(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.
Tissue Shoulders
The Maccabees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when you cry
Just try and find some perfect stranger with the tissue shoulders on
'Cos I know the score and it's hard when it's her your crying for
Never go on your own, never go
But when you go
'Cos I've been here before and it's hard when it's her your crying for
So take her and lay her in the ground
I'll be here waiting so patiently not making a song
Don't want to lie alone
I'll find another with a shoestring love heart thong
The Maccabees’ song, Tissue Shoulders, is a poignant reminder that we don't have to go through difficult moments all by ourselves. The lyrics advise that we should never cry on our own and that when we do, we should try and find a stranger with "tissue shoulders," someone to lean on and share our pain with. The singer notes that he knows how hard it is to cry for someone we deeply care about - maybe a lover, a family member or a friend - and so he encourages us to seek caring support in others.
The second stanza advises us never to go on our own, but rather with "someone or other with the GPS turned on." This could mean finding someone who knows the way or is able to guide us through a difficult situation. Here, too, the singer acknowledges that he has experienced the challenges of being alone and so he offers this advice to others. The lines "So take her and lay her in the ground, I'll be here waiting so patiently not making a sound" could suggest a loss or a parting of ways. The singer may be encouraging us to move on with our lives, to embrace change and new beginnings, and that he will be there waiting for us when we need him.
Overall, The Maccabees' song, Tissue Shoulders, portrays the importance of being there for one another through tough times. It encourages us to seek out support, companionship, and guidance when we need it most. The lyrics are relatable and speak to the human experience of dealing with loss, despair, and heartbreak. The harmonies of the song create an atmosphere of melancholy and nostalgia, making it a powerful and evocative piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Never cry on your own, never cry
Don't deal with your pain alone, don't cry without seeking support
But when you cry
However, if you find yourself crying
Just try and find some perfect stranger with the tissue shoulders on
Look for someone who can offer you comfort, who could be a complete stranger, and who doesn't mind you crying on them
'Cos I know the score and it's hard when it's her you're crying for
I can empathize with you because I've been in the same situation, it's difficult when you're crying over someone you love
Never go on your own, never go
Don't face your problems alone, don't choose to be isolated
But when you go
But, if you're going anyway
Just try to find someone or other with the GPS turned on
Look for someone who knows the way, who can guide you or at least give you direction
'Cos I've been here before and it's hard when it's her you're crying for
Because I've been in your shoes before, I understand how hard it is to cope with the pain of losing someone you care for
So take her and lay her in the ground
So let her go and bury her, as in a funeral
I'll be here waiting so patiently not making a song
I'll be waiting here, giving you space to heal, not making a fuss or bothering you with a song or anything else
Don't want to lie alone
I don't want to be alone, I want to connect with others
I'll find another with a shoestring love heart thong
I'll look for another romantic partner with whom I could share my life, my love, and my happiness
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