Billy Lunn (guitars/vocals), Charlotte Cooper (bass/vocals), Josh Morgan (drums)
They released their second album All Or Nothing on 30th June 2008 and this is preceded by the first single Alright on 16th June 2008. The first track from the album Girls & Boys was given away as a free download from the artist's site.
Beginnings
The Subways, formed in 2003, began at an early age, and currently have an average age of 21. The Subways began by playing Nirvana and punk songs in Billy and Josh's lounge, under the name of Mustardseed. They later changed their name to Platypus, and began to tour small, local venues, such as The Square in Harlow, Essex. An early CD of the band playing live was recorded at The Square which they sold at gigs.
As their reputation grew, Billy in particular became annoyed with all the different names the band were coming up with. He came up with The Subways, apparently from his days hanging out. "One of the few places where I felt I could refuge and find peace in my old town of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England was in a subway under the roads and pavements. I would haunt there in between breaks at work and college." Feeling the most free at that time underneath the rat-race of economic town life, he thought it only appropriate to divulge this "free essence" he felt in that subway to the band, where he felt he could truly escape from the drudgery of everyday life. It was during this time that Billy formed a closer relationship with Charlotte Cooper.
Home recordings
The band released endless demos and EPs in their early days when playing the London circuit in the UK. With every batch of new songs that The Subways would compose, Billy Lunn would insist that the band record them. However, at such a young age the group had no money with which to go into a studio to record consistently with, so they came upon the idea of buying their own cheap recording system at home. Eventually, the band had their own website, http://www.thesubways.net, which Billy Lunn himself constructed and maintained, where they would put all their new songs up on the internet. Also, through the use of their own home recording system they now had roughly 8 demo's worth of songs both on the internet and being sent out to local and London promotors at various venues. The Subways then began touring in the local and London area.
Having the home recording system also proved useful for production. The band felt that it would not only benefit themselves, but other local bands who could not afford the studio prices, even in the Welwyn Garden City area. It was here, that Billy and Charlotte both stumbled upon the opportunity that would eventually prove significant for the band. "I was producing a local Welwyn Garden City band in my front lounge one day and I noticed that it was quite good so I asked if they were going to send it to any London venues, because I knew a few that would like it. They said that they were going to send it off to Michael Eavis who runs Glastonbury, and I asked why..." Michael Eavis that year was running an unsigned bands competition to play on the Other Stage, and The Subways decided that would be a great idea. "It was really just another address to send one of our CD's off to. All we wanted was to play shows and this was another great opportunity. The CD we sent off to Michael Eavis was literally one among a bunch of 30 that were being sent out to London promoters for a load of gigs we wanted to book. "We never expected the phonecall saying that we'd won and were to play Glastonbury," said Cooper on radio.
Progression
After Glastonbury, The Subways went on to play The Carling Weekend 2004 in both Reading and Leeds, and then proceeded to play their very first (self funded) tour of the UK consisting of 35 dates.
The late John Peel was the first DJ to play single "1am" on National Radio.
The band signed to City Pavement & Infectious Records in late 2004. Their first album, Young For Eternity, which was released on the 4 July 2005, was produced by Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie, with their debut single "Oh Yeah" reaching number 25 in the UK Music Chart in its release week 21 March 2005.
They also appeared in the 7th episode of the third season of American drama The OC, performing "Rock & Roll Queen" and "Oh Yeah" at the show's fictional nightclub The Bait Shop. Also featured on this episode was the song "I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say".
Some of their tracks, such as "She Sun" and "Rock & Roll Queen", are now being used on television adverts for Rimmel cosmetics featuring British supermodel Kate Moss.
The band postponed touring in April 2006 because Billy had nodules on his vocal chords. They played a "secret" gig in The Green Room in their home town of Welwyn Garden City on Friday June 16, under the alias of The Audrey Hepburns and also as support for the Foo Fighters in Manchester at the Lancashire County Cricket Ground on Sunday June 18, and have recently returned to touring, with Billy expected to make a full recovery.
In the summer of 2006 the band were opening for the co-headlining tour across North America for Taking Back Sunday and Angels & Airwaves.
On June 22, the band performed on the late night talk show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
On August 4, they performed at Lollapalooza.
The next day, August 5, they performed at Street Scene in San Diego.
On August 7, they appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
On August 25, they returned to Reading and Leeds Festivals, this time on the main stage.
On the 10th of August 2007, they played at the Ripcurl Boardmasters Unleashed festival in Newquay with bands such as Funeral For A Friend and Ash
No Goodbyes
The Subways Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even in the summer shade outside
When every single day
Will never feel the same
A single minute can't be wasted
I can see the colours of your mind
Time and time I get 'em left outside
When every single day
Will never feel the same
A single minute can't be wasted
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
When every single day
Will never feel the same
A single minute can't be wasted
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
The lyrics of The Subways' song No Goodbyes convey a sense of urgency and desperation in one's desire to hold on to a moment or a person. The first verse suggests that the singer can see the passion and intensity in the eyes of the person they're addressing, even in the bright sunlight. The emphasis on time underscores the importance of every moment, as a single minute cannot be wasted. The second verse continues the idea of the importance of the present, with the mention of the colors in the person's mind being left outside.
The repetition of the chorus, with the plea to be told that there are no goodbyes, suggests that the singer is afraid of losing this moment or this person. The sense of urgency is conveyed by the repetition of the request, and the use of the imperative "tell me." The final repetition of the lines "when every single day will never feel the same, a single minute can't be wasted" reinforces the idea that this moment is precious and fleeting, and must be savored.
Overall, the message of the song is that the present must be appreciated and embraced, because time is fleeting and there are no guarantees for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the light behind your eyes
I can sense your emotions and see your true self through your eyes
Even in the summer shade outside
Even when things are bright and sunny on the surface, I can see beyond that to the deeper emotions and thoughts within you
When every single day will never feel the same
Life feels monotonous and repetitive, which can be draining on our energy and spirit
A single minute can't be wasted
We must make the most of every moment, cherishing the time we have and using it wisely
I can see the colours of your mind
I can perceive the complex and vibrant thoughts and emotions within you
Time and time I get 'em left outside
All too often, these inner feelings and experiences are not expressed or acknowledged, leaving them ignored or forgotten
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
I long for reassurance that our connection and time together will not end or be taken away
When every single day will never feel the same
The repetition and sameness of daily life can make us feel stuck or uninspired
A single minute can't be wasted
We must value and use our time intentionally, not taking for granted any moment or opportunity
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
I seek comfort in the belief that our bond will never end and that we will always have each other
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
I am desperate for confirmation that our connection is enduring and that we will not be separated
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
I need the assurance that we will not have to part ways or say farewell anytime soon
Tell me, tell me there's no goodbyes
I want to hear that our relationship is not temporary or fleeting, but rather is deep and lasting
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: CHARLOTTE COOPER, JOSHUA MORGAN, William Morgan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
José Palma
Yeah... one of the sweetest lyrics I've heard in years! Love to listen to it over and over again!
Andrew Gaete
The subways should record this video again, such a good song!
RODOtv
this song is perfect for a rainy day
Tespit Muh
"I can see the light behind your eyes" ... i love this song..
Joseph Gomes Grandson
loved it.
kringles Paul
Brilliant harmonies...
RODOtv
the subways is a best band.The music,the actitud...is amazing.Come to Argentina some day,please.
Andy McDonald
Believe it or not after their show at Manchester Academy about 2/3 years ago we met them afterwards having a cig out back and Billy taught me how to play this song on their tour bus...true story, even have the photo to proove it, majical times
Nikkolecka
perfect band!!!!! doesn t need my poor comment GOTTA LOVE IT
autumnsky2288
I love this :)