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)
The Rainbow
Talk Talk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jimmy Finn is out
Well how can that be fair at all
Lenient
The song the lawyer sang
Our nation's wrong
Repented, changed
Aware where I have wronged
Unfound corrupt
This song the jailor sings
My time has run
Sound the victim's song
The trial is gone
The trial goes on
Sound the victim's song
The lyrics of the song "The Rainbow" by Talk Talk tells a story of an unjust world where the innocent are punished, and the guilty go free. The line "Oh yeah, the world's turned upside down" signifies the singer's disbelief at the current state of affairs. The reference to Jimmy Finn being out implies that someone who deserved to be punished has been released, leading to a sense of injustice. The singer questions the fairness of the situation, highlighting the flaws of the legal system.
The song then goes on to talk about the "song the lawyer sang," which is likely a reference to a defense lawyer who managed to clear their client's name despite their wrongdoings. The singer expresses their discontent with the legal system, suggesting that "our nation's wrong." The lines "Repented, changed, aware where I have wronged" could be the singer's way of suggesting that the guilty party might have gotten away with their wrongdoings by showing remorse.
The song then talks about a "jailor" singing a song, which could be interpreted as being about someone who has been found guilty and is now serving time. The line "My time has run" could be suggesting that the person now realizes the extent of their mistake and regrets their actions. The song's chorus reinforces the idea of injustice, where the singer calls for the victim's song to be heard since the trial has gone on.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah, the world's turned upside down
There is a sense of chaos and disorder in the world.
Jimmy Finn is out
Someone named Jimmy Finn is no longer present or involved.
Well how can that be fair at all
Expressing confusion and disbelief over a situation that seems unjust.
Lenient
A description of a lenient or forgiving attitude or action.
The song the lawyer sang
Referring to a legal process or the actions of a lawyer.
Our nation's wrong
Pointing out a flaw or mistake in the actions of one's country or government.
Repented, changed
Describing the actions of someone who has acknowledged their wrongdoing and taken steps to make amends or improve.
Aware where I have wronged
Expressing a realization of personal mistakes or faults.
Unfound corrupt
Suggesting that corruption exists but has not been discovered or proven.
This song the jailor sings
Referring to the actions or words of someone in a position of power or authority.
My time has run
Indicating that some amount of time has passed or a deadline has been reached.
Sound the victim's song
Calling for attention to be given to the experiences and struggles of someone who has been victimized.
The trial is gone
Suggesting that a legal or moral trial has ended or is no longer relevant.
The trial goes on
Implying that a legal or moral trial is continuing or ongoing.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark S. Hollis, Timothy Alan Friese-Greene
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind