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.

Trumpets
The Waterboys Lyrics

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Your love feels like trumpets sound
I said your love feels like trumpets sound
Your life is like a mountain
Your life is like a mountain
And your heart is like a church
With wide open doors
And to be with you
Is to find myself in the best of dreams

Your love feels like trumpets

Your love feels like high summer
Your love feels like high high summer
Your life is like an ocean
I want to dive in naked
Lose myself in your depths
I want to be with you
To find myself in the best of dreams
Your love feels like trumpets

Please don't wake me
No don't shake me
I want to be with you
When being with you is

The same as being you
Your love feels like trumpets

Overall Meaning

The Waterboys' song "Trumpets" is an homage to the intensity and power of love. The repeated refrain "Your love feels like trumpets sound" compares the overwhelming feeling of being in love to the blare of a trumpet, which is a fitting metaphor for the exultant, joyous sensation that love can bring. The lyrics are both simple and poetic, using short phrases that repeat to create a hypnotic, trance-like effect.

The song is structured around a series of images that reinforce this theme of intense emotional connection. The line "Your life is like a mountain" suggests the majesty and grandeur of the person who inspires the song, while "Your heart is like a church with wide open doors" points to the accessibility and purity of their love. "Your love feels like high summer" is another image that conjures up a sense of warmth and radiance, while "Your life is like an ocean" further emphasizes the depth and vastness of the person's personality and inner life.

The most powerful aspect of the song, however, is the sense of yearning and surrender it conveys. Lines like "I want to dive in naked/Lose myself in your depths" and "When being with you is/The same as being you" capture the almost spiritual connection that can sometimes exist between lovers. The final repeated plea, "Please don't wake me/No don't shake me/I want to be with you" is a desperate cry to hold onto this feeling of perfect unity and bliss for as long as possible.

Line by Line Meaning

Your love feels like trumpets sound
Your love fills me with a joy and excitement that is similar to the sound of trumpets.

I said your love feels like trumpets sound
I am repeating myself because your love is so powerful and amazing, and it truly feels like the sound of trumpets.

Your life is like a mountain
Your life is grand and majestic, like a mountain which stands tall and steady.

And your heart is like a church
Your heart is like a holy place, welcoming and open to all who seek refuge there.

With wide open doors
Your heart is open and welcoming to all, without judgement or reservation.

And to be with you
Being with you brings me joy and happiness that I cannot find anywhere else.

Is to find myself in the best of dreams
Being with you feels like a dream come true, filled with happiness, love, and contentment.

Your love feels like trumpets
Once again, I feel the need to express that your love feels like the joyful sound of trumpets, bringing happiness and excitement to my life.

Your love feels like high summer
Your love is warm and inviting, like the feeling of a beautiful summer day.

Your life is like an ocean
Your life is vast and deep, with endless possibilities and secrets waiting to be discovered.

I want to dive in naked
I want to immerse myself completely with you, in every possible way, without any barriers or inhibitions.

Lose myself in your depths
I want to explore every aspect of your being, and get lost in the vastness of your heart and soul.

Please don't wake me
I do not want this beautiful dream to end, and I want to hold on to this feeling forever.

No don't shake me
I am afraid that if I am shaken awake, I will lose this amazing feeling and return to reality.

When being with you is
The mere act of being with you feels like the ultimate achievement, and fills me with contentment and joy.

The same as being you
Being with you is not just a pleasure, it is a part of who I am, and being with you makes me feel complete.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL SCOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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