Signed to Rage Records, the band released Rhubarb, their debut album, in 1997. Local legend has it that the album even outsold the Spice Girls, the girl-band who were at the time at the height of their popularity, in Cornwall.
Their most notable track - Mr Fixit - reach the top 40 of the UK music charts during the late 90s. Other singles included Can't Keep Living This Way, which stalled just outside the top 40. The band were unlucky - just as they were tipped to break through into the mainstream, their record company went bankrupt. They were unable to get a new deal, as the fashion at the time was for introspective indie music rather than their more upbeat style, and the band eventually called it a day in 2001. However, the story does not end there, as Harry Collier, bassist/vocalist for the band, went on to form piano-led pop-rockers Kubb who released their debut album, Mother, in 2005.
Long Way
Rootjoose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I spent the time it took, getting where I am today
Seen some distance, but that is not to say
That where I am is any nearer, it's a long way
It's always easy to look on yesterday
See the fine times in a season that was grey
Seems the best things, cause the most dismay
Chorus
It's a long way, but it's better not to get there in the wrong way
And it's easy if the days are moving on, yeah
And I hope I never see the day that stops me when I say
It's a long way, to go
It makes me smile when, I'm moving on the way
I spend my time just being where I am today
I've been some distance, and all I have to say
Is things are always getting clearer
It's a long way
Repeat Chorus x2
(Repeat last line x4)
Moving on but it's a long way
Don't want to get there in the wrong way
Repeat and fade
The lyrics to Rootjoose's song, Long Way, follow the journey of someone reflecting on their past while moving forward towards an uncertain future. The opening lines suggest that the singer has been on this journey for a while and has worked hard to get where they are today. However, they clarify that just because they have come a distance does not necessarily mean they are any closer to their end goal. As they continue to look back on their past, they realize that even though the best experiences are the ones that caused the most pain, it's essential not to dwell on them and instead focus on the present and future.
The chorus emphasizes that even though the journey seems long, it's essential to reach the destination the right way, without resorting to shortcuts or taking the wrong path. The singer acknowledges the ease of moving on when the days are passing by, but they hope never to reach a point where they feel like they can't keep going. The final lines of the chorus repeat the phrase "It's a long way to go" indicating that the journey is far from over.
The second verse highlights a change in the singer's outlook. Instead of focusing on how far they still have to go, they take joy in only being where they are in the present. They realize that things are continually getting more apparent and that the journey, although still long, is worth it. The repetition of the chorus signifies the internal struggle the singer is facing, trying to keep a positive outlook while also realizing how challenging the journey will be. The final lines of the song, "Moving on, but it's a long way. Don't want to get there in the wrong way," echo the sentiment from the chorus that the destination is essential, but the journey must be approached with care and patience.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a while now, moving on the way
I have been on this journey for a while now and I am still moving forward
I spent the time it took, getting where I am today
I worked hard to get to where I am today
Seen some distance, but that is not to say
I have come a long way, but that does not mean I am close to my destination
That where I am is any nearer, it's a long way
I am still far from where I want to be
It's always easy to look on yesterday
It is easy to look back on the past
See the fine times in a season that was grey
I can see the good times in the bad times
Seems the best things, cause the most dismay
The things I love the most can also hurt me the most
It isn't far when I start thinking, yeah It's a long way, yeah, yeah, yeah
When I start to think about how far I still have to go, I realize it is a long journey
Chorus
The main message of the song
It's a long way, but it's better not to get there in the wrong way
The journey is long, but it is important to make the right choices along the way
And it's easy if the days are moving on, yeah
It is easier to keep going when things are progressing smoothly
And I hope I never see the day that stops me when I say
I hope I never encounter an obstacle that stops me from reaching my destination
It's a long way, to go
The journey is still a long way to go
It makes me smile when, I'm moving on the way
I am happy when I am making progress
I spend my time just being where I am today
I try to live in the present moment and enjoy where I am right now
I've been some distance, and all I have to say
I have come a long way and I can see that things are improving
Is things are always getting clearer
My path is becoming clearer as I continue on my journey
It's a long way
The journey is still long
Repeat Chorus x2
The main message of the song, repeated twice
(Repeat last line x4)
The last line of the chorus is repeated four times
Moving on but it's a long way
I am still making progress, but the journey is still long
Don't want to get there in the wrong way
It is important to make the right choices along the way
Repeat and fade
The song repeats and fades out
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
scrambledeggsTV
song gives me shivers, strange times long ago, good chills, saw them live a few times, they were awesome
Alexandra Newbold
Loved your gigs guys :-) xx
Samantha Fells
What a tune😍 watched you guys in Exeter 🤙🏼
RH3D
just incredible
Jind Singh
Was 18 at Plymouth Uni....
These boys came on the stage at our local union, 1st ever live band - fell in love
Smashed it fellas!
sammie fells
Tune!! 😃👍👍👍👍👍😃😃👍👍👍👍👍😃😃😃😃😃👍👍👍👍👍👍😃😃💋💋
surfjabroni
oh yes Easy by the Commodores.. loved that one heheh
javv5
Got the cd BUT MY DAUF=GHTER HAS SCRATCHED IT UNPLAYABLE :(
artorwar
@javv5 Everyone's a critic....