'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.
Don't look back
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun shines in your eyes
So brighten up my city sky
Break out the news, it's back again
The voice that tried to sing
She don't hang on
And hope's never going to teach me
Wake up the story's over
Climb aboard I'm going nowhere
And understand if I must say
I'd give both these wings away
I'd steal a car to drive you home
I don't look back on an empty feeling
Repaint the Blues, my saving grace
Is lost without a trace
The morning sun's a fire in space
She lives in your life everyday
Stretching time to stay
Got my mind set something else so it's hard to see
I don't need a guiding light to lead me in the dark
And understand if I must say
I'd give both these wings away
I'd steal a car to drive you home
I don't look back on an empty feeling
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
The song "Don't Look Back" by Teenage Fanclub is a complex blend of emotions and poetic lyrics. The song tells the story of someone who is deeply in love with another person but struggles to find the words to express their feelings. The opening lines, "If I could find the words to say, the sun shines in your eyes, so brighten up my city sky," set the tone for the song and hint at the singer's desire to bring light and happiness to their significant other's life.
Throughout the song, the singer grapples with their own inner turmoil, including feelings of hopelessness and an inability to move forward. These themes are mirrored in the repeated refrain of "don't look back on an empty feeling" which serves not only as a reminder to focus on the present but also as a subtle message to their love interest - to not dwell on the past and the pain that it may hold.
The song's chorus, with its repetition of the line "I'd give both these wings away, I'd steal a car to drive you home," puts the singer's love on full display, showcasing the lengths they are willing to go for the person they care about. The repeated use of feathered imagery and the mention of wings in particular suggests the singer's desire for freedom and escape from their own emotional struggle, while the mention of stealing a car further underscores their willingness to take risks and break with convention for the sake of love.
Overall, "Don't Look Back" is a powerful expression of emotion and a meditation on the complicated terrain of human love and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could find the words to say
If only I could articulate my thoughts correctly
The sun shines in your eyes
Your presence radiates positivity and joy
So brighten up my city sky
Bring life and beauty to my dull surroundings
Break out the news, it's back again
Announce the return of something important
The voice that tried to sing
The sound that attempted to communicate
She don't hang on
She doesn't cling to the past
And hope's never going to teach me
Hope alone won't be enough to instruct me
Wake up the story's over
The tale has ended, time to move on
Climb aboard I'm going nowhere
Join me on a journey without a destination
And understand if I must say
Please comprehend what I'm about to say
I'd give both these wings away
I'd do anything to make you happy
I'd steal a car to drive you home
I'd go to great lengths to ensure your safety and comfort
I don't look back on an empty feeling
I refuse to dwell on a sense of emptiness from the past
Repaint the Blues, my saving grace
My source of salvation is to transform sadness into happiness
Is lost without a trace
It's disappeared without a discernable mark
The morning sun's a fire in space
The celestial body in our sky is a magnificent blaze of light and energy
She lives in your life everyday
Her impact is noticeable every single day
Stretching time to stay
Going to great lengths to hold on to the present moment
Got my mind set something else so it's hard to see
My thoughts are focused elsewhere and it's difficult to perceive the situation accurately
I don't need a guiding light to lead me in the dark
I'm self-sufficient and capable of navigating tough situations on my own
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
Don't get bogged down by a lack of fulfillment from the past
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
Don't get bogged down by a lack of fulfillment from the past
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
Don't get bogged down by a lack of fulfillment from the past
(Don't look back) On an empty feeling
Don't get bogged down by a lack of fulfillment from the past
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GERARD LOVE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@colinkerr1892
You listen to one Teenage Fanclub song and think it's the best you ever heard. Until you hear the next one, and the next one, and the next one.....
@TjTj74
Colin Kerr especially on Grand Prix.they just keep coming😉
@ahmadmustaqiim1325
agree
@lyonslaforet
Grand Prix (1995), Bandwagonesque (1991) and Songs From Northern Britain (1997) are enough to make Teenage Fanclub go down in history!
@jpacemen01
One of the most beautiful songs ever.
@fachaschwager
jpacemen01
@MuesliBushtip
This song has fought its way up from obscurity by sheer persistence over a long period of time to become, without doubt, my favourite song. It just gets better and better and makes more and more sense. If only these guys knew how much some of their songs mean to me.
@garry171170
Beautiful, melodic music with vocals to die for.
Teenage fanclub are the disco biscuits❤❤❤❤
@fadge1963
one of the best albums / cds ever
@kevyrob13
Totaly agree.. One of my favourite tracks of theirs. Soaring chiming guitars and beautiful melody. Fantastic!!