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.
How Long Will I Love You
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How long will I love you
As long as there are stars above you
And longer if I can
How long will I need you
As long as the seasons need to
How long will I be with you
AS long as the sea is bound to
wash upon the sand
How long will I want you
As long as you want me to
And longer by far
How long will I hold you
As long as your father told you
As long as you are
How long will I give to you
As long as I live to you
However long it you say
How long will I love you
As long as are stars above you
And longer if I may
The Waterboys' song "How Long Will I Love You" is a romantic love song that expresses undying love and affection for another person. The singer asks multiple questions throughout the song, emphasizing how long the love will last. The song's message is that the love will last for eternity, as long as the stars above, and beyond. The lyrics are filled with metaphors, relating everlasting love to natural elements such as the sea, the sand, and the stars. The song is a beautiful expression of eternal love and devotion.
The singer starts by asking how long he will love the other person, and answers the question by saying, "As long as there are stars above you / And longer if I can." This part of the song emphasizes that the love will never end and will last as long as the stars continue to shine in the sky. The singer then goes on to ask how long he will need the other person, and responds by saying "As long as the seasons need to / Follow their plan." This part of the song compares the love to the natural cycle of the seasons, further emphasizing the longevity of the love.
One of the most powerful metaphors in the song is when the singer compares the love to the sea washing up on the sand, saying "As long as the sea is bound to / wash upon the sand." This line underscores the enduring nature of the love, as the sea washing up on the sand is an ongoing process that never stops. The song ends with the singer repeating the first verse, affirming that the love will last for eternity.
Overall, "How Long Will I Love You" by The Waterboys is a beautiful and timeless love song that expresses the depth and longevity of true love. The song's use of metaphors from nature, such as stars, seasons, sea, and sand, creates a powerful image of a love that will last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
How long will I love you
For what duration will my love for you persist?
As long as there are stars above you
I will love you endlessly, until the end of time when the stars themselves fade away.
And longer if I can
My love for you will never falter, even if I have to go to great lengths to show you.
How long will I need you
For what length of time will I require your presence in my life?
As long as the seasons need to
I will need you for as long as the earth requires its seasons to change.
Follow their plan
Just as the seasons faithfully follow their predetermined course, so too will my need for you.
How long will I be with you
How long will I stay by your side?
As long as the sea is bound to
Like the sea is constantly bound to the shore, so too will I always remain with you.
wash upon the sand
Just as the tide inevitably washes upon the shore, my presence in your life is equally certain.
How long will I want you
For what duration will I desire your love?
As long as you want me to
As long as your love for me continues, so too will my desire for you.
And longer by far
My love will continue for you beyond even the longest imaginable time frame.
How long will I hold you
For how long will I keep on holding you?
As long as your father told you
Just as your father promised to always protect and hold you, so too will I always keep you safe in my arms.
As long as you are
For the duration of your entire existence, I will always be holding onto you.
How long will I give to you
For how long will I give everything to you?
As long as I live to you
For the remainder of my time on earth, I will continue to give everything to you.
However long it you say
For any duration you request, I will be there to give all that I am.
As long as are stars above you
Like the stars above you, my love for you will continue to shine brightly and eternally.
And longer if I may
If it is within my power, I will extend my love for you beyond even infinity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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