In 1993 while Gary and Jack were looking for band members, Kenwyn had met up with Dominic Greensmith in London and discussed forming a band. So, the foursome got together, got a house in West London and started to jam.
After recording a couple of tracks, the band spent much of 1994 touring and building up a fan base. They signed to S2, an off-shoot of Sony and supplied them with "Naked" which was used in a TV advert for the Sony Minidisc in which a record company executive hears the track on Minidisc, throws it out of the window disapprovingly, but a young man outside picks it up, listens to it and likes it (demonstrating the format's durability). It would have been very easy for Reef to cash in on this and release Naked, although they would probably have gone the way of Stiltskin and been a one-hit-wonder. Instead, they took their time and a few months later, released "Good Feeling", then "Naked" and then a non-album track "Weird". All of these singles were top 20.
In 1995 Reef released their now Gold debut album "Replenish".
"We wanted our first album, ‘Replenish’, to be a really honest statement. Four people playing in a room and getting something that’s totally their own. It was recorded in the most basic way possible. Minimal room sounds. Up until recently, all I used for effects was a wah-pedal and I only used that on two songs." Kenwyn House.
The follow up to "Replenish" was "Glow", which was more diverse, with the band using different instruments and creating a more interesting style. It spawned the hit singles "Place Your Hands", "Come Back Brighter", "Consideration" and "Yer Old" which increased Reef’s profile in the UK and abroad. On the week of its release, "Glow" went straight to number 1 in the UK album chart.
In 1999 Reef released their third album "Rides". They have even swapped instruments on some tracks with Gary and Dom playing guitar and Jack singing on one song.
"Set The Record Straight" is the highlight of Getaway (Sony, 2000), their fourth album and most commercial work yet.
In total they have had 8 UK top 20 singles.
Place Your Hands remains a party and compilation favourite many years later.
They also headlined at the Reading festival in 1999.
In 2004 Reef took a long break from their constant touring.
Gary appeared at Bristol Academy as a guest DJ on the 28th of February.
Kenwyn House formed a new band called McArthur, while Dominic Greensmith started touring with his new band, Kubb.
Gary and Jack play in rock band THEM IS ME
Gary Stringer, Jack Bessant, Kenywn House & Dominic Greensmith are back together for six live shows in April 2010.
Naked
Reef Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's is where I'm at.
Hoot with me.
I'd get into that.
If you know where I'm at,
I would get a kick from that.
Muddy face, bloody hand.
Naked we dance on our clothes.
So will you come with me?
I'll take you away
Spin with me,
That's is what I feel
Open your arms.
Release from within.
If you know where I'm at.
I would get a kick from that.
Come the dark,
Light a fire.
In the rain we raise our heads
So will you come with me?
I'll blow you away
The lyrics of Reef's song "Naked" seem to call out to the listener to let go of any inhibitions and join the singer in celebrating life through dance, music and natural experiences. The first verse encourages the listener to "sing" and "hoot" along with the singer as he indulges himself in simple and primal pleasures. The phrase "naked we dance on our clothes" almost acts as a metaphor, inviting the listener to strip off any societal expectations and join the singer in celebrating the bareness of nature and the freedom that comes with it.
The second verse builds on this theme, inviting the listener to "spin" and "open your arms" to fully experience the joy of being alive. The lines "come the dark, light a fire, in the rain we raise our heads" seem to encourage the listener to take on challenges and find ways to enjoy life, even in difficult circumstances. The chorus is a repeated invitation to come along with the singer and share in the experience he is offering, promising to "blow you away" with the freedom and joy of living fully.
Overall, the lyrics of "Naked" seem to be a celebration of life's simple pleasures, and a call to let go of any inhibitions or restrictions that may keep us from fully enjoying the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing with me.
Join me in this moment and let's create something together, something that will make us feel good.
That's is where I'm at.
This is my state of being, my mood, my zone. Come along and join me.
Hoot with me.
Let's make some noise, let's express ourselves without fear or shame, let's be free.
I'd get into that.
I would love to experience that feeling, that moment, that adventure with you. I am open to it.
If you know where I'm at,
If you understand me, if you resonate with me, if you connect with me, then we can share something special.
I would get a kick from that.
I would be thrilled, I would feel alive, I would be grateful if we could share that moment together.
Muddy face, bloody hand.
We are not afraid of getting dirty, of taking risks, of facing challenges. We are alive and present in this moment.
Naked we dance on our clothes.
We are shedding our masks, our roles, our pretenses. We are revealing our true selves and celebrating our humanity.
So will you come with me?
Are you willing to join me on this journey, this adventure, this experience? I cannot promise it will be easy, but I can promise it will be worth it.
I'll take you away
I will show you a different perspective, a different reality, a different possibility. I will help you escape from your routine and see the world with fresher eyes.
Spin with me,
Let's lose control, let's surrender ourselves to the moment, let's trust the flow of life and enjoy the ride.
That's is what I feel
My emotions are intense and raw, and I want to express them with all my body and soul. I am not afraid of being vulnerable.
Open your arms.
Be receptive, be welcoming, be loving. Let your heart expand and connect with the world around you and within you.
Release from within.
Let go of your fears, your doubts, your worries. Trust yourself, trust the universe, trust the power of the present moment.
Come the dark,
Even when things get tough, even when life throws us curveballs, even when we feel lost or alone, we can find light and hope if we look hard enough.
Light a fire.
Ignite your passion, your curiosity, your resilience. Keep moving forward, keep exploring, keep learning, keep growing.
In the rain we raise our heads
Even in the midst of difficulties or pain, we can find beauty and grace. We can lift our spirits, our hearts, our souls, and feel grateful for being alive.
I'll blow you away
I will awaken your senses, your desires, your dreams. I will inspire you to break free from your limitations and pursue your true potential.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: JOHN DAVID BESSANT, DOMINIC JOSEPH GREENSMITH, KENWYN JOHN HOUSE, GARY PAUL STRINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ethandavis8090
This is criminally underrated… easily one of the greatest riffs/ songs of all time. Why is the world sleeping on this genius music?!?!??!
@davidmurren4644
Have A Riff On Me...
@DooBeeDooBeeDoo
@@malabuman2463 Hahahaha , but seriously 😡 arrests should have been made
@dirkdee9751
100%!
@nickmee4617
Riff tastic
@PJBonoVox
According to gen Z everything is "underrated".
@Longboardsinglefin
This is one seriously underrated band - saw them in Truro last year and they are one of Britain's greatest rock acts. I'm guessing they are better now than they ever were. GO SEE EM.
@jasonwheeler3669
I was at that gig got to agree was surprised how good they are live brilliant
@bernadette9444
Underrrrated!!!
@Syklonus
They had some big hits in the 90s. Hardly underrated.