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.
Wasted
The Lilac Time Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't even say I'm sad, I'm sorry
Can't even say I fear I am afraid
Look in the mirror
Have you begun to see your mother?
You're lining up disaster for us all
Trying to block out the sorrow
You are trying to hold back the sunrise
Drawing a curtain of lies
I wasted my youth
Worrying I was wasting away
Waiting for someone to say: "you're number 1"
Under the carpet
Where most of my life was lived in darkness
Waiting for me to start to work it out
You are trying to live for tomorrow
Trying to block out the sorrow
You are trying to hold back the sunrise
Drawing a curtain of lies
We concealed our dependencies so well
And now I'm...
Over the limit
I can't even say I'm sad, I'm sorry
I can't even say I fear I am afraid
Look in the mirror
Have you begun to see your mother?
You're lining up disaster for us all
You are trying to live for tomorrow
Trying to block out the sorrow
You are trying to hold back the sunrise
Drawing a curtain of lies
The Lilac Time's song Wasted is a melancholy reflection on the passing of time and the feeling of hopelessness that comes with it. The opening lines of the song "Over the limit, I can't even say I'm sad, I'm sorry, Can't even say I fear I am afraid" suggest that the singer has exceeded their limit, perhaps in substance abuse, and has become numb to emotions such as sadness and fear. The song then takes on a more introspective tone as the singer begins to examine their life and the impact it has had on those around them. The line "Look in the mirror, have you begun to see your mother?" suggests that the singer has come to a realization that they are becoming like the generation before them and that they are "lining up disaster for us all".
The song then goes on to talk about trying to live for tomorrow and block out the sorrow, holding back the sunrise with a curtain of lies. This speaks to the futile effort of trying to avoid facing one's problems and simply letting them fester. The line "I wasted my youth, worrying I was wasting away, waiting for someone to say 'you're number 1'" speaks to a common theme of disillusionment that many people feel when they realize that the world does not revolve around them and that they may not achieve the things they once thought they would.
Overall, Wasted is a powerful and introspective song that explores themes of regret, disillusionment, and the passage of time. It speaks to the human experience in a way that is both relatable and poetic, and it is a testament to the talents of The Lilac Time as songwriters.
Line by Line Meaning
Over the limit
I have exceeded my limit, possibly related to alcohol, drug or emotional distress.
I can't even say I'm sad, I'm sorry
I am unable to communicate how I really feel, which may be a mixture of sadness and regret.
Can't even say I fear I am afraid
I am too afraid to admit that I am fearful.
Look in the mirror
Reflect on yourself and your actions.
Have you begun to see your mother?
Are you becoming like your mother?
You're lining up disaster for us all
Your actions may lead to disastrous consequences for everyone involved.
You are trying to live for tomorrow
You are focusing on the future instead of living in the present moment.
Trying to block out the sorrow
You are attempting to suppress your feelings of sadness.
You are trying to hold back the sunrise
You are attempting to hold back the inevitable changes and growth that come with each new day.
Drawing a curtain of lies
You are hiding the truth with a facade of lies and deceit.
I wasted my youth
I spent my younger years in a state of anxiety and worry, never truly living life to the fullest.
Worrying I was wasting away
I was consumed by the fear that I was not making the most of my life.
Waiting for someone to say: "you're number 1"
I was seeking validation and approval from others instead of finding self-worth within myself.
Under the carpet
I concealed my problems and struggles, pretending they did not exist.
Where most of my life was lived in darkness
I spent much of my life in a state of emotional darkness, never truly facing my issues.
Waiting for me to start to work it out
I was waiting for myself to finally confront and address my problems.
We concealed our dependencies so well
We kept our addictions hidden from the world, never letting anyone know our struggles.
And now I'm...
The singer is interrupted, leaving the line unfinished.
Contributed by Layla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.