Inspired by artists such as Feist, Warren Zevon, Arcade Fire, Tom Waits, Villagers and Neil Young, Martin’s output as The Lake Poets is as haunting as it is beautiful.
Stunning audiences in support of Willy Mason, Ben Howard, Daughter and Jake Bugg, Martin has also played sold-out shows at prestigious venues such as Union Chapel, Roundhouse and The Sage Gateshead, as well as major festivals such as Glastonbury and T in the Park.
Début EP 'Honest Hearts' was released in 2014 receiving airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music. Martin’s music has also been championed by BBC Introducing, XFM and Amazing Radio.
Contact: thelakepoets@gmail.com
1996
The Lake Poets Lyrics
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through the village tonight,
passed the place where you used to live.
The memories hit,
the way a tidal wave arrives on a shore.
This time of year,
the memories seem to sting that little bit more.
We were carefree back then,
We used to laugh and we used to play.
I hear your voice,
it's '96 and it is Christmas day.
If I had my choice,
things would not have ended up this way.
The nights, alone,
And the seasons here.
Where are you?
Where are you?
The nights, alone,
And the seasons here.
Where are you?
Where are you?
The things you give and you send
that you receive from your friends
you should just box them up and throw them away.
It don't mean a thing
if you can't put your hand on heart and say,
"I'm here for you
and I will be here for you every day.
The ones we lose
are gone forever and that's how they'll stay".
The Lake Poets's song "1996" is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the past friendship and experiences of the singer. As he travels through the village, he passes the house where his friend used to live, and memories of their carefree days come flooding back to him like a tidal wave. The song alludes to the passing of time and how things have changed, with the singer and his friend having become men since those playful days of laughter and joy. He recalls the voice of his friend on Christmas Day in 1996, and wonders where he is now. The singer seems to be struggling to come to terms with the fact that his friend is gone, forever out of reach.
The song touches on the themes of loss, love, memory and the passing of time. It evokes a sense of regret, nostalgia and sadness, as the singer longs for the days of his youth and the friendship he once shared with his friend. "1996" can be interpreted as a reflection on the fragility of human relationships, the inevitability of time passing, and the ephemeral nature of memories.
Line by Line Meaning
I went out for a ride,
I took a ride on my own,
through the village tonight,
I went through the village at night,
passed the place where you used to live.
I saw the place where you used to live but now it's empty,
The memories hit,
Memories of us being together came suddenly and strongly,
the way a tidal wave arrives on a shore.
The memories came crashing over me like a powerful wave on a shore,
This time of year,
During this season of the year,
the memories seem to sting that little bit more.
The memories seem to be more painful than usual,
We were carefree back then,
We were relaxed and without worries before,
years from both being men.
We were young and immature then,
We used to laugh and we used to play.
We used to laugh and have fun when we were together,
I hear your voice,
I can still hear your voice now,
it's '96 and it is Christmas day.
That voice reminds me of Christmas day in 1996,
If I had my choice,
If I could choose,
things would not have ended up this way.
Things wouldn't have ended so badly between us,
The nights, alone,
I spend my nights alone,
And the seasons here.
And the seasons pass by,
Where are you?
Where are you now?
Where are you?
Where are you now?
The things you give and you send
The presents and things you gave and sent to me,
that you receive from your friends
That you got from your friends,
you should just box them up and throw them away.
You should just pack them away and forget about them,
It don't mean a thing
All those things don't matter
if you can't put your hand on heart and say,
If you can't sincerely say,
"I'm here for you
"I am here for you,
and I will be here for you every day.
And I will be here for you every day.
The ones we lose
The people we lose,
are gone forever and that's how they'll stay".
Are gone forever and will never come back."
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.