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.
Who Are You
Reef Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen your house and seen your car
I used to be so much more sorted than I am now
I'm not perfect but I'm still a star
I will not compete with you
Not the way you want me to
We could stand up and fight through the night
And we'd both die trying
From this self consumer nation
Of material endeavor
I think I prefer old labor
Disconnect the faithful few
Get the children in their room
Reef's song "Who Are You" is a powerful introspective about an individual in search of authenticity in a world dominated by materialism. The singer is tired of superficiality and yearns for meaningful connections. The opening line, "Won't you show me who you are?" is a request for honesty and transparency from others. The singer has seen the physical trappings of success in the form of a luxurious house and car, but is no longer impressed by them. The line, "I used to be so much more sorted than I am now" suggests a personal struggle with his own identity.
The singer acknowledges that he is not perfect, but still maintains that he is a "star." There is no need to compete with others or conform to their standards. He would rather stand beside them and fight for something meaningful. The line, "I'd been waiting for a haven" suggests a desire for a safe and peaceful place away from the frantic pace of modern society. The singer prefers the simplicity of old-fashioned hard work to the empty promises of material success.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you show me who you are?
Can you reveal your true self to me?
I've seen your house and seen your car
I've already seen your material possessions.
I used to be so much more sorted than I am now
I was more put together in the past.
I'm not perfect but I'm still a star
I have imperfections, but I am still valuable.
I will not compete with you
I am not interested in competing with you.
Not the way you want me to
Not in the way that you are proposing.
We could stand up and fight through the night
We could battle through our differences.
And we'd both die trying
Even if it means sacrificing everything.
I'd been waiting for a haven
I've been waiting for a place of safety.
From this self consumer nation
From this society that is all about self-interest.
Of material endeavor
Obsessed with acquiring material possessions.
I think I prefer old labor
I believe I would prefer the simpler, traditional ways of living.
Disconnect the faithful few
Separate yourself from those blindly following society's ways.
Get the children in their room
Protect the young and innocent from harmful influences.
Writer(s): Dominic Joseph Greensmith, Kenwyn John House, Gary Paul Stringer, John David Bessant Copyright: Reef Music Limited
Contributed by Gavin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidpitkin9352
Don’t worry. You’re not the only one who is listening to this masterpiece in 2024! Still so vibrant, and moving...
@jrincon1625
Just listened to this song for the first time in 2024!
@devmani71
Listening to this gem in '24 and an instant smile came to my face when this track started ❤
@laurithompson5345
How lucky was I to be a teenager in the UK in the 90s. The best style, the best music , and so much bloody freedom. Oh what a time!
@TheJunebox
What a time to be alive were the late 90s… I have so much nostalgia lately…
@super_happy_alien509
@@TheJunebox thank for reminding us we in our our late 30/40s now ,,,, And please do not use the Term in our days like the boomers do,,, lets break with that tradition..
@lurker-mq4fp
Reading 99, sun blazing down, very hammered, Reef on the main stage sounding amazing! The good old days!
@bagelking6364
I was there don't remember much though 🤣
@1992littlej4
shocking how this doesn't have more views, this was a song from my childhood, loved it then, love it now, just shows how music just isn't timeless anymore, still a classic 90's tune!!
@ayrshireman1314
British music in the 90's was just amazing. We had a cocky swagger, and no wonder. Nobody else could touch us. Massive Attack, Oasis, Portishead, Reef. The list of great bands was endless. This is a classic of that era. Hasnt aged one bit.