Vocalist/guitarist Ritzy Bryan and bassist Rhydian Dafydd originally played together as part of indie rock band Tricky Nixon, which later reformed into a new wave/post-punk band Sidecar Kisses. In 2007 they regrouped on returning to Mold, Wales and formed The Joy Formidable, with Justin Stahley now on drums.
The Joy Formidable released their debut single, "Austere", on 7" through Another Kitchen Records on 18 August 2008. "Austere" was followed with a second single, a limited edition double 7" physical release of "Cradle" on Try Harder Records on 2 February 2009.
In 17 February 2009, the band issued an 8-track mini album A Balloon Called Moaning on Pure Groove Records. In support of the record the band appeared at several notable festivals, including Latitude Festival, Reading Festival and Leeds Festival during which time Justin Stahley was replaced on the drums by Matthew Thomas.
In May 2009, they issued the single, "Whirring", on 7" through Friends Vs Records, which was BBC Radio 2's Radcliffe and Maconie Show's Pick of the Week for the week of 11 May 2010.
At the end of 2009, The Joy Formidable released a free digital-only single "Greyhounds in the Slips", produced by and featuring ex-Mansun frontman Paul Draper and a limited edition live album entitled First You Have To Get Mad on 30 November 2009, which had been recorded at their headline London Garage gig two months previously.
The band also notably toured the UK with Editors and Passion Pit. On 26 June 2010, they supported Paul McCartney at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium. The very next day, the band performed an opening set on the Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival 2010. They also toured as part of the 2010 NME Radar Tour, supported by Chapel Club, Flats and Wilder.
Another single entitled "Popinjay" was released through iTunes Store on 21 February 2010, ahead of a physical release on 5 April 2010. In 11 October 2010, The Joy Formidable issued the single "I Don’t Want To See You Like This".
In 24 January 2011, The Joy Formidable released their debut studio album The Big Roar on Atlantic Records. The album was very favorable received by critics. The Big Roar was preceded by the re-issue of the single "Austere".
http://www.thejoyformidable.com
A Heavy Abacus
The Joy Formidable Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the dark before dreamless sleep
Cloaks that spot, that shiver, that breeze
Throws you in the dark
Happiness it won't last long
And this child behind stores it all
The failed man's curse and the cost
Thank you sly watchful gene
A plastic life up my sleeve
If you've followed this far you've realised nothing
Now your world is here
Watch it disappear
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
And it all plays out
And it always comes around
The message fades but the mess prevails
You reckless thing leaving you in our hands
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
All we have is this chance called memory
The opening lines of The Joy Formidable's "A Heavy Abacus" provide an enigmatic introduction to the song. The image of "bending feet" hints at a state of limbo, where the singer is caught in a moment of uncertainty or indecision. The reference to "dreamless sleep" suggests a deeper sense of detachment or numbness. Meanwhile, the "cloaks that spot" and "throws you in the dark" create a somewhat eerie and haunting atmosphere.
As the song progresses, we learn that the singer is grappling with the transitory nature of happiness. The line "Happiness it won't last long" echoes the Buddhist idea that all things are impermanent and subject to change. The reference to "this child behind" suggests that the singer is aware of some deeper, more primal part of themselves that is always observing and storing information. The "failed man's curse" and "nonchalance" may refer to the singer's own struggles with living up to societal expectations or feeling disconnected from others.
The chorus of the song is dominated by the image of the "heavy abacus." The abacus represents a tool for counting and calculating, but it also carries a weighty sense of history and tradition. The abacus becomes a metaphor for the burdensome weight of memory and the ways in which the past can haunt and control us. The repeated phrase "Abacus haunting me / Abacus watching me" is a powerful reminder of the song's central theme.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are bending feet
We are standing here, swaying, trying to find our footing.
In the dark before dreamless sleep
We are in the dark, lying here awake without any dreams.
Cloaks that spot, that shiver, that breeze
We are covered in cloaks that are stained and shaking from the chill breeze.
Throws you in the dark
These cloaks throw us into the dark abyss.
Happiness it won't last long
We know that happiness is always temporary.
And this child behind stores it all
Our inner child is the keeper of all our memories and emotions.
The failed man's curse and the cost
We are paying the price for the mistakes of those who came before us.
Of nonchalance
All of this happened because we were careless and unconcerned.
Thank you sly watchful gene
We are grateful for our genes that make us watchful and cautious.
A plastic life up my sleeve
Our superficial lifestyle is always with us, hidden away and waiting to be revealed.
If you've followed this far you've realised nothing
All of this information will not lead you to any profound realization.
Now your world is here
Your world, with all its complexity and confusion, is present before you.
Watch it disappear
You must watch it fade away with the passage of time.
Abacus haunting me
The burden of our past mistakes is weighing heavily on us.
Abacus watching me
Our mistakes are always with us, watching and reminding us of our failures.
And it all plays out
The story of our lives always unfolds as it was meant to.
And it always comes around
Our past mistakes always come back to haunt us.
The message fades but the mess prevails
Even though the message of our lives might be forgotten, the chaos and confusion of our mistakes are still with us.
You reckless thing leaving you in our hands
We have been left with the consequences of our reckless behavior.
All we have is this chance called memory
All we have to remember our lives are the memories that we create.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Rhiannon Bryan, Rhydian Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SmallTownMan
The Joy Formidable is my favorite band of all time.
Here we are bending feet
In the dark before dreamless sleep
Cloaks that spot, that shiver, that breeze
Throws you in the dark
Happiness, it won't last long
And this child behind stores it all
The failed man's curse
And the cost of nonchalance
I thank you sly, watchful gene
A plastic life up my sleeve
If you've followed this far
You've realized nothing
Now your world is here
Watch it disappear
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
And it all plays out
And it always comes around
The message fades but the mess prevails
You reckless thing leaving you in our hands
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
All we have is this chance called memory
(Haunting me)
All we have is this chance called memory
(Watching me)
All we have is this chance called memory
(Haunting me)
All we have is this chance called memory
@souulkeeper1384
The music is great, her vocals are great, but for me, the thing that just makes this song absolutely beautiful is her enunciation. Every single word is so crisp and perfectly said.
@joesteers4348
The amazing thing about The Joy Formidable's music is that as soon as that guitar kicks in, or those drums or bass kicks in, it grabs you right in the middle of your chest and you're hooked, people who truly love music will understand that feeling when a song touches right in your throat, chest and stomach the feeling is so beautiful. I love this band they're are amazing both in the studio and live, I hope soon to have the experience of seeing them in there element, ROCKING THE FUCK OUT!!!!!
@PopCrusher
I am one of those people, and I agree with you entirely!
@ajdominguez1002
Storytime: so I first found out about this band from Late Night with David Letterman. I was working a part-time job at the time minimum wage. I heard that they were going to be at this show not even 2 months from then. I was taking my mom to treatment during that time, and I was helping with the bills. So I didn't have much. Needless to say, it did not stop me from spending my money on tickets for my friend, myself, and for his friends to come with us. This was the first song they played when they showed. This was how the edge Stole Christmas 2011. One of the best memories of my life thus far.
@Deadman_Wonderland66
How does this not have millions of views?! The internet has failed me 😭😭
@crowquentin104
DEFINITELY my favorite song from T.J.F-been with them for three years,still can't get over their originality. -Big fan
@edu45
The Secret Circle sent me here, and I'm glad about it, such a good band! :)
@emmasayers7576
Why have I only just discovered this great band?
@umji3389
me too. i had heard of them, but it was only when i saw them on music choice a few weeks ago that i finally heard them!
@PeniszporkoloVEV0
Because you didn't watch the Secret Circle