(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.
Mary
The Maccabees Lyrics
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As she's walking out of the laundromat
Down the street and it's the short way home
Feeling special cause she's so alone
But we know:
(The world's full of lonely people)
And it shows
(The world's full of lonely people)
Eats her dinner on the kitchen floor
Writes a poem and turns the radio on
Every singer sings the same old song
And it goes:
(The world's full of lonely people)
And it shows
(The world's full of lonely people)
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
But at least, I was around
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
At least, I was around
Mary Ellen makes the moment count
As she's looking through old photographs
Pictures taken from an early age
Faces look back at her from the page
And they say
(The world's full of lonely people)
It's ok
(The world's full of lonely people)
It's ok
(The world's full of lonely people)
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
But at least, I was around
I was around
I was around
I was around
Mary Ellen makes the moment count
The song "Mary" by The Maccabees explores the theme of loneliness through the character of Mary, a woman who is feeling isolated and disconnected from the world around her. The opening of the song sees Mary crying out "for the love of God" as she walks out of a laundromat and heads home. She feels special for being alone, but the lyrics suggest that loneliness is a common experience. The repeated refrain "the world's full of lonely people" emphasizes the universality of this feeling.
As Mary returns home, she eats dinner on the kitchen floor and writes a poem while listening to the radio. The lyrics suggest that she is seeking some sort of human connection through art and music. However, the repetition of "every singer sings the same old song" suggests that these attempts to alleviate loneliness are ultimately futile. The singer of the song, who may be a romantic partner of Mary's, reflects on the fact that she sometimes wears her emotions on her sleeve and tries to bring him down. Despite this, he is grateful to be around and present for her.
Later in the song, a new character is introduced: Mary Ellen. She is looking through old photographs and reflecting on the people in her life. The repeated refrain "it's ok" suggests that she is coming to terms with the fact that loneliness is a common experience. The song ends with the line "Mary Ellen makes the moment count," implying that she is finding meaning and connection in spite of her loneliness.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the human experience of loneliness and the search for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary cries out: "for the love of God"
Mary is expressing her emotions out loud, crying for help and seeking comfort from God.
As she's walking out of the laundromat
Mary is leaving the laundromat after doing her laundry.
Down the street and it's the short way home
Mary is taking the shortest route to get back home.
Feeling special cause she's so alone
Although Mary is alone, she still feels special about herself.
But we know:
The following lines explain the reality of the situation.
(The world's full of lonely people)
There are many other people like Mary, feeling lonely and seeking love and companionship.
And it shows
This feeling of loneliness is present all around us, it's evident.
She shrugs her coat off and unlocks the door
Mary enters her home and takes off her coat, unlocking the door.
Eats her dinner on the kitchen floor
Mary eats her dinner on the floor of her kitchen.
Writes a poem and turns the radio on
Mary expresses her feelings in the form of a poem and turns on the radio to listen to music.
Every singer sings the same old song
The songs she hears on the radio are all about love and relationships, nothing new or different.
But when we she wanted me to go
Mary is referring to a past relationship.
She just had to let it show
The other person didn't need to say anything, Mary already knew that they wanted her to leave.
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
The other person would try and make Mary feel bad in order to get her to leave.
She just wore it on her sleeve
The other person was open about their feelings towards Mary, wearing their emotions on their sleeve.
But at least, I was around
Despite the other person's behavior, Mary was still present in the relationship.
Mary Ellen makes the moment count
The focus now shifts to another Mary, Mary Ellen.
As she's looking through old photographs
Mary Ellen is looking through her old photos and reminiscing.
Pictures taken from an early age
The photos are from her childhood or younger years.
Faces look back at her from the page
The people in the photos seem to be staring back at her.
And they say
This line is a metaphorical reference to the memories and emotions attached to the photos.
(The world's full of lonely people)
Just like Mary, everyone has their own struggles with loneliness.
It's ok
Despite the struggles, everything will be alright.
But at least, I was around
Once again, Mary Ellen is grateful for the people she has in her life, despite the struggles they all face.
I was around
Mary Ellen reiterates that she was present for those people, making sure she was there for them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SHEPHERD RUPERT ALEXANDER J. JARVIS, ROBERT DYLAN THOMAS, ORLANDO THOMAS PENHALE WEEKS, FELIX WHITE, HUGO WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind