After playing countless hometown shows, the Futureheads took the show on the road with a massive helping hand from Slampt Records' Milky Wimpshake. A tour of Squats and Youth Centres in Central Europe came in summer 2001, due to which the band switched out drummers. In place of Peter Brewis ambled a young pretender, Mr David Hyde (Drums, Vocals).
Several singles followed - the first, Nul Book Standard, can now be seen casually hanging out on eBay from time to time. A relationship with the lovely people at Fantastic Plastic briefly followed. 'The Futureheads' was released in summer 2004, on 679 Recordings, and then the band hit the road. Some highlights of 2005 include playing Glastonbury Festival on Baz's birthday, Hounds Of Love going Top Ten, meeting Dennis Hopper on Jimmy Kimmel's US TV Show, and getting that most infamous of Albatrosses, The Second Album under their belts.
‘News and Tributes’ was released in May 2006. It reached 11 in the album chart, and saw the band touring the world and continuing to win fans and supporters with their exhilarating live shows.
Fast forward to 2008, and The Futureheads are back, bolder and better than ever, exploding back onto the scene with their new album ‘This Is Not The World’. Embracing the punk-rock ethic like never before, Barry, Ross, Jaff and Dave are releasing their third album independently and taking control of their own destiny. It’s going to feel like the first time, all over again…
Annoyed and frustrated too many times by the bureaucratic nightmare that music had become, the band split with former label 679 in late 2006. A silently busy year followed which saw the band writing and recording, and launching their own label Nul Records, solely to release music by The Futureheads. Free of major label shackles, the band are taking back control and relishing being their own bosses.
‘This Is Not The World’ was recorded in 3 weeks in the summer with super-producer Youth at his studio ‘Space Mountain’ in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Andalusia. About as far away atmospherically as you can get from the bleak Scarborough farm in which they recorded ‘News And Tributes’, the band couldn’t help but be influenced by Youth’s enthusiasm, and describe the album as one of ‘defiance, optimism and joy.’
Keen to share the joy with fans, the band released 2 tracks as free downloads and played intimate shows in London and Sunderland at the end of 2007. They begin 2008 with a tour of uni venues and kick off the year with storming new single ‘The Beginning Of The Twist’, released March 10th.
What You Want
The Futureheads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I'm afraid and you play on it
But I'm tempted to take whatever I can make from it
My mouth is open but my eyes are closed
You're feeding me lines that are a hundred years old
There's a place at your table and I'm hungry for more of it
Apart from the questions
[Chorus]
See what you want to see
See what you want to see
But don't reflect what you can't see in me
See what you want to see
My memory's fading and I'm feeling faint
I wake in the morning and I can't see straight
I'll roll with the punches and make the most of it
Apart from the questions
What's going on in your mind?
[Chorus: x2]
See what you want to see
See what you want to see
But don't reflect what you can't see in me
Don't reflect what you can't see in me
The Futureheads's song What You Want is a reflection about a complicated relationship where the singer seems to be aware that their partner is manipulating them. The singer starts by saying that they are not in love with the plans their partner has made, but despite their fear, they are still tempted to make something out of it. The partner is "feeding" them "lines that are a hundred years old," which means that they are using outdated tactics in order to appease their own interests. However, the singer admits that they are "hungry for more of it" which suggests that despite their awareness, they are willing to keep playing along.
The chorus is a warning to the partner to not reflect upon the singer their own insecurities, which the partner seems to be projecting. The partner is seeing only what they want to see but refuses to acknowledge the singer's own complexity. The singer's memory is fading, and they wake up feeling faint, which indicates the strain that the relationship is causing. But the singer is still willing to "roll with the punches" and make the most of it, suggesting that they are still invested in the relationship, at least for the time being.
In conclusion, What You Want is about a dysfunctional relationship where one partner is aware of the other's manipulations and projections but is still staying in it, albeit with a growing awareness of the cost it is taking on them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not in love with the plans you've made
I am not fond of the plans that you have made
You know I'm afraid and you play on it
You are aware that I am fearful and you take advantage of it
But I'm tempted to take whatever I can make from it
However, I am willing to take what I can gain from it
My mouth is open but my eyes are closed
I am saying things without fully comprehending them
You're feeding me lines that are a hundred years old
You are telling me overused phrases that are outdated
There's a place at your table and I'm hungry for more of it
You have given me an opportunity, and I am eager for more
Apart from the questions
Aside from the inquiries
What's going on in your mind?
What are you currently thinking about?
See what you want to see
Perceive what you desire
But don't reflect what you can't see in me
However, do not project what is not present within me
My memory's fading and I'm feeling faint
My recollection is declining, and I am feeling unsteady
I wake in the morning and I can't see straight
In the morning, I awaken with confusion and disorientation
I'll roll with the punches and make the most of it
I will adapt to what comes my way and make the best of the situation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind