Described as "classic UK rock delivered with whiskey vocals", the band have been summarised as possessing a sound akin to the genres of alternative rock and "British traditional rock". Stereophonics' debut album, Word Gets Around, was released in August 1997 and charted at number six in the UK, aided by the singles "Local Boy in the Photograph", "More Life in a Tramps Vest" and "A Thousand Trees". The band reached mainstream success with the release of Performance and Cocktails (and its promotional singles "The Bartender and the Thief", "Just Looking" and "Pick a Part That's New") in 1999 and have achieved a total of ten top-ten singles as well as one number one: "Dakota" (2005). Having sold around 10 million copies worldwide by 2016, Stereophonics are one of the most successful Welsh rock acts. Upon their release of Pull the Pin, they achieved five consecutive UK number one albums.
The band have also been praised for their live performances, which have landed them headlining slots at many of the UK and Ireland's most high-profile music festivals, including Reading and Leeds in 2000, Glastonbury in 2002, V Festival in 2002, the Isle of Wight in 2004 and 2009, Oxegen in 2010, Tramlines Festival and TRNSMT in 2018, and Latitude in 2019. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonics
Studio albums
Word Gets Around (1997)
Performance and Cocktails (1999)
Just Enough Education to Perform (2001)
You Gotta Go There to Come Back (2003)
Language. Sex. Violence. Other? (2005)
Pull the Pin (2007)
Keep Calm and Carry On (2009)
Graffiti on the Train (2013)
Keep the Village Alive (2015)
Scream Above the Sounds (2017)
Kind (2019)
Oochya! (2022)
Poppy Day
Stereophonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lived through the war for what?
Butterflies 'round the fire smile
Smile until' she's robbed of all she's got
I heard the innocent got shot today
Grandma died on poppy day
I heard the dress down get turned away
Fancy dress in a dress down town
Happy Halloween
Door breaks open lost man walks in
Killin' the happy scene
I heard the innocent got shot today
Grandma died on poppy day
I heard the dress down get turned away
All died, died on poppy day
I heard the innocent got shot today
Grandma died on poppy day
I heard the dress down get turned away
All died, died on poppy day, on poppy day
In Poppy Day, Stereophonics explore themes of loss, violence, and the fleeting nature of happiness. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who has lived through war, only to be robbed of all that she has. The metaphor of butterflies around a fire smiling until they are deprived of what they need is a haunting one. It seems to suggest that even the most beautiful and innocent things can be destroyed by circumstance.
The song's chorus describes the various tragedies that have occurred, including innocent people being shot, someone's grandmother dying, and someone being turned away on dress down day (a reference to a casual dress code at work). These lines are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the sense of loss and despair.
The second verse introduces the idea of a "fancy dress in a dress down town," which is meant to evoke a sense of contrast between different worlds. The image of a happy Halloween interrupted by a lost man who kills the joyful atmosphere is both sad and unsettling. Once again, the chorus echoes with the repeated refrain about dying on poppy day.
Overall, Poppy Day is a powerful and thought-provoking song that forces listeners to reflect on issues related to war, violence, and the people who suffer as a result.
Line by Line Meaning
She slept on an iron bed
She lived a difficult life, possibly due to poverty or war, as evidenced by her sleeping on a hard bed made of iron.
Lived through the war for what?
Despite surviving the hardships of war, she questions the purpose and value of it.
Butterflies 'round the fire smile
Despite the hardships she's faced, there are still moments of beauty and happiness, such as the sight of butterflies around a warm fire.
Smile until' she's robbed of all she's got
Her ability to find joy is fragile and fleeting, as it can easily be taken away from her.
I heard the innocent got shot today
Tragically, innocent people are still being killed in violence.
Grandma died on poppy day
Even those who survived war may not be safe, as evidenced by the death of the singer's grandmother on a day of remembrance for war veterans.
I heard the dress down get turned away
Even those who are dressed casually or without formal attire are not safe from violence or rejection.
All died, died on poppy day
The violence and tragedy that occurred on this day affected everyone, regardless of who they were or what they were doing.
Fancy dress in a dress down town
There is an incongruity or contrast between someone dressed up in fancy clothes and the casual or informal surroundings of the town.
Happy Halloween
Despite the somber tone of the song, there is a moment of levity or irony as the singer references a holiday associated with costumes and fun.
Door breaks open lost man walks in
Suddenly, someone unfamiliar and possibly dangerous enters the scene, disrupting the festive atmosphere.
Killin' the happy scene
The newcomer's arrival and possibly violent actions bring an end to any happiness or positivity that was present.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KELLY JONES, RICHARD MARK JONES, STUART CABLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind