The Cat Empire began as a trio with McGill, Riebl, and Monro in late 1999, and started playing a wide variety of gigs in Melbourne. The band soon expanded in 2001, adding Angus, Hull-Brown, and Khadiwala.
THE Cat Empire's message, on stage and in the studio, has always been about breaking down borders: musical, geographic, lingual. But they have never done it so powerfully as they do on their new album, Cinema. The album serves up a set which captures the inexorable force - and sheer joy - of their live performances, delivered in a format perfect for lounge-rooms, backyards, BBQ’s, cafes, road trips and parties all over the world.
Cinema, the band's fourth studio album, is a dazzling statement of a band at a peak of its powers, music designed to move the body and the mind. Right from the opening track, Waiting, this is music that leaps from the speakers.
All the elements that people love about The Cat Empire are there but the result is brighter, bolder. And yes, more cinematic. What grabs the ear immediately is that this is not a band playing with genres. In the past, The Cat Empire dived in to any musical style which took their fancy, from reggae to salsa, Latin to hip-hop. Cinema reveals a band that has developed an emphatic voice that is all their own.
``That's a sound that has emerged out of nearly 10 years of playing on stage together,'' says singer and percussionist Felix Riebl. ”The result is an album that's much more integrated than anything we've done before, with a Cat Empire sound that runs consistently through it. The lyrics are perhaps darker, but they are accompanied by music that is uplifting which gives it a strange but powerful feeling.''
Riebl adds: “At times the album is thoughtful, at times it makes you just forget and dance. But it is an album that has more sonic depth than we've ever had before, experimental in parts but with really direct choruses. It's going to be a great album to play live, especially on big stages and at festivals.''
Of course, the stage is never far from the thoughts of this band. In an age when so much of selling music seems to be about celebrity and fashion, The Cat Empire have risen to be one of Australia and indeed the worlds favourite live acts through sheer musicality and the power of their interaction on stage. The band - Riebl, Vocalist and trumpeter Harry Angus, keys player Ollie McGill, bassist Ryan Monro, drummer Will Hull-Brown and Jamshid Khadiwala (aka ‘Jumps’) on decks - played their 700th show in Amsterdam last year, and will hit the 800 mark in 2010. While it is not well known in Australia, The Cat Empire are one of the country's most successful musical exports, doubling their audience numbers at every return stop.
They have headlined some of the world's biggest music festivals, including Summersonic (Japan), Rock am Ring (Germany) and V Fest (UK), playing Bonnaroo (US) as well as to an audience of 300,000 at the Montreal Jazz Festival. They have also played on some of world's highest rating entertainment shows, including Dave Letterman and Jay Leno. This year their worldwide tour in support of the international release of Cinema will see them return to Canada, US, Europe, Japan and the UK, where they will play to a full house at London's Brixton Academy.
The knowledge that they would be playing songs from the new album on so many big stages focused the song writing sessions for Cinema. The album was recorded close to home at Sing Sing studios in Melbourne with producer Steve Schram, and he encouraged them to make an album that was their most collaborative song writing effort yet.
``That was a deliberate decision from all of us,'' says the lion of the live show - Vocalist and Trumpeter Harry Angus. ``With six people in the band sometimes there will be a song on an album that not everyone wants to play live. This album certainly gets around that problem. And I think that after so many years playing together the guys are much more confident about contributing to the writing. Steve encouraged us to do that. That's been great for us.''
Of working with The Cat Empire, Schram says “it was the perfect studio scenario; amazing players open to trying anything and willing to take a back seat when required. Egos were left at the door.” He adds “In terms of musicianship, it's no secret that they don't come much better than The Cat Empire. Yet Cinema shows that simplicity and one well placed note packs more of a punch and serves the song far more than musical chops alone. We set out to explore in depth the mood and character of each song while maintaining a focus on performance rather than studio trickery. “
After taking their longest break from studio recording after the release of 2007's So Many Nights, the band reconvened feeling refreshed. ``In 2008 we took a break from touring for 8 months. Then in 2009 we released our (live album) Live on Earth” Riebl says. ``When we came back to the band, and then into the studio we all rediscovered what we loved about The Cat Empire in the first place; that it is a band that can do the unexpected, that we have great energy and make music that is always a lot of fun to play on stage. The feeling right now is just like when we were starting out. We're all very excited about that.''
Cinema will be released ...
JUNE 25, AUSTRALIA
JUNE 29, CANADA
JULY 6, USA
AUGUST 2010, EUROPE & JAPAN
See www.thecatempire.com for tours and information
One Four Five
The Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That grows inside myself.
Shelf me please;
I just can't ease the pain
I need some drugs to help.
Ah, pollution fills my lungs
And convolution fills my mind.
Ah, my legs do ache,
That living's less than fine.
My spine does tingle
When I think of being
Freed from this curse,
But what is worse I feel
Life is a bubble
Blown until it's burst.
Oh doctor, I am desperate
To get rid of this feeling.
Oh doctor, I am desperate
For some good soul healing!
The doctor turned and gave a grin
And reached into his bag;
But instead of an injecton
Got a record with a tag
That said "listen to this daily
With hip shaking and such things".
Then he puts the record on,
Grabs a mic and starts to sing:
You need some
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(When heaven falling from the sky.)
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(Times like this you need some one four five.)
Doctor I am feeling better.
What was that you sang?
Did you write it or recite it,
Or just steal it from a band?
Ah, my bones are feeling stronger
And my spirit's feeling fresh;
Well, that dose of 145 has put the life
Back in my breath!
"Yes, yes, yes", the doctor said,
Then he sat me down and say
"Young man, don't think I wrote
These chords; they're written in
Your brain."
And when you hear them
There's a shakedown that begins within
The mind.
Cos these three chords make people
Feeling better all the time, ah!
They keep repeating
Like a scratch on a cd;
But it's quality cos these three harmonies
Breed positivity,
Protecting against insanity
Of modern insecurities.
Believe me when I tell you
All you need is to be hearing all that
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(When they said "what?" and you said "why?")
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(Times like this you need some one four five.)
The doctor turned and gave a grin
And reached into his bag;
But instead of an injection
Got a record with a tag
That said "listen to this daily
With hip shaking and such things".
Then he puts the record on,
Grabs a mic and starts to sing:
Well, the doctor turned and danced a bit
And reached into his bag;
And instead of an injection
Got a record with a tag
That said "listen to this daily
With hip shaking and such things".
Then he puts the record on,
Grabs a mic and starts to sing:
You need some
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(When you could not count to pi;)
One four five
(When you're told you can't fly;)
One four five
(To make you high, to make you high!)
One four five
(Times like these you need some)
One! Four! Five!
In The Cat Empire's song "One Four Five", the singer is describing the physical and emotional pain he is experiencing in his life, from his lungs being polluted to contemplating the futility of living. He seeks relief, and the doctor offers him a unique solution: the power of music, specifically the one four five chord progression. The doctor gives him a record to listen to daily and sing along to, and over time the singer feels a positive change in his body and mind. He learns that the chord progression is already ingrained in his brain, and that it has the power to inspire and uplift anyone who hears it.
The lyrics of "One Four Five" underline the power of music as a form of healing and release, and the importance of positive thinking in overcoming life's struggles. The one four five chord progression represents a universal truth that can bring people together and create a sense of unity and positivity. The song encourages listeners to embrace the power of music and use it to transform their lives for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, listen doctor I have pain
The singer is seeking help from a doctor due to some pain that they are experiencing.
That grows inside myself.
The pain is deeply personal and affecting the singer's well-being.
Shelf me please;
The singer is asking the doctor to provide some sort of relief or medication for their pain.
I just can't ease the pain
The artist has been unable to find any relief from their pain despite their efforts.
I need some drugs to help.
The artist believes that only medication can help alleviate their pain.
Ah, pollution fills my lungs
The singer is feeling the effects of environmental pollution on their health.
And convolution fills my mind.
The stress of their health issues is affecting the singer's mental health as well.
Ah, my legs do ache,
The artist is experiencing physical pain in their legs.
I contemplate
The artist is reflecting on their current state of being and questioning the quality of their life.
That living's less than fine.
The artist is feeling that their life is not going well and that something needs to change.
My spine does tingle
The singer is experiencing physical sensations that suggest their health issues are deeply rooted.
When I think of being
The artist is contemplating what it would feel like to be free of their health issues.
Freed from this curse,
The singer sees their health issues as a curse that they want to be rid of.
But what is worse I feel
Despite wanting to be free of their health issues, the singer is not optimistic about their prospects.
Life is a bubble
The singer sees life as fragile and fleeting.
Blown until it's burst.
The artist believes that life is uncertain and can be cut short at any moment.
Oh doctor, I am desperate
The artist's desperation for relief is clear in their address to the doctor.
To get rid of this feeling.
The singer is seeking a way to rid themselves of their pain and discomfort.
For some good soul healing!
The singer is hoping that the doctor can provide relief for their pain at a deeper, spiritual level.
The doctor turned and gave a grin
The artist's interaction with the doctor is starting to become less serious and more lighthearted.
And reached into his bag;
The artist is waiting to see what sort of remedy or treatment the doctor will provide.
But instead of an injecton
The artist is surprised when the doctor doesn't provide a traditional medical treatment.
Got a record with a tag
The doctor's treatment for the singer is non-traditional and difficult to predict.
That said "listen to this daily
The doctor's treatment for the artist involves listening to music on a regular basis.
With hip shaking and such things".
The type of music that the doctor recommends is upbeat and meant to inspire movement and dance.
Then he puts the record on,
The doctor demonstrates the effectiveness of his recommended treatment by playing a record for the singer.
Grabs a mic and starts to sing:
The doctor takes an active role in promoting the benefits of his recommended treatment.
You need some
The doctor uses music as a way to treat the artist and alleviate their pain.
And when you hear them
The doctor believes that the music he is recommending can have a powerful effect on the listener.
There's a shakedown that begins within
The music the doctor plays can have a physical effect on the listener, inspiring them to move and dance.
The mind.
The doctor believes that the music he is recommending can have a powerful effect on the listener's mental state as well.
Cos these three chords make people
The doctor sees the power of music as being rooted in the simple chord progressions that make up most popular songs.
Feeling better all the time, ah!
The doctor believes that the music he is recommending can have a profound and lasting positive effect on the listener.
They keep repeating
The simplicity of the music is a key part of its effectiveness, with repeated chords and melodies helping to create a sense of consistency and familiarity.
Like a scratch on a cd;
The repetitive patterns of the music the doctor recommends can be seen as a type of "earworm" that sticks with the listener long after the music has stopped playing.
But it's quality cos these three harmonies
Despite their simplicity, the three chords that make up the music the doctor recommends are effective because of their harmonic relationship and the way they complement each other.
Breed positivity,
The doctor believes that the music he is recommending can create a sense of positivity and optimism in the listener.
Protecting against insanity
The doctor sees the power of music as being instrumental in maintaining mental health and warding off negative thoughts and feelings.
Of modern insecurities.
The doctor believes that the music he recommends can be helpful for those struggling with the challenges and stresses of contemporary life.
Believe me when I tell you
The doctor is trying to impress upon the artist the importance and effectiveness of his recommended treatment.
All you need is to be hearing all that
The doctor believes that listening to music on a regular basis can be all the treatment that some patients need to feel better.
What was that you sang?
The singer is surprised and curious about the music the doctor recommends.
Did you write it or recite it,
The singer wants to know more about the music the doctor played and who created it.
Or just steal it from a band?
The artist is still skeptical about the music the doctor recommends, questioning its origins and legitimacy.
Ah, my bones are feeling stronger
The artist is starting to feel the positive effects of the music the doctor recommended.
And my spirit's feeling fresh;
The artist's mental and emotional state is improving as well, with a sense of vitality and renewal replacing their previous feelings of pain and discontent.
Well, that dose of 145 has put the life
The singer is attributing their improvement to the music the doctor recommended.
Back in my breath!
The artist is feeling a sense of energy and vitality that they haven't experienced in some time.
"Yes, yes, yes", the doctor said,
The doctor is pleased to see that his treatment has been effective for the singer.
Then he sat me down and say
The singer and the doctor are now in a more relaxed, conversational mode about the treatment that has been provided.
"Young man, don't think I wrote
The doctor wants to make it clear that the music he recommended is not something he created himself.
These chords; they're written in
The music that the doctor recommended is something that exists independently of him and has its own inherent powers of healing and rejuvenation.
Your brain."
The doctor believes that the music he recommends is something that already exists within the listener, waiting to be unlocked.
When you could not count to pi;
The doctor believes that the music he recommends can be helpful for those facing intellectual challenges or feeling mentally overwhelmed.
When you're told you can't fly;
The doctor believes that the music he recommends can help people overcome feelings of doubt or limitation in their own abilities.
To make you high, to make you high!
The doctor believes that the music he recommends has the power to elevate one's mood and create a sense of excitement and pleasure.
One four five
The doctor is referencing the three chords that make up the music he recommends as a kind of shorthand for its effectiveness.
(Times like these you need some one four five.)
The doctor sees the music he recommends as being especially helpful in times of stress or difficulty.
The doctor turned and danced a bit
The doctor is embodying the sense of joy and freedom that can come from listening to music and moving one's body.
And reached into his bag;
The doctor is once again accessing his bag of musical remedies, showing the power music has in his medical practice.
And instead of an injection
The doctor is emphasizing how music can be used to heal and promote well-being, in contrast to traditional medical treatments.
Got a record with a tag
The music the doctor is playing is not something he created himself, but rather something he discovered and appreciates for its healing properties.
That said "listen to this daily
The doctor is reinforcing the importance of regular exposure to music and its positive effects on the mind and body.
With hip shaking and such things".
The music the doctor recommends is upbeat and meant to inspire movement and dance.
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Symbungee Coin Adventures
This song is deep 🙃😉 Good song healing 145❤
Eva Marta Harbar
Me recomendaron a ustedes ... ME ENCANTAN!!!!!!!!!!!! Saludos desde Argentina!!!!
Chaii-Latte
Sign Up
One Four Five
The Cat Empire
Lyrics
About
Tracklist
One Four Five Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Listen, doctor, I have pain
That grows inside myself
Shelf me please, I just can't ease the pain
I need some drugs to help
While pollution fills my lungs
And convolution fills my mind
Ow, my legs do ache, I contemplate
That living's less than fine
My spine does tingle when I think of being
Free from this curse
But what is worse I feel life is a bubble
Blown until it's burst
Oh, doctor, I am desperate
To get rid of this feeling
Oh, doctor, I am desperate
For some good soul healing
[Pre-Chorus]
The doctor turned and gave a grin
And reached into his bag
But instead of an injection
Got a record with a tag
That said listen to this daily
With hip shaking and such things
Then he puts the record on
Grabs a mic and starts to sing, "You need some"
[Chorus]
One four five
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
When heaven falling from the sky (One four five)
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
At times like this you need some one four five
[Verse 2]
Doctor, I am feeling better
What was that you sang
Did you write it or recite it
Or just steal it from a band
All my bones seem to be stronger
And my spirit's feeling fresh
Woah, that dose of one four five
Has put the life back in my breath
"Yes yes yes," the doctor said
Then he sat me down and say
"Young man, don't think I wrote these chords
They're written in your brain"
And when you hear them there's a shakedown
That begins with the mind
'Cause these three chords make people feeling
Better all the time
Woah, they keep repeating
Like a scratch on a CD
But it's quality
'Cause these three harmonies breed positivity
Protect against insanity
Of modern insecurities
Believe me when I tell you
All you need is to be hearing all that
[Chorus]
One four five
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
When they said what and you said why (One four five)
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
At times like this you need some one four five
[Bridge]
The doctor turned and gave a grin
And reached into his bag
But instead of an injection
Got a record with a tag
That said listen to this daily
With hip shaking and such things
Then he puts the record on
Grabs a mic and starts to sing, "You need some"
[Chorus]
One four five
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
Oh, when could not count to pi (One four five)
Well, when you're told you can't fly (One four five)
To make you high, to make you high (One four five)
At times like this you need some one four five
Tatiana Ceaicovscaia
That's soooooo good!!!
Heartwell Roots
It's just Doctor Doctor but with less Pink Floyd.
maruko does
What is one four five?
Trent Harris
maruko does three chords that bring you the good vibes
Daniel Rogers
Its a chord progression :)
Danitron
A banger of a song
Chaii-Latte
The primary triads - 1, 4 and 5