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"
Two Creatures
The Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The winters are so very long
And everybody wonders where the light has gone
And Europe has its moving state lines
But Africa has winter sun
And you and me we're just two creatures on the run
And no one laughs at what we wear
The phone might ring
The rain might sting oh but we don't care
We'll fly over the endless ocean
We're heading for the winter sun
Cause you and me we're just two creatures on the run
And Europe has its moving state lines
But Africa has winter sunshine
And you and me we're just two creatures on the run
And we'll go where the crowds don't stare
And no one hates us for our hair
The phone might ring
The rain might sting oh but we don't care
We'll fly over the endless ocean
We're heading for the winter sun
Cause you and me we're just two creatures on the run
America's our supermarket
In India we'll take some stopping
Cause you and me we're just two creatures on the run
In Asia we can mend our breakdown
Cause you and me we must escape now
And you and me we're just two creatures on the run
You and me we're just two creatures on the run
You and me we're just two creatures on the run
You and me we're just two creatures on the run
The Tears's song, "Two Creatures" seems to be a song that expresses the feeling of wanting to escape one's current circumstances and go somewhere where one can exist without feeling judged or ostracized. The song mentions how the country looks like a big car park and how the winters are too long, which probably means that the place is dull and monotonous. However, the song also mentions that there are places in the world where one can find winter sunshine regardless of what is happening in other parts of the world. The lyrics suggest that the singer and their loved one are on the run, perhaps from the society they live in, and they are looking for a place where they can feel free and happy.
The song uses the phrase "two creatures on the run" to suggest a feeling of being outsiders looking for a place where they belong. The lyrics mention different parts of the world such as America, India, and Asia, indicating that the singer and their lover are ready to explore new places and cultures. They are going where the crowds don't stare, where they won't be judged for what they are wearing, and where they can feel comfortable being themselves. The song's message seems to be that, although they are just two creatures, they are determined to find their place in the world no matter where it takes them.
Line by Line Meaning
This country looks like one big car park
The singer feels that their current environment is bland and unremarkable, lacking any real beauty or interest.
The winters are so very long
The singer finds the winters to be dragging and dreary, an unpleasant time to endure.
And everybody wonders where the light has gone
Perhaps due to the long winters, people seem to be feeling downtrodden and unsure of what to do to lift their spirits.
And Europe has its moving state lines
Europe is constantly changing and evolving, with different borders being redrawn between countries.
But Africa has winter sun
Despite not being as developed as Europe, Africa has the benefit of sunshine even in the winter months.
And you and me we're just two creatures on the run
The singer and their companion are restless and wandering, seeking something more exciting than what they've found in their current location.
And we'll go where the crowds don't stare
The pair are looking for a place where they can blend in and not feel like outsiders or outcasts.
And no one laughs at what we wear
They don't want to feel judged or ridiculed for their appearance.
The phone might ring
Despite their desire to escape and find a new life, reality can still intrude on their plans and responsibilities.
The rain might sting oh but we don't care
They're willing to endure hardship and discomfort if it means they can find what they're searching for.
We'll fly over the endless ocean
The singer and their companion are willing to undertake a great journey, even one that is daunting or intimidating.
We're heading for the winter sun
They seek a place with warmth and light, something that will make them feel better than their current environment.
America's our supermarket
The United States is seen as a place where everything is available and plentiful.
In India we'll take some stopping
India is a place with a lot to see and a lot going on, so much that they'll have to slow down and take their time exploring.
In Asia we can mend our breakdown
Perhaps there has been some kind of emotional or psychological damage that they're looking to repair by journeying to Asia.
Cause you and me we must escape now
The motivation to leave is urgent and strong, they're not content to remain where they are.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH BUTLER, BRETT ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind