'A Catholic Education' was their debut album, released in 1990. The album received positive reviews from English music journalists and critics. In contrast to the group's later work, the album has a very dark, abrasive, and cynical tone and incorporated a grunge and heavy metal influenced sound. As well, the album's two title tracks are direct attacks on the Catholic Church, which are unique for an otherwise apolitical band. The opening track, "Everything Flows", is a mellow powerpop-influenced song (unlike the rest of the album) that provides a sort of blueprint for their later work.
"Everything Flows" was later included in the compilation albums 'Deep Fried Fanclub' and 'Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Seconds – A Short Cut to Teenage Fanclub'. Those were released in 1995 and 2003, respectively. Teenage Fanclub's second album, 1991's 'The King', went for a shambolic, alternative rock edge that left many fans and critics cold, though the release also had strong defenders. It took their third album to kick things into high gear.
'Bandwagonesque', released in November 1991 on Creation Records, became famous by beating Nirvana's landmark album 'Nevermind' to be voted "album of the year" by popular American music magazine Spin. It also gave the band substantial U.S. success when the single "Star Sign" reached #4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, becoming their biggest hit in that country. "What You Do to Me" and "The Concept" were also Top 20 hits on that chart. Fans greatly enjoyed the melodic yet melancholy feel of the album.
Although later works have led the group through various highs and lows throughout the 90s and 00s, they're still going strong as of 2014. Tours have been widely successful. Their latest album, 'Shadows', was their ninth studio release. They made it available on 31 May 2010 on the band's own PeMa label in Europe and on Merge Records in North America, the group promoting the single "Baby Lee". Said track shows the band still in touch with the chiming, emotional sounds of their 90s heyday.
There have been a succession of drummers, including:
- Francis MacDonald (a prime-mover in the C86 scene, later of the BMX Bandits), the drummer in the original lineup, and in a later period
- Brendan O’Hare (later of Telstar Ponies, Thrapple , Mogwai and Macrocosmica)
and
- Paul Quinn (later of The Primary 5), who was later replaced by the returning Francis MacDonald.
Keyboardist Finlay MacDonald (no relation to Francis MacDonald) has also been a member.
Baby Lee
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take my possessions and go
Wine me, dine me
Wreck all the things that I know
I'm enchanted I've fallen under your spell
How can I resist when you cast them so well
They had me in mind oh yeah when they designed you
And Baby Lee I'm always watching from a distance
Oh marry marry me oh baby now I am insisting
Wake me, shake me
Put my emotions on show
Make me suffer
Tell everyone that you know
I'm enchanted I've fallen under your spell
How can I resist when you cast them so well
Baby Lee I'm only trying to remind you
They had me in mind oh yeah when they designed you
And Baby Lee I'm always watching from a distance
Oh marry marry me oh baby now I am insisting
The lyrics to Teenage Fanclub's song Baby Lee depict a person who is completely enamored by their lover, despite the fact that their lover is not treating them well. The lyrics describe being under their lover's spell, feeling helpless to resist their charm and manipulation, and being willing to do anything to make the relationship work. The singer acknowledges that their lover is taking advantage of them, but they are too in love to care.
The lyrics also contain a sense of desperation and longing, with the singer constantly pleading with Baby Lee to marry them and be with them forever. However, it is unclear whether this is a healthy desire or not, as the singer seems to be willing to put up with any kind of mistreatment in order to be with Baby Lee.
Overall, the song captures the complexity and confusion of being in a tumultuous relationship where the heart is constantly battling the mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Love me, leave me
You can either love me or leave me, but please make a choice and do not keep me hanging in the middle.
Take my possessions and go
If you choose to leave, then kindly take everything that belongs to you, pick up your bags, and go.
Wine me, dine me
Treat me with good food and drinks, maybe some romantic gestures and sweet talk.
Wreck all the things that I know
Destroy everything that I believed to be true and make me question everything I know, for you have that power over me.
I'm enchanted, I've fallen under your spell
I am under your influence, charmed and captivated by your beauty or charisma, and I cannot help it.
How can I resist when you cast them so well
I find it hard to resist your charm and allure, which you display so skillfully.
Baby Lee, I'm only trying to remind you
My dear Baby Lee, I am only trying to refresh your memory and make you remember something important.
They had me in mind oh yeah when they designed you
When whoever created you made you, they must have thought of me and my ideal partner, for you fit that description.
And Baby Lee, I'm always watching from a distance
Baby Lee, even though we are not together, I still keep an eye on you from afar.
Oh marry, marry me, oh baby now I am insisting
I want to marry you, and I am being very direct and explicit about my intentions now.
Wake me, shake me
Wake me up, shake me from my slumber or lethargy.
Put my emotions on show
Make me display my deepest feelings and emotions, even if it means revealing my vulnerability.
Make me suffer
Torture me emotionally, make me feel intense pain or sorrow by your actions or words.
Tell everyone that you know
Spread rumors or gossip about me to everyone that you know, to tarnish my reputation or hurt me further.
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nedeljkodjukic88
LYRICS:
Love me, leave me
Take my possessions and go
Wine me, dine me
Wreck all the things that I know
I'm enchanted I've fallen under your spell
How can I resist when you cast them so well
Baby Lee I'm only trying to remind you
They had me in mind oh yeah when they designed you
And Baby Lee I'm always watching from a distance
Oh marry marry me oh baby now I am insisting
Wake me, shake me
Put my emotions on show
Make me suffer
Tell everyone that you know
I'm enchanted I've fallen under your spell
How can I resist when you cast them so well
Baby Lee I'm only trying to remind you
They had me in mind oh yeah when they designed you
And Baby Lee I'm always watching from a distance
Oh marry marry me oh baby now I am insisting
@emii4733
My dad would put this song on in the car when driving and it just reminds me of our wee drives in the country, and we still do 😌
@jameswalksandwildcamps2122
I must listen to this gorgeous song every day. Usually more than once.
@shonamacintosh5177
Oh my goodness I love this , quite addicted .
@rosealaimomusic
Great tune- sounds like a classic! Upbeat and super catchy! Love it!!
@kated2820
the word "genius" doesn't even cover how good this is.
@rebjiii
this reminds me of XTC
@catsofsherman1316
fantastic song! I love it when the strings come in. very uplifting.
@JonSkinner13
I went on a fishing trip in North Georgia state and had only Shadows to listen to. It was a perfect.
@estebancarracas
Did ye catch anything?
@rathgorma
A cold