Influenced by the disparate likes of T. Rex and the German progressive outfit Can, they created a new soundscape that would be heavily mined by others in the post-punk era. Despite existing in various forms since 1972, Swell Maps only really came together as a musical entity after the birth of British punk rock.
Consisting of brothers Epic Soundtracks (real name Kevin Godfrey) and Nikki Sudden (real name Nicholas Godfrey) two Solihull based teenagers, plus Richard Earl, David Barrington, John Cockrill and Jowe Head, the band cut the single "Read About Seymour" as their debut in 1977, soon after the brothers left Solihull School (also home of Spizzenergi). It is widely considered one of the classic punk era singles. Epic's drumming mixed with Nikki's unique melodies crafted over the assorted threads cast by the six musicians set the band apart from the others. After recording their first John Peel session Swell Maps went into WMRS studio to record their first album A Trip to Marineville, which was released in 1979. With hard rocking punk numbers like "H.S. Art" interspersed by ambient instrumentals and other experimental interludes like "Gunboats", the album marked the band out as innovative non-musicians. The album went #1 on the new Independent chart.
The band cut one more album, The Swell Maps in 'Jane From Occupied Europe', in 1980, which pushed further into post-punk territory. They displayed their ingenuity for creating everything from industrial surf instrumentals like the opener "Robot Factory" to perverse ballads like "Cake Shop Girl". Even while they were falling apart during these sessions they were pushing the musical boundaries beyond what punk originally had to offer. They sought to release much of their early forays in lo-fi experimenation in the compilation, Whatever Happens Next..., before splitting up.
Since their split the legend of the Swell Maps has grown, through their influence on the C86 bands, lo-fi, and other pioneers like Sonic Youth and Pavement. Individual members of the band (especially Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks and Jowe Head) went on to solo careers. The band's catalogue has recently been remastered and reissued and further dips into their archives can be expected. An EP of especially zany tracks was released under the name of the Phones Sportsman Band in 1980. After an interval of over 25 years away from music, the Phones Sportsman Band has now reformed in January 2008.
Epic Soundtracks died of unknown causes at the age of 37 in 1997 and Nikki Sudden died in March 2006.
Spitfire Parade
Swell Maps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to beat what you've seen around
Trying to beat everything you've dreamed
You haven't got nothing, just nowhere to go
You play those games 'cause you think they're real
It's all a picture from your other view
And he's a fake that you don't choose to see
And it doesn't matter 'cause I escaped
I chose my name, you chose your clothes
I could have given in but not like that
I got something, got somewhere to stay
You chose to join in, I chose attack
I could have given in but not like that
Snow on my shoes always melts right in
You haven't got nothing, just nowhere to go
You'll sit it out, but it's all a fake
They're just the kind who couldn't try a thing
They follow on, you follow them
Just having nothing, just giving in
And it doesn't matter 'cause I escaped
I chose to try, you chose to fake
You could have tried, it's easy to change
And I got something, I could care
You'll sit it out, but will you see
That they're just what you shouldn't be
They just follow, don't follow too close
Having nothing isn't much of a pose
But it doesn't matter 'cause I escaped
I chose to try, you chose to fake
If you have to give in, you have to change
I got something, I have to care
The lyrics to Spitfire Parade by Swell Maps are about two people with differing perspectives on life. The first person is playing games and trying to beat what they’ve seen and dreamed, all while having nothing and feeling like they have nowhere to go. The second person has chosen to attack and escape, choosing their own path and striving for something more. The first person seems to be content with just giving in and following along, whereas the second person refuses to do so.
The song highlights the idea that life is a game, and some people choose to play it safely and follow along with the crowd. Others, however, choose to take risks, stand out from the crowd, and pursue their own dreams. The phrase “Spitfire Parade” refers to a type of plane used in World War II, which was known for its bravery and maneuverability in the skies. This could be seen as a metaphor for the bravery it takes to stand out from the crowd and pursue one’s own path in life.
Overall, Spitfire Parade is a song about challenging the norm and pursuing one’s own dreams and desires, even if it means standing out from the crowd and taking risks. It encourages listeners to be brave, bold, and true to themselves, instead of simply following along with what others expect of them.
Line by Line Meaning
You're sitting in windows, playing your games
You are a passive observer of life, taking no real action or participating in what's happening around you.
Trying to beat what you've seen around
You struggle to stand out and be unique in a world where everyone else seems to be doing the same things.
Trying to beat everything you've dreamed
You are chasing after unattainable dreams or goals, hoping that they will bring you the happiness and fulfillment you desire.
You haven't got nothing, just nowhere to go
You feel directionless and aimless in your life, lacking purpose or a sense of belonging.
You play those games 'cause you think they're real
You are living in a fantasy world, where you believe that the things you see and do in games or online are as real as the things you experience in real life.
It's all a picture from your other view
Your perspective on life is skewed and distorted, causing you to see things in a way that is not reflective of reality.
And he's a fake that you don't choose to see
You are unaware of the phoniness or insincerity of the people around you, choosing to believe in their false images instead.
Like having nothing, having nowhere to go
Your sense of emptiness and lack of direction is similar to feeling lost or uncertain about your place in the world.
And it doesn't matter 'cause I escaped
The artist of the song has found a way to break free from their own sense of stagnation and hopelessness.
I chose my name, you chose your clothes
The differences between the artist and the passive observer they are referring to are significant, with the artist having made an intentional choice about their identity while the other person has not.
I could have given in but not like that
The singer could have easily succumbed to their own sense of apathy and disinterest, but chose not to.
I got something, got somewhere to stay
The artist has found a sense of purpose or belonging in life, and feels grounded in their own identity and choices.
You chose to join in, I chose attack
The singer and the passive observer have made different choices about how to interact with the world and the people around them, with the observer choosing to blend in while the singer chooses to stand out in their own way.
Snow on my shoes always melts right in
The singer's attempts to be different or unique are often overlooked or dismissed by the people around them, like snow melting on shoes.
You haven't got nothing, just nowhere to go
The sense of aimlessness and emptiness in the passive observer is a theme that the song returns to multiple times.
You'll sit it out, but it's all a fake
The passive observer is content to watch the world go by, but the artist sees this as an insincere and untrue way to live.
They're just the kind who couldn't try a thing
The people who are content to sit on the sidelines of life are unlikely to take any risks or make any real progress towards their own goals or dreams.
They follow on, you follow them
The passive observer is content to follow in the footsteps of the people around them, rather than finding their own path.
Just having nothing, just giving in
The sense of emptiness and resignation in the passive observer is once again emphasized here.
If you have to give in, you have to change
The artist doesn't see giving in as an option, but if one must, it should be done in order to make a real change or progress.
I got something, I have to care
The artist has found a sense of purpose and meaning in life that requires them to care about the things they do and the impact they have on the world around them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADRIAN NICHOLAS GODFREY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind