The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from the British Isles. London, Dublin, Spiddal, and Findhorn have all served as a home for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but most often their music can be described as a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll, or folk rock. After ten years of recording and touring, the band dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. The band reformed in 2000, and continues to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott himself emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."
More than thirty musicians have performed live as a Waterboy. Some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contributions. Scott has been the band's lead vocalist, motivating force, and principal songwriter throughout the group's history, but a number of other musicians are closely identified with the band.
Anthony Thistlethwaite was an original member of the band, and remained a member until 1991 when the band broke up, although he also joined a few recording sessions for A Rock in the Weary Land. After Scott and Wickham, Thistlethwaite has more songwriting credits than any other Waterboy. His saxophone, regularly featured in solos, was one half of the early group's distinctive brass section, but he has also played guitar, keyboards and a number of other instruments for the band. He pressed to return The Waterboys to a rock music sound after Room to Roam, but did not appear on Dream Harder, the result of that decision. He is now a member of The Saw Doctors, and has also released three solo albums.
Kevin Wilkinson, another original member, was The Waterboys' drummer from 1983–1984, and continued to play in some studio sessions afterwards. His most recent appearance was on A Rock in the Weary Land. He led the rhythm section of the group during its "Big Music" phase, sometimes without the assistance of any bass guitar. Scott describes Wilkinson's drumming as "bright and angular, an unusual sound".
Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This is the Sea. He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on This is the Sea. His keyboards and synthesizer work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with The Waterboys.
Roddy Lorimer's participation in the group began in 1983, contributing his trumpet playing "on and off" through 1990. He and Thistlethwaite took turns leading the brass section of the band, and Lorimer was also a featured soloist, most famously on "The Whole of the Moon" and "Don't Bang the Drum". He further contributed backing vocals to the song. His trumpet style is a combination of his classical training with an experimental approach encouraged by Scott. Lorimer returned for some studio work in 2006.
Steve Wickham transformed the group with his joining in 1985. His strong interest in folk music directly resulted in the band's change of direction. His initial involvement with The Waterboys ended in 1990 when Scott and Thistlethwaite wanted to return to rock and roll, but Wickham rejoined the group again in 2000, and, as of 2007, continues to perform with the band. Described by Scott as "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", he has written more songs for the band than anyone other than Scott, including the group's handful of instrumental recordings.
After 2000, Richard Naiff became one of the three core Waterboys members.Richard Naiff first recorded with the band in 1999, and joined permanently in 2000. As of 2007, he is a core member, along with Scott and Wickham. He is a classically-trained pianist and flautist, and plays keyboards for The Waterboys. Ian McNabb described him as Scott's "find of the century" and reviewers have described him as "phenomenally talented".
Other notable members of the band include bassist McNabb, leader of Icicle Works; Sharon Shannon, who became Ireland's all-time best-selling traditional musician; the experimental musician Thighpaulsandra, producer Guy Chambers, and Patti Smith Group drummer Jay Dee Daugherty.
Don't Bang The Drum
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What are you gonna do here?
Now we stand in a special place
What will you do here?
What show of soul are we gonna get from you?
It could be deliverance, or history
Under these skies so blue
Could be something true
Like monkeys do
Here we are in a fabulous place
What are you gonna dream here?
We are standing in this fabulous place
What are you gonna play here?
I know you love the high life, you love to leap around
You love to beat your chest and make your sound
But not here man - this is sacred ground
With a Power flowing through
And if know you you'll bang the drum
Like monkeys do
Here we stand on a rocky shore
Your father stood here before you
I can see his ghost explore you
I can feel the sea implore you
Not to pass on by
Not to walk on by
And not to try
Just to let it come
Don't bang the drum
Just let it come
Don't bang the drum
Just let it come
Don't bang the drum
Do you know how to let it come now?
Don't bang the drum
Just let it come now...
Don't bang the drum...
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
Don't bang the drum
The Waterboys' "Don't Bang The Drum" is a song with lyrics that encourage the listener to appreciate and respect the power of a special or sacred location. The song's narrator acknowledges that they are in a special, fabulous, and rocky place, and they urge the listener to consider what they will do or contribute in that space. The lyrics push us to question what the "show of soul" will be, whether it will evoke a sense of deliverance or history.
The singer then shifts to a warning, asking the listener not to bang the drum like monkeys do, suggesting that doing so would detract from the atmosphere of the place, which is considered sacred ground. The singer points out that there is a power flowing through this spot, like the sea or the land itself, and urges the listener to let it come rather than trying to force or manipulate it through their own performance.
The song closes with the repetition of the chorus, the singer pleading with the listener not to bang the drum, asking if they know how to let it come without excessive noise or posturing. The overall message of the song is that we should be respectful and open to the places that hold special significance in our lives, not seeking to dominate or control them, but rather to experience them with humility and wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
Well here we are in a special place
We find ourselves in a unique and significant location
What are you gonna do here?
What actions will you take in this place?
Now we stand in a special place
We are now positioned in a distinctive and important spot
What will you do here?
What intentions will you have while situated here?
What show of soul are we gonna get from you?
What kind of expression and depth will you reveal in your actions?
It could be deliverance, or history
Your actions in this place could lead to spiritual redemption or leave a lasting legacy
Under these skies so blue
In this location beneath the blue sky
Could be something true
There is potential for authenticity and honesty in this place
But if I know you you'll bang the drum
However, I anticipate that you will be loud and attention-seeking in your actions
Like monkeys do
In a manner reminiscent of primates
Here we are in a fabulous place
We are in an extraordinary and splendid location
What are you gonna dream here?
What kind of aspirations will you have in this stunning setting?
We are standing in this fabulous place
Our presence is registered in this magnificent location
What are you gonna play here?
What kind of creative output will you generate in this beautiful spot?
I know you love the high life, you love to leap around
I am aware that you enjoy luxury and flamboyance
You love to beat your chest and make your sound
You revel in making a bold and attention-grabbing impact
But not here man - this is sacred ground
However, this location is considered holy and should be respected
With a Power flowing through
There is a sense of energy and importance present
And if know you you'll bang the drum
Despite that, I expect you to make a scene anyways
Here we stand on a rocky shore
We are situated on a harsh and uneven coastline
Your father stood here before you
Your paternal figure has been in this place prior to you
I can see his ghost explore you
I can sense his presence and influence upon you
I can feel the sea implore you
The ocean seems to be urging you to pay attention
Not to pass on by
To not ignore or overlook this place
Not to walk on by
To not take this location for granted
And not to try
To not forcefully impose one's will on this area
Just to let it come
To allow one's beliefs and emotions to come naturally
Don't bang the drum
To not make a spectacle or disturbance in this sacred place
Do you know how to let it come now?
Are you able to naturally allow your expression to manifest?
Just let it come now...
Only allow it to happen naturally in the present moment
Don't bang the drum...
Repeat request to not make noise in this special location
Don't bang the drum
Reiterating the importance of not causing a disturbance
Don't bang the drum
Stressing that no loud sound should be produced
Don't bang the drum
Repeating the message to be silent in this sacred land
Don't bang the drum
Using repetition to emphasize the significance of silence in this place
Don't bang the drum
Warning against making any unnecessary noise in this location
Don't bang the drum
The final instruction to not create any disturbance in this sacred spot
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SCOTT, WALLINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind