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
The Greatest Light Is the Greatest Shade
The Joy Formidable Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A view
A mirror
Which one
Distracts
Like open windows
In the gusts
A calm day will come
This dream is
This dream is
This dream is
In a telescope now
This dream is
This dream is
Fever
In bedtime covers
Go unknown
This fright
It grows
And misses
Sinks and floats
A calm day will come
My calm day will
This dream is
This dream is
This dream is (over)
In a telescope now
This dream is (over)
This dream is
A calm day will come
Fever
In bedtime covers
Go unknown
'Til two eyes out
Of the darkness
Bring hope close
This childish
Heart won't
Wait
It dances
Keeps me awake
To think on
To think on
You're the greatest light
The greatest shade
It means that
I can be
Happy for you
Happy for you
Happy for you
Happy for you
Happy for you
Happy for you
Happy for you
Happy for you
In the song "The Greatest Light Is the Greatest Shade," The Joy Formidable explores the various distractions and fears that can prevent us from experiencing peace and joy. The first verse speaks of three different things - a glass, a view, and a mirror - that can all be distracting, much like open windows in the gusts of wind. The second verse speaks of fever and fright, which can grow and float around us like a persistent dream. Despite these distractions and fears, the chorus reassures the listener that a calm day will come, and that this dream - whatever shape it may take - can be seen through a telescope.
The bridge of the song speaks of eyes that bring hope close, and a childish heart that dances and keeps the singer awake. The final lyrics reveal that the "greatest light" and "greatest shade" represent a person that the singer can be happy for, suggesting that the distractions and fears mentioned earlier are related to a personal relationship or situation. Overall, the song seems to be encouraging the listener to keep hope and joy alive even in the midst of distractions and difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
A glass
An object which represents a window with a clear view.
A view
A reflective sight that can be seen through an object or surface.
A mirror
A flat object with reflective qualities that shows the image of the person or object in front of it.
Which one
Out of the three options (glass, view, and mirror), which one is distracting the artist.
Distracts
Causes the artist to lose focus or attention.
Like open windows
Similar to having an unblocked view of the outside world, which can also be distracting.
In the gusts
When strong winds blow through, which can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.
A calm day will come
There will be a day when things will be still and peaceful.
This dream is
The idea or thought that the artist is contemplating.
In a telescope now
The artist's perspective of the dream is now made clearer, as if looking through a telescope lens.
Fever
A feeling of restlessness or intensity, not necessarily related to the physical condition of fever.
In bedtime covers
The blankets or sheets that cover the artist while in bed.
Go unknown
The intensity or restlessness is not revealed or expressed openly.
This fright
A feeling of fear or anxiety that the singer is experiencing.
It grows
The feeling of fear or anxiety is getting stronger.
And misses
Something or someone is absent and longed for, causing the fear or anxiety to intensify.
Sinks and floats
The feeling of fear or anxiety comes and goes, making it feel like it is sinking and resurfacing again.
My calm day will
The singer is sure that their own calm day will come, instead of just a general calm day for everyone.
This dream is (over)
The idea or thought that the singer was contemplating is now finished or complete.
Fever
The intense feeling that the artist is experiencing.
In bedtime covers
The artist is still under the blankets or sheets, as this feeling continues to be present.
Go unknown
The artist continues to keep this feeling to themselves.
'Til two eyes out
Until two eyes or a person who can see in the dark emerge.
Of the darkness
Refers to someone who can see in the dark or comes from a dark place.
Bring hope close
This person is able to bring a sense of hope or something promising to the singer.
This childish
An immature or innocent part of the singer, such as their heart or emotions.
Heart won't
Their emotional state will not allow them to.
Wait
The artist wants to act on their emotions immediately.
It dances
The artist's emotional state is like a dance; it moves and changes constantly.
Keeps me awake
This constant state of emotional fluctuation prevents the singer from sleeping or resting easily.
To think on
Something the singer is contemplating or considering.
You're the greatest light
The person the artist is thinking of brings the most positivity and happiness to their life, like a ray of light.
The greatest shade
This person also brings a sense of darkness or complexity to their life, like a shade or shadow.
It means that
The fact that this person brings both light and shade to the artist's life signifies something important.
I can be
Because of the presence of this person, the singer is able to feel or do something.
Happy for you
The artist is able to feel genuine happiness for the person they are thinking of.
Happy for you
The singer feels this happiness for the other person again and again.
Happy for you
The singer emphasizes their ability to feel happy for the other person over and over.
Happy for you
Reiterating that the singer's ability to feel happy for this person is a significant and meaningful emotion.
Happy for you
Emphasizes the artist's continued state of happiness for this person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RHIANNON BRYAN, RHYDIAN DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind