(2) The Maccabees (2002-2016, 2024-present) are 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. The band announced that they decided to disband in August 2016, with farewell gigs in 2017.
On 25 October 2024, it was announced that the band were reuniting.
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.
Went Away
The Maccabees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dirty toes un-showered
Unholy sight the state of you
And every sign that you're wired again
Just look at you in the trolley line
Wild eyed you're still flying
A little less and a little moreIn the middle ground is still miles away
So hold me close don't let me go
I need you so
Tell me something I don't know
That I need to know
Hold those arms around my neck
I need you so
Somewhere sunk behind those eyes
A man I've always known
And if you go to sea again
We'll see it out to horizons
To see it all it's a little late
And better never but it's happening
So hold me close don't let me go
I need you so
Somewhere sunk behind those eyes
A man I've always known
That never went away
Hold me close don't let me go
I need you
The Maccabees's song Went Away is a poignant reflection of a person's intense love for someone who is struggling with addiction. The beginning of the song portrays the physical decline of the addicted individual, with references to their appearance, such as "slimmer lines" and "dirty toes un-showered". The lyrics also suggest that the person has relapsed, with "every sign that you're wired again" indicating that they have returned to using drugs or alcohol. The singer acknowledges how unsettling this sight is, referring to it as "unholy".
As the song continues, the singer tries to connect with their loved one, asking them to stay close and not leave them. The line "somewhere sunk behind those eyes, a man I've always known" shows that despite the addiction, the singer believes that the person they love is still there. They are asking for the person's true self to emerge and for them to come back to themselves. The line "that never went away" is deliberately ambiguous, but it could be interpreted to mean either the love the singer has for the person or the person's true self that they believe has not been lost, despite the addiction. The singer's plea for information they do not know encourages the person to open up and share what is happening, even though it may be uncomfortable or difficult.
Overall, Went Away is a tender and compassionate portrayal of the battle against addiction, and the struggle to hold onto love through it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at you with slimmer lines
Observing your physical appearance with a critical eye, noticing your weight loss.
Dirty toes un-showered
Noticing and commenting on your lack of personal hygiene, with unclean feet.
Unholy sight the state of you
Commenting on your overall disheveled and unkempt appearance, looking like a mess.
And every sign that you're wired again
Perceiving that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, noticing your erratic behavior.
Just look at you in the trolley line
Examining you while waiting in line at the grocery store, observing your behavior.
Wild eyed you're still flying
Noticing your wild, drug-induced eyes, indicating that you are still under the influence.
A little less and a little more
Commenting on the amount of drugs that you are taking, noticing variations in your behavior.
In the middle ground is still miles away
Referring to the possibility of finding balance or stability, recognizing that it is unlikely at this point.
So hold me close don't let me go
Asking for physical closeness and support, seeking comfort from the other person.
I need you so
Emphasizing the depth of the need for the other person's support and love.
Tell me something I don't know
Asking for new information or insights that may help with the current situation or provide hope.
That I need to know
Clarifying that the information or insight must be relevant or useful in some way.
Hold those arms around my neck
Requesting physical contact and a hug, seeking emotional connection and comfort.
Somewhere sunk behind those eyes
Noticing that there is something deeper or more meaningful behind the person's gaze, recognizing there is more to them than their current state.
A man I've always known
Reflecting on the person's true self that the singer has always known, beyond their current struggles.
And if you go to sea again
Referring to the possibility of the person relapsing or struggling with addiction again.
We'll see it out to horizons
Committing to supporting the person through their struggles, no matter how challenging or difficult.
To see it all it's a little late
Recognizing that it may be too late to fully recover from the addiction or struggle, but still being willing to support.
And better never but it's happening
Acknowledging that it may have been better if the person had never struggled with addiction or other issues, but recognizing that it is happening and committing to support.
That never went away
Reflecting on the true self of the person that has always been there, despite their struggles or addiction.
Hold me close don't let me go
Reiterating the need for physical and emotional support from the other person.
I need you
Emphasizing once again the depth of the need for the other person's love and support.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FELIX WHITE, HUGO WHITE, ORLANDO THOMAS WEEKS, RUPERT ALEXANDER JARVIS SHEPHERD, SAM DOYLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nowitssovivid1273
I'll miss this band.
@apoveda9
Now It's So Vivid I don't think my life keep beeing the same without them 😪 so really sad
@durdy911
Them and Anberlin. Hard to absorb the loss. The way their music inspires, and the feelings summoned. great full for the past 14 years of their music and Anberlin.
@hearditman
Just wait for the re-union tour in a couple of years!
@antoniomanuelcruzlopez7482
Pero su legado sigue,escuchando sus canciones es como si siguieran juntos!!!
@moanteq6724
What happened to them?!?!?!?
@AnnaMichell98
I swear this isn't "just a song". It really gets me into this nostalgic and melancholic atmosphere.
This is, by far, my favorite song from Given To The Wild. I really feel my love for this song strengthens each time I listen to it.
@elleari89
This song has a special place in my heart. I went away for the first time, to an entirely new culture, for 3months. I was alone and overwhelmed. This song brought me peace
@saulibus1
Peacd
@butisabella
This song, this album, this band <3