In summer 1994 they released their first single Caught By The Fuzz which had Strange Ones on the B side, on a small local record label called Backbeat, run by Makating bass guitarist Dave Norland from his bedroom in a house in the Cowley Road area of Oxford. The song was successful and it didn't take much time when the Parlophone label signed them and few months later re-released Caught By The Fuzz again. In the spring of 1995 was released another single Mansize Rooster followed by Lenny right before they released debut album I Should Coco in May 1995. It was their only album that made an impact in the USA.
In 1997, they released their second album, In It For The Money which got them even more acclaim, but slightly darker sound confused many of their fans. Still, it was a success, both critically and financially.
The third album, released in 1999, Supergrass (or the X-Ray Album, as the fans like to call it because of the cover) was more of a continuation of In it for the money, and was not received as well as the former albums.
After the three-year-pause, Supergrass returned with Life On Other Planets (2002), which was again not succesful financially, but the critics loved it. It was also the first Supergrass album where Rob Coombes was named as the official member of the band.
After the best-selling 2004 greatest hits compilation Supergrass is 10, they released Road to Rouen, their fifth album in 2005, after some delays. It was well received but it's new direction was a surprise to many fans.
The band recorded their sixth studio album Diamond Hoo Ha between January and November 2007 in Berlin and New York. It was released in March 2008 and although criticised as formulaic, displayed strong song writing.
In 2010 they announced they would disband and played a handful of farewell shows in June. The unfinished 7th studio album Release the Drones remains unreleased.
In 2019, Supergrass reformed to play a series of gigs. However, the band does not plan on releasing new material.
Lenny
Supergrass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the funny thing is that when I'm gone I'll kill you
When I tell you
I don't want you here
I've been around and around but I got nowhere to go now
But the funny thing is that when I'm gone I'll kill you
When I tell you
I don't want you here
I've been around and around but I got nowhere to go now
But the funny thing is that when I'm gone I'll kill you
When I tell you
When I tell you, oh yeah
When I tell you
I don't want you here
The lyrics of Supergrass's "Lenny" are enigmatic and somewhat disturbing. At face value, the song appears to be about a person who is trapped in a cyclical existence and has no direction in their life. The repeated line "I've been around and around but I got nowhere to go now" emphasizes the sense of aimlessness and futility. However, the following line "But the funny thing is that when I'm gone I'll kill you" introduces a more ominous tone. The words seem to suggest that although the singer feels powerless in their current situation, they have a means of control through their eventual departure. The irony of the situation is that the person whom they plan to harm will only truly experience the harm after the singer's own demise.
Regarding the line "When I tell you I don't want you here", it could be interpreted in different ways. Perhaps the singer is addressing someone who is holding them back or bringing them down and wants to sever ties. Alternatively, it could be read as a statement of self-loathing, where the singer is telling themselves that they do not belong in this world. The additional repetition of this line throughout the song indicates its significance and the mounting tension of the situation.
In conclusion, Supergrass's "Lenny" is a complex song with many layers of meaning. The lyrics provide a glimpse into the psyche of a person who feels trapped and powerless, yet still desires control over their life and the lives of others. The song's ambiguous nature leaves room for personal interpretation, but it is clear that the themes of futility, control, and despair are central to its message.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been around and around but I got nowhere to go now
I've wandered aimlessly and accomplished nothing, leaving me feeling stuck and hopeless.
But the funny thing is that when I'm gone I'll kill you
It's ironic that the person I'm leaving behind will suffer emotionally, despite the fact that I'll be the one experiencing physical absence.
When I tell you
As I communicate with you...
I don't want you here
I am expressing my desire for you to leave my life and not be present anymore.
When I tell you
As I communicate with you...
When I tell you, oh yeah
I strongly emphasize my upcoming statement.
When I tell you
As I communicate with you...
I don't want you here
I am explicitly stating that I do not want you in my life or in close proximity to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID N YAZBEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewglover63
One of the most self assured first albums EVER!!!
@jhoch5
mick quinn is a very underrated bassist
@APoxOnNordStream
not underrated in this house - he's rated as one of the best in the business! but I know, he is generally underrated, as are the 'Grass in general.
@buckseedamerica2743
He keeps up with adding simple but fast riffs that lead to breaks and changes. He's doing back vocals to give dynamics...good stuff..others do it but yeah a good player adding a dimension to a three piece.
@davebowden4010
Quinn and Goffey are an under rated rhythm section. Goffey rips as much as Quinn does!
@mikejones6974
He's rated B.A.! For bad.ass😊
@StevieeG
I was in Boston with my brother and parents in 1995 and saw a sign at a comic shop saying “Supergrass here live at 1:00” I managed to convince my parents on the strength of this felt tip sign to cool their heels for an hour or so and we were treated to a set delivered to a very select audience. Still hugely underrated to this day.
@APoxOnNordStream
It's feckin insane what these boys were doing at that age. Just prodigious. Having Mick as a relatively 'old' head helped but my oh my, they were slaying it and they weren't all even able to vote. Lordy.
@garydixon3605
Quality.. the riff is driving !
@steviep74
What a band thats all i can say