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"
Refugees
The Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am the rain,
Lets go out in the rust and
Let's gather the change
Let's take to the streets
You and I we're life's refugees
But like Bonnie and Clyde we're free
You stain the pavements
I'll take the blame
Our love is our savior
Our life is our grave
Let's take to the streets
You and I we're life's refugees
But like Bonnie and Clyde we're free
Don't say there's nothing between us
â??Cause we're all refugees
And we're all drifting like leaves
But like Bonnie and Clyde we're free
Don't say there's nothing between us
We'll live for the sunshine
And smile through the rain
And we're all refugees
And we're all drifting like leaves
But like Bonnie and Clyde we're free
Don't say there's nothing between us
So let's take to the streets
You and I compete with the freaks
And like Bonnie and Clyde we're free
Don't say there's nothing between us
Well there's nothing between us
Well there's nothing between us
The Tears' song "Refugees" is a passionate song about two lovers who are outcasts in society, living life on their own terms. The first two lines set the tone for the song, as it compares the two lovers' personalities to that of dust and rain. The idea of gathering change in the rust suggests that the couple is willing to find value in things that others deem to be worthless. This unique outlook on life and a refusal to conform to societal norms is what makes the couple feel like refugees.
In the chorus, the singer compares himself and his lover to Bonnie and Clyde. Just like the infamous couple, they too are outcasts of society, living their lives on their own terms. The love they share is their savior, but it could also be the cause of their downfall. However, they are willing to take that risk.
The last verse of the song suggests that the couple is willing to face any challenge and enjoy life no matter what happens. They choose to embrace their status as refugees and live a life that is true to their own desires.
Overall, the song is an ode to living life on one's own terms, and the passion that comes with such a life. The lyrics suggest that even though society may view those who live differently as outcasts, it is possible to find true love and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the dust and,
You represent something formless and incomplete while I represent life giving properties that make something wholesome.
I am the rain,
I am the force that brings life to everything around me and transforms the stagnant dust into something useful.
Lets go out in the rust and
Let's venture out into the undesirable urban landscape where many people wouldn't dare to go for fear of danger or discomfort.
Let's gather the change
Let's find whatever coins might be left in the rusted landscape.
Let's take to the streets
Let's go out and experience life in its gritty and raw form.
You and I we're life's refugees
We are both struggling to find our place in the world and to make a meaningful life for ourselves.
But like Bonnie and Clyde we're free
We may not have much, but we have each other and we find a sense of freedom in the life we're living.
Don't say there's nothing between us
We have a deep connection and we don't want anyone to underestimate how much we mean to each other.
You stain the pavements
Your presence is felt everywhere you go and you have a lasting impact on everything around you.
I'll take the blame
I'll be responsible for anything that happens as a result of your influence because I know that it comes from a good place.
Our love is our savior
Our love for each other is what helps us get through the tough times and keep moving forward.
Our life is our grave
We know that this life will eventually come to an end and we want to make every moment count before it does.
‘Cause we're all refugees
We are all trying to find our way in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving.
And we're all drifting like leaves
We are all moving through life without much direction, just following the breeze and trying to stay afloat.
We'll live for the sunshine
We'll always look for the silver lining and try to find happiness wherever we can.
And smile through the rain
We'll keep a positive attitude even when things get tough and we'll try to find joy in the little things in life.
You and I compete with the freaks
We are both outsiders in society and we embrace that outsider status by going against the norms of society and trying to live our lives on our own terms.
Well there's nothing between us
Our love for each other is strong and nothing will ever come between us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AL KOOPER, MIKE BLOOMFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JakeChat
This album is honestly fantastic, Brett and Bernard are a fantastic duo. Love this song!!
Sengin Chan
Bernard Butler is the most underrated guitarist among those Britpop notables
Giuseppe G
He's a legend
Danilo Araujo
Bernard Butler was compared to Johnny Marr. Quite a compliment IMHO.
Kedai Nasi
Heheh! Only a real Suede fan can appreciate this album! FYI, this album is what Coming Up supposed to be (if Bernard had stuck around). The album doesn't feel recycled at all. It sounds more like a continuation of the duo's best work.
RainDreamer13
beautiful lyrics and amazing video...the tears are an amazing band!
LaFilleCendrier
this song is pure love, reminds me of suede's good times! :) is my favorite track from "here come the tears".
Nancy Wilde
I love his song writing.
The Respected Lex
The magnificent vocal timbres and odes to T Rex.
Ulrika Andersson
Love this song!