Anderson also had this to say about the renewed partnership with Bernard Butler: “For years and years after Bernard left Suede it was me running the show, but now the stakes are raised. I feel like we are duelling with each other, in some kind of friendly competition. When we were at our best it was always like that, each trying to better each other.”
The band played their first ever live show on December 14, 2004 at the Oxford Zodiac. Things went as expected for the "new" band, and most new songs were received well by those attending the first set of shows. When asked during a concert by a fan to play the famous Suede song, The Drowners, Anderson replied saying, "Did somebody say they want us to play The Drowners? They came to the wrong gig".
Apart from relatively minor reviews of the first clutch of live shows, The Tears first press, a review of Refugees, interview with Anderson and a poster(!)was in The Sun on 15 April. The next major article was by Alex Petridis in The Guardian, which ended on an extremely optimistic note: "the pair seem artistically reinvigorated by each other's company. Anderson talks excitedly of Tears songs like the ballad Asylum, inspired by his father's struggle with depression, as having moved away from "Suede cliches or Brett Anderson cliches ... it's not, you know, opiated fop territory". There's even a hint of the old provocative flash and arrogance when talk turns to the future: Here Comes the Tears feels like a debut. It will be massively bettered. On this at least there's no hint of disagreement. "This album's like rocking the boat a bit. There's been a few splashes," nods Butler. "Next time, I want to get rid of the sails and see what happens."
From the start, Anderson and Butler were very insistent that the band would not be playing any songs by Suede. Things would change over time, however, as the band ended up playing a b-side of Suede's titled The Living Dead to an enthusiastic reception, during an encore for their show at the Sheffield Leadmill in April. On April 25, 2005, the band's first single, Refugees, was released. The single was very much a success and jumped into the top ten singles chart at number nine.
The band's debut album, Here Come The Tears followed on June 6, 2005. It was released to stellar reviews that helped solidify the duo's comeback, yet it failed to crack the top 10. In late June, the band played a set at the John Peel stage at the Glastonbury Festival. The second single from the debut album, entitled Lovers, was released on June 27. Though a significantly lower charting than the previous single, it still managed a decent spot in the top 25.
More than a month later, singer Anderson announced that he would release his long awaited solo album in between the touring and the release of the band's follow up album. After playing a few festivals and international gigs, the band announced a European tour with dates in October and November. However, to the disappointment of many fans, they later cancelled the tour in favour of beginning work on their second album. Shortly after, the band were dropped from their label most likely due to insufficient touring or low sales.
In late April of 2006, Anderson posted a message on the band's message board announcing the band were on temporary hiatus because "no one ever wanted this thing to get caught up within the drudgery of the whole tour/record/tour cycle anyway". In addition, he announced that he had completed his debut solo album and that it would see light in early 2007, hinting that the second Tears record would most likely come after that, if at all.
By the end of August 2006, their website and forum are officially closed, leaving dimmer hope for the future of the band.
In September of 2006 Butler posted on his website: ".....actually tears are the same as ever....i guess coming from the suede trajectory it would look odd to make a record and not stick to the brand name plugging away endlessly at one thing....but if you take my shocking career line over 12 years its just par for the course....im on top of the world working constantly on terrific records from 1990's the mescalitas on offs, and soon we will be making the Duffy record ....
yes i always loved more than i thought"
Fallen Idol
The Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Intermission in his mind
Where there once was such ambition
Blared like a bass line when the bass line's right
Shame he's just this fallen idol
Shattered like some broken glass
Shame he's just this fallen idol
Years are scattered like the rain drops
Sits at the window through the empty day
Competitions in the paper
Stares in the sky
When the sky turns grey
Shame he's just this fallen idol
Shattered like some broken glass
Shame he's just this fallen idol
Shame he's just this fallen idol
Scattered on the bit of grass
Shame he's just this fallen idol
Bits of paper for his past
Bits of paper for his past
The Tears' song, "Fallen Idol," is a heartbreaking exploration of the aftermath of stardom. The song's lyrics describe a once-successful figure whose fortunes have turned, leaving them lost and forgotten. The opening lines set the scene, as the singer's eyes stare blankly through the television, lost in their thoughts. The striking image of an "intermission in his mind" captures the stillness and emptiness of a life no longer in motion.
The chorus of the song mourns the sad fate of the "fallen idol," whose dreams and ambitions have been dashed. The singer is described as "shattered like some broken glass," with only "bits of paper for his past." The use of these tactile images conveys the sense of loss and disintegration that the fallen idol is experiencing.
In the second verse, the song's imagery becomes more desolate. The singer is described as sitting alone, watching the rain fall outside his window. The competitions in the paper and the gray skies illustrate a sense of aimlessness and despair. The song's final lines reinforce the idea of the "fallen idol" as a figure who has lost everything they once held dear, with "bits of paper for his past" serving as the only reminder of their former glory.
Overall, "Fallen Idol" is a poignant and affecting song about the fragility of fame and the pain of loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Eyes that stare through television
He spends a lot of time watching television, but doesn't actually engage with it - his mind is elsewhere.
Intermission in his mind
His thoughts are disjointed and interrupted, like the breaks between acts in a play or movie.
Where there once was such ambition
He used to have big dreams and goals, but they've faded away over time.
Blared like a bass line when the bass line's right
When he was younger and inspired, his ambition was powerful and motivating, like a bass line in a catchy tune.
Shame he's just this fallen idol
It's sad and disappointing that he's no longer the successful and respected figure he used to be.
Shattered like some broken glass
His downfall has been sudden and devastating, like the sharp fragmentation of glass breaking apart.
Bits of paper for his past
All that's left of his past achievements and glory are scraps of paper - faded memories with little value.
Years are scattered like the rain drops
Time has passed and slipped away from him, like the constant falling and dispersing of rain drops.
Sits at the window through the empty day
He spends long hours staring blankly out the window, feeling unfulfilled and aimless.
Competitions in the paper
He sees competitions and opportunities in the newspaper, but doesn't feel motivated or hopeful enough to enter or apply.
Stares in the sky
He gazes up at the sky, perhaps hoping for inspiration or direction, but ultimately feels lost and directionless.
When the sky turns grey
Even the natural world seems to reflect his sadness and disappointment, when the sky turns grey and the weather is bleak.
Scattered on the bit of grass
His downfall is now on public display, visible to all - like scraps of paper scattered on the ground.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH BUTLER, BRETT ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind