The initial line-up for the debut album, entitled The Lilac Time, released in November 1987 was the two Duffys and keyboardist Michael Weston. Subsequent line-ups have revolved around the two brothers and included drummer Michael Giri, bassist Micky Harris, multi-instrumentalist Caroline Radcliffe, pianist Cara Tivey. Nick Duffy briefly left in 1990 and was replaced by guitarist Sagat Guirey. Later members post '91 split include backing vocalist & keyboardist Claire Worrall and pedal steel guitarist Melvin Duffy (no relation!).
The band's activity is intertwined with Stephen's solo career, waxing and waning as his time and attention permit. The longest gap between Lilac Time records was 8 years - 1991's Astronauts to 1999's Looking for a Day in the Night.
Now, Stephen Duffy is perhaps best known as the co-songwriter and producer for Robbie Williams, and after many years of obscurity, a series of reissues now means that the entire Lilac Time back catalogue is available to buy in the UK for the first time ever. His three later solo albums (1993's Music in Colors, 1995's Duffy & 1998's I Love My Friends) have also been reissued with extra tracks.
From 2003 to 2009 the band released records as Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time and has stabilised with the permanent line-up of Stephen Duffy, Nick Duffy and Claire Worrall (who married Stephen Duffy in 2008). Michael Giri, Micky Harris and Melvin Duffy supplement the line-up on rare occasions they play live.
April 2015 sees the return of The Lilac Time name in the form of a new album, entitled No Sad Songs.
This Morning
The Lilac Time Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun rise through the curtains
The milk floats down your street
The postman’s early warning
Of the places and the people you must meet
You’re gonna get a job that starts at noon
This morning...
Babies started crying
And coffee haunts the air
Your Dad is in the bathroom
You don’t know what to wear
Your sister don’t look like she’s been to bed
Maybe that’s where she will lay her head
This morning...?
And if you think life’s passing you by
So do I, so do I
But you know you can live with your dreams
Before you die
Your sister don’t look like she’s been to bed
Maybe that’s where she will lay her head
This morning...?
The Lilac Time's song "This Morning" is an insightful portrayal of a typical morning routine in a household. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, painting an image of the morning sun rising through the curtains and the sound of the milk float passing by on the street. The postman's arrival serves as a reminder of the day's obligations and responsibilities, symbolizing the daily routines that one must adhere to in order to function in society. The song also touches on the concept of time and how it seems to pass by quickly, with lines like "if you think life's passing you by, so do I", highlighting the importance of making the most of each day.
The second verse reveals more about the characters in the song's narrative. The sound of crying babies creates a chaotic atmosphere while the smell of coffee sets the mood for the day. The mention of the sister who hasn't been to bed suggests a possible tumultuous personal life. The use of this imagery adds depth to the song, making it relatable to listeners that have experienced a similar type of morning chaos.
The song's chorus also provides an uplifting message, encouraging listeners to pursue their dreams before it's too late. Although life may seem to be passing by quickly, there is still time to make a change and pursue personal goals. The song's final line of "This morning...?" can be interpreted as a rhetorical question, asking the listener to contemplate their own morning routine and the significance that it holds.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun rise through the curtains
The morning has arrived and sunlight is peeking through the curtains.
The milk floats down your street
The milkman is making his early morning rounds delivering fresh milk to the neighborhood.
The postman’s early warning
Of the places and the people you must meet
The postman delivers letters and mails that inform you about the meetings you have to attend and the people you have to meet today.
You’re gonna get a job that starts at noon
But for school the bus is leaving soon
Although you have to begin a job at noon, you still have to catch the school bus that leaves shortly in the morning.
Babies started crying
And coffee haunts the air
Your Dad is in the bathroom
You don’t know what to wear
The baby's cries can be heard while the aroma of coffee fills the air. Your father is in the bathroom getting ready, while you are unsure of what to wear.
Your sister don’t look like she’s been to bed
Maybe that’s where she will lay her head
Your sister appears to have stayed up all night and it's possible she may return to bed there later in the day.
And if you think life’s passing you by
So do I, so do I
But you know you can live with your dreams
Before you die
If you feel like time is slipping away from you, the singer can relate to that feeling. However, it's important to remember that you can still pursue your goals and dreams before your time on this earth is up.
Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mildwind5966
this is perfect
@witchslaugh
Sublime.
@momentsoftruth7712
cool song
@KennethMoyle
Thanks for posting this. Do you have any idea what album it appears on (aside from the Strange Folk compilation)?
@jazzychris123
The album is "Looking For A Day In The Night" very cheap now on Discogs!
@shelflife3867
GRREAT ALBUM!