(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.
River Song
The Maccabees Lyrics
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Hoping on hope that he'd see you again
Place he first met you the twist of your figure
The turn of your head just the same
Nothing's forgotten it's cold for the autumn
Decided to hide from the rain
You say you won't forgive him
But go back to his just the same
Your friends have all warned you, he's no good for you
The truth is we've all done the same
You're not getting any younger
Soldier on for another year
Tell yourself you're getting wiser
The truth is we've all done the same
You're not getting any younger
Soldier on for another year
Tell yourself you're getting wiser
The truth is we've all done the same
The Maccabees's song "River Song" starts by mentioning the capital's river, hinting at the setting being in London. The singer is returning to the place where he first met someone and is hoping to see them again. The description of the person is vivid, highlighting the twist of their figure and the turn of their head. Despite the nostalgic tone, things have changed as it's now cold for autumn, and the singer is hiding from the rain. In the second verse, there's a sense of tension as the person throws a drink at someone who they won't forgive but still goes back to. The singer acknowledges that the person's friends have warned them that this person is no good, but there's a sense of acceptance that we've all done the same thing.
The chorus brings the message home that we're all getting older and need to soldier on for another year, convincing ourselves that we're getting wiser when the truth is we've all made similar mistakes. The song ends on a reflective note, with the singer acknowledging that despite the passing of time, some things never change.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to the water the capital's river
Returning to the same spot by the city's river where he first encountered someone important
Hoping on hope that he'd see you again
Desperately wishing to reconnect with that person
Place he first met you the twist of your figure
The exact location where he met that person is still imprinted in his mind
The turn of your head just the same
The memory of how that person looked back then is still vivid
Nothing's forgotten it's cold for the autumn
The nostalgia is still strong, but the reality of the present is harsh and unforgiving
Decided to hide from the rain
Choosing to avoid the unpleasantness and discomfort of facing the truth
You say you won't forgive him
Vowing to never forgive someone who has wronged you
You throw your drink at him
Expressing anger and frustration towards that person
But go back to his just the same
Despite the negativity, still being drawn back to that person
Your friends have all warned you, he's no good for you
Others have noticed the unhealthy relationship and advised against it
The truth is we've all done the same
Acknowledging that everyone has made poor choices in love and relationships
You're not getting any younger
Time is passing and life is short
Soldier on for another year
Keep going and pushing forward despite the challenges
Tell yourself you're getting wiser
Rationalizing and finding comfort in the idea of personal growth and learning from past mistakes
The truth is we've all done the same
Reiterating that everyone experiences the same struggles and doubts in life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FELIX WHITE, HUGO WHITE, ORLANDO THOMAS WEEKS, RUPERT ALEXANDER JARVIS SHEPHERD, SAM DOYLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind