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.
Once
The Long Blondes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh you don't need a boyfriend
Nineteen, you're only nineteen for God's sake
Oh you don't need a boyfriend
Look what he's made you do to your arm again
He said he'd come home but he's gone out with his friends
And I know how it feels to be your age
Another drama by the kitchen sink tonight
You said you'd cut yourself whilst washing up the knives
Another week off school won't do you any good
And I know how it feels to be your age
Nineteen, you're only nineteen for God's sake
Oh you don't need a boyfriend
Nineteen, you're only nineteen for God's sake
Oh you don't need a boyfriend
Come out with me and find out what you really want
Come out with me you'll only have to do it once
'Cause I know what it feels like to be your age
You only have to do it once
And never again
Another drama by the kitchen sink tonight
You said you'd cut yourself whilst washing up the knives
Another week off school won't do you any good
I know how it feels to be your age
You know I'm not so young
I spend an hour getting ready every day
And still I end up looking more or less the same
But I could show you
A thing or two
Oh I could show you the ropes
Yes I could show you the ropes
And I would cut my hair for you
'Cause I know how it feels
I know how it feels to be your age
I know how it feels to be your age
Oh how I'd love to feel a girl your age
Your age
Once and never again
The Long Blondes's "Once and Never Again" is a poignant song that speaks to the struggles of being a young woman. The song's chorus repeats the lyrical phrase "Nineteen, you're only nineteen for God's sake / Oh you don't need a boyfriend," which highlights the societal pressures that young women often face. The song's narrator is speaking to a young woman who is going through a difficult time, likely due to a problematic romantic relationship, as evidenced by the line "Look what he's made you do to your arm again / He said he'd come home but he's gone out with his friends."
The song portrays a sense of empathy for the young woman's struggles, with lines such as "And I know how it feels to be your age / And feel the world is caving in." The singer tries to offer the young woman some guidance, suggesting that they go out and find out what she really wants. The song's title, "Once and Never Again," implies that the singer understands that this kind of pain and heartache is not something that one should experience more than once.
Overall, "Once and Never Again" is a powerful song that speaks to the experiences of young women trying to navigate the complexities of relationships and societal expectations. It offers a message of hope and empowerment, encouraging the listener to find their own way and not rely on others for their sense of worth.
Line by Line Meaning
Nineteen, you're only nineteen for God's sake
You are very young, you have a long way to go in life.
Oh you don't need a boyfriend
Do not let boys distract you from reaching your full potential.
Look what he's made you do to your arm again
He is harming you and causing you pain.
He said he'd come home but he's gone out with his friends
He is not trustworthy and is breaking his promises to you.
And I know how it feels to be your age
I can empathize with your struggles and understand what you are going through.
Another drama by the kitchen sink tonight
Another argument or fight has occurred in your household.
You said you'd cut yourself whilst washing up the knives
You have harmed yourself while doing a simple task, which is concerning.
Another week off school won't do you any good
Skipping school is not productive and will not benefit you in the long run.
Come out with me and find out what you really want
Spend time with me and explore your options to figure out what you truly desire.
Come out with me you'll only have to do it once
Try something new with me, and if you don't enjoy it, you don't have to do it again.
You only have to do it once
Experimenting and trying new things can lead to learning experiences, but you don't have to keep repeating anything that doesn't suit you.
And never again
If something does not feel right, there is no need to repeat it.
You know I'm not so young
I am also not a teenager anymore, but I can still relate to you.
I spend an hour getting ready every day
I put in effort to look nice, but it doesn't always work out.
And still I end up looking more or less the same
Despite my efforts, my appearance may not change much.
But I could show you a thing or two
I have some knowledge and experience that I can pass on to you.
Oh I could show you the ropes
I can teach you about certain things in life that you may not know much about.
And I would cut my hair for you
I care about you and am willing to make a sacrifice for your benefit.
'Cause I know how it feels
I understand the struggles of being your age and can offer you support.
Oh how I'd love to feel a girl your age
I wish I could experience being a teenager again and help you navigate through it.
Your age
The age that you are at now, which is a significant time in your life.
Once and never again
Try new things, but don't feel pressure to repeat anything that doesn't work out for you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eran Edry
I absolutely hate how they never got the break they needed and so very much deserved. Been years since a solid, female-fronted indie band has come out of the UK and The Long Blondes so should have led the revival.
sodapop
i miss them
CaptainBlackBeak
Didn't help that Dorian was so ill bless him. Gutted I never got to see them live, had tickets twice but couldn't go. Remember seeing footage of an early gig on the "Scuzz" channel late at night about ten years ago an thought they were the absolute bees knees.
Andrew Bowden
Most underrated band of that era
Nick Spencer
Well since last hearing this track I've lived in 5 different houses, been married, divorced and turned 40! :') Love finding a great track randomly after not hearing the song in over 10 years! I'd forgotten how amazing Kate's voice and style were/are. Also I can now just say "Alexa, shuffle songs by The Long Blondes" Technology, gotta love it!
Keyboard Heroics
Fantastic song, they deserve to still be superstars if only the radio stations would have played it more back then.
Stu Mcadams
Brilliant band should have gotten a break for sure Kate Jacksons voice is wicked proper catchy tunes also.
Peter Syddall
Such a fabulous band that combined a new wave of post punk with pure pop nuances. They weren’t afraid to perform the music they wanted to play, purpose & melody with heavy links & influences to the underground scene of the 70’s in New York.
I totally agree.. (comment below) they dared to be bold & clearly took risks in their music style, highly admirable. I absolutely loved em & for everything they stood for 👊
goncack
This song is so wonderfully catchy. If only it had made it to more radio stations in North America, it could have become a huge hit.
Brigitte Phillips
I'm turning 20 tomorrow, listening to this to cheer myself up!