From the start, they have incorporated a diverse range of influences from British folk music to German Thrash Metal which has fed their constantly evolving sound. They are widely considered the inventors of Folk Metal.
The lineup remained stable for the recording of 2000's Folkémon, but founding member Walkyier left the band in 2001, citing various reasons, such as financial difficulties or the bands unwillingness to tour in South America owing to security concerns as the final straw, though other band members have commented that his somewhat pessimist personality was one of the major contributing factors to the groups lineup instability. Walkyier went on to form The Clan Destined. For many fans, Walkyiers lyrics and delivery style were one of the bands central attractions, and there were fears that his departure spelled the end of the band. After replacing drummer Jay Graham (who left shortly after Walkyier) and moving Kevin Ridley onto vocals, the group sprang into action to remedy these fears with 2002's No Daylights...Nor Heel Taps which featured studio recordings of "Irish Pub versions" of Skyclad classics by the new line-up, proceeded by a single, 2001's "Swords of a Thousand Men". The single's title track, a cover tune (originally recorded by Tenpole Tudor), also appeared on Folkémon as a bonus track, although in a different version. The single featured two recordings of the track, one of them with Ridley on vocals and one with Ridley sharing the microphone with Ten Pole Tudor's vocalist Edward Tudor-Pole. The single/album release was accompanied by the 'The Same...But Different' tour, the largest Skyclad had undertaken for many years. Also in 2001 the band released Another Fine Mess, which featured live recordings from 1995 and the contents of the Outrageous Fourtunes EP.
2004's A Semblance of Normality marks the bands first new material from the post-Walkyier era (there had been some unpleasantness between Walkyier and the other band members over copyrights and royalties for his lyrics, as well as the release of tracks featuring him), keeps very much in the vein of previous releases, with Ridley's lyrics making an obvious effort to follow similar themes and styles to Walkyiers whilst retaining an individual identity. The album has probably been the most widely received of their releases, probably due to better distribution and word-of-mouth advertising, and has received much critical acclaim, especially in the English-speaking world, where, ironically (given the use of inventive wordplay in their titles and lyrics, much of it aimed at native English speakers), the band is almost unknown. However, in South America and mainland Europe they have been extremely popular for many years, especially in Germany and Greece.
Skyclad's current release is an EP, Jig-a-Jig, self-released by the Band. A new album was recorded in summer 2008, it is to be released in late 2008 or 2009.
Four songs from the band's latest releases are available for both streaming and download at the Skyclad page at MySpace.
My Naked I
Skyclad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the demons I have locked away they prowl a one track mind.
If you had thought this tongue in cheek was just reserved for speaking
one hour at my sweet mercy would be sure to send you blind.
Speeding through the darkness of this endless Friday night,
In a body with one drunk and careless owner.
There is nobody home but all the light are shining brightly,
[Chorus]
Yearning serpent sharp foretooth,
I ache to taste of nacked youth.
The fleeting glance I can't forget,
Could make of me an agapet.
The reins that bridle my desire
grow flimsier than your attire.
Feeling brave? then come and try to stare into my naked I.
Like a spider with a fly upon her web
come wrap those legs around me.
Deflower me devour me,
My veins aglow with blood like liquid fire.
I'm a willing victim gagged and bound down on your altar of seduction,
Awaiting my destruction in the all consuming flames of raw desire.
I fear I should be boiled in oil just for these thoughts I'm thinking,
If you'd be my new hobby I could give up DIY.
I've just one vice in life but how its jaws long to be sinking,
In the flesh of Eden's apple with some subtle succubi.
I'd say without a doubt you're the best sex I never had,
Cause in my dreams you wear a necklace white and pearly.
Make mine a triple bromide on the rocks please (stirred and shaken),
Should I wait 'til it's too late or come too early?
Yearning serpent sharp foretooth,
I ache to taste of naked youth.
The feeling glance I can't forget,
Could make of me an agapet.
The reins that bridle my desire
grow flimsier than your attire.
Feeling brave? then come and try to stare at my naked I.
The lyrics of Skyclad's "My Naked I" talk about the person's inner demons that they have been keeping hidden. They are afraid to reveal these secrets as it might make them lose control of their actions, leading to inappropriate behavior. The first stanza talks about the person's desires and how they are struggling to keep them in check. The second stanza paints a picture of the person speeding through the darkness, in a body that is not their own. They long to wake beside their love when the night is over. The chorus talks about the person's yearning for someone to satisfy their desires, something they can't get over. They long for the taste and fleeting glances they have exchanged with their love, which drives them to the edge.
The third stanza follows the same theme, with a metaphor of a spider and its prey. The person invites their love to wrap their legs around them and devour them. They are willing to submit themselves to their love's seduction, even if it means their own destruction. In the fourth stanza, the person admits that they have only one vice, and they want to indulge in it with the subtle succubi. They long to experience the best sex they never had, even in their dreams, with their love wearing a white and pearly necklace. The chorus repeats with the same yearning desire for their love to fulfill their wishes.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish that you could know one day the secrets I've been keeping,
I hope that someday you can learn about the hidden demons that haunt me.
Of the demons I have locked away they prowl a one track mind.
The demons within me have consumed my mind and are always present.
If you had thought this tongue in cheek was just reserved for speaking
If you thought my humor was just a front, then you would be wrong.
one hour at my sweet mercy would be sure to send you blind.
If you were to spend time with me, you would be overwhelmed by my dominant presence.
Speeding through the darkness of this endless Friday night,
I am aimlessly wandering through the night with no real destination.
In a body with one drunk and careless owner.
I am in a state of altered consciousness with no control over myself.
There is nobody home but all the light are shining brightly,
Despite being alone, the world is still operating as if everything is normal.
How I'd love to wake beside you when it's over.
I long for the comfort and companionship of another person.
Yearning serpent sharp foretooth,
My desire is like a snake with fangs ready to strike.
I ache to taste of nacked youth.
I crave the sensation of youth and innocence.
The fleeting glance I can't forget,
A brief look from someone has left a lasting impression on me.
Could make of me an agapet.
That person could turn me into a beloved companion.
The reins that bridle my desire
I try to control my impulses and desires.
grow flimsier than your attire.
However, my self-control is weakening with every passing moment.
Feeling brave? then come and try to stare into my naked I.
If you dare, you can try and see beyond my exterior into my true self.
Like a spider with a fly upon her web
I am luring someone in like a spider to its prey.
come wrap those legs around me.
I want someone to physically embrace me completely.
Deflower me devour me,
I want someone to take my virginity and consume me entirely.
My veins aglow with blood like liquid fire.
My passion is burning deep within me, ready to be unleashed.
I'm a willing victim gagged and bound down on your altar of seduction,
I am fully consenting to be seduced and bound by someone else's desires.
Awaiting my destruction in the all consuming flames of raw desire.
I am prepared for the intense experience of giving into my desires.
I fear I should be boiled in oil just for these thoughts I'm thinking,
I am ashamed of my desires and feel as though I should be punished for them.
If you'd be my new hobby I could give up DIY.
If I was with someone who filled my needs, I could let go of my solitary hobbies.
I've just one vice in life but how its jaws long to be sinking,
I only have one temptation in life, but it consumes me.
In the flesh of Eden's apple with some subtle succubi.
I long for seduction and to taste the forbidden fruit with a subtle, tempting companion.
I'd say without a doubt you're the best sex I never had,
I have never had sex with you, but in my fantasies, you are the best I've ever had.
Cause in my dreams you wear a necklace white and pearly.
In my dreams, you have a beautiful, pure necklace that represents our connection.
Make mine a triple bromide on the rocks please (stirred and shaken),
I am ordering a strong drink to help ease my nerves and passions.
Should I wait 'til it's too late or come too early?
Should I wait until it's too late to take action, or should I go for it now?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARTIN WALKYIER, STEPHEN RAMSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Vulcano
One of the best songs of Skyclad ever!
Love this one!
dannybody73
Also one of my Skyclad favourites!!! Awesome!!!
Ascyltos
"I think it's safe to say you're the best sex I never had, cuz in my dreams you wore a necklace white and pearly. Make mine a triple bromide on the rocks, stirred not shaken Should I wait till it's too late, or come too early?" - Classic!