(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.
No Kind Words
The Maccabees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Broke from tradition
Broken his vision of the future
Alone, alone, alone
Not alone at all
Dear friend of mine is testing his body
Testing water with another's daughter
Alone, alone, alone
Not alone at all
Dear friend of mine, my ear is bending
I'm not helping, I'm not telling, I'm not solving
I'm not saying you're pretending
Alone, alone, alone
Not alone at all
Alone, alone, alone
Not alone at all
Dear friend of mine is helpless without helping
Healed without scab or scar
New union found him alone
Alone, alone, alone
Not alone at all
Alone, alone, alone
Not alone at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
Carry no weight, let the weight carry you
If you've got no kind words to say
Carry no weight, let the weight carry you
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
The song "No Kind Words" by The Maccabees tells the story of a friend who has broken away from tradition and is testing his limits by getting involved with someone else's daughter. The singer is aware of his friend's actions but is not offering help or advice. The friend is healing from a broken union and has found a new partnership. However, he is still alone and struggling despite his newfound love.
The chorus reminds us that if we don't have any kind words to say, we're better off saying nothing at all. This line implies that our words have power and can either heal or hurt, so it's best to be mindful of what we say.
Overall, the song presents a complex web of emotions - loneliness, fear, doubt, concern, and love. It shows us that relationships can be complicated, and even when we try to move on, we can still be haunted by our past.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear friend of mine has broken his union
A close friend has separated from a long-standing commitment
Broke from tradition
They deviated from customary practices
Broken his vision of the future
Their perception of the future has been lost
Alone, alone, alone
The feeling of loneliness is overwhelming
Not alone at all
Despite the feeling of loneliness, there is always someone there for support
Dear friend of mine is testing his body
The same close friend is putting themselves in physical danger
Tempting disaster
They are knowingly taking risks that could be harmful
Testing water with another's daughter
They are being unfaithful and cheating on their partner with another person's daughter
Dear friend of mine, my ear is bending
The friend is confiding in the artist
I'm not helping, I'm not telling, I'm not solving
The artist is listening but not providing any solutions or help
I'm not saying you're pretending
The singer is not accusing their friend of faking or exaggerating their problems
Dear friend of mine is helpless without helping
The friend is unable to help themselves and needs assistance
Healed without scab or scar
The friend has recovered without any visible signs of improvement
New union found him alone
The friend has entered into a new relationship, but still feels lonely
If you've got no kind words to say
If you don't have anything nice to say
You should say nothing more at all
It's better to remain silent than to say something unkind
Carry no weight, let the weight carry you
Don't burden yourself with negativity; let it go and move forward
Contributed by Zachary S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
brucopera
Dear friend of mine has,
Broken his union
Broke from tradition
Broken his vision of the future
Alone, Alone, Alone
Not alone at all
Dear friend of mine is,
Testing his body
Tempting disaster, testing water
With another's daughter
Alone alone, Alone
Not alone at all
Dear friend of mine my,
Ear is bending
I'm not helping, I'm not telling
I'm not solving, I'm not saying you're pretending
Alone, Alone, Alone
Not alone at all
Alone, Alone, Alone
Not alone at all
Dear friend of mine is
Helpless without helping
Heal without scabs or scaring
In union fountain.
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
If you've got no kind words to say
You should say nothing more at all
Samuel Powell
I remember buying this album, amazing from start to finish, my music producer friend in high school used to show me all these great bands but this is one of the first bands I showed him I'm proud to say, their music still gives me chills, my friend has just released a brand new banging indie track, try searching Lonely Gimmick - Beaches, brings back nostalgic indie memoires well worth checking out
Mavissing!
2019, 10 years past and this music still sounds like the present and the future of real music.
Beker Jasiel Cortez
This is a perfect band
Elena Katrina
SO SO TRUE! We miss them so!
Nika Chan
11 now
Paul Taylor
The guitar is very much of its time, and very nice. In my opinion.
Mavissing!
2022, still coming here and listening to this brilliant piece of art. lets see if I come here in 2025 but I'm sure I will
Andrew Quinn
One of the most underrated songs of all time
Jana Slobodová
"if you've got no kind words to say...you should say nothing more at all"
Maccabees are one of those "fine wine" bands...getting better and better with age.
White Bezi
+Jana Slobodová so are u