The band rose from the ashes of, "several crap indie bands [[artist]Hofman etc.] and a pretty good post-rock band [[artist]Gwei-lo]" in post-millennial Cambridge (i.e. around 2001).
“The first nice thing outside our own little world was getting a call from John Peel on a Sunday morning saying he liked our first record. It was like a pat on the back from your favourite uncle,” says frontman Steven Adams. Their first mini-album The King Will Build A Disco appeared in 2002, to general bemusement and delight that East Anglia had produced its own leftfield Americana act. The following year saw their first full-length album, the more folksy Cold Water Songs, closely followed by the inventive, adventurous Jesus Songs mini album. In 2005 they released the spiteful, dark Welcome Home Loser, clad in a particularly magnificent sleeve, and 2006’s cunningly titled Balls sealed their position as Britain’s most unlikely indie-country-rock outfit, as they turned up the fuzz and put down the acoustic guitars. By 2007 the distinctly British-sounding Hello Love was well received across the board, the swaggering single ‘Love Your Man, Love Your Woman’ becoming something of an anthem.
Eight years later, The Broken Family Band have gradually shed the accordionists, the cute girl singers, the banjo players and even the American drawl, and reduced themselves to the unchanged core of Adams, bassist Gavin Johnson, guitarist Jay Williams and drummer Micky Roman.
Mixed by veteran producer George Shilling, The Broken Family Band release their seventh album, Please and Thank You on 20/04/2009 and a single, Salivating, on 06/04/2009.
Citing wishes to "quit while we're ahead", the band announced their imminent split in August 2009. A series of shows in October will precede the final gig on October 31 at The Portland Arms in Cambridge.
Edit: 25/01/10 RIP The Broken Family Band. Gone but not forgotten.
I See How You Are
The Broken Family Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And they fall for it every time
I bet you think that you've got me
Right where you want me
I see how you are and I love it, I love it
I see how you are and I want to be with you
You think that I'm one of them
I bet you think I don't mean it
But all I do is mean it
I see how you are and I love it, I love it
I see how you are and I want to be like you
And I'm glad you're protecting yourself
If it wasn't you I wouldn't trust someone else
I see how you are and I love it, I love it
I see how you are and I want to be with you
The lyrics in The Broken Family Band's song "I See How You Are" address the singer's attraction to someone who they believe uses the same lines on every romantic partner but nevertheless has a hold on them. The repeated line "I bet you say that to all the [boys/men]" indicates the singer's skepticism that this person's actions are genuine, but nonetheless, they find themselves drawn to them. The line "I see how you are and I love it, I love it" can be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be seen as the singer being enamored with this person's skill at manipulating their romantic partners, or alternatively, the singer could see through this person's tactics but still be attracted to their confidence and charisma.
In the second verse, the singer shifts to addressing the person directly, saying "You think that I'm one of them" to indicate that they feel they are different from the person's other romantic interests. However, they still admit to being charmed, saying "all I do is mean it." The final verse takes a bit of a turn, with the singer stating that they're glad the person is protecting themselves, suggesting that they may have been hurt in the past. The song ends with the singer reiterating their attraction to the person and their desire to be with them.
Overall, "I See How You Are" is a complex exploration of attraction and skepticism, with the singer acknowledging that they may be falling for someone's manipulation but still drawn to their confidence and charm. The song ultimately leaves the listener questioning whether the attraction is genuine or just a result of the person's manipulation tactics.
Line by Line Meaning
I bet you say that to all the boys
I believe you use the same lines with every guy you encounter
And they fall for it every time
Your charm and tactics work on every man you try them on
I bet you think that you've got me, Right where you want me
You believe that you have me completely under your control and influence
I see how you are and I love it, I love it
I have observed your behavior and actions, and I am completely enamored by them
I see how you are and I want to be with you
Your mannerisms and character have made me desirous of being close to you
I bet you say that to all the men
I assume that you use the same words on every man you converse with
You think that I'm one of them
You believe that I am just another susceptible man that you can manipulate
I bet you think I don't mean it
You suppose that I do not genuinely care or trust you
But all I do is mean it
However, I am completely serious in my intentions towards you
I see how you are and I want to be like you
I have observed and embraced your qualities that I would like to emulate and possess
And I'm glad you're protecting yourself
I am happy that you are looking out for your best interests
If it wasn't you I wouldn't trust someone else
I would not be able to place trust in anyone else if it were not for you
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.