In 1991 the band signed to Epic Records and released their debut album First of Too Many, featuring artwork by Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett who was a friend of the band. The album was well received and saw the band experimenting with other musical styles including some acoustic songs. The band enjoyed a run of reasonably successful chart singles and sold out club tours. In 1992 the band undertook an long and intensive tour of America with Blur.
The next album, 1993's Empire of the Senseless, showed some darker grunge influences. The lead single "Homophobic Asshole" was an angry and passionate song, although it was not a large hit. The following singles "Hold it Down" and "Primary Instinct" were reasonable successes.
The band's final album was 1995's Taking Care of Business backed with controversial single "Christian Killer" (renamed "Christine Keeler" for the album). The album flopped and the band split in 1995 after one final tour.
In 1995 Mark Keds briefly joined The Wildhearts (he appeared on the 'Just in Lust' single cover, as well as its 3 flipside tracks, but never actually gigged with them) before forming his own band Jolt in 1996. Ben Harding formed the new band 3 Colours Red who were the most successful of all ex members of the Senseless Things new bands. Morgan Nicholls briefly joined The Wonder Stuff vocalist Miles Hunt in Vent 414 before rejoining Cass Browne in Delakota in 1998.
Weirdly, the Senseless Things ex-rhythm section now feature in some of the biggest bands in the business - Morgan has played bass and other instruments for The Streets, and is now a permanent fixture in Muse - performing keyboards and backing vocals at live gigs. Cass Browne plays live drums for Gorillaz - a band who were, of course, created by Senseless Things cover artist Jamie Hewlett and their old tour-mates, Blur.
Best Friend
Senseless Things Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even if it's all I do
I'm wondering when the good things start
'Cuz I've been so confused
The things we used to do
They weren't wrong
So how was I to know?
You'd be gone for so long
Stay to the end
I've got to pull it apart
Been scratching at the seams
To find some kind of balance
In between extremes
I never would've guessed
But now it's done
It's madly obvious
There can be only one
You're my friend, you're my friend
Stay to the end
The things we used to do
They weren't wrong
So how was I to know
I've waited so long
Since you were gone
The Senseless Things song “Best Friend” is a reflection of a friendship that has drifted apart. It talks about the confusion and uncertainty that comes with growing up and how it affects relationships. The song reflects on the memories of the past and the importance of maintaining friendships even when it seems like they are drifting apart.
The first stanza of the song talks about the struggle to keep in touch with someone who may be distant. The singer acknowledges that the act of staying in touch might be the only way to maintain the friendship. The chorus, “you're my friend, you're my friend, stay to the end,” is a plea to the friend to remain in the singer’s life. The second stanza delves into the frustration and confusion that comes with growing up. The singer is trying to find balance in their life, while figuring out how to maintain their friendship.
The song presents a questioning tone throughout. It alludes to the fact that one can only hope to be a good friend, but cannot control what happens in the relationship. In essence, the song is a reflection of the struggles of becoming an adult and the changes that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to keep in touch with you
I intend to remain in contact with you.
Even if it's all I do
Even if that is the sole thing I do.
I'm wondering when the good things start
I am pondering when the desirable events come into play.
'Cuz I've been so confused
Because I have been bewildered.
The things we used to do
The activities that we formerly participated in.
They weren't wrong
They were not incorrect.
So how was I to know?
How was I able to realize?
You'd be gone for so long
You would have been absent for such a prolonged time.
You're my friend, you're my friend
You are my companion, you are my companion.
Stay to the end
Remain until the conclusion.
I've got to pull it apart
I must split it apart.
Been scratching at the seams
I have been scraping at the stitches.
To find some kind of balance
To discover a certain equilibrium.
In between extremes
In the midst of opposing propositions.
I never would've guessed
I would never have surmised.
But now it's done
However, it is now finished.
It's madly obvious
It is exceedingly evident.
There can be only one
There can only exist one.
You're my friend, you're my friend
You are my companion, you are my companion.
Stay to the end
Remain until the conclusion.
The things we used to do
The activities that we formerly participated in.
They weren't wrong
They were not incorrect.
So how was I to know
How was I able to realize?
I've waited so long
I have been waiting for such a long time.
Since you were gone
Since you have been absent.
Contributed by Grayson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Honorable Reverend Addison Bortion
I'm going to keep in touch with you
Even if it's all I do
I'm wondering when the good things start
'Cuz I've been so confused
The things we used to do
They weren't wrong
So how was I to know?
You'd be gone for so long
You're my friend, you're my friend
Stay to the end
I've got to pull it apart
Been scratching at the seams
To find some kind of balance
In between extremes
I never would've guessed
But now it's done
It's madly obvious
There can be only one
You're my friend, you're my friend
Stay to the end
The things we used to do
They weren't wrong
So how was I to know
I've waited so long
Since you were gone
Tom Shaw
When I heard that Mark died, this is the first song that popped into my head. RIP Mark.
Marr
simple is the best