Featuring vocalist Liam Fray, lead guitarist Daniel "Conan" Moores, and drummer Michael Campbell, Courteeners formed in Manchester in 2006, when the 22-year-old Fray -- already known around town for his acoustic singer/songwriter gigs -- brought three of his childhood friends (including ex-bassist Mark Cupello) together to form a proper band. After signing to Loog Records, a pseudo-indie label owned by Polydor, the Courteeners released their limited-edition debut single, "Cavorting," in August 2007. Three more singles, "Acrylic," "What Took You So Long?," and "Not Nineteen Forever," dotted the charts between October 2007 and March 2008, prior to the release of the group's debut album. Produced by Stephen Street (celebrated for his work with the Smiths, Blur, and the Cranberries) and featuring Fray's painting of Audrey Hepburn on the cover, St. Jude was released in April 2008. The album reached number four in the U.K., where it also achieved gold status.
While touring in support of the record, the Courteeners began playing new material at select shows, much of which found its way onto 2010's Falcon, a slower, more ambitious set of songs. The band's third album, Anna, reflected an '80s synth pop influence and arrived in early 2013. In 2014, the Courteeners returned with their fourth studio album, Concrete Love, which found them building upon Anna's anthemic '80s-influenced sound. The album fared well, reaching number three on the U.K. albums chart. A year after Concrete Love, the group parted ways with bassist Cupello, replacing him with longtime collaborator and producer Joe Cross. In 2016, they released their fifth studio album, Mapping the Rendezvous. Featuring singles "The 17th" and "No One Will Ever Replace Us," the set peaked at number four in the U.K.
Celebrating the tenth anniversary of their debut in 2018, the Courteeners issued St. Jude Re:Wired, a reimagined vision of their 2008 breakthrough. They embarked on a celebratory concert run in England before returning to the studio for a proper follow-up to Rendezvous. Their sixth set, More. Again. Forever., arrived in early 2020 and came as a result of a dark period of uncertainty for Fray and the band. Featuring a distinctly dance-friendly sound influenced by LCD Soundsystem, the set focused on bass grooves and insightful lyrics that marked a late-era maturation for the crew.
Biography by Stewart Mason
Cross My Heart
The Courteeners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Angled over a dishwasher that just won't start
Domestic bliss are you taking the piss
I need a minute on my own, minute on my own
So I cross my heart and hope to fly,
and fuck right off into the middle of the sky
Where no one can find me
Our clothes are on the floor and so are our hearts
Your necklace and your pearls are your entourage
A picture, a locket, a ring in my pocket
I need a minute on my own, minute on my own.
So I cross my heart and hope to fly
and fuck right off into the middle of the sky,
Where no one can find me and no one can see
That would be my ecstasy
So I cross my heart and hope to fly
and fuck right off into the middle of the sky,
Where no one can find me and no one can see,
That would be my ecstasy
So I cross my heart and hope to fly
and fuck right off into the middle of the sky
Where no one can find me and no one can see,
That would be my ecstasy
The Courteeners’ song ‘Cross My Heart & Hope to Fly’ showcases the art of balancing conflicting emotions. The song revolves around a person’s innate desire to pursue their passion despite the distractions that come with domestic life. The singer states that despite the mundane realities of his life, he yearns for a moment of solitude to pursue his artistic endeavors. He is in search of that perfect moment when he could be alone, just by himself, without worrying about anything else. He wants to escape the domestic bliss, not because he does not value it, but because he feels the need to explore his innermost self. The first verse speaks to the pressures of domestic life, while the chorus represents an escape from it all.
The singer desires to find himself, and the only way he could do that is by escaping from his current reality. The chorus, “So I cross my heart and hope to fly, and f*ck right off into the middle of the sky, where no one can find me and no one can see, that would be my ecstasy” acts as a powerful metaphor for his need to escape. The euphoria he feels when he imagines himself soaring in the sky, free of all earthly worries, is truly liberating. He wants to be free of all the trappings of material life, to be in a place so far removed from where he is, that he can completely lose himself.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the challenges of balancing one's passion with one's everyday commitments. While we cannot completely abandon the responsibilities of our lives, the song empowers us to dream, to imagine, and to take the leap whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I create a work of art?
The singer wants to create something meaningful and special.
Angled over a dishwasher that just won't start
The singer is frustrated with the mundane tasks of everyday life.
Domestic bliss are you taking the piss
The singer is questioning whether or not a happy home life is actually achievable.
I need a minute on my own, minute on my own
The singer needs some time alone to escape the stresses of life.
So I cross my heart and hope to fly,
The singer is making a promise to themselves to escape and find peace.
and fuck right off into the middle of the sky
The singer wants to leave their current situation and go somewhere new and liberating.
Where no one can find me
The singer wants to be alone and not be bothered by anyone.
and no one can see, that would be my ecstasy
The singer believes that true happiness can only be found in complete solitude.
Our clothes are on the floor and so are our hearts
The singer is in a relationship where emotions and physical intimacy are intertwined.
Your necklace and your pearls are your entourage
The singer's partner is glamorous and attracts attention.
A picture, a locket, a ring in my pocket
The singer holds sentimental items belonging to their partner.
So I cross my heart and hope to fly
The singer is reasserting their desire to escape and find happiness.
Where no one can find me and no one can see
The singer wants complete privacy and freedom from the outside world.
That would be my ecstasy
The singer believes that true happiness can only be found in complete isolation and freedom.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LIAM JAMES FRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertgreally
im so exicted for tomorow, i can't wait to hear this live
@sladey21
quality song..off to see them in manchester tommorow cant wait
@robertgreally
its not actually you yet, this song was a free download, i don't even think its leaked yet. it due for release on monday in uk
@sladey21
should be good.buzzcocks supporting
@cemetrygatecrasher
@loopyleila just ask someone for the spare change to buy it, eh? these guys aren't U2 or oprah or something-- they gotta eat!
@loopyleila
@cemetrygatecrasher no need, i have it now thanks lol
@Edith84
Hi ! I was here 2022
@sdevine6085
23 😂