The Cult's debut studio album Dreamtime was released in 1984 to moderate success, with its lead single "Spiritwalker" reaching No. 1 on the UK Indie Chart. Their second studio album, Love (1985), was also successful, charting at No. 4 in the UK and including singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Rain". The band's third album, Electric (1987), launched them new heights of success, also peaking at No. 4 in the UK and charting highly in other territories, and spawned the hit singles "Love Removal Machine", "Lil' Devil" and "Wild Flower". On that album, The Cult supplemented their post-punk sound with hard rock; the polish on this new sound was facilitated by producer Rick Rubin. After moving to Los Angeles, California, where the band has been based for the remainder of their career, The Cult continued the musical experimentation of Electric with its follow-up album Sonic Temple (1989), which marked their first collaboration with Bob Rock, who would produce several of the band's subsequent albums. Sonic Temple was their most successful album to that point, entering the Top 10 on the UK and US charts, and included one of the band's most popular songs "Fire Woman".
By the time of their fifth album Ceremony (1991), tensions and creative differences began to surface among the band members. This resulted in the recording sessions for Ceremony being held without a stable lineup, leaving Astbury and Duffy as the only two official members left, and featuring support from session musicians on bass and drums. The ongoing tension had carried over within the next four years, during which they released one more studio album, The Cult (1994), and called it quits in 1995. The Cult reformed in 1999 and released their seventh album Beyond Good and Evil two years later. The commercial failure of the album and resurfaced tensions led to the band going back on hiatus in 2002. They resumed activity in 2006, and have since released three more studio albums: Born into This (2007), Choice of Weapon (2012), and Hidden City (2016).
According to music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the band fuse a "hardcore punk revivalist" sound with the "pseudo-mysticism ... of the Doors and Uriah Heep and the guitar-orchestrations of Led Zeppelin and The Cure ... while adding touches of post-punk goth rock". In 1985 Astbury said, "Our music is just melodies and guitars. We're like Big Country and U2, only better!".
On August 15, 2020, Duffy announced on his Twitter that the band were recording a new album with producer Tom Dalgety at Rockfield Studios, where The Cult had recorded their debut album Dreamtime 36 years earlier.
The Cult is also the name of a Las Vegas funk group that recorded one album in 1976, an Australian psych rock band that released one single in 1965, a UK punk band that released one 7" in 1980 and a garage rock band (featuring Allan Springfield of Chelsea Beige) that released two singles in 1965 and 1966.
Embers
The Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has forgotten your name
You're so beautiful
Cinder ash becomes a spark
Watch your embers turn to flame
You're so beautiful
Everything is beautiful
And everything you need, my love
Is hidden in these tears
There's nothing left to hide, my love
There's nothing left to feel
We'll run like wild dogs, my love
(Hold on)
No mortal hand can stop
Everything that's born, my love
Soon will turn to dust
You're so beautiful
Through diamond eyes you speak, my love
Scream louder, they can't hear you
Stay with me, my love
The magic that you call upon
A spell that is your name
You're so beautiful
Everything you need, my love
(Hold on)
Is hidden in these tears, my love
There's nothing left to hide
There's nothing left to feel, my love
We'll run like wild dogs, my love
No mortal hand can stop, my love
Everything that was born, my love
Soon will turn to dust, my love, my love
So beautiful
So beautiful
So beautiful forever
Forever
Don't be afraid
How long? How long?
So beautiful
So damn beautiful
How long? How long?
How long? How long?
The Cult's song "Embers" begins with a realization of the world's forgetfulness towards the person singing the lyrics. Despite the lack of attention, the person is still beautiful. The next verse likens the person's current state to cinder ash, but with hope that a spark can be created, turning their embers to flame. The idea of beauty is emphasized in the chorus, where "everything is beautiful."
The following section speaks of hidden emotions and running "like wild dogs" with no earthly force able to stop them. The lyrics suggest that everything born is destined to turn to dust, making it imperative that we cherish those moments of beauty whenever they arise. The bridge acknowledges the beauty of the listener through "diamond eyes" and a plea to "speak louder" to make their voice heard. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the importance of the beauty we encounter every day.
Overall, the lyrics of "Embers" convey a sense of beauty in the face of adversity and transience. The song urges the listener to embrace and cherish those moments of beauty before they inevitably turn to dust.
Line by Line Meaning
The world that you spit upon
The people and society that you reject and disrespect
Has forgotten your name
They don't care about you anymore
You're so beautiful
Despite all of this, you are still an attractive person
Cinder ash becomes a spark
The remnants of your past will ignite a new passion in you
Watch your embers turn to flame
Be amazed as this passion grows
Everything is beautiful
All aspects of life are beautiful
And everything you need, my love
The important things in life
Is hidden in these tears
You need to embrace your emotions to find what you need
There's nothing left to hide, my love
No reason to hide anything from anyone anymore
There's nothing left to feel
Nothing is holding you back from feeling emotions anymore
We'll run like wild dogs, my love
Together, we will run wild and free
(Hold on)
Stay strong
No mortal hand can stop
Nothing can keep us from what we want
Everything that's born, my love
Everything that comes to life
Soon will turn to dust
Everything dies eventually
Through diamond eyes you speak, my love
You speak with clarity and wisdom
Scream louder, they can't hear you
Don't be afraid to speak out
Stay with me, my love
We will be together
The magic that you call upon
Your unique personal power
A spell that is your name
Your name symbolizes your magic
So beautiful forever
You will always be beautiful
Don't be afraid
Do not let fear control you
How long? How long?
Uncertainty about how long this feeling will last
So damn beautiful
You are incredibly beautiful
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN ROBERT ASTBURY, WILLIAM HENRY DUFFY, JOHN JOSEPH TEMPESTA, CHRISTOPHER N WYSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anneta Petkou
the world that you spit upon has forgotten your name.
You're so beautiful.
Cinder ash,becomes a spark
Watch your embers turn to flame
So beautiful,
Everything is beautiful.
And everything you need,my love
Is hidden in these tears.
There's nothing left to hide,my love
There's nothing left to feel.
Run like wild dogs,my love
Mortal hand can't stop
And everything that's born,my love
Soon will turn to dust.
You're so beautiful,
Through diamond eyes,
Speak,my love.
Scream louder,
They can't hear you.
Stay with me,my love.
The magic that you call upon,
A spell that is your name.
So beautiful.
How long,how long
Kfir Ochaion
Awesome stage design! ;-)
jim weiss
This version is untouchable it has the climb and range timing and playing, the whole band is on!! and this equals perfection!!!! this is one for the books at guitar center sessions and the cult made it look easy fkn great band
Marin Marinov
I like this much better than the studio version... Could be just because it's a magical performance and I heard it before the other one. Just flawless, man... Shows how much Ian's still got it!
Mark Dignam
@Scott Hargrove
I think it sounds better with the old Tele.
Seems to suit the song better than a Les Paul or ES335.
phreshone1
There was a reason why after the capsules they brought in Bob Rock to clean up for Chris Goss
Addicted 2 Tone
They are one of those must see live bands. Their energy and presence is just magical..
They are my favorite live band of all time.
Scott Hargrove
Great song, sound & performance. But........Billy with a Telecasters? Looks unusual
crazyiguana
Marin i agree. It is so powerful !
Tattooedsailor
I've been fan for 35 years! Saw them live multiple times back in 80's. Billy needs to play that Tele more. Fabulous!
Earl Ismyname
Is it me or does this song make you feel like it needs to run for another 10 minutes longer? I hit replay and keep it going!