Simian Mobile Disco was originally formed as a traveling DJ duet, playing on the side of their early four-piece band Simian. They ultimately released a number of low profile singles, such as "The Count" on Kitsuné Music, but arguably gained more fame for their remixes of artists such as Muse, Klaxons, The Go! Team, Air and others. In 2006, Kitsuné released SMD's underground hit "Hustler", which features a vocal performance from New York singer Char Johnson.
Musically, Simian Mobile Disco is known for heavily stylized tracks —often with minimal instrumentation— that associate themselves with a particular hook (vocal or instrumental —see mix of "Whoo! Alright, Yeah...Uh Huh" by The Rapture), which is repeated throughout the track. There is often a breakdown (occasionally more —see mix of "Magick" by Klaxons) comprising noise, drums and sometimes synths and vocals.
The band's debut album, Attack Decay Sustain Release was released on 18 June 2007 on Wichita Recordings. Among the tracks included on it are "Hustler", "Tits and Acid", "I Believe", "Hot Dog" and lead single "It's the Beat", which features Ninja from UK indie band The Go! Team on vocals. The album contains five new tracks, and the European version includes a bonus disc. The album was preceded by two mix compilations in April and May, for the "Bugged Out" and "Go Commando" series respectively.
SMD supported Klaxons at Brixton Academy on the 5 December 2007 and The Chemical Brothers at Aintree Pavilion on 9 December 2007 and Brighton Centre on 12 December 2007. SMD made a mix for Mixmag that came free with the January 2008 issue of Mixmag. While working on their second studio album, they released a collection of remixed SMD originals entitled Sample and Hold, which contains eleven tracks and was released in the UK on July 28, 2008. A North American date has not yet been announced.
In January 2009, they announced on their Myspace page that a new album was supposed to come out in 2009. Soon after that, they released a new track "Synthesise", on 12 February, through a music video (directed by Kate Moross and Alex Sushon) that "features live visual accompaniment" for the track. Two days later, a new song was broadcast on the BBC Radio 1 named "10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong", soon followed by the release on 6 March of the official music video on their YouTube channel.
Their sophomore studio album Temporary Pleasure was finally announced on the 6 May, featuring many guests that they have encountered by their work as producers or their worldly tour including Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, Beth Ditto of Gossip, and Chris Keating of Yeasayer.
On New Years Eve 2009 Simian Mobile Disco will headline 'Get Loaded in the Dark' at the world famous Brixton Academy alongside Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1), Chase & Status, Herve and Sub Focus.
On NYE SMD headlined The Greatest Show on Earth at Motion in Bristol with the Bugged Out rig and rocked.
I Believe
Simian Mobile Disco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What I need to believe
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
I believe you could be
It's the same old song
That I always sing each year
But because it's perennial
Don't make it less real
And I believe that she could be
What I need to believe
I believe you could be (I believe)
What I need to believe
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
(Oh, it just keeps coming 'round again)
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
(It just keeps coming 'round again)
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
(It just keeps coming 'round again)
The conclusion I need
Is easily reached with you
You have given me all
And there's nothing left to do
And I believe that she could be
What I need to believe
I believe
It just keeps coming 'round again
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
(It just keeps coming 'round again)
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
(Said, it just keeps coming 'round again)
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
(It just keeps coming 'round again)
I believe you could be
What I need to believe
The lyrics of Simian Mobile Disco's "I Believe" express the singer's faith in someone being what they need to believe. The repeated lines of "I believe you could be what I need to believe" suggest that the singer has found someone who can satisfy their emotional needs and provide them with the mental peace they seek. The line "It's the same old song that I always sing each year, but because it's perennial, don't make it less real" suggests that the singer has been searching for this level of emotional fulfillment for a while, and they have perhaps found it in this person.
The singer seems to have reached some form of conclusion about their relationship with this person: "The conclusion I need is easily reached with you / You have given me all and there's nothing left to do." These lines suggest that the singer feels they have everything they need from this person and that there are no loose ends or unanswered questions. This level of certainty and closure is illustrated through the repetition of the belief that this person could be what they need to believe.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Believe" suggest a sense of comfort and resolution. The repeated refrain of belief in this person seems to provide the singer with the peace of mind that they have been searching for, and the final lines suggest that they have found the conclusion they were seeking.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe you could be
The singer has faith that someone can meet their personal beliefs and expectations.
What I need to believe
That someone can provide the necessary mental and emotional support to the singer.
It's the same old song
The singer has experienced a cycle of similar situations repeatedly.
That I always sing each year
The artist always returns to this experience each time it comes around again.
But because it's perennial
Although it is recurring and predictable, the experience is not any less valid or impactful.
Don't make it less real
The authenticity of the experience is not diminished by its repetition.
And I believe that she could be
The singer has faith that a certain person can meet their personal beliefs and expectations.
The conclusion I need
The artist requires an outcome to their situation that aligns with their beliefs and expectations.
Is easily reached with you
The person the artist believes in can help them reach their desired conclusion with little effort.
You have given me all
The person the artist believes in has already provided everything the artist needs.
And there's nothing left to do
The singer does not need to take any further action as everything necessary has been provided.
It just keeps coming 'round again
The cycle of similar experiences repeats once more.
Said, it just keeps coming 'round again
The singer acknowledges that this experience is cyclical and recurring.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Simon William Lord, James Anthony Shaw, James Ellis Ford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matthewbowen5841
The beat. The vibes. The lyrics.
The windbreakers.
Perfection.
@JackSprattDaBat
I love this song! The vocal style is just great, nice bass, super upbeat, what an awesome song. Sounds aren't super original, but they fit the song so damn well. Love blasting this out of the car in the summer!
@youarejustwaytocool
I just discovered this song. Over the weekend I slept at a friends house. We were all messed so we accidentally left the spotify blasting. I woke up to this playing and it was a magical moment. Such a beautiful song.
@faza09
vocal + simple but true lyrics + chillout beat = eargasm <3
@Moneyaddthenmultiply
Banging this in 2007. Still banging it today but that world is gone forever.
@LawrenceofCanadia
Damn straight.
@artstsym
I get why people who loved Simian felt that SMD failed to recapture that spark, but I still love it, and I don't think anything they've made diminishes their former work.
@laurendelune7618
This is a song I couldn’t imagine Ghost covering in their style but damn they did it well, this one is cool as well!
@kirstendahl344
This song is SO rockin' beautiful! I love the way he swings his voice!!
@BlackBeardDelight187
almost a decade now, love this gem