The band's following grew fairly rapidly, with many fans sporting the "glamorous punk" image popularised by frontwoman Kate Jackson. Kate was featured in The Guardian's style section and the NME Cool Lists 2005 and 2006. When questioned about her place in the first list by The Guardian, Jackson remarked: "Probably because they didn't have enough girls. It was so overrun with boring boys, they needed someone to bring a touch of glamour."
The band originally formed through a series of chance encounters: when Kate, guitarist and songwriter Dorian, bassist Reenie, drummer Screech and guitarist / keyboardist Emma bumped into each other at public library counters, charity shop sale rails and the dancefloors of DIY club nights. The following quote appeared on their website and for many served as an introduction to the Long Blondes; "Our shared influences include the Mael Brothers, the Marx Brothers and the Bewlay Brothers. We do not listen to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors or Bob Dylan. We chose an instrument each and learnt to play it. Approximately three months after we formed, we played a victorious 25 minute set at Leeds Hi-Fi club. A success! We inherit the aesthetics of early Roxy Music. We have a lot of influences, sometimes we sound a bit like them, sometimes we sound a lot like them. Sometimes we sound nothing like them at all."
Their second album "Couples" (the quotations are apart of the title, an allusion to the David Bowie album "Heroes") was released in April 2008 featuring the singles "Century" and "Guilt". An album of early "Singles" was rush-released by former label Angular Record Corporation.
Nostalgia
The Long Blondes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That kept the latest two
At the top of the charts all summer
It must have been something like 11 weeks
That we spent up there
But still...
That was then and this is now
That was just nostalgia
I used to think I'd never cry
Or worry if I said goodbye
'cause human beings have all
Outgrown those basic feelings anyway...
That was then and this is now
That was then and this is now
That was just nostalgia
So don't you worry
About the pretty creatures in the street
The pretty creatures that I'd like
To eat up for breakfast
The pretty creatures in the streets
The pretty creatures that I'd like
To eat up for breakfast
That's all in the past
I may never have a daughter
'cause I've far too much to tell her
And far too much to answer to
I want to move into the future
Move in to the future
Move into the future with you
And the politics of love
And who I used to dream of
That was just nostalgia
I want to move into the future
Move in to the future
Move into the future with you
And the politics of love
And who I used to dream of
That was just nostalgia
In The Long Blondes's song "Nostalgia," the lead singer Kate Jackson sings about the bittersweet experience of looking back at a successful past, celebrating it yet acknowledging the need to move on to the future. The opening lines refer to the cyclical nature of the music industry where artists often become irrelevant as soon as the latest trend takes over. The shock of the new refers to the initial excitement of a new discovery or trend, which is often short-lived. The latest two may refer to the artist and their hit single, which climbed the charts and enjoyed success all summer, but now it's only a memory.
In the verse, Jackson reflects on how fleeting human emotions are, and how naive she was in believing that she'd never Cry or worry if she said goodbye. The chorus serves as a reminder that the glory days are in the past, and while they can be celebrated, it's crucial to move on. The lyrics "don't you worry about the pretty creatures in the street, the pretty creatures that I'd like to eat up for breakfast" is likely a metaphor that denotes Kate Jackson's desire to achieve success and devour everything in her way.
Overall, "Nostalgia" is a reflection on how both success and emotions are temporary. The song encourages people to move forward and not let past successes, relationships, or dreams keep them from creating and achieving new ones.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the shock of the new
The excitement of something new is what made the latest song a hit
That kept the latest two
The newness factor helped maintain the popularity of the two artists
At the top of the charts all summer
The song remained on the peak position on music charts throughout the summertime
It must have been something like 11 weeks
The song stayed at the top of the charts for approximately 11 weeks
That we spent up there
The artists spent a significant amount of time at the top of the music charts
But still...
Despite their success in the past, they acknowledge that things change over time
That was then and this is now
The present is different from the past
That was just nostalgia
Looking back at the past with romanticized memories
I used to think I'd never cry
She used to believe that she was too tough or strong to show her emotions
Or worry if I said goodbye
She was not afraid to say goodbye to people
'cause human beings have all
It was once believed that people had evolved past the need for basic emotions like love and sadness
Outgrown those basic feelings anyway...
As they have evolved, humans have lost the capacity to feel basic emotions
So don't you worry
There's no need to be anxious
About the pretty creatures in the street
She talks about men that she fancies
The pretty creatures that I'd like
She is attracted to handsome men
To eat up for breakfast
She is being flirtatious and suggesting that she would like to have them for breakfast
That's all in the past
She has moved on from her crushes on good-looking men
I may never have a daughter
She may choose not to have children
'cause I've far too much to tell her
She has things to say that she feels may not be appropriate for a child to hear
And far too much to answer to
She may not be able to address all the questions a child may have about her life
I want to move into the future
She wants to look forward to what's next in life
Move in to the future
She wants to be an active participant in shaping her future
Move into the future with you
She would like to take this journey with her partner
And the politics of love
The power struggles that can arise in a relationship
And who I used to dream of
She used to fantasize about someone in particular
That was just nostalgia
The memory of that past crush and the emotions tied to it are not as intense anymore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GIDEON JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lala woo
their music is unique :) love all their songs
Luke Ricketts
Even after first discovering the Long Blondes over 3 years ago, they are still one of my favourite bands - this song in particular is hauntingly beautiful.
Luke
@Giles Dunn That was just Nostalgia!
Giles Dunn
That was then, and this is now.
TheLustigerLumpi
think she refers to a relationship thats gone serious after she first just tested out a lot and left behind the cloud seven phase. style of the Song is pure nostalgia ;)
Geraldine C
Love.