Broudie and Rogers formed the act as the "perfect pop project", and Lightning Seeds broke through in 1989 with the psychedelic synth pop hit, "Pure", which made the UK Top 20 and was a minor hit on US pop radio and a major success on US alternative radio. In the 1990s Lightning Seeds became one of the most popular and enterprising of the era. The 1995 album Jollification was a critical masterpiece, spawning several successful singles. In 1996, Lightning Seeds provided the music and production for the official England anthem for the Euro '96 football tournament. The lyrics were written and sung by comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel, and the song, "Three Lions", went straight into the charts at number one.
Since the release of 1999's Tilt the act has taken a back seat as Broudie concentrated on producing the works of others. However, in 2006, Broudie reformed the band with a selection of new members, releasing a Very Best Of album, and performing a number of tour dates. In 2009, the band released Four Winds, their first album in 10 years.
Tales Of The Riverbank
The Lightning Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In early morning Mersey mists
Too tired to taste the cornflakes on your tongue
As morning hits the docks
You dream of all the ships there must have been
I river full of everything that it's not
And if your life's not meant to feel like this
Maybe it's time for someone to resist
Of working lives, ship with sails
Jobs were passed from fathers to their sons
Sometimes it comes down to you
The many to protect the few
Unless you cross the line your jobs are gone
If it takes a thousand days we'll never stop
Tel it a thousand ways you'll still be wrong
Not a word in the morning paper
Feels like we've been out for ages
Maybe unions and players won't save us
But there's nothing on earth can break us
The strength to load a thousand ships
But willing hands can turn to fists
On picket lines emotions feelings overflow
A decent job for decent pay
To fight if that's the only way
The union says well tough your on your own
If it takes a thousand days we'll never stop
Tell it a thousand ways you'll still be wrong
Not a word in the morning papers
Feels like we've been out for ages
The unions and prayers won't save us
There's nothing on earth can break us
The Lightning Seeds's song "Tales Of The Riverbank" speaks to the working class struggles of the industrialized River Mersey area in the north-west of England. The song portrays the grueling nature of the labor, with the fourteen-hour workdays, and the impact that it has on the workers' lives. The dreamy nature of the lyrics paints an ethereal picture of the Mersey's past as a thriving port with a rich history of shipping and goods transportation, and the longing of the workers for better times.
The lyrics suggest that there are inherent problems with the power structures in the industrialized areas, and that it's time for someone to resist them. The riverbank could tell us stories of working lives where jobs were passed down through families from fathers to sons. The song suggests a loyalty between unions and the workers, but it's also a reminder that sometimes, the many have to rise to protect the few. The track also implies that unions and prayers might not be enough, and the only way for the workers to get a decent job with decent pay is to fight.
Overall, "Tales Of The Riverbank" sheds light on the challenging lives of the working class, the challenges they face, and their push toward better opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Fourteen hours of working shifts
Working long hours on shifts
In early morning Mersey mists
Working in the foggy morning near the Mersey
Too tired to taste the cornflakes on your tongue
Too exhausted to enjoy breakfast
As morning hits the docks
Morning begins at the docks
You dream of all the ships there must have been
Imagining the ships that have come and gone
I river full of everything that it's not
A river that once was full of something and now is not
And if your life's not meant to feel like this
Questioning if this is what life is supposed to feel like
Maybe it's time for someone to resist
Considering resisting against the current situation
The riverbank could tell you tales
The shore has stories to tell
Of working lives, ship with sails
Stories of working on ships
Jobs were passed from fathers to their sons
Tradition of passing jobs down to family
Sometimes it comes down to you
Sometimes it's up to you to make a change
The many to protect the few
Many workers defend the few jobs available
Unless you cross the line your jobs are gone
If you break the rules, you lose your job
If it takes a thousand days we'll never stop
Determined to continue fighting for a better outcome no matter how long it takes
Tell it a thousand ways you'll still be wrong
No matter how many times the situation is explained, some people won't understand
Not a word in the morning paper
No news in the morning paper about the situation
Feels like we've been out for ages
Getting tired of the ongoing situation
Maybe unions and players won't save us
Perhaps the unions and the government won't help
But there's nothing on earth can break us
Still unbroken despite all the hardships
The strength to load a thousand ships
The ability to work hard and move cargo
But willing hands can turn to fists
People can become angry when they feel mistreated
On picket lines emotions feelings overflow
Tensions and emotions run high during protests
A decent job for decent pay
A job that pays a fair wage
To fight if that's the only way
Willing to fight if necessary
The union says well tough your on your own
The union won't provide any help in this situation
The unions and prayers won't save us
Realizing that prayer and union support won't solve the problem
There's nothing on earth can break us
Despite all the hardships, the workers remain unbroken
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: IAN BROUDIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil Arrow
brilliant as always