1. The Bats are an in… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four bands called The Bats.
1. The Bats are an influential New Zealand rock band formed in 1982 in Christchurch by Paul Kean (bass), Malcolm Grant (drums), Robert Scott (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards) and Kaye Woodward (lead guitar, vocals). Though primarily a Christchurch band, The Bats have strong links to Dunedin and are usually grouped in with the Dunedin Sound musicians that emerged in the early 1980s. The band has retained the same four members from 1982 to the present day.
Approaching a quarter century of recording and performing, Christchurch, New Zealand's The Bats have survived seven albums and five world tours with the original line-up of Kaye Woodward, Malcolm Grant, Paul Kean and Robert Scott intact. With a sound at the jangle/indie end of the pop spectrum, the band made significant headway in the States in the 80s alongside Flying Nun label-mates The Chills and The Clean. The 90s saw tours of the US and Europe, supporting the likes of Radiohead, Belly, and R.E.M.. Paul, Kaye, and Malcolm form side-project Minisnap; Bob has released solo work and can also be found in The Clean and The Magick Heads.
2. The Bats was an American band, formed in the early 1980s and featured Jon Brion, Don Riff and Bill Murphy. They released the album How Pop Can You Get? on Gustav records in 1982. They disbanded after critical acclaim, but little commercial success.
3. Dubbed South Africa's answer to the Beatles, the pop group The Bats was formed in October 1964 and consisted of group members Eddie Eckstein (drums/vocals), Barry Jarman (guitar/trumpet/concertina), Jimmy Dunning (guitar) and Paul Ditchfield (keyboard/guitar/bass/vocals). Paul, Barry and Eddie knew each other well and had wanted to form a group for a long time, but had been prevented from doing so by their respective contracts with various bands.
Barry suggested they form a beat trio with the express purpose of making records. Jimmy Dunning, who had played with them before, was unanimously nominated to fill the gap of lead guitarist. After finally getting together, they arranged an audition with Matt Mann, then A & R Manager at G.R.C. (and later owner of RPM Record Company), who signed them to the CBS label and produced their first single, All I Got. The group were quibbling with each other about an appropriate name. In an attempt to restore order, Matt Mann yelled "You're All Bats!" and so "The Bats" was born.
4. The Bats were an Irish beat band of the 1960s. They were regulars at Belfast's Maritime Club. Only a few of the band's recordings were released, on a 1966 compilation LP called 'Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Groups from Belfast's Maritime Club' and one single of their own, 'Accept It', on Columbia Records (a cover version of a Burt Bacharach song).
Block Of Wood
The Bats Lyrics
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This much I know to be true
And it doesn't look good
And I'm feeling like a block of wood
So take me away
I know not where
Who knew the place, lose their crown
And it doesn't look good
And I'm feeling like a block of wood
So take me away
I know not where
And it doesn't look good
And I'm feeling like a block of wood
So take me away
I know not where
And it doesn't look good
And I'm feeling like a block of wood
So take me away
I know not where
The Bats’ “Block of Wood” is a sombre, introspective song that paints a bleak picture of the world around us. The opening lines suggest that the singer has come to a realization about the nature of humanity and their actions. The repetition of “this much I know to be true” reinforces the idea that the singer is sure of what they are saying. The following lines describe the state of the world that the singer sees, a state that “doesn’t look good”. The singer then likens themselves to a “block of wood”, which suggests a feeling of being stuck or lacking in agency. The following lines convey a sense of wanting to escape from this state, without any clear destination in mind.
The second verse continues the theme of the world in chaos, with the added detail that even those who were once powerful are now vulnerable. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the feeling of hopelessness that the singer is experiencing. By repeating that they feel “like a block of wood” and that the world “doesn’t look good”, the song creates a bleak, oppressive tone that suggests that there is no easy way out of the problems it is addressing.
Overall, "Block of Wood" is a song that deals with themes of disillusionment, despair and the feeling of being trapped. It is a stark reminder of the chaos and uncertainty that we can all face at times, and the feeling of being unable to change things for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Came around, to see what we do
I arrived to observe our actions
This much I know to be true
I am certain of this fact
And it doesn't look good
The situation appears unfavorable
And I'm feeling like a block of wood
I feel emotionally numb and stagnant
So take me away
Remove me from this environment
I know not where
I am unsure of my destination
Up and down, in all through the town
Everywhere in the city, there is chaos
Who knew the place, lose their crown
The people who were once powerful here are now in decline
Writer(s): Paul Christopher Kean, Kaye Adelaide Woodward, Robert Marshall Scott, Malcolm Ian Grant
Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@CarlosMoreno-to6fr
Daddy's Highway is an absolutely superb album
@fredjones9750
It is indeed.
@robalston590
My Otago university anthem.. the song of my 90's life in Dunedin..my grotty flat in Agnew, with the most awesome flatmates of all time..
@davidboyd8113
The bats one of New Zealand's greatest unrecognised groups
@popolbruh8263
imo THE best
@grechaw
Unrecognized?
@brettplayle3274
The Bats...pure pop genius. Brings back so many memories of Dunedin and Otago University in the 80s.
@darinpaterson4403
This is a great memory how central Christchurch looked. It was beautiful and full of so many memories. I love this video. See you one day chc, love from Liepaja.
@paulroberts3639
I remember sitting in a share-house sometime around mid 1988 watching RAGE (ABC Australia, all night back to back videos Friday & Saturday nights.). A bunch of guys, a near empty mix bowl and this video came on. We were totally blown away. Got me into Indi NZ bands, Flying Nun records.. just awesome. Been listening ever since..
@MuddHutter1
A Kiwi classic ! TY!