The one permanent fixture amidst the Fall's ever-changing line-up was Mark E. Smith (1957 – 2018). Smith's lyrics are free, unboxed and unpredictable, touching on an extremely wide range of subjects and places, and caring little for being tied down to easily digestible messages.
Smith's singing could put off some people, but others find it a uniquely expressive instrument. Smith was not a conventionally great vocalist, but his keen sense of rhythm, his energy and personality more than made up for this.
The Fall's music changed depending on the line-up at a given time. Always experimental, Mark E. Smith claimed to invent several musical genres, including house music; "we were doing that years ago" and even the internet. "He told me I didn't understand, that we were from the bleak industrial wastes of North England, or something, and that we didn't understand the Internet. I told him Fall fans invented the Internet. They were on there in 1982." One thing that is for sure is that The Fall (and their fans) always pushed the boundaries, and were never afraid to experiment.
The Fall were a favorite group of DJ John Peel, recording 24 sessions for his BBC1 radio program over the years.
The Fall's back catalogue consists of 29 studio albums, and is very fragmented with a seemingly endless number of compilations and semi-official live albums.
In 2006, British music-critic Dave Simpson published an entertaining account of a journalist's attempt to track down all 43 former members of The Fall in the Guardian. Many previous members have been fired, often with little or no notice. Simpson's ongoing effort was subsequently described at greater length in his book "The Fallen" (2008). His effort to track down the final unaccounted stragglers of at least 50 previous members of The Fall - including drummer Karl Burns - continues in his blog. Having decried Simpson's book as a "hatchet job" in the pages of Pseud. Mag., a Fall fan-mag, Mark E. Smith countered in short order with his autobiography "Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith" (Viking, 2008/Penguin 2009).
Mark E. Smith died on 24 January 2018, aged 60.
Key Albums include:
# Live At the Witch Trials (debut)
# Dragnet
# Totale's Turns (It's Now Or Nevr)
# Grotesque (after the Gramme)
# Perverted By Language
# Hex Enduction Hour
# This Nation's Saving Grace
# Middle Class Revolt
# Bend Sinister
# Extricate
# The Infotainment Scan
# Country on the Click aka The Real New Fall LP
# Fall Heads Roll
# Reformation Post TLC (new)
Compilations/Singles/B-Sides:
# 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats
# The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004
# Totally Wired: The Rough Trade Anthology (disc 1) and Totally Wired: The Rough Trade Anthology (disc 2)
# 458489 A-Sides
# 458489 B-Sides
Chino
The Fall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the operational experience
When he thought at first he was going out
In fact, he was going in for it
When do I quit?
Where do I quit?
I need to know
To be with my darling
When do I quit?
C.O., can you digress
Self, when it came like the wind
Chino
One note, a slide
Mister
When do I quit this hell?
When do I quit this hospital?
My darling darling is waiting
Chino
The warmth that is inside
Cannot be made
By your own stain's ink
She has lips like Fedde Le Grand
The warmth that is sliding
Cannot be made
When do I quit?
Can I leave this trench alone?
You alright there, kid?
When can I leave this bed alone?
When can I leave this theater alone?
Chino
Chino in a suit
Chino
The Fall's song "Chino" is an interesting and enigmatic piece that showcases the band's unique ability to weave together disparate themes and perspectives to create a truly memorable musical experience. The lyrics themselves are somewhat fragmentary and abstract, presenting the listener with a series of seemingly unrelated images and ideas. However, there are a few key concepts that emerge throughout the song that help to provide some context and meaning.
At its core, it seems that "Chino" is a song about struggle and perseverance in the face of adversity. The first half of the song describes a harrowing experience in which the singer finds himself in a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. He is unsure of how to proceed, and is pleading with his commanding officer (C.O.) for guidance. Despite his uncertainty, he is determined to press on and reunite with his "darling," who is waiting for him.
The second half of the song is somewhat more abstract, but seems to be focused on the idea of finding warmth and comfort in the midst of difficulty. The singer references a woman with "lips like Fedde Le Grand," a Dutch DJ known for his energetic and uplifting music. This suggests that he is seeking solace in music, which allows him to transcend his current circumstances and find a measure of peace. The repeated refrain of "Chino" throughout the song seems to represent both the struggle and the hope that the singer is experiencing.
Overall, "Chino" is an intriguing and thought-provoking song that rewards careful listening and interpretation. While the lyrics may be somewhat difficult to parse on the first few listens, the underlying themes of strength, perseverance, and hope shine through.
Line by Line Meaning
This was an actual account
This song is based on a true story
Of the operational experience
The account involves a military operation
When he thought at first he was going out
At first, he thought he was going out of danger
In fact, he was going in for it
But in reality, he was going towards the danger
When do I quit?
The artist is contemplating leaving something
Where do I quit?
He doesn't know where to leave from
I need to know
He is desperate for answers
I can't leave this bench alone
He can't leave a certain location without his lover
To be with my darling
He wants to be with his lover
C.O., can you digress
He wants the commanding officer to elaborate on something
Self, when it came like the wind
A sudden event occurred
Chino
A place where the event happened
One note, a slide
A musical reference to the simplicity of the event
Mister
A respectful term, possibly addressing someone with authority
When do I quit this hell?
He wants to leave a difficult situation
When do I quit this hospital?
He wants to be discharged from the hospital
My darling darling is waiting
His lover is waiting for him
The warmth that is inside
A feeling of comfort or affection
Cannot be made
It cannot be created artificially
By your own stain's ink
It cannot be manufactured from one's own poor attempts
She has lips like Fedde Le Grand
Her lips are attractive
The warmth that is sliding
The feeling of affection is diminishing
Can I leave this trench alone?
He wants to leave a difficult situation behind
You alright there, kid?
Someone is checking in on him
When can I leave this bed alone?
He wants to be able to function independently
When can I leave this theater alone?
He wants to leave a performance or a metaphorical 'show'
Chino
A place the singer wants to leave behind
Chino in a suit
A reference to someone named Chino wearing formal attire
Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
worldbones
haha... Mark has made a real point of not being on the record sleeve
Salman Rushdie
Cheesewire!
Twin Crystals
when do i quit
grlledcheezed
VEVERZAY