Their critically acclaimed eponymous debut album was released in 1997, and was characterised by strong vocal harmonies and energetic choruses. It was also the first album to be produced by (now) uber-producer Nigel Godrich, who went on to produce Radiohead and Paul McCartney among others. The song "Golden Skin" was featured on the soundtrack to the 1990s British comedy film, Shooting Fish.
The band's second album Neo Wave was released the following year. This album had a slightly more polished sound, which some found a little lacking compared to the fuzz-toned wall of sound that the band had cultivated with their debut release. It contains their biggest hit "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late", a cover of the Johnny Mathis ballad which the band originally recorded as a joke and have since disowned. The EP release also contained a version of Rush's 10 minute prog-epic "Xanadu" which the band condensed into a 3-minute pop song, as well as a cover of My Bloody Valentine's 'You Made Me Realise'.
The band re-formed to promote a third album, Disappear Here, in 2005, this time released on the Invisible Hands label. This album is remarkable in that lead vocalist, James Broad, is the sole artist to appear on the recordings, having played all musical instruments and sung all of the vocals.
In a more recent rare foray into the mass-media, their song "Last Day" was used on the Hollyoaks soundtrack on 24 January 2006.
Their fourth album, Dad's Weird Dream, was released in Japan on 11 September 2006. However, the decision was taken to remix it for the UK edition, where was released on 4 December 2006. One track, "Fallen" was remixed by Nigel Godrich, working with the band for the first time since their debut, currently available as an itunes exclusive EP. Unlike its predecessor, the entire original line-up has participated in the recording, though Richard Sayce is only credited with backing vocals, suggesting that a drum machine was used instead of live drumming.
LAVA
Silver Sun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're in, so late, and I am so happy
Just looking, so sorry, for being so sad
That worm pie you made me
You made me, eat for the butcher
To paint a little, a little pig
Paint a little pig
(chorus)
(I could not learn, in lava so hard)
In lava, so hard to pull out
Bull's blood for baby Jesus for lava, for lava
I don't think it's what I meant
A friendly, face and I am upset yeah
What the hell's your name and it doesn't matter
You're still sitting still bleeding
for ever, forever
Everyone has gone, everyone has gone
And I open you, like a book, pages are still wet
Little girls so sweet, the smell of their bedrooms
And stick her head through the window
Look to the half-moon
The lyrics to Silver Sun's song "Lava" are full of vivid and cryptic imagery, making the meaning of the song open to interpretation. The singer seems to be frustrated and emotional, perhaps feeling lost or alone. They mention someone sitting still and bleeding, suggesting a physical or emotional wound that may be impossible to heal. The line "tricks I could not learn, in lava so hard to pull out" may refer to attempts to overcome difficulties or challenges that are too great to overcome. The use of images like a worm pie, a butcher, and a little pig add to the surreal and unsettling atmosphere of the song.
The chorus of "Lava" introduces new images and ideas with the lines "Bull's blood for baby Jesus for lava, for lava / I don't think it's what I meant". It's difficult to say exactly what these lines mean, but they continue the theme of desperation and disillusionment. The singer seems to be searching for meaning or purpose, but coming up empty or finding only chaos.
Overall, "Lava" is a haunting and evocative song that invites the listener to examine their own struggles with identity, belonging, and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I f**king give-up
I am completely defeated and unable to continue trying
You're in, so late, and I am so happy
You arrived much later than expected, but I am still thrilled to see you
Just looking, so sorry, for being so sad
I feel remorseful for my sadness, which I cannot hide
That worm pie you made me
I am referring to the unpalatable and repulsive situation you put me in
You made me, eat for the butcher
You forced me to bear the brunt of a cruel and unforgiving situation
To paint a little, a little pig
To provide a slight hint or suggestion of deceit, much like painting over a pig's blemishes
Paint a little pig
Again, highlighting the idea of creating the illusion of perfection or hiding imperfections, like a painted pig
(chorus)
This is the refrain of the song, repeated after every stanza
And tricks I could not learn
I attempted to master certain skills or strategies but was unable to do so
(I could not learn, in lava so hard)
I am using the metaphor of the difficulty of pulling things out of lava to indicate how challenging it was for me to learn or achieve these goals
In lava, so hard to pull out
This line reinforces the idea of the tremendous difficulty involved in trying to grasp certain lessons or overcome certain obstacles
Bull's blood for baby Jesus for lava, for lava
I am using this line as a nonsensical mantra or incantation, perhaps to underscore the idea that the obstacles or difficulties I am facing are amorphous or unnamable
I don't think it's what I meant
I am expressing some degree of confusion or uncertainty about the situation at hand
A friendly, face and I am upset yeah
I am upset or disturbed by a face I previously thought was friendly or welcoming
What the hell's your name and it doesn't matter
I am questioning someone's identity or intentions, but simultaneously accepting that none of it really has any bearing on my current situation
You're still sitting still bleeding
A graphic and unsettling image, perhaps meant to convey a sense of someone remaining stuck or trapped in a bad situation
for ever, forever
Repeated for emphasis, this line signifies the potentially perpetual nature of the situation
Everyone has gone, everyone has gone
I am alone or abandoned by others
And I open you, like a book, pages are still wet
I am uncovering or revealing someone else's secrets or vulnerabilities
Little girls so sweet, the smell of their bedrooms
I am invoking a specific sensory experience to signify feelings of nostalgia or regret
And stick her head through the window
I am perhaps indicating an unexpected or jarring experience or image
Look to the half-moon
I am directing my gaze or attention towards the moon, which may contain some symbolic or emotional significance for me
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
col091
I've loved and listened to this track for years and never knew the lyrics thanks for sharing
thewhippetbeans
timeless classic! instant sunny happiness! :)
Richard Wagner
you guys are right.My skateboard tricks could not learn in Lava so hard.
Tina Corr
The lead guitarist of silver sun went to my mum’s friends wedding and my dad and my mum played twister with him😂😂😂
Mr. Natural
i'm looking for the official video. nowhere to be found. damn, i miss this band. still have the cassette tape.
cooks looking
Heh #metoo, was reduced for 29p in Andy Records thought I'd give it a try, turned out to be single of the year
baldyhead
Even though I kind of thought some of the lyrics were the same as here, I reckoned I was miss-hearing them. Maybe not after all.
I did think he sings "A lava, a lava lamp" in the chorus, though.
Elegiac
Nice!!!
The Power Pop Fan
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Dan Belton
Had no idea of the lyrics! Cheers!