 anyone? still sounding class by the way
Lurvy1963
A Pete And The Pirates video for cat lovers everywhere.
hyperfunkd
Such an awesome track, reminds me of something from the punk era, fantastic stuff!
susique
When you think "greaaat song" and then are cats in the video. Unbeatable! <3
Rach227204
Have to say, this is one of the best videos ya could have made, I love cats! lol
Ray Slavenburg
I made my cat watch this video. It watched the video. All of it. :)
jay f
great song, love your old stuff and your new stuff... keep going boys!!
IamAston
You guys were great live :)