(2) The Maccabees (2002-2016) were an indie rock band from London, UK. The line-up consisted of Orlando Weeks (vocals), Hugo White (guitar), Felix White (guitar, vocals), Rupert Jarvis (bass) and Sam Doyle (drums), who replaced Robert Dylan Thomas. Weeks stated once that the band came up with the name by flicking through the Bible and picking out a random word. Despite adopting a name with religious connotations, he affirmed that none of the band are religious.
Debuting in 2004 with the You Make Noise I Make Sandwiches EP (released on Haircut Records), they released their first single X-Ray on Promise Records on November 28, 2005. Receiving just little significant exposure - some evening play on XFM London radio station - the band however scored a minor indie hit with their second post-punk influenced single Latchmere released in April 2006 on Fierce Panda Records.
Then inking a deal with the Polydor imprint (and former home of The Cure) Fiction Records the bands first studio album, Colour It In, was released on May 4, 2007 .
To date (late September 2007) they have released three (widely available) singles from the album (First Love, About Your Dress and Precious Time) with a fourth and final single Toothpaste Kisses released on October 8, 2007.
On May 4, 2009 the band released Wall of Arms, their second album. Preceded by the single Love You Better on April 27th. Markus Dravs, who collaborated in the past with artists such as Björk, Arcade Fire and Coldplay, produced the album. The album has been recorded in various cities including Liverpool and Paris, unlike their first long-player which was recorded in "dribs and drabs" like frontman Orlando Weeks said.
On January 9, 2012 the Maccabees released Given To The Wild, their third album. The band worked on the album at both Rockfield Studios in Wales and their rehearsal space in London's Elephant and Castle district, before decamping to Suffolk to finish the record.
Marks to Prove It, their last album, was released in 2015.
Official Website
Guitarist Felix White was initially in a band called Jack's Basement with fellow friend Jack Peñate. Felix and Hugo White are brothers, along with Will White, who is the frontman of another band called Talk Taxis. Former drummer Robert Dylan Thomas left the band in 2008.
All In Your Rows
The Maccabees Lyrics
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Reasoning for losses
You learn right from wrong
Then you write the book yourself
Right the wrongs you know,
But then you're all in your rows
All in your rows
All in your rows
All in your row-oh-ohs
Domination fading with war-torn tradition
Picking holes in holy
And in blinkered vision
You left us standing with no understanding
There's no give
There's no give
And then you're all in your rows
All in your rows
All in your row-oh-ohs
All in your rows
All in your row-oh-ohs
City-scape and country-side
We've got local boys, they're going nationwide
So here's your church and here's your steeple
And you're locking your doors to keep in all the people
Let them go
The lyrics of The Maccabees's song All In Your Rows highlight themes of conformity, individuality, and tradition. The first verse speaks of the idea of learning right from wrong and then writing the book yourself, essentially taking control of your own life and decisions. However, despite this effort, the chorus emphasizes that we often end up all in our rows, conforming to societal norms and expectations. The second verse delves into the consequences of blindly adhering to tradition, such as domination and a lack of understanding. The final verse brings in the idea of community, and the tension between including and excluding others.
The lyrics speak to the idea that we are all individuals with the power to choose our own paths, yet we often fall into patterns of conformity and tradition. The repetition of "all in your rows" highlights this theme and serves as a reminder of the danger of blindly following others without questioning. The references to "stars and crosses" and "picking holes in holy" point to a critical examination of religion and its societal influence. The final verse touches on the idea of inclusivity and how fear can often lead to exclusion.
Line by Line Meaning
So it's stars and crosses
The symbols of different beliefs and ideologies are at play here
Reasoning for losses
Attempting to understand the things that cause us damage by examining the outcomes
You learn right from wrong
Lessons of morality can guide our decision-making
Then you write the book yourself
After much thought, you can make your own rules and guides for living
Right the wrongs you know,
It is important to correct injustice where it already exists
But then you're all in your rows
Despite the potential for individual perspectives, people tend to stick to their own groups and ideas
Domination fading with war-torn tradition
The pursuit of power is becoming less significant in the face of violence
Picking holes in holy
Examining and questioning belief systems and traditions
And in blinkered vision
Narrow or limited perspectives can prevent understanding
You left us standing with no understanding
We have been left with a lack of comprehension, likely due to an inability to consider alternative viewpoints
There's no give
There is no willingness to compromise or negotiate, perpetuating conflict
And then you're all in your rows
People still retreat to their respective groups and ways of thinking even when it is not conducive to progress or resolution
City-scape and country-side
Different places and environments have different experiences and perspectives
We've got local boys, they're going nationwide
Individuals from small communities can still have a significant impact on a larger scale
So here's your church and here's your steeple
People have their own beliefs and institutions that they hold close
And you're locking your doors to keep in all the people
People can become isolated within their own communities, not allowing outside ideas or experiences to enter
Let them go
It is important to break out of these patterns and allow for diversity and new ideas to be heard and embraced
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FELIX WHITE, HUGO WHITE, ORLANDO THOMAS PENHALE WEEKS, ROBERT DYLAN THOMAS, SHEPHERD RUPERT ALEXANDER J. JARVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind