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.
We Will Not Be Lovers
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
climbed down off the fence
Words are your weapon
lies are your defense
I know what you want
and I see what you see
You're looking for somebody
but he isn't me
because we will not be lovers
How your eyes are like tortures
and your presence is bliss
I never knew time
could speed and zip like this
The touch of your flesh
is tough to resist
Planets collide, collide
at the smack of your kiss
But you can kiss your brother
because we will not be lovers
Now you're pulling down curtains
You've been sparking old flames
You've been causing disturbance
crying for shame
You've been Knocking on doors
You've been abusing my name
You've been casting up doubt
you've been throwing your blame
But you can throw it at your mother
we will not be lovers
Now the world's full of trouble
everybody's scared
The landlords are frowning
cupboards are bare
People are scrambling
like dogs for a share
It's cruel and its hard
but it nothing compared to
what we do to each other
to each other
We will not be lovers!
we will not be lovers, no
We will not be lovers, no
The Waterboys' "We Will Not Be Lovers" is essentially a song about unrequited love, with the singer addressing an admirer who has affection for him but doesn't realize that their feelings are not reciprocated. The opening lines set the stage for the rest of the song, as the singer describes how the person in question has "just stepped into the main track" and "climbed down off the fence," suggesting that they are putting themselves in harm's way by pursuing a relationship that will never work. The singer goes on to describe how words are the other person's weapon, with lies being their defense, which could imply that they are not entirely honest with themselves about their feelings.
Despite the other person's obvious infatuation, the singer makes it clear that he cannot return their affections, stating "you're looking for somebody but he isn't me." While the other person's presence may be blissful, the singer is not interested in pursuing anything further, even though their touch is tough to resist. The chorus is a direct and final statement, with the singer telling the other person to "find yourself another because we will not be lovers."
The later verses find the other person becoming desperate, trying to reignite old flames and even abusing the singer's name to gain leverage. However, the singer stands firm, telling the other person that they can throw their blame at their mother but that it will not change the fact that they will not be lovers. The song's ending becomes almost apocalyptic, with the singer describing a world full of trouble and fear overshadowing the sadness that comes from rejecting someone's love.
Overall, "We Will Not Be Lovers" is a raw and honest portrayal of unrequited love and the pain that can come with it. Through its vivid metaphors and haunting music, the song conveys a sense of sadness and regret but also a feeling of acceptance and inner strength.
Line by Line Meaning
You just stepped into the main track
You have entered a significant part of my life
climbed down off the fence
You have made a decision and taken a stand
Words are your weapon
You use words as a tool for your own gain
lies are your defense
You resort to lying to protect yourself
I know what you want
I understand your motives
and I see what you see
I perceive the situation from the same perspective as you do
You're looking for somebody
You are searching for a companion
but he isn't me
I am not the person to fulfill your needs
Find yourself another
You should look for someone else
because we will not be lovers
We will not have a romantic relationship
How your eyes are like tortures
The intensity of your gaze is overwhelming
and your presence is bliss
Your being brings happiness to me
I never knew time
I had never experienced time like this before
could speed and zip like this
Time seems to be passing by quickly
The touch of your flesh
The feel of your skin
is tough to resist
It is difficult to control one's desire
Planets collide, collide
It is a cosmic event
at the smack of your kiss
Your kiss has an intense impact
But you can kiss your brother
You can show affection to someone else, like a sibling
because we will not be lovers
We will not have a romantic relationship
Now you're pulling down curtains
You're trying to hide your true feelings
You've been sparking old flames
You're rekindling past romantic relationships
You've been causing disturbance
You have been causing trouble and turmoil
crying for shame
You feel guilty for your actions
You've been Knocking on doors
You have been seeking companionship
You've been abusing my name
You have been using my name for your own purposes
You've been casting up doubt
You have been creating uncertainty
you've been throwing your blame
You have been placing blame on others
But you can throw it at your mother
You can direct your anger towards someone else, like your mother
we will not be lovers
We will not have a romantic relationship
Now the world's full of trouble
The world is full of problems
everybody's scared
Everyone is afraid
The landlords are frowning
Property owners are unhappy
cupboards are bare
There is a lack of food
People are scrambling
People are struggling to survive
like dogs for a share
Like animals fighting for food
It's cruel and its hard
Life is difficult and unfair
but it nothing compared to
It is insignificant compared to
what we do to each other
The harm we cause to one another
to each other
To ourselves and to others
We will not be lovers!
We will not have a romantic relationship
we will not be lovers, no
We will not have a romantic relationship
We will not be lovers, no
We will not have a romantic relationship
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind