They were featured on the NME's 1986 compilation C86 with one of their slower songs, "It's Up To You". Also in that year, they signed to the Chrysalis Records off-shoot Blue Guitar for a further single, 'I Don't Wanna Be Friends With You' and their first and only LP album, The Shop Assistants. This spent one week at number 100 in the UK album charts, which gives the band the distinction of being the (joint) least successful act ever to hit the national charts. The album was re-released on CD in 2001, although it is now hard to find.
The band split early in 1987, when Alex joined The Motorcycle Boy. After a two-year hiatus, the band reformed (without Alex) in 1989 with Sarah Kneale now on vocals and Laura MacPhail on bass and the addition of Margarita Vasquez-Ponte on drums, releasing a brace of singles in 1990 before splitting again, Keegan joining The Pastels.
It's Up to You
Shop Assistants Lyrics
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But clouds all cover the past ten years
We'll always be here, you know i'll never go
But now it's summer there's nothing left to show...
Looks like something's going to happen, but I must confess
It looks like nothing ever happens
There's no chance of happiness
It's up to you...
It's always winter, but I'll stay with you.
The Shop Assistants' song "It's Up to You" is a reflective and somewhat melancholic tune that explores themes of love, loss, and perseverance. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to comfort someone who is grieving over past events. The first line, "Wait till the sun shines, to dry away your tears" implies that time will eventually heal the wounds of the past. However, the following lines, "But clouds all cover the past ten years, We'll always be here, you know I'll never go, But now it's summer there's nothing left to show," convey a sense of emotional complexity. The clouds represent the pain and sadness that still lingers. The singer reassures the person that they will always be there, but now that it's summer, there is no outward evidence of the suffering that they have endured.
The chorus, "Looks like something's going to happen, but I must confess, It looks like nothing ever happens, There's no chance of happiness, It's up to you..." is a poignant reflection on the futility of waiting for something good to happen. The singer confesses that even though it seems like something might change, they have no confidence in that outcome. There is a sense of powerlessness and resignation in their words. The final lines, "Just wait till the sun shines, I'll stand by you, It's always winter, but I'll stay with you," indicate a commitment to endure the hardships of life with someone they care about. The singer acknowledges that life is not always easy, but they are willing to stand by their loved one no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait till the sun shines, to dry away your tears
Don't worry about your sorrow, we'll wait for the good times to come and heal you.
But clouds all cover the past ten years
Even though time has passed, the pain still lingers and it seems hard to let go.
We'll always be here, you know i'll never go
Don't feel alone, I'll be with you no matter what happens.
But now it's summer there's nothing left to show...
Although the season has changed, there is no change in our situation and nothing to celebrate.
Looks like something's going to happen, but I must confess
There seems to be some hope, but I am skeptical about it and not sure if it will happen.
It looks like nothing ever happens
Despite our efforts and expectations, everything remains unchanged and nothing seems to work.
There's no chance of happiness
The prospects of finding joy or relief from our struggles seems bleak and distant.
It's up to you...
The responsibility of making a change and finding happiness lies within you.
Just wait till the sun shines, I'll stand by you
Don't give up hope yet, I will support you and together we will wait for brighter days.
It's always winter, but I'll stay with you.
Even though our lives feel cold and barren like winter, I won't abandon you and will be here for you always.
Writer(s): various
Contributed by Bella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@enricomariafranceschini8136
Wait till the sun shines, to dry away your tears
But clouds all cover the past ten years
We'll always be here, you know i'll never go
But now it's summer there's nothing left to show...
Looks like something's going to happen, but I must confess
It looks like nothing ever happens
There's no chance of happiness
It's up to you...
Just wait till the sun shines, I'll stand by you
It's always winter, but I'll stay with you.
@therealartistproper
wait till the sun shines
to dry away your tears
dark clouds will cover
the past ten years
well always be here
and no ill never go
its almost summer
with left to show
looks like somethings going to happen
but i must confess
looks like nothing ever happens
theres no chance of happiness
its up to you
wait till the sun shines
ill stand by you
its always winter
but ill stay with you
@felipefrndes
i remember listening to this 15 years ago thinking how my life would be when i'd hit my thirties...and yep, nothing substantial happened and i'm still here listening to this masterpiece
@enricomariafranceschini8136
Wait till the sun shines, to dry away your tears
But clouds all cover the past ten years
We'll always be here, you know i'll never go
But now it's summer there's nothing left to show...
Looks like something's going to happen, but I must confess
It looks like nothing ever happens
There's no chance of happiness
It's up to you...
Just wait till the sun shines, I'll stand by you
It's always winter, but I'll stay with you.
@briaredpath9386
Had this single as a teen with the cheap folded printed sleeve,thanks so much for bringing back precious memories.My favourite track by them along with somewhere in China,shame they didn’t do more mellow tracks.
@Frege100
This is the best record I ever bought and I've bought a few.
@georgelikesthebananas
Magnificent song. :)
@hugohh5853
l played this song, l left it going in the background and for some reason when l came back to check my computer l was totally convinced that l had left an Stereolab record playing, and then l remembered that it was the Shop Assistants... but seriously, Stereolab sounded so much like this!!
@SueTube7
+Hugo H Menanth They did ( so sad about past tense )!
@redstarboy93
Waow ! I had this ep. It's very good, the others songs too are good (switzerland, all tha ever matered and all day long); It sounded much better tan the LP. Could you put the other songs ? Would be great !
@hamishmaxwell-stewart7104
Alex Taylor was in my first year history tutorial at Edinburgh University. She made me a life long socialist. Rock on Alex. In solidarity Hamish
@franciscomarinescalante5721
Temazo