Formation and Early Success
Founded in 1994 by multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Peter Lawlor to showcase music he composed for the British Levi's television advertisement "Creek," Stiltskin rose to fame with their hit single "Inside," which reached the top of the UK Singles Chart. Despite this initial success, subsequent releases like "Footsteps" achieved moderate chart positions, with the band's original lineup releasing their debut album, "The Mind's Eye," which attained a silver record in the UK and garnered attention in the US music scene.
Changes and Continued Pursuits
Following the disbandment of the original lineup in 1996 during the recording of their unfinished second album, members pursued other projects. Lawlor continued his work in music production and composition, contributing to various high-profile projects and also delving into economics. Other former members, such as McFarlane and Wilson, ventured into different musical endeavors, with Wilson notably joining Genesis and later launching a solo career.
Revival and Recent Activities
In 2005, Wilson assembled a new lineup under the Stiltskin moniker and released the album "She" in 2006. The band toured extensively in Europe, culminating in the release of a live album in 2007. Subsequent albums followed, including "Unfulfillment" in 2011. Over the years, there have been lineup changes, with drummer Ashley Macmillan departing the band in 2015.
Discography
The Mind's Eye (1994)
She (2006)
Unfulfillment (2011)
Fame
Stiltskin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My hobbies are dancing and singing,
My ambition is to help people who are less fortunate than myself
And to make a shit lot of cash
Nothing ever comes easy in this life
You never know what they are really thinking
Try hard to pretend its ok
And so you look to the Gods for help
And try to make sense from it all
Just breathe easy and believe me
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy
You're in the machine now
Fame, fame the people know your name
It isn't all that it's cracked up to be
I'll say it again
Fame, fame welcome to the machine
You got exactly what they wanted for you
You see all that talentless fuckers on TV
And a judge with suit from Armani
Sits back with his words of wisdom
As the TV ratings go through the ceiling
And all the people at home with there shallow lives
Looking to be part of something
Just entertain me nice and easy
Take my extremely dull life and free me
I'm living the dream
Fame, fame the people know your name
It isn't all that it's cracked up to be
I'll say it again
Fame, fame welcome to the machine
You got exactly what they wanted for you
I know there's no point in saying this
It's maybe even a little bit dangerous
Be aware that the shareholders own you
They can bounce you around if they want to
It's good that they fight for survival
At least until there's a Beatles revival
Looks like those days have gone
If the numbers don't add up
It must be wrong
RIGHT? QUITE RIGHT!
Oh my God thank you for making my dream a reality,
Thank you so much, thank you, I'm so happy
Fame, fame the people know your name
It isn't all that it's cracked up to be
I'll say it again
Fame, fame welcome to the machine
You got exactly what they wanted for you
Fame, fame
Fame, fame
Fame, fame welcome to the machine
You got exactly what they wanted for you
I'm so happy, thank you, you guys are great
The lyrics to Stiltskin's song Fame speak about the pitfalls of being famous and life in the entertainment industry. Maria, the singer, talks about her hobbies, ambition and the struggles she faces in her life. The song highlights that nothing ever comes easy in life and that the entertainment industry is a 'machine' that people get caught up in. The industry and the people within it are depicted as shallow and lacking talent. Maria talks about looking to the gods for help and trying to make sense of it all, but ultimately believes that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
The chorus mentions fame and how people know your name, but it isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Maria emphasizes how people should be aware that they are owned by shareholders who could bounce them around if they wanted to. The entertainment industry is about survival and if the numbers don't add up, it must be wrong. The song ends with Maria thanking everyone for making her dream a reality and welcoming her to the machine.
Overall, Fame showcases the dark side of the entertainment industry and the toll it takes on those who enter it. The song is a reminder that fame is not all that it's cracked up to be and that the industry is a machine that people get caught up in.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, my name is Maria, I'm 22 years old,
Introducing herself, stating her age
My hobbies are dancing and singing,
Listing her interests
My ambition is to help people who are less fortunate than myself
Describing her career goals
And to make a shit lot of cash
Admitting desire for wealth
Nothing ever comes easy in this life
Acknowledging challenges in life
You never know what they are really thinking
Stating lack of transparency in communication
Try hard to pretend its ok
Encouraging facade of composure
You get down and just end up drinking
Admitting to succumbing to vices
And so you look to the Gods for help
Turning to a higher power for guidance
And try to make sense from it all
Attempting to understand life's purpose
Just breathe easy and believe me
Offering reassurance to listeners
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy
Reiterating the difficulty of success
You're in the machine now
Acknowledging the industry's grip on artists
Fame, fame the people know your name
Explaining the concept of fame
It isn't all that it's cracked up to be
Dispelling the myth of fame
I'll say it again
Emphasizing the point
Fame, fame welcome to the machine
Welcoming artists to the industry
You got exactly what they wanted for you
Imploring artists to realize their exploitation
You see all that talentless fuckers on TV
Critiquing the state of entertainment
And a judge with suit from Armani
Mocking industry figures
Sits back with his words of wisdom
Sarcastically describing the judges' critiques
As the TV ratings go through the ceiling
Highlighting the priority of viewership
And all the people at home with there shallow lives
Criticizing the viewers
Looking to be part of something
Noting people's desire for community
Just entertain me nice and easy
Summarizing the audience's desires
Take my extremely dull life and free me
Describing entertainment's purpose for viewers
I'm living the dream
Sarcastically describing entertainment's consequences
I know there's no point in saying this
Admitting futility of critique
It's maybe even a little bit dangerous
Acknowledging potential backlash
Be aware that the shareholders own you
Warning artists of the industry's priorities
They can bounce you around if they want to
Describing the power dynamic between artists and industry
It's good that they fight for survival
Acknowledging industry's need for profitability
At least until there's a Beatles revival
Highlighting the nostalgia of the industry
Looks like those days have gone
Acknowledging the industry's shift from classic rock
If the numbers don't add up
Describing the focus on profitability
It must be wrong
Emphasizing the importance of profit
Oh my God thank you for making my dream a reality,
Sarcastically thanking the industry
Thank you so much, thank you, I'm so happy
Continuing the aforementioned sarcastic tone
Contributed by Emily I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@leedraper7390
Such an underrated band
@STP1983
Recently I wondered why I never heard more from Stiltskin, though they made "Inside". Thx, this one makes the poor band life a little bit more easy... Great videos 101!
@MavisRileyJunior
This a Ray Wilson solo band? Stiltskin only made one CD.
@federicopatrizi3990
bobbit song
@theaxemeister
Ray sounds like he has some life, here -- unlike the version of Genesis he was in.
@TeddyLeach
Wilson's also got a great voice. Not like some modern suqeaky kids.