(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.
Lego
The Maccabees Lyrics
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And dad loves the church
Hallelujah
And the boys chew lego
So now we cant build castles or robots
Cause the pieces wont fit together
Look left and look right, crossing roads whilst holding hands
And we'll hold on, and we'll hold on
Only one where once stood four
And closest to the kitchen floor
Family favorite
And the day we learnt
That screaming are we there yet
Doesn't get you there any faster
Look left and look right, crossing roads whilst holding hands
Look left and look right, crossing roads whilst holding hands
And we'll hold on, and we'll hold on
Cross the roads and say goodbye
Cross the road there wasn't a dry eye
You cross the road and say goodbye
Wasn't a dry eye, cross the road wasn't
A dry eye, wasn't a dry eye
The Maccabees' "Lego" portrays a sentimental contrast between childhood innocence and adult realities, as the band reminisces about growing up and their family dynamics. The song begins with the lyrics "Mum said no to Disneyland, and dad loves the church," hinting at their parents' values and perspectives. The following line, "Hallelujah," potentially echoes the undertone of sarcasm, as if the singer is acknowledging that their parents' choices, while respectable, possibly contributed to the family's dysfunctions.
The second verse mentions the boys chewing lego, negatively affecting their ability to build castles and robots. This line highlights the loss of innocence that comes with growing up and leaving behind childhood pleasures. The line "And closest to the kitchen floor, family favorite" is also indicative of the complexity of family dynamics, hinting at a bittersweet preference or allegiance within the family.
Line by Line Meaning
Mum said no to Disneyland
Our mother wouldn't let us go to Disneyland.
And dad loves the church
Our father is devoted to the church.
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord.
And the boys chew lego
My brothers chew on Lego blocks.
So now we cant build castles or robots
We can't create castles or robots with Lego anymore.
Cause the pieces wont fit together
The pieces don't fit together anymore because of the chewing.
Look left and look right, crossing roads whilst holding hands
Looking both ways before crossing the street with someone else.
And we'll hold on, and we'll hold on
We will hold onto each other.
Only one where once stood four
One of us is missing where four of us once stood.
And closest to the kitchen floor
The missing person was closest to the kitchen floor.
Family favorite
They were a family favorite.
And the day we learnt
The day we learned.
That screaming are we there yet
Yelling 'are we there yet?'
Doesn't get you there any faster
Does not make the journey any shorter.
Cross the roads and say goodbye
Crossing the street and saying farewell.
Cross the road there wasn't a dry eye
There were tears when we crossed the road.
You cross the road and say goodbye
We say goodbye as we cross the street.
Wasn't a dry eye, cross the road wasn't
We were emotional when we crossed the road.
A dry eye, wasn't a dry eye
There were tears, nobody was unaffected.
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