Martin Slattery is an established pianist and keyboard player, who had previously toured with Shaun Ryder’s group Black Grape. Both Antony and Martin also have worked with Joe Strummer as a part the group The Mescaleros.
The band is managed by Jeanette Lee, who runs Rough Trade with Geoff Travis and former Pulp bassist Steve Mackey. The artwork for the band, including the skull image was created by British artist Damien Hirst for his "For The Love Of God" Collection..
They have received support from Radio One DJ Zane Lowe, and from Jarvis Cocker who said "They understand what music is for – it's for human beings to communicate with other human beings. It's that simple, it's that important. Let them into your life. You won't regret it".
Their single "Ali in the Jungle" is featured in the EA Sports FIFA 08 football game. More recently, Nike used the song in their "The Human Chain" commercial which premiered during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. "People Say" has twice been used in the opening scenes of British soap opera Hollyoaks.
Their first album Narcissus Road was released in 2007. And led to popular singles such as Ali In The Jungle and Back When You Were Good.
Their second album, entitled See the Light, was released on 20th April 2009. It was preceded by the single Big Black Hole on the 6th April.
In 2009 the band supported Kasabian as well as U2 on their 360 Tour playing in Zagreb, Glasgow, London Wembley Stadium and Cardiff Millennium Stadium.
these days
The Hours Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
gotta keep going—If I stop and think about the state we're in—I just hang my
head—And
it don't make sense, the seeds we're sowing—Do we have nothing left to
believe in or
rebel against?
If there's ever a time we need to come together—The time is now when
forever—These days are all we have
the question—If ignorance is bliss then
we all must be on cloud nine
It's time to? nd the piece that's missing,
cos I need something to believe in before
I lose my mind
These days are all we have—I'm gonna
take you with me...
The lyrics to The Hours' song These Days are a reflection on the struggles that we go through as we navigate life. The first verse describes a feeling of hopelessness, as if the world is falling apart and there’s nothing we can do about it. The lines, “If I stop and think about the state we’re in, I just hang my head,” perfectly capture the sense of despair and powerlessness we feel in the face of life’s challenges. But then the lyrics pivot towards a call for action, urging us to keep moving forward even when we feel like we’re stuck in hell. It’s a message of resilience, reminding us that we have to keep going even when things seem dire.
The chorus, “If there’s ever a time we need to come together, the time is now when everything’s falling apart,” speaks to the idea that we’re all in this together. Despite our differences, we must unite and work towards a common goal, especially in difficult times. These days are all we have, and we have to make the most of them. The line, “If ignorance is bliss then we all must be on cloud nine,” reminds us that we can’t afford to be ignorant of the problems in the world. We have to face them head-on and work to find solutions.
The second verse of the song is a plea for something to believe in. We all need something to hold onto when everything feels like it’s falling apart. The line, “It’s time to nd the piece that’s missing, cos I need something to believe in before I lose my mind,” is a poignant expression of that feeling. Despite the troubles of the world, we have to find something to anchor us, to give us hope and purpose. The song ends with a hopeful message: “These days are all we have. I’m gonna take you with me.” It’s a statement of solidarity and companionship, a reminder that we’re not alone in our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're going through hell you've gotta keep going
In times of hardship, it's important to keep moving forward instead of becoming mired in despair.
If I stop and think about the state we're in, I just hang my head
When I take a moment to contemplate the current situation, it fills me with sadness and despair.
And it don't make sense, the seeds we're sowing
The actions we're taking have consequences that are hard to rationalize or make sense of.
Do we have nothing left to believe in or rebel against?
It feels like there's no common cause or belief that can unite us or inspire us to push back against the status quo.
If there's ever a time we need to come together
In light of the current challenges we're facing, it's imperative that we find ways to collaborate and support one another.
The time is now when everything's falling apart
Given the dire circumstances, there's no more time to waste or avoid taking action.
It's no rehearsal, soon we'll be gone forever
We only have this one opportunity to make a difference and create something meaningful, as our time on this earth is limited and finite.
These days are all we have
We need to make the most of the present moment since we can never be sure of what the future holds.
The question: If ignorance is bliss then we all must be on cloud nine
If a lack of awareness or knowledge is considered a positive thing, then it seems likely that most people are content with remaining unaware or apathetic about important issues.
It's time to find the piece that's missing, cos I need something to believe in before I lose my mind
I'm struggling to find a sense of purpose or conviction that can help me stay grounded and maintain my sanity.
I'm gonna take you with me...
I want to share this journey with someone who can help me stay strong and motivated.
Contributed by Levi M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tony Tudor
Great band who I'm still desperate too see.
DaveMcLion
@tg6684 Thaks for your comment. I love this kind of music, and i know how frustrating is to love a song and not to find it
phylliewilly
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING XXXX
DaveMcLion
@MarkoScouser18 Thank you ;)
DaveMcLion
@phylliewilly You're welcome ;)