They are signed to the Wichita Recordings label, and have currently released 5 albums through this imprint - 'The Cribs' (2004), 'The New Fellas' (2005), 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' (2007), 'Ignore The Ignorant' (2009), and 'In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull' (2012).
Despite starting off as an underground band, The Cribs have experienced commercial success with 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' charting at #13 in the UK album charts, and 'Ignore The Ignorant' achieving the band their first Top Ten album, charting at #8. They also have 7 top 40 hit singles to their name, the most successful of which being 'Men's Needs' (#17). In 2008, Q magazine described The Cribs as "The biggest cult band in the UK".
The Chi-Town Songfacts says that The Cribs' fifth studio album, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, was recorded at London's Abbey Road and Chicago's EAR studio with famed lo-fi rock engineer Steve Albini and Tarbox Road studio in New York with David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips).
After some hard times during which they were (according to an interview in DIY Magazine) "nearly losing the rights to their entire back catalogue, and coming close to calling time on the group entirely," in 2020 they released the album "Night Network."
An Ivory Hand
The Cribs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These scented promises had me
Thinking that I was special
For the new lease of life I had got
Oh no, woah oh
For a minute thought my heart had stopped
Oh no, woah oh
And the lessons that I had were lost
Know you gotta think about it
Let me hear the things I'm out to hear
Return to the scene of your glories
But not for the fame
To be stuck in the back sorting laundry
Of the same folks you can't stand
Oh no, woah oh
What a waste for an ivory hand
Oh no, woah oh
Exquisitely shocked as I am
Know you gotta think about it
Let me hear the things I'm out to hear
See me like you do in memories
Of a time you barely knew me girl
Always walking through webs
See nostalgia as a threat
Do you still want it now we got it?
Know you gotta think about it
Let me hear the things I'm out to hear
See me like you do in memories
Of a time you barely knew me girl
The first stanza of The Cribs's song An Ivory Hand speaks about a moment of hope that quickly fades away. The singer is enchanted by scented promises, which leads them to believe that they are special and have a new lease on life. However, this feeling of elation only lasts for a minute and they are left feeling lost as the lessons they learned are forgotten. The second stanza talks about returning to the scene of one's past glory, but not for the fame. It is a reference to going back to where one was successful before, but this time to perform menial tasks like sorting laundry for people they cannot stand. The ivory hand mentioned in this stanza is a symbol of exclusivity and privilege, but it is also wasted in such a demoralizing task. The singer is exquisitely shocked, indicating that they are perplexed at how far they have fallen. The chorus asks the listener to think about what they hear, to pay attention to the lyrics that are being sung.
In the third stanza, the singer concludes that they are always walking through webs, which means that they are always getting caught up in their past successes and are unable to move forward. They see nostalgia as a threat, but it is not clear who or what is threatening them. Finally, the last chorus asks the listener to see the singer as they were in the past, but to remember they are barely the same person now.
Line by Line Meaning
We were cut and smelled of petals
We were wounded but infused with the sweet aroma of hopeful promises.
These scented promises had me
These promises that smelled so sweet led me to believe that I was special.
Thinking that I was special
Believing that I was unique and important.
For the new lease of life I had got
For the new opportunity at life that I had been given.
Oh no, woah oh
Expression of disappointment and despair.
For a minute thought my heart had stopped
For a brief moment, I felt like my heart had ceased beating.
And the lessons that I had were lost
I lost the valuable knowledge and wisdom I had gained.
Know you gotta think about it
You need to take time to consider and reflect.
Let me hear the things I'm out to hear
Tell me what I want to hear.
Return to the scene of your glories
Go back to the places where you once thrived and did great things.
But not for the fame
Not for the purpose of gaining attention and recognition from others.
To be stuck in the back sorting laundry
To be relegated to menial tasks and forgotten.
Of the same folks you can't stand
Of the very people you dislike and can't tolerate.
What a waste for an ivory hand
What a pity to see a symbol of elegance and beauty go to waste.
Exquisitely shocked as I am
I am deeply surprised and disturbed.
See me like you do in memories
Look at me through the lens of your recollections.
Of a time you barely knew me girl
Of a time when you didn't really know me well.
Always walking through webs
Constantly dealing with difficult, complex situations.
See nostalgia as a threat
Viewing nostalgia as something that can be harmful and dangerous.
Do you still want it now we got it?
Do you still desire what you have now that you possess it?
Writer(s): Gary John Jarman, Ross Anthony Jarman, Ryan James Jarman
Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.