'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.
Jesus Christ
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stars shone bright above
Royal David's city
Was bathed in light of love, ooh
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
And lo, they did rejoice
Fine and pure of voice
And the wrong shall fail
And the right prevail, ooh
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
The song "Jesus Christ" by Teenage Fanclub is a modern take on the traditional Christmas carol. Unlike most Christmas songs, however, it focuses entirely on the birth of Jesus rather than the cultural and commercial aspects of the holiday. The lyrics describe the scene of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, with "angels from the realms of glory," bright stars shining above, and the city of David bathed in the light of love. The chorus repeats the phrase "Jesus Christ was born today" four times, celebrating the miraculous event and the joy it brings.
The second half of the song takes on a more prophetic tone, with the assertion that "the wrong shall fail and the right prevail." This is a reference to the coming of Jesus as the savior of the world, who will ultimately defeat evil and bring about a kingdom of righteousness. The final repetition of the chorus drives this message home, declaring once again that Jesus Christ was born and that his birth marks the beginning of a new era of hope and redemption.
Overall, "Jesus Christ" is a simple but powerful song that captures the essence of the Christmas story in a fresh and straightforward way. It reminds us that the birth of Jesus is not just a historical event or a sentimental tradition, but a moment of profound significance that has the power to transform our lives and shape the course of human history.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels from the realms of glory
The divine beings from the highest realm of existence
Stars shone bright above
The celestial bodies glowing and illuminating the night sky
Royal David's city
The illustrious birthplace of King David, the ancient king of Israel
Was bathed in light of love, ooh
The whole city was gleaming and radiating with pure affection
Jesus Christ was born today
The miraculous birth of the Son of God happened today
And lo, they did rejoice
And suddenly, everyone was full of gladness and euphoria
Fine and pure of voice
Their singing voice was melodious and unblemished
And the wrong shall fail
The evil and erroneous things shall lose their power
And the right prevail, ooh
And the virtuous and honorable deeds shall emerge victorious
Jesus Christ was born today
The world received its savior and redeemer today
Jesus Christ was born
The entire universe was blessed with the birth of the Son of God
Jesus Christ was born today
The world was overwhelmed with the arrival of Christ on earth
Jesus Christ was born
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born to restore the world
Jesus Christ was born today
Today is the beginning of the salvation and hope for mankind
Jesus Christ was born
The ultimate act of love and grace happened today
Jesus Christ was born today
The Son of God arrived to fulfill the ancient prophecies about the Messiah
Jesus Christ was born
The Savior of the world came in a humble stable in Bethlehem
Contributed by Muhammad Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MechanicalMan
Wow, I didn't know Teenage Fanclub covered this. I just found it while searching for the original. Thanks for sharing.
QualityPlaceofMusic
No worries. Had to upload it as Teenage Fanclub have always been a favourite band of mine and have done some great cover songs down the years