Their debut EP Midnight Waltz featured use of a colliery type brass band sound, adds an extra dimension to their music.
Drawing on a diverse range of musical inspiration you can hear influences from classic artists like Neil Young. Tom Waits & Bob Dylan echoing through out their music.
Outside of the UK, they are best known in Germany – where their record label Haldern Pop Recordings is based – as well as the Netherlands and Switzerland, based on the number of concerts played in each country.
The band released their debut album, titled White Water, in 2015.
Brother
The Slow Show Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The cigarette smoke and hollow tears.
No, brother, all those years,
You sat me down to talk me through those fears.
You're too young to leave me, brother.
Those days we had, will never pass me by.
Let's go back to football fields and backyard alleyways,
Before God let you down, boy, and took your life away.
Those days we had, will never pass my by.
No, brother, brother.
Too young to leave now!
Too young to stand aside!
And just another call and no, I know,
Oh brother, just another story told.
Let's go back to football fields and backyard alleyways,
Before God let you down, boy, and took your life away.
The Slow Show's song Brother is a heart-wrenching tribute to a departed loved one. The opening lines, "No, what have we here? The cigarette smoke and hollow tears" paint a somber yet familiar picture of grief and sorrow. The singer addresses their brother directly, reminiscing about old times when they talked through their fears. The line "You're too young to leave me, brother" is repeated twice for emphasis, reinforcing the sense of loss and injustice.
The song's chorus is a nostalgic call to simpler days spent playing sports and exploring the world. The line "Before God let you down, boy, and took your life away" suggests a sense of anger or betrayal towards a higher power, as if the singer cannot reconcile their loss with their faith. The final lines of the chorus drive home the sense of incompleteness and longing: "Too young to leave me, brother. Those days we had, will never pass my by. No, brother, brother. Too young to leave now! Too young to stand aside!"
Overall, Brother is a beautiful and gut-wrenching song that captures the pain of loss and the longing for simpler times.
Line by Line Meaning
No, what have we here?
The singer is observing their surroundings and questioning what they see.
The cigarette smoke and hollow tears.
The scene is filled with both cigarette smoke and sad emotions that feel empty and meaningless.
No, brother, all those years,
The singer is addressing a brother figure and acknowledging that they have spent many years together.
You sat me down to talk me through those fears.
The brother figure has been a supportive and comforting presence for the artist in times of fear and anxiety.
You're too young to leave me, brother.
The artist is expressing a fear of losing their brother at a young age, before they are ready.
Those days we had, will never pass me by.
The singer cherishes the memories they have shared with their brother and those moments will always be with them.
Let's go back to football fields and backyard alleyways,
The singer longs for the simplicity and nostalgia of childhood, and wants to relive those moments with their brother.
Before God let you down, boy, and took your life away.
The artist is expressing their anger and sadness over their brother's premature death and questioning how it could have happened.
Too young to leave me, brother.
The artist repeats their fear of losing their brother at a young age.
Those days we had, will never pass my by.
The artist repeats their appreciation for the memories they have with their brother.
No, brother, brother.
The singer is emphasizing the significance of their relationship with their brother.
Too young to leave now!
The artist repeats their pain and fear of losing their brother before his time.
Too young to stand aside!
The singer is expressing their frustration at not being able to prevent their brother's death.
And just another call and no, I know,
The singer is referencing another communication they have had since their brother's death and expresses a lack of comfort or solution through these conversations.
Oh brother, just another story told.
The singer is expressing their disillusionment with the stories and condolences offered to them by others.
Let's go back to football fields and backyard alleyways,
The artist repeats their longing for a return to their childhood memories with their brother.
Before God let you down, boy, and took your life away.
The artist repeats their anger and questioning of why their brother was taken too soon.
Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@janeclews686
Thank you Slow Show... We lost our son in 2014 at the age of just 29. This song was performed at his funeral by his older Brother. We wanted to thank you for writing the song. Until this day it gives us so much comfort in our grief and helps us to remember our boy fondly. RIP Alex... God bless :)
@helenmarianne3895
I have no idea why The Slow Show aren't absolutely huge...What an amazing soulful instantly recognisable voice the lead singer has. I'm a huge admirer of this band.
@paulmca8514
Great song from a fantastic band, this was the first song of there`s I heard shortly after it was released, and have been a fan ever since. I would love to see them live.
@echomemory
Oh my God, this made me cry. So beautiful.
@florenceursenbacher4998
Une voix juste magnifique.... c'est d'une beauté...!!
@AntoNio-rz1kw
AMAZING! One of the best band of the last years!
@MissRichocheting
My aunt introduced me to this band. Specifically this song. Sadly she is no longer with us. RIP Kate. You can sing with Bowie now.
@williammaxwell8427
MissRichocheting sorry for your loss
@cecilevandenbussche564
It was a real pleasure to meet you ! I'm sure a lot of peple will appreciate your talent as me ! You really deserve it ! I hope you'll come back at St Germain to record your next album ! All the best !
@LexMassive
C'est superb!