Unfair… Read Full Bio ↴The Auteurs was a British alternative rock band of the 1990s.
Unfairly dismissed as the egotrip of acclaimed songwriter Luke Haines, The Auteurs were one of the unsung bands of the mid-nineties Britpop movement. Releasing their first record, New Wave, in 1993, the Auteurs were compared to Suede, and the resurgent glam-rock movement, and began to amass a reasonable cult following. 1994's second album, and commercial highlight, Now I'm A Cowboy, saw the band embracing at times a more contemporary sound, notably on the single Lenny Valentino, which probably remains Haines' best-known song. Now I'm A Cowboy was marked out by sprawling guitar lines as much as by Haines' inimitable lyrics, a kind of visceral social commentary. While touring this album in 1995, Haines jumped off a fifteen-foot wall, breaking both ankles, resulting in his being in a wheelchair for the rest of that year, recording the starker, angrier third album After Murder Park, most notable for the ballad-like lead single Unsolved Child Murder, released for Christmas at Haines own bidding. Following this, Haines took time out to work on other projects such as Black Box Recorder and Baader Meinhof, reforming the Auteurs in 1999 for the release of the mostly overlooked final album, How I Learned To Love The Bootboys.
While Haines remains widely respected for his lyrical eloquence and eye for the minutae of life, his eccentric, confrontational personality, and habit of styling himself as a louche ne'er-do-well, perhaps impeded the formation of a more affectionate bond with his fans. The Auteurs, similarly, tended to be respected rather more than they were loved.
Light Aircraft On Fire
The Auteurs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you'll get a fucking monster back
formations indiscreet -
it's just an acrobatic trick
vanishes into mercury
disintegrate at 2000 feet
light aircraft on fire
was an ex wing-walker
everybody ignored her
everybody implored her to-
vanish into the radio
disappear in the waveband snow
light aircraft on fire
disintergrate at 2000 feet
disappear into mercury
there's a dark premonition an
accident will happen
there's a pre-science preacher in the cabin
everybody eat your dust
everybody love your dust
light aircraft on fire
The Auteurs’ “Light Aircraft On Fire” features simple yet powerful lyrics that describe the imagery of disintegration, disappearance, and the beauty of vanishing into something. The opening two lines, “when you cut your lover's slack / you'll get a fucking monster back,” alludes to the idea that it’s difficult to break free from relationships, and that once you do, it may come at a cost. The lines are quite symbolic, as being in an unhealthy relationship can turn into “a monster” that will cause you harm.
“Formations indiscreet - / it's just an acrobatic trick / vanishes into mercury / disintegrate at 2000 feet / light aircraft on fire”. These lines use vivid language to describe a scene where an aircraft disintegrates mid-flight. The use of the metaphorical “mercury” adds to the feeling of being fragile and fleeting. The lines “tombstone Queen Victoria / was an ex-wing walker / everybody ignored her / everybody implored her to-” describe an ex-tombstone walker Queen Victoria, who is ignored by everybody around her. The allusion to the queen is intentional, given the tone of the lyrics, which are melancholic and despairing, and this is conveyed through the metaphorical use of a tombstone.
The use of imagery and symbolism is powerful in “Light Aircraft On Fire”. It’s an outstanding and thought-provoking song that speaks to the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
when you cut your lover's slack
When you give your lover too much freedom and leniency, they will take advantage of it and become a monster.
you'll get a fucking monster back
Your lover will turn into an unrecognizable and terrifying creature if you don't set boundaries.
formations indiscreet -
The way things are organized and arranged is careless and thoughtless.
it's just an acrobatic trick
The maneuvers and tactics used are merely for show and not practical or effective.
vanishes into mercury
Disappears suddenly and without explanation, like mercury vaporizing.
disintegrate at 2000 feet
The aircraft falls apart mid-flight at the altitude of 2000 feet.
light aircraft on fire
The aircraft is engulfed in flames, causing its destruction.
tombstone queen victoria
A reference to a deceased Queen Victoria and her grave marker.
was an ex wing-walker
In the past, Queen Victoria was a performer who walked on the wings of an airplane.
everybody ignored her
Despite her achievements, nobody paid attention to her.
everybody implored her to-
Everyone begged and urged her to do something, but it's unknown what that something is.
vanish into the radio
Disappear and be forgotten, like a radio signal fading away.
disappear in the waveband snow
Fade out of existence, like a radio signal lost in a noisy waveband.
there's a dark premonition an
There's a foreboding sense that something bad is going to happen.
accident will happen
An unfortunate incident or event is likely to occur.
there's a pre-science preacher in the cabin
There's someone on the plane who predicts the future, possibly a religious figure.
everybody eat your dust
Everyone else should get out of the way, because this situation is dangerous.
everybody love your dust
Everyone should admire and respect the speed and intensity of this situation.
light aircraft on fire
The aircraft is again engulfed in flames, emphasizing its destruction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LUKE MICHAEL HAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tonetruiz
The recorder was Steve Albini , he is famous for the harsh recordings. The problem here is just the low quality of the audio on Youtube. I have the Cd and I can say that the sound is an awesone.
@starbar1958
This track was covered by Mulligan and O'Hare on their debut album.
@ross817
I second this request!
@playlistismo
@ > The Auteurs
🎶> Light Aircraft On Fire
💿 > After Murder Park
p > 1996
🎬︎ > Chris Cunningham
@kidxdeca
Me too! Well, third the request.
@Maplelust
not a bad song.
@hahasu4623
What's "this request"?
@vulteiuscatellus4105
It was for the video "Back with the Killer Again", which has since been posted on this channel. I originally posted a comment requesting it on one of my old accounts.
@alexandermclean1761
That's not Luke Haines singing?
@siren_of_the_earth
That little girl is actually my cousin 🤣