(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.
Child
The Maccabees Lyrics
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Would you give this time of day
You would take it from the shadows
And you give it another name
But now it's all that's left
And though it awful gentle takes you
It's a weight I wouldn't wish upon
And I wish I wouldn't have to wait
Now it's all that's left
Never as a child
Now it's so vivid
Given to the wild
While the ways of a child
Are whiled away, whiled away
The Maccabees' song "Child" is a haunting and introspective exploration of the harsh realities of life and the way that they impact us as we grow up. The first verse speaks to the idea that as children, we are often shielded from the harsher aspects of life, but as we get older, we are forced to confront them head-on. The singer laments that what was once simply a shadowy presence in their life has now taken on a much greater significance, and that they cannot help but be impacted by it. The second verse continues this exploration of life's harsher realities, with the singer acknowledging that while these things may come gently or slowly, they nonetheless leave an indelible mark on us all. The weight of these experiences is something that the singer wishes they could forget or ignore, but they are unable to do so.
Overall, "Child" is a deeply emotional and introspective song that speaks to the idea that none of us can escape life's harsher realities. Whether we face them head-on or try to ignore them, they will always be a part of us in some way.
Line by Line Meaning
Never as a child
Back when you were young
Would you give this time of day
You wouldn't even acknowledge this
You would take it from the shadows
You would sneak it away from hidden places
And you give it another name
You would rename it something else
But now it's all that's left
But now this is all we have
And though it awful gentle takes you
And although it takes you away so slowly and gently
And it awful slowly leaves
And it slowly starts to fade away
It's a weight I wouldn't wish upon
It's a burden I wouldn't want to put on anyone
And I wish I wouldn't have to wait
And I wish I didn't have to wait for this to be over
Now it's all that's left
Now this is all we have
Never as a child
Back when you were young
Now it's so vivid
Now it's so clear and apparent
Given to the wild
Left out in the open
While the ways of a child
While the innocence of a child
Are whiled away, whiled away
Slowly fades away
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FELIX WHITE, HUGO WHITE, ORLANDO THOMAS WEEKS, RUPERT ALEXANDER JARVIS SHEPHERD, SAM DOYLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind