The Fat Lady Sings was formed in Dublin in March 1986. Fronted by singer an… Read Full Bio ↴The Fat Lady Sings was formed in Dublin in March 1986. Fronted by singer and songwriter Nick Kelly, the initial line-up also comprised Robert Hamilton (drums), Dave Sweeney (guitars) and Finbarr O’Riordan (bass). Unusually for the time, the band decided to relocate to London almost immediately after forming, and based themselves there throughout their subsequent eight year career. Perhaps more unusual still was the fact that they never recorded a demo – five months after forming their first visit to a recording studio produced “Fear And Favour”. This single was paid for out of the band’s own pocket and released by Terri Hooley on his Good Vibratrions label. “Fear And Favour” brought the band immediate critical attention from the English music press. Over the next 18 months, self-managed and self-financed, the band began building a live following in both the UK and Ireland.

In March 1988 their second independent single, “Be Still” was released on Harbour Sound Records, once again to critical acclaim. By this time, following various shifts in personnel, the band’s classic line-up was firmly established, with Nick and Robert now joined by Dermot Lynch (bass) and guitar player and multi-instrumentalist Tim Bradshaw.

In October 1989, The Fat Lady Sings released their third single “Arclight” on their own Fourth Base Record label. The critical and public interest in this song, and for the band’s follow-up single “Dronning Maud Land” (released January 1990), together with the enormous live following that they’d build up in both Ireland and the UK (they sold out both the National Stadium in Dublin and the Town & Country Club in London, an unprecedented feat for an unsigned band) attracted major label interest.

In 1990 the band signed to East West Records in London (Atlantic in America). Their first major label single “Man Scared” was released in October 1990. In May 1991, the band’s first album, “Twist” was released. This album spawned 3 more singles: a re-release of “Arclight” (April 1991), “Twist” (May 1991) and “Deborah” (August 1991).

Following a year of touring and promotional activity, taking in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US, the band began preparations for their second album without drummer Robert Hamilton, who’d decided to leave and subsequently set up the “Peace Together” charity with another TFLS old boy Ali McMordie. (The charity went on to record and release a charity single version of the TFLS tune “Be Still” featuring Peter Gabriel, Nanci Griffith, Feragal Sharkey, Jah Wobble and Sinead O’Connor.)

The band’s second album “Johnson”, produced by Steve Osborne (and with Nic France on drums), was released in June 1993, preceded by the single “Show Of Myself”. The second single from the album, “Drunkard Logic” gave the band their highest ever chart placing in the UK, just falling short of the Top 40. The band once more threw themselves into a punishing 6 months of touring, culminating in a 3 month US stint that ended with a storming pre-Christmas show in New York punk mecca CBGBs.

In January 1994, the band split with Nick Kelly’s surprise announcement that he was quitting.

Following a self-imposed exile from the music industry, Nick subsequently achieved great critical acclaim for his first independently-released solo album, “Between Trapezes” (1997), which won him the accolade of “Best Solo Male Artist” at the 1998-99 Irish Music Critics Awards. Nick’s long-awaited follow-up album, “Running Dog”, released in January 2005, also on his own Self Possessed Records label, is already garnering similar plaudits.

Tim and Dermot both enjoyed Top 10 Chart success in America as members of the band Dog’s Eye View in 1995. Tim’s multi-instrumental and production / arrangement talents have been subsequently availed of by artists as diverse as Tanita Tikarem, Fatima Mansions and, most notably, David Gray, with whom he both tours and records on a full-time basis. Dermot’s recent playing career also includes stints with David Gray; in addition, in recent years he has also become established as one of the most sought-after tour and production managers in the UK, working with the likes of Keane, Fun Loving Criminals and Supergrass.

To celebrate the release of The Fat Lady Sings’ forthcoming double compilation album “The Fat Lady Singles (& Opera Obscura)”, the band have decided to reform for a one-off show in Dublin’s Vicar Street on Friday April 8th – the first time they will have appeared together onstage since the show in CBGB’s back in December 2003.

Be Still
The Fat Lady Sings Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lace curtains drawn
For self-respect
Ripped down and torn
Now the neighbours will never forget
Don't let them forget

Time get hard
Then get harder still

A crack in the pain
The gap between
Those who remain
Those who have been
I'm cracked, I'm scratched
Bloody, but one thing
One thing stays the same

Time get hard
Then get harder still
I will be here
I will be here
Time get hard
I am harder still
I will be still

Birthday present
From the rag-and-bone shop
A heart that works too well
A heart that won't stop
Beating
Beating
Though sometimes I wish it would stop

Time get hard
Harder still
Time get hard
Harder still
Time get hard
Harder still
Time get hard

I am harder still
I will be still

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Fat Lady Sings' song Be Still is a haunting and contemplative piece that centers around the idea of resilience in the face of adversity. The first verse paints a picture of a shattered sense of self-respect, indicated by the drawn curtains that once hung delicately but now torn down. The chorus declares a message of determination to not be forgotten amidst these hard times. The second verse contrasts the gap between those who are able to survive and those who aren't, highlighted by the metaphors of "a crack in the pain" and "I'm cracked, I'm scratched, bloody". Despite the difficulty of life, the singer remains standing and still, unwavering in his resolve.

Overall, Be Still is a poignant message of hope in the face of hardship. Instead of succumbing to the weight of the world, the singer chooses to remain fierce, strong, and steadfast. The imagery of the torn curtains and broken heart act as powerful symbols of vulnerability and resilience in the face of hardship.

Line by Line Meaning

Lace curtains drawn
Closing the curtains for privacy and self-respect

For self-respect
Displaying a sense of self-worth and dignity

Ripped down and torn
A loss of dignity and a public humiliation

Now the neighbours will never forget
The public humiliation is a lasting one

Don't let them forget
Don't let the humiliation be forgotten or brushed aside

Time get hard
Difficult times arise

Then get harder still
The difficulties only mount and become more intense

A crack in the pain
A moment of weakness or vulnerability

The gap between
The difference between those who struggle and those who don't

Those who remain
Those who persevere despite the difficulties

Those who have been
Those who have given up or have been defeated by the difficulties