At first, they enjoyed some success on the dance charts on their original Y Records label, releasing material such as 1983's 'Care', but the guys left for the big time on Arista Records for 1984's 'Jam Science'. Finding little success there, they switched to Island Records for the next year's breakout, 'Oil & Gold'. This album signaled a shift for the band, with Carl Marsh leaving the group and rockers Martyn Barker and Lu Edmonds joining what was now Andrews' vehicle. Indeed, Allen left the band after the followup, 'Big Night Music', came about, and Shriekback remained a collaborative around Andrews.
Dave Allen would go on to play in King Swamp, The Elastic Purejoy, and most recently in the reformed Gang of Four. Carl Marsh went on to serve in the band Happyhead. Both Allen and Marsh did return to the studio to contribute to the recording of Shriekback's 2003 release, titled 'Having a Moment'. Shriekback's material has essentially been an outlet for Andrews' personal work for many years now, also including collaborations with alternative music artists such as Wendy & Sarah Partridge (formerly of Electric Guitars) and Finn Andrews (Barry's son who is also of The Veils).
The band's best-known song is "Nemesis", which has received wide airplay on the indie/college circuit. The new wave song was notable among the rock tracks of its day for its use of unusual imagery and lyrics, including the use of the word "parthenogenesis" in the chorus. Shriekback is also known for having their dark, dramatic songs used in the Hannibal Lecter film 'Manhunter', their work being influenced by previous horror soundtrack music.
Beatles Zebra Crossing?
Shriekback Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upon this bridge of black and white their sacred naked feet have trod
Seers and angels, they saw what no one saw before
And now with closed eyes they walk from shore to shining shore
[Chorus]
But is it still the Beatles' zebra crossing?
Is it still the Beatles' zebra crossing? [Repeat: x3]
And now the faithful come here as pilgrims to a shrine
They walk the stations of the crossing
Their feet are bare their eyes are blind
Friends with cameras click to record the ritual
And back home all around the world the same picture hangs upon their walls
[Chorus]
But history moves mysteriously and nothing stays here for too long
They scorch the zebra from the road and paint a new one further on
But it still means what it meant then and it still looks much like it did
The pilgrims take their pictures still, its guilty secrets they stay hid
[Chorus]
That used to be a warehouse then
And this was all bombed in the war
And here the last wild boar was slain
And there my father met my ma
This was the place where I was born
And in the sixties this was hip
And right through here the Romans came
And this was where it all began
[Chorus]
Beatles zebra crossing [Repeat: x2]
The Beatles zebra crossing
Beatles zebra crossing [Repeat: x5]
The song "Beatles Zebra Crossing" by Shriekback pays tribute to the legendary rock band, The Beatles, and their famous crossing of Abbey Road. The first few lines of the song refer to the band's immense popularity and how their music had become a religion for some people, with Abbey Road being a holy land where they walked. The black and white stripes on the zebra crossing become symbolic of their sacred feet that treaded the same path, and the bridge connecting two worlds, the physical and the spiritual, serves as a metaphor for their music transcending boundaries.
The chorus raises a question if the crossing still holds the same significance and nostalgia for the fans, or if it's just a mundane everyday road that people cross. The second verse highlights how the crossing has become a tourist attraction, with people coming from all over the world to pay homage to their idols. The ritual of walking the stations of the crossing becomes a spiritual exercise for the pilgrims, who are convinced of the crossing's divine power.
The third and fourth verses talk about the transient nature of history and how the crossing has evolved over time, from being scorched and repainted to being retained and preserved, yet the sanctity of their idols remains untouched. The final lines of the song echo the sentimental journey that the singer and his generation have taken through time, reminiscing about the significant moments and events that have occurred on and around Abbey Road.
Line by Line Meaning
This was the holy land when they were more popular than God
The zebra crossing was a sacred place when The Beatles were extremely popular
Upon this bridge of black and white their sacred naked feet have trod
The Beatles walked on this black and white striped pedestrian crossing
Seers and angels, they saw what no one saw before
The Beatles were visionaries who saw things that others did not
And now with closed eyes they walk from shore to shining shore
The Beatles are no longer alive, but their music and legacy continue to inspire people across different parts of the world
But is it still the Beatles' zebra crossing?
The author questions if the zebra crossing still holds the same significance for people as it did when The Beatles were at the zenith of their popularity
And now the faithful come here as pilgrims to a shrine
People visit the zebra crossing like it's a holy site
They walk the stations of the crossing
People walk on the zebra crossing as a ritual or pilgrimage
Their feet are bare their eyes are blind
People come to the zebra crossing with respect and reverence
Friends with cameras click to record the ritual
People take pictures to capture the moment they visit this special place
And back home all around the world the same picture hangs upon their walls
People take photographs of the zebra crossing and then display them at their homes to remember their visit and cherish the memory
But history moves mysteriously and nothing stays here for too long
The world is always changing, and nothing remains the same forever
They scorch the zebra from the road and paint a new one further on
The old zebra crossing is removed, and a new one is painted for the safety of pedestrians
But it still means what it meant then and it still looks much like it did
Although the zebra crossing is changed, its historical significance is still remembered and cherished by people
The pilgrims take their pictures still, its guilty secrets they stay hid
People still take pictures on the zebra crossing, but they keep secret memories of their visit in their hearts
That used to be a warehouse then
The author reflects that the area has undergone many changes over the years
And this was all bombed in the war
The area has a history of wartime destruction and reconstruction
And here the last wild boar was slain
The area has seen significant changes in its environment and wildlife
And there my father met my ma
The area has personal significance for the author's family history
This was the place where I was born
The author has personal ties to the area and the zebra crossing
And in the sixties this was hip
The area and the zebra crossing were considered trendy or fashionable during the 1960s
And right through here the Romans came
The area has a long and rich history that dates back to the Roman Empire
And this was where it all began
The zebra crossing and the area has a historical significance that goes beyond The Beatles, as it marks the start of many significant events and changes
Beatles zebra crossing
The author repeats the phrase as a reminder of the main theme and subject of the song
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARRY WILLIAM ANDREWS, DAVE ALLEN, MARTYN BARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind