Rapids! released their first 3 track, self titled EP in November 2009 limited to just 200 copies and containing their earliest songs; Maps, Void and The Elitist. Following further time in the studio, they released a 6 track EP in March 2010, building on their first three tracks with the songs Fuses, Economics and Inland Empire. Between October 2009 and spring 2010 Rapids! played a large number of shows across the south coast gaining favourable reviews in many high ranking music blogs and magazines such as Artrocker and Rocksound as well as gaining airplay on John Kennedy’s XFM show. During this period, Steve Lamacq did the first of the band’s two on air interviews with the band on 6Music.
The band signed to London/Manchester label Heist Or Hit Records (The Answering Machine, Pomegranates, The Crookes, Love Like Fire) in July 2010 and their first 7” on Heist ‘Fuses’ was released in October 2010. Also in October 2010, the band toured the UK as the main support to The Answering Machine.
With regard to radio, in late 2010, just over a year after forming, Rapids! built on the earlier XFM radio play with the track Fuses being played by Tom Robinson and later a BBC Introducing/6Music live session with Tom at the 6Music studio in London. Steve Lamacq also invited the band on to his 6Music show for a live interview and radio play.
In early 2011, the band started on the process of writing and arranging several new tracks. These tracks were recorded in Southampton and London in April/May 2011 and the band engaged Manics/Idlewild producer, Dave Eringa to mix the tracks. The double A side single Comets / House Of Sand And Fog is due for release on 10th July and the EP, Fragments, is due for release on 15th August.
Maps
Rapids! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
don't lay nothing on my child"
Your friends they said, "Your heads in a noose
boy lay some boogie on our minds"
And we stood like the rapids
and I was like a new born child
Your father said, "Clean out your head boy,
go and kick cans along the street"
and go and lick some uncooked meat"
And we stood like the rapids
And I was like a new born child
Your mama said, "My babe is not free son,
but I'm loose about midnight"
Your father said, "Your sisters a groove boy,
what I said it just ain't right"
But then I stood like the rapids
And I was like a new born child
Won't you tell me why?
The lyrics to Rapids!'s song Maps describe the pressure and expectations put on the singer by their parents and friends. The first verse introduces the conflicting guidance of the singer's mother and friends. While the mother advises the singer to clear their mind and not burden her, the friends encourage him to lay some boogie on their minds. In the second verse, the singer's father also gives conflicting advice. He tells the singer to clean out his head and kick cans along the street while simultaneously telling Rose, likely a sibling, to clean out her toes and go lick uncooked meat.
Despite these conflicting messages and pressure, the singer stands like the rapids and feels like a newborn child. This could suggest that, even though they are uncertain and perhaps overwhelmed, they still feel strong and resilient. The final verse adds more complexity to the familial relationships as the mother tells the singer that they are not free but still loose about midnight. The father remarks on the groove of the singer's sister and then delivers an inappropriate comment. Despite all of this, the singer remains steady like rapids and still feels like a newborn child.
Overall, the lyrics to Maps describe the conflicting and sometimes inappropriate guidance that the singer has received from their parents and peers. The singer appears to be navigating this pressure with resilience and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Your mama said, "clean out your head boy,
Your mother advised you to clear your mind and not burden her child.
don't lay nothing on my child"
She didn't want you to say or do anything that could hurt her child.
Your friends they said, "Your heads in a noose
Your friends warned you that you were in trouble.
boy lay some boogie on our minds"
However, they wanted you to forget your worries and have some fun.
And we stood like the rapids
Just like rapids, the situation was intense and chaotic.
and I was like a new born child
You felt vulnerable and inexperienced like a newborn.
Your father said, "Clean out your head boy,
Your father also advised you to clear your mind.
go and kick cans along the street"
He suggested doing something pointless to relieve stress.
Your father said "clean out your toes Rose
Your father also criticized your sister.
and go and lick some uncooked meat"
Using a sarcastic tone, he told her to engage in more productive activities.
Your mama said, "My babe is not free son,
Your mother told you that you couldn't do whatever you wanted.
but I'm loose about midnight"
However, she would be more relaxed later in the day.
Your father said, "Your sisters a groove boy,
Your father told you that your sister was cool.
what I said it just ain't right"
He realized that he was wrong after praising your sister.
But then I stood like the rapids
Despite the chaos, you remained steadfast like rapids.
And I was like a new born child
You still felt vulnerable and inexperienced like a newborn.
Won't you tell me why?
The artist asks for clarification or explanation of the situation.
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
windfarmer88
Nice job of bringing that map to life. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to draw a birdseye view map without aerial footage.
Bravura Media Company
+windfarmer88 It's crazy how accurate there were with these maps, I completely agree! Thank you for the comment!
Jatznic
You are right about the factories along the waterfront. Grand Rapids used to be known as Furniture City USA so a lot of those old factories on the river were receiving lumber shipments for that purpose. There is a bunch of information about the furniture industry at the public museum here, some of which can be seen at their website.
https://www.grpmcollections.org/index.php/Detail/objects/169296
Thanks for sharing this!
Bravura Media Company
+Aaron Burnett Interesting... did not know furniture was that prominent there. Thank you for sharing the link to the museum I will definitely check that out. Factories and riverbeds are like peanut butter and jelly back in the 1800's. I look at alot of maps and I always see industrial factories strung in massive quantities along riverbeds. I often also see railroad tracks lie parallel to river beds to assist the factories as well. Thanks for comment!
David M
You could start with the fact that the dam was built to direct water down canals on each side of the river to power factories, flour mills and furniture companies. Grand Rapids was known as furniture city.
BringItBackAgain
Loved seeing this map of my hometown.
Bravura Media Company
Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for the kind comment!
Ppiks22
Do they have details of the houses on Heritage Hill? I’d like to see them zoomed in on Prospect and Fountain area
Nathan Smith
Love this video thank you.
Portsmouth Teens
Hotels were common because people didn't own homes and needed somewhere to stay while they were working