Friction with the band's label, EMI, resulted in legal action and countersuing. Webb departed, and the band switched to Polydor for their final studio album, 1991's Laughing Stock, but split soon afterwards. Singer Mark Hollis released one solo album in 1998 before retiring from the music industry; he died in 2019. The band's founding bass player and drummer, Paul Webb and Lee Harris, played in several bands together; long-term collaborator Tim Friese-Greene continued in the business as a musician and producer.
Discography
The Party's Over (1982)
It's My Life (1984)
The Colour of Spring (1986)
Spirit of Eden (1988)
Laughing Stock (1991)
Hate
Talk Talk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Relax your stare
It's laughing in my face
My foes beware
I'm tired of losing grace
The child's not there
The priest is losing faith
Defile my care
People crying
People crying
People crying
People crying
My confusion
My confusion
Are there illusions?
There illusions?
Hate
The dice won't lose
They've everything to gain
Devout prepare
The stones along my grave
People crying
People crying
People crying
People crying
My confusion
My confusion
Are there illusions?
There illusions?
Hate
Don't say a word if I've been away too long
I found out it's wrong
I found out I don't need hate
I don't need hate
The lyrics of Talk Talk's song Hate suggests a world torn apart by hatred, with people crying out in despair and confusion. The imagery is bleak, with lines such as "The priest is losing faith" and "The stones along my grave" hinting at themes of religious disillusionment and mortality. The singer is a weary fighter, tired of losing grace and in danger of being consumed by the flames of their own anger. The chorus is a haunting repetition of the word "hate," a mantra that seems to reinforce the destructive nature of this emotion.
However, towards the end of the song, there is a glimmer of hope. The line "Don't say a word if I've been away too long" implies that perhaps the source of the singer's pain is a lack of communication, and that speaking out could help to heal these wounds. The final line, "I found out I don't need hate," suggests that the singer has had a realization, that perhaps the key to overcoming hate is to reject it altogether.
Overall, the song Hate is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of hatred and the toll it takes on individuals and society as a whole. It is a call to action, a plea for empathy and understanding in a world that often seems devoid of both.
Line by Line Meaning
Hate
The title of the song.
Relax your stare
Stop staring at me with hatred and anger.
It's laughing in my face
Hate is mocking me and taking pleasure in my misery.
My foes beware
Those who hate me should be careful.
I'm tired of losing grace
I'm tired of being forgiving and compassionate towards those who hate me.
The child's not there
The innocence and purity within me is gone.
The priest is losing faith
I'm losing faith in the religious and spiritual guidance that was meant to provide me solace.
Defile my care
My kindness and caring nature is being attacked and corrupted by hate.
And stumble to the flames
Those who hate me will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions.
People crying
The hatred and suffering in the world is causing people to cry and feel pain.
My confusion
I'm confused by the amount of hatred and cruelty in the world.
Are there illusions?
Is the world really as hateful and cruel as it seems or is this an illusion?
The dice won't lose
The outcome of events is uncertain and unpredictable, so those who hate can never be sure of victory or defeat.
They've everything to gain
Those who hate have everything to gain in their eyes, even if it means inflicting pain and suffering on others.
Devout prepare
Those who are deeply committed to their hatred are preparing to do whatever it takes to hurt others.
The stones along my grave
The stones symbolize the hate and negativity that will always be present even after death.
Don't say a word if I've been away too long
If I've been away for a long time, don't bother trying to talk to me about my feelings and experiences.
I found out it's wrong
I've come to the realization that hate is wrong and not the answer.
I found out I don't need hate
I've discovered that I don't need hate to be happy and fulfilled in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK DAVID HOLLIS, SIMON GABRIEL BRENNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bobsend1012
The drumming on this track is unreal, Lee Harris is an amazing drummer.
John Scala
AGREED 120%!!!! FREAKIN SO. MANY GREAT DRUM LINES!!! DIFFERENT Tunes!! Awesome!!! ✌️✌️👍👍😆😳
JUAN PABLO ARENA
Totally agree 👍
Malcolm Clarke
Agreed
brfts2001
The bass is fantastic as well.
JUAN PABLO ARENA
Es indescriptiblemente apasionante lo q una banda como esta sigue transmitiendo pese al paso del tiempo y con el pesar de haber perdido(físicamente )a su gran cantante... Gracias por compartirlo! Argentina presente.
Martine Piot
Lee harris is a killer!!!! His style is full of energy and really impressive!!!
TheNouveauxdecadence
The power of this track is UNBELIEVABLE! THE most intense piece of music and voice. My FAVOURITE Talk Talk track EVER. This makes me feel SO many emotions.
Andrew Shrives
Saw this band when they were the warm up for Duran Duran in Hammersmith back in the 80's, thought these boys were far better than the headline act. This is a fabulous album.
TheLogic1010
Oddshaped Turnip You're right!