The band formed in Liverpool, England in 2001, taking their name from Magic Band guitarist Bill Harkleroad, better known as Zoot Horn (or "Zuton") Rollo. With all the members being Liverpudlian, this led to comparisions with The Coral, especially as both bands were signed to the same record label - Deltasonic - and had the same producer - Ian Broudie. Their debut album - Who Killed The Zutons? - was released on October 18th 2004, and reached number 9 in the UK album chart.
Line up
David McCabe on lead vocals and guitar Abi Harding on saxophone and vocals
Sean Payne on drums, percussion and vocals
Russell Pritchard on bass guitar and vocals
Hello Conscience
The Zutons Lyrics
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To go out at night and forget who you are
Alright
Then it's up in the morning and back to the start
Hello conscience how do you do
I've come a long way to talk with you
You've been causing chaos for much too long
I hear you got a problem with the way I am
But loneliness never seems to understand
Every time I hear the fizzing of my cup
I hold my head high and say good luck
I've got a couple of friends that are dying to meet you
They're going to be in town for a little while
So if you come after me
They're gonna steal your sight so you can't see
So relax and sit back instead
'Cause it's alright
To go out at night and forget who you are
Alright
Then it's up in the morning and back to the start
It's alright
To go out at night and forget who you are
Alright
Then it's up in the morning and back to the start
Hello sunshine how are things going
You come up everyday but I'm never showing
I guess me and you don't get along
With nothing in common, nothing's wrong
I spend a lot of time in the big white room
Down in the cellar I'll be drinking soon
I can't help sleeping through the sunny day
Tired in bed but that's OK
I've got a couple of friends that are dying to meet you
They're going to be in town for a little while
So if you come after me
They're gonna steal your sight so you can't see
So relax and sit back instead
'Cause it's alright
To go out at night and forget who you are
Alright
Then it's up in the morning and back to the start
It's alright
To go out at night and forget who you are
Alright
Then it's up in the morning and back to the start
Alright
Alright
Alright
Alright
Alright
Alright
Alright
Alright
Alright
Good timing
The opening lyrics of The Zutons’ song “Hello Conscience” depict a familiar scene: going out at night and forgetting one’s troubles. It’s a time-honored tradition, really, one that allows us to escape our problems and let loose for a while. However, as the song progresses, we see the singer grappling with their inner turmoil. “Hello conscience how do you do, I've come a long way to talk with you,” the chorus muses, acknowledging the fact that these temporary escapes can only take one so far. The mixed emotions are too strong, and the chaos is causing real damage. When the singer says, “loneliness never seems to understand,” it highlights the fact that sometimes we use these nights out as a way to combat feelings of isolation or sadness.
The references to “a couple of friends that are dying to meet you” are particularly interesting because it hints at something sinister lurking beneath the surface. Who are these friends? Why are they so eager to meet Conscience? Is there a price to pay for ignoring the problems that Conscience highlights? These are all questions that the song doesn’t answer explicitly, leaving the listener to ponder the meanings behind the lyrics. Ultimately, “Hello Conscience” is a song about the push and pull between indulgence and self-control, depicting the ways in which we try to find balance between the two.
Line by Line Meaning
Cause it's alright
It's okay
To go out at night and forget who you are
To enjoy the nightlife and lose yourself in the moment
Alright
It's okay
Then it's up in the morning and back to the start
Restarting a new day after a night of fun
Hello conscience how do you do
Speaking to one's conscience
I've come a long way to talk with you
Attempting to confront one's inner feelings
You've been causing chaos for much too long
One's inner thoughts have been causing internal turmoil
And these mixed emotions are much too strong
Feeling overwhelmed by various conflicting emotions
I hear you got a problem with the way I am
The inner voice disapproves of one's actions and decisions
But loneliness never seems to understand
Feeling misunderstood in a state of loneliness
Every time I hear the fizzing of my cup
Associating drinking with a sense of comfort
I hold my head high and say good luck
Remaining optimistic despite struggling inner thoughts
Hello sunshine how are things going
Addressing the lack of happiness and positivity
You come up everyday but I'm never showing
Feeling like one is hiding their true emotions
I guess me and you don't get along
Feeling like one's emotional state does not adhere to the societal norm
With nothing in common, nothing's wrong
Justifying one's emotional state as being unique and not necessarily wrong
I spend a lot of time in the big white room
Feeling trapped in one's own mind
Down in the cellar I'll be drinking soon
Resorting to alcohol as a coping mechanism
I can't help sleeping through the sunny day
Depression is causing lack of energy and inability to enjoy life
Tired in bed but that's OK
Accepting the exhaustion as part of a mental health struggle
I've got a couple of friends that are dying to meet you
Introducing the idea of seeking professional help
They're going to be in town for a little while
Emphasizing the temporary nature of therapy
So if you come after me
If the inner struggles persist
They're gonna steal your sight so you can't see
Getting assistance from professionals to overcome emotional struggles
So relax and sit back instead
Taking a deep breath and allowing oneself to receive help
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOYAN CHOWDHURY, ABIGAIL HARDING, DAVID MCCABE, SEAN PAYNE, RUSSELL PRITCHARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind