The Good Natured, recently signed to Regal/Parlophone Records, offer a catchy gothic twist on electropop with their new EP titled Skeleton, released on 20 June 2011. In the songs featured on the Skeleton EP, Sarah displays her compellingly mature command of the nuances of serious pop music, combined with the darker, and often more sensual, emotional and lyrical content of the gothic. Both "Skeleton" and "Wolves" are produced by Patrik Berger, known for his work with Robyn.
The title track "Skeleton" has an energetic blend of raw passion, synthpop and a murky, driving rhythm section. The track describes being stripped of emotional and physical coverings, leaving you with nothing to hide; metaphorically stripped down to two skeletons standing alone.
"Wolves" is a fast-paced, intimate dance track which sees Sarah in the deep dark wood, “dancing ’round fires, lost in desire” and ready to surrender to the howling of the wolves. The clarity of the interplay between the instruments is a stark contrast to the cheerfully morbid metaphor for escapism – feral and sensual.
The band have already been making a name for themselves with their previous EPs; Be My Animal, Your Body Is A Machine and their cover of Sufjan Stevens's "For the Widows in Paradise", retitled "For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti". These have helped their popularity on music blogs so much that they were in the top 10 most searched acts on Hypemachine last December. The band have also received strong support from Nick Grimshaw, Huw Stephens and Jo Whiley on Radio 1 amongst others on Radio 1, plus XFM and 6 Music.
With such catchy songs able to stay true to the dark pop theme it's no surprise that The Good Natured’s fans are so loyal, or that blogs and forums and all over the web are already clamouring for more music.
"A compelling new talent” The Sunday Times
"A talented and passionate force to be reckoned with" The Fly
"Swirling exciting Synth pop” The Times
"An exciting prospect indeed" Artrocker
"This is how pop should be done" Time Out
Official site: http://www.thegoodnatured.co.uk
Ivory Tower
The Good Natured Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We pull, the covers off
A guest, under the, spiteful day
It was you, who took me
You took me, away
From this place, to a, curious cage
But please keep me close
It was you kept away sent away
But please hold me close
It was you kept away sent away
Untouched for today
Half meek half wild
How I love my halfway child
Halfway child smiled
How I love my halfway, child
Oh yes, things move, faster here
Wondering aimlessly, questioning everything
For a charm, and a smile
Trying to, make your way
From this place, to a, curious cage
But please hold me close
It was you kept away sent away
Untouched for today
Half meek half wild
How I love my halfway child
Halfway child smiled
How I love my halfway, child
In your Ivory Tower
We’ll look out at all the land
That you have in your power
Is this the life that
You had planned?
The lyrics of The Good Natured's "Ivory Tower" describe a person who has been taken away from their previous life and placed in a "curious cage" by someone who resides in an ivory tower. The ivory tower represents a place of privilege and power, and those who reside within it are seen as isolated from the struggles of the world. The person who has been taken away is torn between two sides of their personality - half meek and half wild. This internal conflict is summed up in the line "how I love my halfway child," which suggests that the person is comfortable with their duality, but wants to be held close and kept safe from the perils of the outside world.
The song also explores the theme of questioning and searching for meaning. The line "wondering aimlessly, questioning everything" suggests that the person is in a state of flux and searching for answers. They are trying to make their way from their current situation to something more curious and exciting, but they are held back by the person in the ivory tower. The final lines of the song ask whether the life that the person in the ivory tower has planned is truly fulfilling, implying that the person in the curious cage is still searching for something more.
Overall, "Ivory Tower" is a song about power, privilege, and the struggle for individuality in a world that seeks to control and limit it.
Line by Line Meaning
In your, Ivory Tower
In your position of power and wealth
We pull, the covers off
We expose the truth
A guest, under the, spiteful day
Feeling unwelcome and unwanted
It was you, who took me
You were the one who brought me here
You took me, away
You took me from my former life
From this place, to a, curious cage
From one confined space to another
But please keep me close
I need you to stay with me
It was you kept away sent away
You kept me away and sent me away
Unlooked for today
Unexpectedly, I was kept away
But please hold me close
I still need you to hold me and keep me close
Untouched for today
Today, you have not reached out to me
Half meek half wild
I have a mix of obedience and rebellion in me
How I love my halfway child
I accept and cherish my dual nature
Halfway child smiled
The two sides of me have found harmony and acceptance
Oh yes, things move, faster here
The pace of life in this privileged world is fast
Wondering aimlessly, questioning everything
I am lost and unsure, doubting everything around me
For a charm, and a smile
The only way to fit in and climb the social ladder is through charm and flattery
Trying to, make your way
Striving to succeed and gain power and influence
From this place, to a, curious cage
Moving from one gilded prison to another
But please hold me close
Despite everything, I still need your support and protection
Is this the life that, You had planned?
Are you truly happy and fulfilled in your life of wealth and privilege?
Contributed by Gabriella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.