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
It's Over
The Joy Formidable Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And let this loathe crawl over you finally
Let's take this walk, it's overdue
Let's sit and talk and slow things down
Just be our old selves again finally
Let's take this walk
Let's take a walk to somewhere pretty
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
We can be anybody else
Hold on to the fringe
Jump through from the past
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This is where everybody turns out right in the end
Can you play a part?
See us walking through the sunshine
Ask me where I've been
Back to Ire?
Back to desire
This is where it all begins
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
We can be anybody else
Hold on to the fringe
Jump through from the past
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This is where everybody turns out right in the end
Can you play that part?
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
This ladder is ours
The opening lyrics of The Joy Formidable's song "It's Over" suggest that it's time to confront something that has been avoided for too long. The phrase "Let's take this walk, it's long overdue" indicates that they've been avoiding something, perhaps an unpleasant conversation or an unpleasant conclusion that they've been putting off. The phrase "And let this loathe crawl over you finally" furthers this idea, as it seems to suggest that some sort of negative emotion, perhaps anger or resentment, has been festering and needs to be addressed.
The chorus of the song, with the repeated refrain "This ladder is ours," seems to suggest that the singers of the song have a shared history and have gone through struggles together. The ladder, perhaps a metaphor for their journey together or a symbol of their ascent, is something they've claimed as their own. They can be "anybody else" and "jump through from the past," shedding identities or past traumas that are no longer relevant.
Overall, "It's Over" seems to be a song about confronting difficult emotions and moving forward despite them. The ladder suggests that there is a way forward, a path that they've made for themselves, and that they can overcome obstacles and rise to new heights together.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's take this walk, it's long overdue
Let's have a much needed conversation
And let this loathe crawl over you finally
And let's finally get all our negative emotions out
Let's sit and talk and slow things down
Let's engage in a calm conversation about our relationship
Just be our old selves again finally
Let's go back to how we used to be
Let's take a walk to somewhere pretty
Let's go to a beautiful location and enjoy each other's company
This ladder is ours
We can climb the ladder of success together
We can be anybody else
We can change and adapt to become better versions of ourselves
Hold on to the fringe
We should hold on to the things that make us unique
Jump through from the past
We can move beyond our past mistakes and failures
This is where everybody turns out right in the end
This is where things will work out for us
Can you play a part?
Are you willing to contribute to making our relationship successful?
See us walking through the sunshine
Imagining a happy future together
Ask me where I've been
Asking about one's past experiences
Back to Ire?
Going back to a state of anger or resentment
Back to desire
Going back to a state of passion and love
This is where it all begins
This is where we start anew
This ladder is ours
We will climb the ladder of success together
Writer(s): BILL DEES, ROY ORBISON
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Phoebe Stratton
That was powerful. Top-notch job, guys!
Kravis63
You guys/gal are just too damn good! Your show in Chicago last April was one of the best shows I have ever been too! Much love.
Corey
Absolutely love that cover, Roy would've loved that rendition.
Alice
Love it! Visuals excellent as usual :)
Martin Hatfield
Amazing. At least as amazing as I thought it could be.Thanks again, you did the Big O, and yourselves proud. Ritzy's got the range!
BobTurkey
I was lucky enough to have a brief conversation with Ritzy Monday night before their show. She was really down to earth and awesome. <3
David Young
Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. Please say this will be released at some point!
geekxyu
Wish I could like this more than once!
Mount Saint Echo
Needs to be on the soundtrack for David Lynch's next movie!
duvallians
Well Done!