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.
Medicine Bow
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A typhoon on the rise
Pummelin' rain
Murderous skies!
I'm gonna take my books
I'm gonna wear my coat
I'm gonna find my scarf
And wrap it around my throat
Come with me
Through the drivin' snow
We're gonna ride on up to
Medicine Bow
Well I spent too long
Just stuck on the shore
There's a man in my head
But he isn't me any more
I'm gonna find me a ship
Stowaway on a boat
I'm gonna burn all the words
And letters and cards that I ever wrote
And you can
Sail with me
Where the current flows
We're gonna move on up to
Medicine Bow
I'm gonna change my colors
Cancel my things
Stop my squawkin'
Grow some wings!
Well I will not sleep
And I will not rest
I will put my soul
And my will to the test
I'm gonna tug at my tether
I'm gonna tear on my lead
I'm gonna test my knowledge
In the field of deeds
And you can
Run with me
Fast as we can go
Over the hills to
Medicine Bow
The Waterboys’ song “Medicine Bow” talks about a man who is dissatisfied with his life and wants to escape the mundane reality he is living in. The opening lines set the tone of the song with the “black wind blowing” and “murderous skies,” illustrating a feeling of danger and chaos. The singer decides to leave behind his books, put on his coat, and wrap his scarf around his throat, indicating that he is embracing the cold, indifferent world. He invites someone to join him, suggesting that he is not alone in his quest.
In the next verse, the singer has had enough of his own thoughts and decides to leave it all behind by finding a ship to stowaway on. He plans on destroying everything he has ever written, including letters and cards, in the hopes of starting anew with a clean slate. He invites someone to come along and sail with him, escaping his current reality.
The last verse shows the singer’s determination to change, to the point where he wants to “grow wings” and fly away. He plans on proving himself by testing his knowledge and skills in the field of deeds. He invites someone to run with him as fast as they can, illustrating the idea of pushing themselves to their limits to get to Medicine Bow. The song seems to suggest that Medicine Bow represents a metaphorical place of liberation, where someone can find themselves and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a black wind blowing
The singer is describing an ominous presence, possibly of danger or misfortune.
A typhoon on the rise
The singer is describing the intensity of the situation, comparing it to a violent tropical storm.
Pummelin' rain
The singer is describing harsh and heavy rainfall, which can be uncomfortable and dangerous.
Murderous skies!
The artist is using dramatic language to convey the danger present in the sky.
I'm gonna take my books
The artist is preparing to leave and is gathering their belongings.
I'm gonna wear my coat
The singer is preparing to face the cold weather conditions by wearing a coat.
I'm gonna find my scarf
The singer is preparing to face the cold weather conditions by finding and wearing a scarf.
And wrap it around my throat
The artist is preparing to protect themselves from the cold weather conditions by wrapping their scarf around their neck.
Come with me
The artist is inviting someone to join them on their journey.
Through the drivin' snow
The artist is describing the type of weather they will be facing, which will be harsh and challenging.
We're gonna ride on up to
The singer is expressing their determination to reach their destination.
Medicine Bow
The artist is referring to their destination, which may symbolize a place of safety or refuge.
Well I spent too long
The singer is reflecting on their past mistakes or actions.
Just stuck on the shore
The singer is using a metaphor to describe feeling stagnant or trapped.
There's a man in my head
The singer is describing an internal struggle or conflict within themselves.
But he isn't me any more
The artist is describing a disconnect from their former self, indicating a transformation or change has occurred within them.
I'm gonna find me a ship
The artist is describing their desire to move on and leave their past behind.
Stowaway on a boat
The singer is using a metaphor to describe their desire to escape their current situation.
I'm gonna burn all the words
The singer is expressing their desire to let go of their past by getting rid of any physical reminders of it.
And letters and cards that I ever wrote
The artist is describing the intensity of their desire to move on by getting rid of all written memories of their past.
Sail with me
The artist is inviting someone to join them on their journey.
Where the current flows
The artist is describing their desire to move forward with the flow of life, rather than resisting it.
We're gonna move on up to
The singer is expressing their determination to reach their destination.
Medicine Bow
The artist is referring to their destination, which may symbolize a place of safety or refuge.
I'm gonna change my colors
The singer is describing their desire to transform and take on a new identity or persona.
Cancel my things
The singer is describing their desire to let go of their past by getting rid of any physical reminders of it.
Stop my squawkin'
The singer is describing their desire to stop complaining or making excuses.
Grow some wings!
The artist is using a metaphor to describe their desire to be free and take flight.
I will not sleep
The artist is expressing their determination and willingness to face any challenges.
And I will not rest
The singer is expressing their determination and willingness to keep moving forward despite any obstacles.
I will put my soul
The singer is describing their willingness to commit themselves fully to their journey and goals.
And my will to the test
The artist is describing their willingness to push themselves to their limits to achieve their goals.
I'm gonna tug at my tether
The artist is describing their desire to break free from the ties that bind them or hold them back.
I'm gonna tear on my lead
The artist is using a metaphor to describe their desire to break free from the constraints that limit them.
I'm gonna test my knowledge
The singer is describing their desire to challenge themselves intellectually and gain new understanding.
In the field of deeds
The artist is using a metaphor to describe the practical application of their knowledge.
Run with me
The singer is inviting someone to join them on their journey.
Fast as we can go
The singer is describing their urgency and determination to reach their destination as quickly as possible.
Over the hills to
The singer is expressing their determination to reach their destination.
Medicine Bow
The artist is referring to their destination, which may symbolize a place of safety or refuge.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY THISTLETHWAITE, ANTHONY SILVESTER THISTLETHWAITE, MICHAEL SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind