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.
Signs
Shriekback Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you know what ear-rings mean?
Do you know what bald head means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Do you know what high rise means?
Do you know what columns mean?
Do you know what ruins mean?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs?
Do you know what Malboro means?
Do you know what Guinness means?
Do you know what acid means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Do you know what lycra means?
Do you know what rubber means?
Do you know what leather means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs?
Can you read this graffiti?
Can you decode this information?
Can you work out what they're saying to you?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read this graffiti?
Can you decode this information?
Can you work out what they're saying to you?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs?
Do you know what brick means?
Do you know what marble means?
Do you know what concrete means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Do you know what Spurs means?
Do you know what Arsenal means?
Do you know what Millwall means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Do you know what Escort means?
Do you know what Golf means?
Do you know what XJS means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs?
Can you feel the real intention?
Can you discern the subtle meaning?
Can you see all the implications?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you feel the real intention?
Can you discern the subtle meaning?
Can you see all the implications?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs?
Do you know what red means?
Do you know what roses mean?
Do you know what danger means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Do you know what Peckham means?
Do you know what Camden means?
Do you know what Soho means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Do you know what candles mean?
Do you know what crosses mean?
Do you know what purple means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Do you know what pizza land means?
Do you know what Berni Inn means?
Do you know what Burger King means?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs?
Can you read this graffiti?
Can you decode this information?
Can you work out what they're saying to you?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read this graffiti?
Can you decode this information?
Can you work out what they're saying to you?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs yet?
Can you read the signs?
What are you trying to say now?
What are you trying to say now?
What you gonna say?
The song "Signs" by Shriekback is a thought-provoking inquiry into the meanings attached to various symbols and signs in our daily lives and the societal implications they carry. The lyrics take the form of a series of questions directed towards the listener, asking if they understand the significance of things such as black, earrings, bald heads, high-rise buildings, ruins, and graffiti. The song challenges the listener to consider the meaning behind commonly encountered symbols, asking if they have the ability to read and decipher the signs around them.
As the song progresses, the questions become more specific, focusing on brand names and cultural references such as Malboro, Guinness, and the football clubs Spurs, Arsenal, and Millwall. The questioning eventually culminates in a challenge to the listener's ability to interpret the subtler meanings and implications behind these signs. The repeated refrain of "can you read the signs yet?" emphasizes the importance of not only recognizing these symbols but understanding their deeper meanings.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the way in which symbols and signs are used to communicate ideas and values in society. It encourages the listener to question what they see around them and to not simply accept the surface-level meanings attached to these symbols.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what black means?
Do you understand the connotations and symbolic meanings associated with the color black?
Do you know what ear-rings mean?
Do you comprehend the cultural significance of wearing earrings?
Do you know what bald head means?
Are you aware of the stereotypes or symbolism surrounding a bald head?
Can you read the signs yet?
Have you picked up on the underlying messages or meanings that may be present?
Do you know what high rise means?
Do you grasp the implications of a building structured with multiple floors, often used for commercial or residential purposes?
Do you know what columns mean?
Are you familiar with the architectural significance of columns and their use in building structures?
Do you know what ruins mean?
Do you understand the historical or symbolic implications of ruins, often associated with ancient civilizations or abandoned structures?
Can you read the signs?
Are you able to interpret the subtext or hidden messages that may be present?
Do you know what Malboro means?
Are you aware of the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the brand of cigarettes named Marlboro?
Do you know what Guinness means?
Do you understand the historical and cultural importance of the brand of beer named Guinness?
Do you know what acid means?
Are you familiar with the various meanings and implications of the word acid, including its use as a drug, chemical, or musical genre?
Do you know what lycra means?
Are you aware of the various contexts and cultural significance of the fabric material named Lycra?
Do you know what rubber means?
Do you comprehend the various associations and connotations of the material named rubber, often used in industrial and consumer products?
Do you know what leather means?
Are you familiar with the cultural and symbolic meanings associated with leather, often used in clothing and accessories?
Can you read this graffiti?
Are you able to interpret and understand the messages or art present in the graffiti?
Can you decode this information?
Are you able to decipher or uncover the hidden meanings or messages present in the information?
Can you work out what they're saying to you?
Are you able to understand or interpret the intended messages or meanings conveyed by the artist or author?
Do you know what brick means?
Are you aware of the significance and symbolism associated with the building material named brick?
Do you know what marble means?
Do you understand the cultural and historical importance of the material named marble, often used in sculpture and architecture?
Do you know what concrete means?
Are you familiar with the various uses and implications of the building material named concrete?
Do you know what Spurs means?
Are you aware of the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the English football club named Spurs?
Do you know what Arsenal means?
Do you understand the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the English football club named Arsenal?
Do you know what Millwall means?
Are you familiar with the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the English football club named Millwall?
Do you know what Escort means?
Are you aware of the various meanings and associations of the word escort, including its use in the context of commercial sex or security services?
Do you know what Golf means?
Do you comprehend the cultural significance and symbolic meanings associated with the sport named golf?
Do you know what XJS means?
Are you familiar with the brand of luxury car named XJS and its cultural significance or symbolism?
Can you feel the real intention?
Are you able to sense or understand the true motives or intentions behind someone's words or actions?
Can you discern the subtle meaning?
Are you able to identify or understand the hidden or implied meanings behind someone's words or actions?
Can you see all the implications?
Are you able to comprehend or anticipate all the possible consequences or results of a particular choice or action?
Do you know what red means?
Are you aware of the cultural and symbolic meanings associated with the color red, often used to signify danger, passion, or love?
Do you know what roses mean?
Are you familiar with the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the flower named roses, often used to signify love or beauty?
Do you know what danger means?
Do you understand the implications and consequences of danger, often associated with risk or harm?
Do you know what Peckham means?
Are you aware of the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the London district named Peckham?
Do you know what Camden means?
Do you comprehend the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the London district named Camden?
Do you know what Soho means?
Are you familiar with the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the London district named Soho?
Do you know what candles mean?
Are you aware of the cultural and symbolic meanings associated with candles, often used to signify spirituality or commemoration?
Do you know what crosses mean?
Do you understand the cultural and symbolic meanings associated with crosses, often used to signify Christianity, sacrifice, or death?
Do you know what purple means?
Are you familiar with the cultural and symbolic meanings associated with the color purple, often used to signify royalty, nobility, or luxury?
Do you know what pizza land means?
Are you aware of the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the name Pizza Land, often used in the context of fast food or Italian cuisine?
Do you know what Berni Inn means?
Do you comprehend the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the chain of British restaurants named Berni Inn?
Do you know what Burger King means?
Are you familiar with the cultural significance and symbolism associated with the fast food chain named Burger King?
What are you trying to say now?
What is the intended message or meaning behind your current words or actions?
What you gonna say?
What message or meaning are you planning to convey or reveal?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW DAVID N CANTOR, CLEMENT N DODD, ASTON N HARVEY, ABDUL N LAFTA, LINCOLN N MINOTT, JOHN N MOORE, ANTONIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind