The Waterboys is a British celtic band formed in 1983 by Scottish musician … Read Full Bio ↴The Waterboys is a British celtic band formed in 1983 by Scottish musician Mike Scott. Their songs, largely written by Scott, often contain literary references and are frequently concerned with spirituality. Both the group and its members' solo careers have received much praise from both rock and folk music critics, but The Waterboys as a band has never received the commercial success that some of its members (such as Ian McNabb, leader of The Icicle Works; Trevor Hutchinson, a founding member of Lúnasa; etc) have had independently.

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.

Good News
The Waterboys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Drop your guns
and hear the news
The war is won
and we've called a truce
The key is found
and the circle complete
And the higher ground
is beneath our feet

Like the turn of a page
or a change of gear
A brand new age
is already here
And even while
men pursue their doom
A magical child
is kicking in the womb

I'm preparing for birth
I'm not the only one
I'm a part of the Earth
I'm a drop of the Sun
I'm in step with the stars

I'm in a league with the land
I'm a functioning part of the Master's Plan!

Overall Meaning

The Waterboys's song Good News speaks to the end of war, celebrating a new age where peace reigns supreme. The first line, "Drop your guns and hear the news," asks for everyone to put aside their weapons and listen to the good news - that the war is over and a truce has been called. The key has been found and the circle is complete, indicating that the solution to conflicts has always been within our grasp, and the higher ground is now beneath our feet - a metaphorical representation of the progress humanity has made by choosing peace.

The song also touches on the birth of something magical and new, "A brand new age is already here," he sings, indicating that even in times where the world seems to be pursuing its own destruction, there's still something wonderful and positive taking place within society, symbolised by the magical child kicking in the womb. The vocalist, Mike Scott sings, "I'm preparing for birth, I'm not the only one," expressing an optimistic belief that we are all preparing for something new and wonderful - a new era of peace and harmony.

This song is not written to celebrate a victory of forces but the triumph of peaceful coexistence; It sends a message of hope and positivity while encouraging people to work towards a world where conflicts are resolved without using violence. It's a reminder that something great is always brewing beneath the surface, even when it seems like the world is falling apart.

Line by Line Meaning

Drop your guns
Stop fighting or arguing

and hear the news
Listen to what is being said

The war is won
The conflict has ended successfully

and we've called a truce
Both sides have agreed to stop fighting

The key is found
The solution has been discovered

and the circle complete
Everything has come full circle

And the higher ground
A better position or advantage

is beneath our feet
We have achieved success or control

Like the turn of a page
A sudden change or shift

or a change of gear
Adjusting or adapting to a new situation

A brand new age
A new era or time period