'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.
Shock And Awe
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The anchor and the strife
They are analyzing details
Through the morning, through the night
And chaos, order
From darkness, light
I will offer no resistance
I can offer no respite
Wake me when the conflict is over
I aim for a peaceful life
Shake me when this madness is no more
I favour a peaceful life
Cain and Abel
The wrong and the right
I will offer no resistance
In the battle, in the fight
Wake me when the conflict is over
I aim for a peaceful life
Shake me when this madness is no more
I favour a peaceful life
Wake me up when the fury is over
I like living a peaceful life
Shake me when this conflict is no more
My aim is a peaceful life
The lyrics of Teenage Fanclub's "Shock and Awe" expresses a desire for peace and an aversion to conflict. The opening line, "Electrical is ??", could be interpreted in different ways, but it might refer to the intense energy and excitement of a conflict or battle. The anchor and the strife signify the forces that hold one in place and those that cause disruption and unrest. The next two lines, "They are analyzing details, through the morning, through the night" suggests that the conflict is ongoing and never stops.
The next two lines, "And chaos, order; from darkness, light", express the idea that order can emerge from chaos or that a bright future can arise from a dark present. The singer acknowledges that they cannot offer any resistance or respite in the midst of the battle. The lines "Cain and Abel, the wrong and the right; I will offer no resistance, in the battle, in the fight" allude to the Biblical story of two brothers, one of whom kills the other out of jealousy. The singer, however, refuses to take sides and will not fight.
The repeated lines "Wake me when the conflict is over, I aim for a peaceful life, Shake me when this madness is no more, I favour a peaceful life" echoes the central theme of the song which is the desire for a peaceful life. The lines "Wake me up when the fury is over, I like living a peaceful life, Shake me when this conflict is no more, my aim is a peaceful life" emphasize the point even further. The lyrics of "Shock and Awe" showcase a longing for harmony and tranquility and imply that individuals can find peace by choosing not to participate in destructive conflicts.
Line by Line Meaning
Electrical is ??
Unknown/ambiguous statement - no clear meaning
The anchor and the strife
The opposing forces that are causing tension/conflict
They are analyzing details
Trying to understand the situation fully before taking action
Through the morning, through the night
Continuously working towards resolution
And chaos, order
Trying to bring some sense of order to the chaos
From darkness, light
Hoping to bring light to a dark situation
I will offer no resistance
Not going to contribute to the conflict
I can offer no respite
Unable to provide relief or comfort
Wake me when the conflict is over
Not interested in participating in the conflict, only wants to know when it's over
I aim for a peaceful life
Preferring a peaceful existence over a life filled with strife
Shake me when this madness is no more
Wants to be informed when the chaos subsides and calm returns
I favour a peaceful life
Strong preference for a harmonious and calm lifestyle
Cain and Abel
Reference to the biblical brothers who were at odds with each other
The wrong and the right
The conflicting sides of a disagreement
In the battle, in the fight
Aware of the conflict but choosing not to actively engage
Wake me up when the fury is over
Same as 'Wake me when the conflict is over'
I like living a peaceful life
Same as 'I aim for a peaceful life'
Shake me when this conflict is no more
Same as 'Shake me when this madness is no more'
My aim is a peaceful life
Same as 'I favour a peaceful life'
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gerard Love
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
doctorwu
The ascending guitar solo in the middle is pure magic, gives me wings (:
earnestbunny
doctorwu yep! blissful!
Surrealms
This makes life worth living. I'm fucking serious.
Regional/Unity Productions
I've performed this song! LOVE this band!
Niall Flynn
This song is just too beautiful.
MuesliBushtip
I love this so much.
Marty Tippens
This is so good!
John Lancaster
Favourite band
Noel Johnson
Just so damn good.....
Noel Johnson
OMG...it's so good...