The band was formed by singer and guitarist Brian Briggs, multi-instrumentalists Jon Ouin and Oli Steadman, and the latter's brother Rob Steadman on drums. The band was often joined by trumpeter Adam Briggs and violinist Rahul Satija. Named after the Hebridean town on the Isle of Lewis, which appears on all UK televised weather reports and shipping forecasts, the group incorporates string instruments and keyboards, supported by a typical pop backline of guitar, drums, and bass guitar. The band is signed to the British independent record label 4AD.
Stornoway's first radio play came in March 2006 with a demo version of "I Saw You Blink" on BBC Oxford Introducing. One of the band's first high-profile live appearances was at Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2009, held in Lydiard Park, Swindon. Stornoway self-released their first single "Zorbing" in July 2009, playing at a number of UK summer festivals including six sets at Glastonbury Festival 2009.
The band signed to the independent record label, 4AD, and on 22 March 2010, they released their third single, "I Saw You Blink". They released their debut album Beachcomber's Windowsill on 24 May 2010.
On 19 November 2012 Stornoway announced the release of their second studio album, Tales from Terra Firma, which was released on 11 March 2013, after spending most of 2012 recording the album. The album's first and lead single, "Knock Me on the Head", premiered on 1 January 2013 and was released alongside the album on 11 March 2013.
In June 2014, Stornoway announced the upcoming release of their third album, Bonxie.
In October 2016 the band announced that they would be splitting up after a farewell tour during spring 2017. They played their final show on 12 March 2017. A live recording of the final show of that tour was later released as, The Farewell Show Live at New Theatre, Oxford
In 2022, the band reformed for a one-off set of gigs (including the Truck Festival in Oxfordshire and WOMAD Charlton Park in July 2022) and the set of gigs is continuing in 2023 (including a gig with Fyfe Dangerfield in London in April 2023, and the Cambridge Folk Festival in July 2023).
They announced in April 2023, via their Instagram and other channels that they had reformed to record an album called Dig the Mountain!. The release date was 8 September, with a UK tour for the album in the Autumn of that year. Original drummer, Rob Steadman is not part of this reformation.
We Are the Battery Human
Stornoway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What are we doing this fine day?
We're doing the same as every morning
We're staying inside on this fine morning
Staying inside on this fine day
We'll stare at a screen like every morning
And outside the window spring is here
We're going to hibernate all year
Under a pile of A4 snowflakes
'Cause we're the new generation
We are the battery human
But we were born to be free range
We've got the the whole at our fingers
We've got the whole world in our hands
We get the blues as we grow richer
'Cause we need to fix our loose connection
Out in the natural world wide web
We're humans evolved in three dimensions
We were tuned in by natural selection
And we need to go online each day
But inside we don't get no reception
So join the new revolution
To free the battery human
'Cause we were born to be free range
We are the new generation
We are the battery human
But we were born to be free range
The song "We Are the Battery Human" by Stornoway begins with a contemplative question of where we are going and what we are doing on this fine morning. The answer is that we are doing the same things we do every morning. We are staying inside and staring at a screen, essentially becoming the battery humans that this song is about. The theme of the song is about the disconnection from nature that has come with our increasing reliance on technology. While spring is outside of the window, we remain inside hibernating and staring at screens.
The song acknowledges that we have the whole world at our fingertips and we can access it in seconds, but this same access to information has left us feeling isolated and disconnected from the natural world. The lyrics talk about the need to fix our loose connection and join the new revolution to free the battery humans we have become. The song is a call to action to reconnect with nature and break free from the digital chains that have bound us.
Overall, the lyrics of "We Are the Battery Human" are thought-provoking and introspective. They encourage listeners to question their own relationship with technology and to consider the ways in which we are becoming disconnected from the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are we going this fine morning?
Asking where are we heading to on this good morning.
What are we doing this fine day?
Asking what are we up to on this lovely day.
We're doing the same as every morning
Staying indoors and engaging in the same activity we do every other day.
And outside the window spring is here
While outside is an indication of spring growth.
We're going to hibernate all year
We will spend all year secluded indoors.
Under a pile of A4 snowflakes
We will be buried under stacks of A4 paper snowflakes, which imply some form of sedentary work.
'Cause we're the new generation
We are the latest populace.
We are the battery human
We are like mechanical batteries powering the digital world with our energy and attention.
But we were born to be free range
Humans were naturally meant to be spontaneous and explore without restrictions.
We've got the whole world at our fingers
We have the power of technology and knowledge at our fingertips.
We get the blues as we grow richer
We start becoming more despondent and unfulfilled as we accumulate wealth.
'Cause we need to fix our loose connection
We need to rebuild our lost connection with nature.
Out in the natural world wide web
The natural environment is like a vast network of information that needs exploration.
We're humans evolved in three dimensions
Our physical and social interactions are the most significant in our development.
We were tuned in by natural selection
Our bodies were developed to work well in the natural environment through evolution.
And we need to go online each day
We need a connection to technology every day to feed our soul.
But inside we don't get no reception
Our interior selves cannot unconditionally accept the world provided by technology.
So join the new revolution
It is time for people to take action and change their practices.
To free the battery human
We need to break free from our routine technological life.
'Cause we were born to be free range
Humans were naturally meant to be spontaneous and explore without restrictions.
We are the new generation
We are the latest populace.
We are the battery human
We are like mechanical batteries powering the digital world with our energy and attention.
But we were born to be free range
Humans were naturally meant to be spontaneous and explore without restrictions.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN DAVID JAMES BRIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sathwicked619
Where are we going this fine morning?
What are we doing this fine day?
We're doing the same as every morning
We're staying inside on this fine morning
Staying inside on this fine day
We'll stare at a screen like every morning
And outside the window spring is here
We're going to hibernate all year
Under a pile of A4 snowflakes
'Cause we're the new generation
We are the battery human
But we were born to be free range
We've got the the whole at our fingers
We've got the whole world in our hands
We get the blues as we grow richer
'Cause we need to fix our loose connection
Out in the natural world wide web
We're humans evolved in three dimensions
We were tuned in by natural selection
And we need to go online each day
But inside we don't get no reception
So join the new revolution
To free the battery human
'Cause we were born to be free range
We are the new generation
We are the battery human
But we were born to be free range
@GotTehMunchies
This song is about the corporate machine. We are their power, without our consumerism they have nothing. Peace to all
@9donz
Wow!! Brilliant!!
"Freee Range.. Waohh" - This chorus had me!!👌
I'm in love with the music & lyrics 😊❤!!
Way to go team.. Awesome!! Thank you for giving this 😊👍
@tonyv8536
Wow! Covid has added another dimension to this song!
@shalallo3
This song was so fun live!
@bjcebfoi3bc
I was thinking how the lyrics in this album are some of the best at extending themes. Like On the Rocks and Long Distance Lullaby. Loads of songs drop metaphors and forget about it in the next line. These guys extend it to the whole verse and sometimes even the whole song. Love this album
@sathwicked619
Where are we going this fine morning?
What are we doing this fine day?
We're doing the same as every morning
We're staying inside on this fine morning
Staying inside on this fine day
We'll stare at a screen like every morning
And outside the window spring is here
We're going to hibernate all year
Under a pile of A4 snowflakes
'Cause we're the new generation
We are the battery human
But we were born to be free range
We've got the the whole at our fingers
We've got the whole world in our hands
We get the blues as we grow richer
'Cause we need to fix our loose connection
Out in the natural world wide web
We're humans evolved in three dimensions
We were tuned in by natural selection
And we need to go online each day
But inside we don't get no reception
So join the new revolution
To free the battery human
'Cause we were born to be free range
We are the new generation
We are the battery human
But we were born to be free range
@mrsluluc
Love this song!!!
@lyllinthechildren
Lemme go add this to my Spotify playlist…
@jessienixon2591
I fucking love them so much
@Mrbetohaag
Great lyrics!