'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.
So Far Gone
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could you be the one, the one who has to make life fun of you
So far gone
So far gone
I'd love to turn you on
Could you be the one, you always complicate my thoughts of you
So far gone
So far gone
I'd love to turn you on
Understand my way,
I hope you will someday
I understand my way
Did you be the one that wants to turn me into something new
Did you be the one, you always complicate my thoughts of you
So far gone
So far gone
I'd love to turn you on
Understand my way,
I hope you will someday
I understand my way
So far gone
So far gone
I'd love to turn you on
The lyrics to Teenage Fanclub's "So Far Gone" speak to the idea of changing oneself for someone else, while also acknowledging the complications and struggles that come with romantic relationships. The repetition of "Could you be the one" and "Did you be the one" suggest uncertainty and doubt about the person's intentions, as the singer questions whether they truly want to transform him and complicate his thoughts. The refrain "So far gone" echoes the idea of being lost or confused, further emphasizing the difficulties of trying to change oneself for another.
Despite these challenges, the singer expresses a desire to "turn [the other person] on," implying a willingness to make the relationship work and to please the other person. The lines "Understand my way, I hope you will someday / I understand my way" suggest a plea for mutual understanding and acceptance, recognizing that each person in the relationship has their own unique perspective and way of being.
Overall, the lyrics of "So Far Gone" capture the complexities and uncertainties of romantic relationships, while also pointing to the ways in which people can grow and change through these experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Could you be the one who wants to turn me into something new?
Asking if the other person is the reason for wanting to change oneself.
Could you be the one, the one who has to make life fun of you
Asking if the other person is the cause of making life enjoyable.
So far gone
Feeling lost or disconnected due to a difficult situation.
So far gone
Continuation of feeling lost.
I'd love to turn you on
Desire to impress or attract the other person.
Could you be the one, you always complicate my thoughts of you
Asking if the other person is the reason for mixed feelings towards them.
Could you be the one, you always stop for me to drive right through
Asking if the other person is always there to support and help pave the way forward.
Understand my way,
Requesting the other person understand one's perspective.
I hope you will someday
Expressing hope for the other person to eventually comprehend one's perspective.
Did you be the one that wants to turn me into something new
Questioning who is responsible for wanting to change oneself.
Did you be the one, you always complicate my thoughts of you
Questioning who is responsible for causing mixed feelings towards them.
So far gone
Continuing to feel lost or disconnected.
So far gone
Continuing to feel lost or disconnected.
I'd love to turn you on
Continuing to feel a desire to impress or attract the other person.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRENDAN O'HARE, GERARD LOVE, NORMAN GEORGE BLAKE, RAYMOND MCGINLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind