The Reindeer Section arose - according to Lightbody - out of a chance get-together of musicians at a Lou Barlow gig in Glasgow in 2001, at which Lightbody drunkenly laid down the challenge to others to "make an album together", to which everyone said "yeah yeah". Lightbody "went home and next day wrote the album" and later convinced Johnny Davies of Bright Star Recordings to fund a recording session and release the proposed album. The group met over three days of rehearsal and ten days of recording to produce the first album. The album, Y'All Get Scared Now, Ya Hear! was released with a mini tour, the first venue of which was Belfast's The Limelight venue.
A second album, Son of evil reindeer was released ten months after the critical acclaim of the first, with a slightly different line-up. The single, You Are My Joy appeared on US show, Grey's Anatomy, and on fourth season of US TV series Queer as Folk. The song Cartwheels appeared on "The Second Chance", an episode of The O.C.. The band's most recent gig was on 14 December 2002 at the Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow. The project has never officially split up, but from that time it has been considered in a hiatus.
Artists who contributed to the project so far are:
From Alfie: Ben Dumville, Lee Gorton and Sam Morris
From Arab Strap: Colin Macpherson, Malcolm Middleton and Aidan Moffat
From Astrid: William Campbell, Charlie Clarke, Neil Payne and Gareth Russell
From Belle & Sebastian: Richard Colburn, Mick Cooke and Bob Kildea
From Cadet: Iain Archer
From Eva: Jenny Reeve and Sarah Roberts
From Idlewild: Roddy Woomble
From Mogwai: John Cummings
From Mull Historical Society: Colin MacIntyre
From Snow Patrol: Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Jonny Quinn
From Teenage Fanclub: Norman Blake
From The Vaselines: Eugene Kelly
and Michael Bannister, Roy Kerr, Paul Fox, Marcus Mackay, Gill Mills and Stacie Sievewright.
Who Told You
The Reindeer Section Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should have seen it coming from miles down the road
But at the time we never think
That it might have been ourselves to blame at all
You shudder and beat your chest
But you'll never warm yourself up believe me
Where were you I'd made it through
Why do hearts break when we are on our own?
Just when you need to pump the life back in yourself
And why do earthquakes happen miles away?
When I only want the open ground to swallow me
Who told you I'd not come through?
Before I could speak to you in my defense
Who made you the righteous one?
When I'd only turned around for half an hour
Why do chalk lines tell an empty tale
Surely its bad enough to end up on the floor
And you can scratch your chin
And think you understand
And how can you know
What's going on inside my head?
Maybe I'm better off alive than in my bed
In The Reindeer Section's song "Who Told You," the lyrics explore the themes of self-awareness, personal accountability, and questioning others' judgments. The lines "It all makes sense now I've calmed down / I should have seen it coming from miles down the road" suggest that the singer is reflecting on a past situation that they didn't fully understand at the time, but can now see clearly. The chorus repeats the question "Who told you I'd not come through?" which implies that the singer is being judged or doubted by someone else. However, the lyrics also suggest that the singer is questioning why they're being judged in the first place, and whether the person doing the judging has any right to do so.
The lines "Why do hearts break when we are on our own? / Just when you need to pump the life back in yourself" suggest that the singer is dealing with heartbreak or some other kind of emotional turmoil. The second half of the chorus deepens this theme, with the line "Why do earthquakes happen miles away? / When I only want the open ground to swallow me." This line is a metaphor for feeling overwhelmed and wanting to disappear. However, the final line of the song, "Maybe I'm better off alive than in my bed," suggests that the singer hasn't given up hope entirely.
Overall, the lyrics of "Who Told You" convey a sense of introspection and vulnerability, as the singer grapples with difficult emotions and questions the judgments of others. They suggest that self-awareness and self-reflection are important for personal growth, but that it can be hard to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
It all makes sense now I've calmed down
After taking time to reflect and be less emotional, everything seems clearer and more understandable.
I should have seen it coming from miles down the road
Hindsight reveals that the problem was foreseeable and could have been avoided if proper attention was given.
But at the time we never think
During the moment of issue, one can become blind to potential outcomes and consequences.
That it might have been ourselves to blame at all
Sometimes the root of the issue may stem from one's own actions and mistakes rather than external factors.
You shudder and beat your chest
Reacting with fear or anxiety, feeling guilty about the situation.
But you'll never warm yourself up believe me
Even if one tries to escape the guilt or responsibility, it's impossible to truly relieve oneself of those feelings and move on from the situation.
Where were you I'd made it through
Questioning the absence of support or presence during a difficult time, implying that the singer could have managed on their own regardless.
But only god can judge me now, I hope he's in
Putting trust and faith in a higher power to pass judgment and provide closure or peace about the situation.
Why do hearts break when we are on our own?
Questioning the universal experience of feeling alone and isolated during times of heartbreak or emotional distress.
Just when you need to pump the life back in yourself
During moments of emotional weakness, one is compelled to find ways to restore their sense of energy and vitality.
And why do earthquakes happen miles away?
Reflecting on the lack of control one has over natural disasters and the unsettling feeling of unpredictable chaos.
When I only want the open ground to swallow me
Expressing the desire to escape or disappear from the situation, feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable.
Who told you I'd not come through?
Challenging others' doubts or negative perceptions of oneself and asserting that one can overcome obstacles and succeed.
Before I could speak to you in my defense
Feeling like one has to prove themselves or explain their actions to others who may not have all the information or context.
Who made you the righteous one?
Questioning the authority and judgment of others who may be quick to criticize or judge without understanding the full story.
When I'd only turned around for half an hour
Implying that the situation was not as severe or deserving of harsh criticism as it may have seemed due to a small lapse in attention or time.
Why do chalk lines tell an empty tale
Commenting on the inadequacy of symbols and markers to represent or convey the full truth or emotions behind a situation.
Surely its bad enough to end up on the floor
Acknowledging the weight and impact of falling down or failing, without the additional judgment or shame from others.
And you can scratch your chin
Implying that others may try to appear thoughtful or knowledgeable about a situation, while lacking true understanding or empathy.
And think you understand
Making assumptions or drawing conclusions without fully considering all the variables or perspectives involved in the situation.
And how can you know
Challenging the superficial or incomplete understanding that others may have about a complex or personal issue.
What's going on inside my head?
Asserting that only the artist truly knows their own thoughts, feelings, and motivations behind their actions.
Maybe I'm better off alive than in my bed
Recognizing that despite the pain or difficulty of the situation, life is still worth living and experiencing, rather than retreating from it in isolation.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKE LEANDER, CHAS J. MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind