1. The Bees (… Read Full Bio ↴There have been several bands with the name The Bees.
1. The Bees (known as A Band of Bees in America, owing to a rights conflict over their name) are a UK band from the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England. Formed in 2000, the band members are Aaron 'Fletch' Fletcher (bass), Paul Butler (vocals, keyboards, guitars), Kris Birkin (guitar), Tim Parkin (trumpet), Michael Clevett (drums) and Warren Hampshire (keyboards). Known for harking back to the 60s and 70s, with cheery pop and trips into the psychedelic, The Bees record their albums in analog, notably recording their debut album in a garden shed.
To quote an Amazon review: "The best word to describe the music is bouncy -- the Bees call on snappy drums and cheery basslines and guitar riffs for their sound, as well as some deeply moving Hammond organ. To finish off the sound, they inject some harmonies that would make the Zombies wipe away a tear of pride."
Their influences cover soul, reggae, funk and Motown, with artists such as Curtis Mayfield, Burt Bacharach, Up the Junction era Manfred Mann, The Kinks and Small Faces.
In the USA The Bees are known as "A Band of Bees" to avoid confusion with two local bands of the same name (see below):
2. The Silver Seas, formerly the Bees, are a pop-rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed by producer-musician Jason Lehning and singer-songwriter Daniel Tashian. They played their first show as the Bees in 1999 and toured as an opening act for Guster in 2004 after the independent release of their debut album, Starry Gazey Pie. Their second indie release, High Society followed in May 2006.
On May 2, 2007, the Los Angeles-based label Cheap Lullaby announced that it had signed the Bees and intended to reissue High Society. Copyright issues involving the British band the Bees had already forced the Nashville group to add "U.S.," in parentheses, to the end of their name (even though the Bees of the UK are marketed as A Band of Bees stateside), so Cheap Lullaby encouraged Tashian and his bandmates to come up with a new moniker, hence the Silver Seas. The label reissued High Society under the band's new name on October 9, 2007.
Metromix gave the reissue of High Society a "Pick" rating and mentioned that the Silver Seas had a reputation as "one of the best unsigned bands in their hometown of Nashville," while Performing Songwriter magazine raved that the band had "made the catchiest album of the year." High Society was nominated at the seventh annual Independent Music Awards in 2008 for best pop-rock album of the year.
In July 2010, shortly after reissuing Starry Gazey Pie under their new name, the Silver Seas independently released their third album, Château Revenge! (in Europe it was released by the Lights Label via EMI, which also distributed the band's subsequent two releases. It was followed six months later by a "blue edition" featuring acoustic versions of Château's 12 songs. BBC Radio presenter Danny Baker called the Silver Seas "the best group in the world" in 2011.
3. The Bees was a San Gabriel Valley garage band that released one single in October of 1966, "Voices Green And Purple" backed with "Trip to New Orleans" as the B-side, on the Covina, California-based Liverpool Label. No other singles by this band were issued.
4. Quirky New Wave/Punk band from New York with three 7" releases on their own label Obey My Brain - 4 song EP (1978), "TV Mentality" (1979), "Already In Love" (1979).
5. The Bees were an R&B act that released a version of "My Ding-a-ling" in 1954 on the Imperial label, entitled "Toy Bell."
This Town
The Bees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you stand out of reach
Do your sums before you run
The brightest stones make the brightest beach
This towns got nothing for me
Cheap shots and bad jewellery
Just want to be
Where everyone's free
In a great big place
Season to season with the moon and its reason
The lyrics to The Bees's song This Town appear to be about the singer's dissatisfaction with the place that they're in. They ask a question about a game being played, suggesting that the situation they're in is perhaps superficial or insincere. The line "When you stand out of reach" suggests that the singer feels disconnected from their surroundings and those around them. The advice to "Do your sums before you run" could imply that they should carefully consider their options before leaving or taking action.
The next two lines, "The brightest stones make the brightest beach" could suggest that the singer feels that they don't fit into the local environment, and that those who do are the brightest and the best. The following lines "This town's got nothing for me, Cheap shots and bad jewellery" reinforce this idea; they feel like they don't belong in this place of cheap materialism.
As the lyrics progress, the singer seems to long for a place where they feel free, where they can relax and be their true selves. They long for a place with no constraints, where they can have time to talk and be present, regardless of the season or context. Perhaps they're looking for something more authentic and fulfilling than the superficiality they see around them.
Line by Line Meaning
What's this game that you're playing
I do not understand the behavior you exhibit, which seems to be a sort of game or manipulation.
When you stand out of reach
You are distancing yourself from me, whether intentionally or not, making it difficult for me to communicate with you.
Do your sums before you run
Consider the consequences and plan ahead before making any impulsive decisions.
The brightest stones make the brightest beach
The most exceptional and unique individuals create the most vibrant and attractive environments.
This towns got nothing for me
I do not feel fulfilled by this town or its offerings, they do not meet my needs or desires.
Cheap shots and bad jewellery
The town's commodities and entertainment options are poor in quality and unappealing.
Just want to be
My only desire is to exist and live my life freely and without restraint.
Where everyone's free
I wish to live in a place where every individual can freely live their lives and make their own choices without fear of oppression or judgement.
Lemonade on the sidewalk gives us time to talk
Simple pleasures, such as partaking in a drink and conversation in a relaxed setting, can facilitate enjoyable moments and meaningful communication.
In a great big place
Expansive environments can provide opportunities for exploration and new experiences, but may also feel isolating.
Season to season with the moon and its reason
The cyclical changes of nature and the moon can provide a comforting sense of predictability and structure to life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AARON FLETCHER, PAUL JAMES BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind