'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.
Dark Clouds
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rivers running away
The cities and the soil
The pavements, stones and the clay
Dark clouds are following you
But they'll drift away
I watched the night turning into a day
The memories, illusions
Are pouring over my mind
The beautiful confusion
A voyage into the night
Dark clouds are following you
But they'll drift away
I watched the night turning into a day
The lovers and the mothers
The summers spent in the sun
The living and the dying
The race is still to be run
Dark clouds are following you
But they'll drift away
I watched the night turning into a day
Dark clouds are following you
But they'll drift away
I watched the night turning into a day
Dark clouds are following you
But they'll drift away
I watched the night turning into a day
The song "Dark Clouds" by Teenage Fanclub is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the beauty that can be found in impermanence. The lyrics describe the elements of nature, like the wind and the rivers, as well as the man-made urban landscape, such as the cities and pavements. The line "dark clouds are following you" is a metaphor for the difficulties and challenges that we encounter in life, but also suggests that these problems will eventually pass and things will get better. The line "I watched the night turning into a day" is a symbol of hope and renewal, indicating that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for a new beginning.
The song also touches on the concept of memory and the impact it has on our lives. The line "the memories, illusions are pouring over my mind" suggests that memories can be deceptive and may not always accurately reflect reality. Despite this, the "beautiful confusion" of nostalgia is still a powerful force that draws us back to the past. The lyrics speak to the experiences of love, family, and mortality, acknowledging that life is full of both joy and pain.
Overall, "Dark Clouds" is a song that celebrates the transience of life and encourages listeners to embrace the present moment despite the challenges that may arise.
Line by Line Meaning
The wind it haunts the valleys
The wind flows through the valleys, creating a lonely and haunting atmosphere.
The rivers running away
The rivers keep flowing, constantly moving forward and leaving behind what was in the past.
The cities and the soil, The pavements, stones and the clay
This line highlights the different elements that make up the world around us - the man-made cities and pavements, as well as the natural soil, stones, and clay.
Dark clouds are following you, But they'll drift away
Although it may feel like there is darkness surrounding you, it is only temporary and will pass with time.
I watched the night turning into a day
The artist is reflecting on a time where they witnessed the transition from darkness to light, possibly symbolizing a shift in their own life.
The memories, illusions, Are pouring over my mind
The singer is remembering the past, but recognizes that their memories may not be entirely accurate and therefore are only illusions.
The beautiful confusion, A voyage into the night
Despite the confusion that comes with reminiscing about the past, the experience can still be beautiful and almost like a journey into the unknown.
The lovers and the mothers, The summers spent in the sun, The living and the dying, The race is still to be run
This line touches on different aspects of life - love, family, mortality, and reminds the listener that the journey is ongoing and there is still more to come.
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ISI BONA
El viento que persigue a los valles
Los ríos a la distancia...el suelo...los pavimentos....las piedras y el barroNubes oscuras nos siguen
van a la deriva..lejos
vi la noche convertirse en dia
los recuerdos, ilusiones
están vertiendo sobre mi mente
la hermosa confusión
un viaje..
Nubes oscuras nos siguen
van a la deriva..lejos
vi la noche convertirse en dia
El dia de los amantes y las madres....los veranos al sollos vivos y lo que van a morir en carrera para ser ejecutado....
Nubes oscuras nos siguen
van a la deriva..lejos
vi la noche convertirse en dia
BilisNegra
This tune is such a warm place to dwell in (despite its melancholy mood... or maybe because of it!) whenever you're feeling down. Healing beauty.
Buzzed Aldrin
Beautiful confusion.
Ana Victória Canellas
this song makes me want to smile and cry at the same time.
gigoer
Recovering from 2 years of depression. This song is so important to me.
Monika Nilsson
To me too. Hope you are getting better.
Lawrence Feldman
I'm not gonna lie. This song helps through many horrible rough spots. Stay safe!☯️☕🌞
Buzzed Aldrin
The race is still to be run.
gigoer
@Buzzed Aldrin Still running.
ISI BONA
El viento que persigue a los valles
Los ríos a la distancia...el suelo...los pavimentos....las piedras y el barroNubes oscuras nos siguen
van a la deriva..lejos
vi la noche convertirse en dia
los recuerdos, ilusiones
están vertiendo sobre mi mente
la hermosa confusión
un viaje..
Nubes oscuras nos siguen
van a la deriva..lejos
vi la noche convertirse en dia
El dia de los amantes y las madres....los veranos al sollos vivos y lo que van a morir en carrera para ser ejecutado....
Nubes oscuras nos siguen
van a la deriva..lejos
vi la noche convertirse en dia
Guy
I keep listening to these songs over and over. Well crafted pop songs with heart.