Fast forward to 2010, and The Tunics and BMG are proud to announce the release of their long-awaited 2nd album on the 21st of February 2011. Their debut single, “Cost of Living”, released in 2008 quickly garnered significant critical acclaim from the likes of NME to bloggers and industry insiders from all over the world. Video playlists in the UK (E4, NME TV) alongside radio play in indie stations in Germany, Australia, U.S., Greece— to name a few— helped establish a new cult following far beyond the boundaries of the A23 and Croydon, and set things in motion for the band.
The upcoming album is a result of a more serious and mature band that has reined in and honed its raw, bursting talent. Two years of touring the UK and Europe with the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club and Nada Surf, playing at T in the Park, and continuous songwriting and experimentation have taught them a few lessons, and resulted in a more secure, yet somber, band. Out with the indie pop riffs, and in with a fuller, more ethereal sound that retains the powerful, elegant lyrics that are meant to entertain, perplex, and spark meaningful thought.
First single “Low” will be released on the 13th of December.
The Tunics are Joe Costello (vocals & guitar), Scott Shepherd (bass guitar), James Booth (keys), and Simon Hargreaves (drums)
Cost of Living
The Tunics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're kicking up a storm,
They're kicking up a fuss about something,
That you know you never did,
This is something a kid should never witness
What's this, cat's got your tongue,
Left right pocket he brandishes a gun,
Is it a fake one, well who could ever tell?
Conductor or CCTV,
But no one's out there who's willing to help me,
In this what is my one time of need,
Thoughts spinning, kicking up a speed
Is this what free travel costs?
A phone and a wallet and a new ipod
Your grace and your last shreds of dignity
Are thrown away as you begin to plead
For what you believe could be your life or your teeth
Your love or your money or your wife to be
There's answers to questions you'll forever seek
Why did you do it to me?
It's a sad sorry state of affairs
Looking there and everywhere for someone who cares
Someone to be there and see I've nowhere to go
But to go where the flowers grow
Live among the garden stones
There's nowhere for this boy to roam
Bad boys with toy guns
On the last train in the setting sun
Make up for one long walk home
Is this what free travel costs?
A phone and a wallet and a new ipod
Your grace and your last shreds of dignity
Are thrown away as you begin to plead
For what you believe could be your life or your teeth
Your love or your money or your wife to be
There's answers to questions you'll forever seek
Why did you do it to me?
The Tunics's song "Cost of Living" tells the story of a young person's experience on public transportation. The song speaks about "bad boys" at the back of the bus who are "kicking up a storm" and "kicking up a fuss about something that you know you never did." This is an upsetting and jarring scene for a young person to witness, and it's made even more frightening when one of the boys takes out a gun. The song suggests that even in times of great distress or danger, there may be no one around to help.
As the song continues, the singer speaks about the cost of "free travel." While buses and trains are considered "free" for young people in many parts of the world, the song suggests that there is a steep cost to be paid for this supposed benefit. The singer speaks about losing one's possessions and one's dignity, and the fear that one's life or teeth may be at risk. The song ends with a desperate plea for someone to care, and a sense of hopelessness about the future.
Overall, "Cost of Living" is a powerful critique of public transportation systems, and a call to action for those who would like to see them improved. It is also a poignant reminder of the many young people who experience violence and trauma in their daily lives, and the deep emotional toll that this can take.
Line by Line Meaning
Bad boys at the back of the bus,
Delinquent kids at the rear of the bus,
They're kicking up a storm,
They are causing commotion and chaos
They're kicking up a fuss about something,
They are complaining loudly about something
That you know you never did,
Something you know you're not responsible for
This is something a kid should never witness
This is inappropriate for a child to see
What's this, cat's got your tongue,
Why are you silent?
Left right pocket he brandishes a gun,
He takes out a gun from his pocket
Is it a fake one, well who could ever tell?
You cannot tell if it's a real or fake gun
As you wish to god, you'd be saved by the stop bell
You hope to get off the bus before anything happens
Conductor or CCTV,
The conductor or surveillance cameras
But no one's out there who's willing to help me,
There's no one available to come to your aid
In this what is my one time of need,
This is when you need help the most
Thoughts spinning, kicking up a speed
Your thoughts are racing and causing anxiety
Is this what free travel costs?
Is this the price you pay for free public transportation?
A phone and a wallet and a new ipod
Things that can be taken from you
Your grace and your last shreds of dignity
Things you may lose when confronted with danger
Are thrown away as you begin to plead
You may beg to save what's important to you
For what you believe could be your life or your teeth
You fear for your life or physical harm
Your love or your money or your wife to be
Important things that could be taken from you
There's answers to questions you'll forever seek
You may never understand why this happened to you
Why did you do it to me?
Questioning the motives of the attackers
It's a sad sorry state of affairs
The situation is unfortunate and regrettable
Looking there and everywhere for someone who cares
Searching for someone to help or show concern
Someone to be there and see I've nowhere to go
Someone to offer assistance since you have no place to go
But to go where the flowers grow
Going to the cemetery after death
Live among the garden stones
Metaphor for being buried in a cemetery
There's nowhere for this boy to roam
Feeling trapped and without a way out
Bad boys with toy guns
Delinquents with fake guns
On the last train in the setting sun
On the final train of the day as the sun sets
Make up for one long walk home
They make the journey home feel longer and more stressful
Contributed by Alexandra W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@twasbrillig33
Hidden gem of a song
@vigilantcitizengaming2781
bring back the tunics
@kiama30
His voice is awesome, d
@quadheadme
So great
@Scaredbusiness
Why the fck hasn't this video been viewed in the millions?????!!! - music is good(.)
@indebronxMinecraft12
still here
@DFreshter
By the 12 track album in the flesh. Limited release - prob will be a collectors item! What a great band!
@DFreshter
This band are going to be massive! Well done Gents!
@Sirfoxinabox
:( sad wrong prediction
@DougieL
@@Sirfoxinabox Yes, what happened?