Gwenno and Ani Saunders were singers in the group with Gwenno occasionally taking to the keyboard.
The Pipettes, at that time consisting of Julia Clark-Lowes, Rose Elinor Dougall, and Becki Stephens and their backing band, The Cassette, formed at a seaside party in Brighton in 2003 and entertained audiences with their trademark polka dot dresses, doowop anthems and choreographed hand movements.
Their first major single, Dirty Mind, reached #61 in the UK singles charts with the follow-up, Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me, reaching #35 in April 2006. Their album, We Are the Pipettes, was released on 17th July including the new single, Pull Shapes which reached #26 in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart, after being released on 3rd July. We Are the Pipettes reached #41 in the album charts after its first week of release. Judy was the 4th single to be released from We Are the Pipettes; it failed to reach the UK Top 40, coming in at #46. However, it did reach #1 on the Indie Chart.
In 2005, The Pipettes completed successful headline tours in the UK and Europe, as well as high-profile support slots with The Magic Numbers, Graham Coxon, British Sea Power and The Go! Team, that has won them fans in high places including Radio One DJ Huw Stephens, and Radio 2's Mark Radcliffe.
A very small tour of America took place in early 2007; every show played was sold-out, culminating in six successful showcases at SXSW 2007. A tour of the UK and Europe in April and May 2007 was followed by a tour across north america, coinciding with the release of the EP Your Kisses are Wasted on Me in the US which reached #5. Through summer 2007 they played a number of festivals in Europe and Japan. October saw a tour of North America, although delayed by visa difficulties, along with the US launch of We Are The Pipettes, including two new songs. A Japanese launch followed with a Japanese tour in December, and 2008 was seen in by the band with a mini-tour in Australia.
In February 2008, Gwenno and Becki appeared at several events without Rose, namely a DJ set in Glasgow and three gigs with Mark Ronson in Brighton and London, leading to speculation that he would be producing their second album.
On April 18th 2008, The Pipettes announced the departure of Rose and Becki, meaning that the group now featured none of the original singers. They were replaced with Ani (Gwenno's sister) and a BRIT School graduate, Anna McDonald. They also reported they were currently demoing twenty to twenty-five new songs with a view to recording their second album in the summer of 2008.
The new lineup made its debut at Corsa Presents Bandstand with Mark Ronson on May 3rd 2008. The band performed Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling).
On November 12th 2008, the band announced another departure; this time of Anna, who had only been in the band for seven months. Anna's unexpected decision to leave and concentrate on her songwriting meant the band had to cancel their appearance at Sŵn Festival.
On February 11th 2009, the band posted a video blog on their website to introduce the newest Pipette, Beth Mburu-Bowie. With Beth, they are currently finishing work on their second album.
Previous members of the band include Julia Clark-Lowes (now of The Indelicates), Rose Elinor Dougall, Becki Stephens, Joe van Moyland (now of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong) and Anna McDonald.
http://www.thepipettes.co.uk
History
The Pipettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They all seem to happen without you
And I went on livin' on and we're dancing so strong
To the beat in the club where the party's goin' on
All the questions that you asked while you're grooving too fast
Ahead of the time
So there's chances that you take and there's chances that you make up
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
It's just history and that's what it will always be
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
And no one needs to know that we've got nothing to show
Oh, oh
Stop, it's all over
Boy, don't want any of your toys, just stop that game
I'm not playing with your heart
But we could be the start to end all of your ways
All the questions that you asked
While you're grooving too fast
And now you're just part of everything
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
It's just history and that's what it will always be
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
And no one needs to know that we've got nothing to show
Really, boy, you're nothing to me
I'm just playin' games, now can't you see?
That time is goin' on and there's no place for you
'Cause it's happening, happening, happening to me
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
It's just history and that's what it will always be
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
And no one needs to know that we've got nothing to show
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
It's just history and that's what it will always be
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
And no one needs to know that we've got nothing to show
Oh, oh
The Pipettes's "History" is a striking and powerful song that deals with heartbreak, moving on, and the inevitability of change. The song begins by reflecting on plans and dreams that never manifested, all without the presence of one particular person. Despite this, the singer continues to live their life and dance their heart out to the beat in a club. The lyrics suggest that time marches on even when people don't stick around for the journey.
The song then switches to a more introspective tone, focusing on the choices people make and how they end up defining them. The lyrics emphasize that people can take chances or make up their own, and ultimately it all leads to the same outcome. The repetition of "It's just history" underscores the idea that no matter what choices we make, time will pass and the past will become exactly that- history. The song ends with a definitive statement that the subject is history, and there's nothing left to show for them.
Line by Line Meaning
See all of things that we were gonna do
Reflecting on plans that were made and never came to fruition.
They all seem to happen without you
Acknowledging the singer's absence from events that went on as planned.
And I went on livin' on and we're dancing so strong
Life continued, and the singer found joy in dancing and partying.
To the beat in the club where the party's goin' on
Enjoying the nightlife and the atmosphere of the social scene.
All the questions that you asked while you're grooving too fast
Noticing that the other person had a lot of questions while moving quickly through life.
Ahead of the time
Being innovative or progressive, potentially before their time.
So there's chances that you take and there's chances that you make up
Taking risks and making opportunities for themselves.
In the end, you're just fine
Despite the uncertainty and risk-taking, everything works out in the end.
It's just history, there's nothing left of you and me
Acknowledging the past relationship as over and seemingly insignificant.
And that's what it will always be
Accepting that the past cannot be changed or recreated.
And no one needs to know that we've got nothing to show
Realizing that there is no need to prove anything to others and that the relationship may not have had anything concrete to show for it.
Stop, it's all over
Ending the relationship and moving on.
Boy, don't want any of your toys, just stop that game
Rejecting any potential manipulation or games in the relationship.
I'm not playing with your heart
Asserting the singer's own sincerity in the relationship.
But we could be the start to end all of your ways
Acknowledging that the relationship may have been a catalyst for the other person to change their negative behavior patterns.
And now you're just part of everything
The other person has become just another part of the artist's past and life story.
Really, boy, you're nothing to me
The artist no longer holds any emotional attachment to the other person.
I'm just playin' games, now can't you see?
Admitting to playing games with the other person and not being serious about the relationship.
That time is goin' on and there's no place for you
Realizing that time moves forward, and there is no longer a place for the other person in the singer's life.
'Cause it's happening, happening, happening to me
Acknowledging that time and life continue to progress and there is no stopping it.
Contributed by Liam K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.