The Joy Formidable is an indie rock band formed in 2007 in North Wales, Uni… Read Full Bio ↴The Joy Formidable is an indie rock band formed in 2007 in North Wales, United Kingdom, currently located in London, England. The group members are Ritzy Bryan (vocals, guitar), Rhydian Dafydd (bass, backing vocals), and Matt Thomas (drums). Their music has been described as "primal epic grunge rock à la The Breeders, Arcade Fire and Yeah Yeah Yeahs".

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

While the Flies
The Joy Formidable Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They took you on they thought they made you feel safe
I watched it all I'll never be the same again
All this all we seem the same
They left you falling and no one remembers your name
And now they're gone and the flies they record you die
All this all we seem the same

I dig you in I tried to pull you away

I can't forget that these arms they tried in vain

I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I fall apart but it ever beckons
I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I fall apart but it ever beckons

I'll take to throwing all the pennies I stole
I'll throw them well and get a wish now it's time for all
For pinching thumbs to help revive me
These pinching thumbs will lift you from the enemy
And when the dust settles and we raise once more

I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I fall apart but it ever beckons
I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
I fall apart but it ever beckons

There's a shape in the spotlight
It's a three part horn tip
That lets the drips in your eyes turn to walls and the
The thoughts rise in heat of the sight they see your

(It will spill while you die)?
(It will spill when you can lie down)?
(It's fallen apart baby)?
It will spill while you die)?
(It will spill when you can lie down)?
(The sun is ... down)?

I dig you in I tried to pull you away
Another one and the flies they record you die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Joy Formidable's song While the Flies are about feeling powerless and forgotten in a world where people strive for power and control. The song starts with the singer witnessing someone being taken in by a group who they thought would make them feel safe, but in reality, they were left behind and forgotten. The imagery of flies recording the person's death, and how they will never be remembered, drives home the feeling of insignificance in a world that moves on without a care.

The chorus repeats the phrase "I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside," which signifies the idea of clinging onto someone, even if they're also falling apart. It's a feeling of both comfort and desperation, which is reflected in the line "I fall apart but it ever beckons." It's a haunting reminder of how we lose ourselves trying to save others, but still, we can't help but gravitate towards that feeling of connection.

The last verse talks about throwing pennies to make a wish, which means the singer is willing to do anything to change their fate. They want to revive themselves and their spirits, which is symbolized by "pinching thumbs." The song ends on a hopeful note, with the idea that even though we fall apart, we can always pick ourselves back up and start again.

Line by Line Meaning

They took you on they thought they made you feel safe
They believed that they could protect you, but they were wrong

I watched it all I'll never be the same again
I witnessed the events that unfolded and it changed me forever

All this all we seem the same
Everything seems to be repeating itself, and it's all too familiar

They left you falling and no one remembers your name
They abandoned you when you needed them most and now you're forgotten

And now they're gone and the flies they record you die
They've left and all that remains are the flies observing your demise

I dig you in I tried to pull you away
I tried my best to save you but it wasn't enough

I can't forget that these arms they tried in vain
I can't forget that I failed in my attempt to rescue you

I'll take you with me as I'm falling inside
Even though I'm falling apart, I'll always carry you with me

I fall apart but it ever beckons
Despite my struggles, the darkness keeps calling me

I'll take to throwing all the pennies I stole
I'll give back what I've taken and make a wish to start anew

I'll throw them well and get a wish now it's time for all
I'll make sure to throw them properly so my wish can come true

For pinching thumbs to help revive me
I'll rely on others to help lift me up out of this darkness

These pinching thumbs will lift you from the enemy
They'll not only help me but they'll also rescue you from harm

And when the dust settles and we raise once more
When the chaos subsides, we'll rise up and start anew

There's a shape in the spotlight
There's a mysterious figure illuminated by the light

It's a three part horn tip
It's a three-pronged object that catches your attention

That lets the drips in your eyes turn to walls and the
It causes the tears in your eyes to form a barrier around you

The thoughts rise in heat of the sight they see your
The presence of this figure causes intense feelings and thoughts

(It will spill while you die)?
It will all come out when you take your last breath

(It will spill when you can lie down)?
You'll finally be able to let it all out when you can rest

(It's fallen apart baby)?
Everything has crumbled and it's all a mess

Another one and the flies they record you die
Another one has fallen victim to the same fate, and the flies continue to observe and document what happens

Contributed by Christian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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