'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.
Guiding Star
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And every friendship has its cost;
Your rolling stone has gathered moss
And all your clouds cover the sun
And all your karma has undone
Remember you're my number one.
I do know who you are,
You're my guiding star.
Don't you think you've heard this song before?
Jesus Christ was knocking at my door
Kinda like the way he wears his hair.
Kinda like the way he walks on air.
Could his golden halo
Be the sun we all know?
The lyrics of Teenage Fanclub's "Guiding Star" provide comfort and reassurance to someone going through a difficult time. The song begins by acknowledging the feeling of loss and isolation that the person is experiencing, with phrases like "everything you own is lost" and "every friendship has its cost." The imagery of a rolling stone that has "gathered moss" suggests a feeling of stagnation or lack of progress, as if the person's life has become stuck in one place.
Despite these difficulties, the chorus offers a message of hope and support. The singer affirms that the person is their "number one" and calls them a "guiding star." This phrase suggests that the person has a special quality that can lead others out of darkness, even if they are currently struggling themselves.
The final verse brings in a religious reference, with the mention of Jesus Christ knocking at the door. However, the lyrics also question whether this figure's "golden halo" could be simply the sun. The use of religious imagery juxtaposed with mundane, everyday elements suggests a sense of searching or questioning, as if the person is trying to find meaning or purpose in their life.
Overall, Teenage Fanclub's "Guiding Star" offers a message of resilience and faith in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges of loss and isolation, the song suggests that there is always hope and that even the smallest acts of kindness or guidance can make a big difference.
Line by Line Meaning
When everything you own is lost
When you have lost everything that belongs to you.
And every friendship has its cost;
Every friendship comes with a price.
Your rolling stone has gathered moss
You have been stationary for a while and not moving forward.
And all your clouds cover the sun
Everything seems gloomy.
And all your karma has undone
Things aren't going as planned because of your actions.
Remember you're my number one.
Don't forget that you are deeply cherished and special to someone.
Hey! You're my guiding star;
You are the one who guides me.
I do know who you are,
I recognize you.
You're my guiding star.
You are the one who directs me.
Don't you think you've heard this song before?
This sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Jesus Christ was knocking at my door
I had a religious epiphany.
Kinda like the way he wears his hair.
It was similar to the way Jesus is often depicted.
Kinda like the way he walks on air.
It was almost like he was walking on air.
Could his golden halo
Might his halo
Be the sun we all know?
Actually represent the sun that we all know?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ChubbyChecker182
One of the best tunes of the 90s. Beautiful .
Amazing it has less than 10k listens.
Titulciano
Qué bonita canción. Qué recuerdos, allá por los años 90, escuchando esto en un monte perdido en la provincia de Alicante.
Daniel Daniel2
coisa linda, meu Deus do céu
Vincent Trellu
Probably one of the most emotionall song I've ever heard.
Definetely on my funeral pkaylist
Jeremy
I hate that this song is so short. I wanna hear it go on forever...."hey, you're my guiding star..."
Jeremy
They should've sang the chorus one more time!!!!
Bobby Hamilton
love this... been awhile... 😎
Ezidio Alves Dé
Dá uma tristeza misturada com nostalgia!
Andy Brotherton
Best song ever by a scottish band
tarheel8494
"...Jesus Christ is knockin at my door
Kinda like the way he wears his hair
Kinda like the way he walks on air..."
...oh, yeah...