The band continue to turn out promising independent artists under their cult record label Chemikal Underground.
Their first commercial release came with the inclusion of their track "Liquidation Girl" on the compilation album Skookum Chief Powered Teenage Zit Rock Angst from Nardwuar the Human Serviette. Neglecting to go the traditional route of signing to a record label, the band instead started their own, Chemikal Underground, with which to release not only their records but also those of other local bands. Chemikal Underground's first release was naturally The Delgados first single Monica Webster / Brand New Car. Despite being greatly overshadowed by the Blur/Oasis race, the single caught the attention of veteran BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel and the band quickly became one of his favourites, going on to play more than ten sessions for his show.
The cost of Chemikal Underground's second release, the single Disco Nation 45 by Bis, left the cash-strapped label unable to afford another release by The Delgados, so their next release Lazarwalker came from the London based Radar Records. Tempted by Radar to a five album deal, the band declined, instead poaching their A&R contact, Graeme Beattie, for work at Chemikal Underground.
Another single, Cinecentre followed in early 1996 as the band juggled work at the label (made all the more hectic with Bis' appearance on Top of the Pops) with several tours, and recording their debut album. The band released two more singles, this time taken from their album Domestiques released on October 28, 1996. Both singles and the album were critically lauded, with the song "Under Canvas, Under Wraps" being voted number three in John Peel's Festive Fifty.
The band released their second album in 1998. Peloton - also a cycling reference - which saw the band begin to broaden their musical palette. Including a wider range of styles and more complex arrangements the record proved a critical success. It did not sell in huge numbers, however, though the single Pull the Wires From the Wall gave the Delgados their first UK chart hit, reaching number 69. The band's close relationship with John Peel continued, with Pull the Wires From the Wall voted to number one in the Festive Fifty (it would also make the all time chart made in 2000) and other entries at 9 and 38.
The Delgados' evolution continued with The Great Eastern in 2000. The record, produced by Dave Fridmann, was heavily orchestrated and contained shifting time signatures. Again, the record was lauded by the critics but failed to significantly expand the band's following. The first single, American Trilogy, reached number 61 in the UK charts. The record was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and four of its songs reached the Festive Fifty, two in the top ten.
This pattern was extended for their fourth album, Hate, which was released on Mantra rather than the band's own Chemikal Underground label. The album's epic songs were popular among critics and festive fifty voters but a wider public still proved elusive. The song The Light Before We Land was used as the opening music for the anime Gunslinger Girl, bringing the band to a new audience.
The band returned to their own label for 2004's 'Universal Audio' - which marked something of a move away from the orchestrated sounds of its two predecessors, towards a simpler, poppier approach.
The band announced they were disbanding in April 2005 due to the departure of bass player Stewart Henderson who found it difficult "to pour so much of my energy and time into something that never quite seemed to get the attention or respect I felt it deserved". The four friends will continue to run Chemikal Underground together. Songwriters Emma Pollock and Alun Woodward are pursuing individual projects, while drummer Paul Savage will continue production duties at the band's Chem19 Studios in Hamilton and in a new studio.
The members recently announced that they've secured the rights for their BBC session performances. A double-disc containing 29 tracks was released on June 12th 2006 in Europe. A release in the USA is expected before the end of 2006.
In June 2022, the band announced that they were reforming.
Trilogy
The Delgados Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and no one, I mean no one, could accept what I had become
Selfish, bitter, weak
Enough to make you sick
And lately, I've been feeling there are bits of life I'm stealing
Get me home
At times it seems I will not help
from fear that blankets me like mist
on an optimist who insists
it's the simple things that crush
and I'm crying far too much
so much so that I'm thinking my control on life is shrinking
There's a light on in my head and I'm thinking what I said
All the freedom in my brain, I'm alright now
I'm just thinking what to say
Sorry doesn't seem to wash
when there's truths around that I have quashed
and no one, I mean no one, can depress me more than I can
So does that make me weak or should that make me sick?
But lately I've been feeling that I'm gonna give up breathing
There's a light on in my head and I'm thinking what I said
All the fever in my brain, I'm alright now
I can even take the pain
There's a light on in my head and I'm thinking what I said
All the fever in my brain, I'm alright now
I can even take the pain
The Delgados's song American Trilogy is a reflection on the internal struggles of the singer. The lyrics are filled with self-doubt, guilt, and a sense of being trapped in their own thoughts. The first verse sets the tone for the entire song with the singer admitting to being in a state of "social servitude" and feeling like they are "stealing" bits of life. The second verse reveals the singer's fear of being crushed by "the simple things" in life and feeling like they are losing control. The chorus provides some hope as the singer finds a light in their head and is able to accept the pain they are feeling.
The song seems to be about the singer's journey towards self-acceptance and forgiveness. They are aware of their own faults and shortcomings, but are struggling to come to terms with them. They feel guilty for their actions and fear the consequences, but are slowly learning to forgive themselves. The chorus suggests that the singer is starting to accept themselves and their flaws, and is finding a way to move forward.
Overall, American Trilogy is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the complexity of human emotions. It explores themes of self-doubt, guilt, fear, and self-acceptance through powerful and introspective lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I became accustomed to a kind of social servitude
I got used to a specific way of living based on societal norms and expectations.
and no one, I mean no one, could accept what I had become
Even people close to me couldn't fully comprehend or approve of the person I had become.
Selfish, bitter, weak
I am overly focused on myself, harboring negative feelings and unable to stand up for myself.
Enough to make you sick
My behavior is so distressing that others are repulsed by it.
And lately, I've been feeling there are bits of life I'm stealing
I have come to the realization that I am not living life to the fullest, and that I am taking it for granted.
Get me home
I want to go back to a familiar and safe place, where I feel comfortable.
At times it seems I will not help
I struggle with helping others in my life.
but it's just that I must save myself
I prioritize my own needs and well-being because if I don't, no one else will.
from fear that blankets me like mist
I often feel engulfed by fear, like a thick fog around me that's hard to clear.
on an optimist who insists
Even though I try to stay positive, my fear threatens to overcome me.
it's the simple things that crush
It's the small things that sometimes have the greatest impact on me.
and I'm crying far too much
I find myself excessively emotional, especially when confronted with difficult truths.
so much so that I'm thinking my control on life is shrinking
My emotional responses and reactions make me feel like I'm losing agency over my own life.
Sorry doesn't seem to wash
Apologizing doesn't feel like enough to rectify the damage I've done.
when there's truths around that I have quashed
I have suppressed and ignored important truths that are now causing me regret.
and no one, I mean no one, can depress me more than I can
I am my own worst critic and often get down on myself more than anyone else ever could.
So does that make me weak or should that make me sick?
I am unsure of whether my self-criticism and negative self-talk is unhealthy or just a sign of my own personal shortcomings.
But lately I've been feeling that I'm gonna give up breathing
I sometimes feel consumed by despair and feel hopeless about the future, to the point where I question whether life is worth living.
There's a light on in my head and I'm thinking what I said
I am reflecting on my past words and actions, and how they have affected my present situation.
All the freedom in my brain, I'm alright now
My thoughts, feelings, and emotions are all valid and deserve to be acknowledged, even if they're uncomfortable or difficult to face.
I'm just thinking what to say
I am taking the time to carefully consider my words and actions in the present, hoping to avoid past mistakes.
All the fever in my brain, I'm alright now
Even though my thoughts and emotions can be intense and painful at times, I'm able to process them in healthy ways and come out stronger for it.
I can even take the pain
I've developed resilience and strength in the face of hardship, and am now able to handle tough situations without feeling consumed by them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALUN TREVOR WOODWARD, EMMA SHEARER POLLOCK, PAUL ALEXANDER SAVAGE, STEWART HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
thegoldenavatar
Still one of my favorite albums.
Humanshieldchorus00
aye..today
Ready-Adhesiveness40
The Delgados are the good example of am ensemble where each member plays in support of each other, but the bassists really shines here, for me. The bass lines just weave in and out in a most unexpected manor.. It always distracts me a bit from the story, but it's a nice distraction. Such a treasure of a band that I'd love to have seen live.
viajandoenbus
The video version cuts the best lines from this song: "I became accustomed to a kind of social servitude and no one, I mean no one, could accept what I had become: selfish, bitter, weak. Enough to make you sick."
j hu
worthy of dostoevsky
Amir3793
This song makes me want to cry yet smile at the same time. IT dosen't make sense at all, yet it dose. If there is a song that best describes my life right now it's this one.
theywereyou8
still great song...
Eric Crawford
All You Need is Honesty.
damian andres
Saludos desde Monte Grande, Argentina!
CABORCA-LUISB
lately, Ive been feeling there are bits of life Im stealing :(