Then Jeric… Read Full Bio ↴Then Jerico were a British rock band from the late 1980s.
Then Jerico produced two outstanding albums of creative songwriting, instrumentation, arrangement and production. The singles "Big Area" and "Sugar Box" being especially memorable. The song "Big Area" was featured in the 1989 science fiction film "Slipstream" starring Mark Hamill.
The band included singer Mark Shaw, bassist Jasper Stainthorpe, drummer Steve Wren, and guitarist Scott Taylor.[2]
The band played at The Limelight Club in NYC in 1983 and signed to London Records in 1984. The single "The Big Sweep" was recorded for London but they objected to the lyrical subject matter (an anti-Robert Maxwell/Rupert Murdoch statement). It was initially released by the track's producer Martin Rushent on his own Immaculate label in 1985 and later as a limited edition by London Records along with the new song, "Fault".[2]
The band's songs "Muscle Deep" and "The Motive" charted in 1987.[2] They enjoyed success with two albums, First (The Sound of Music) (1987) co-produced by Mark Shaw and Owen Davies, which reached number 35 in the UK Albums Chart,[3] followed by The Big Area in 1989 that went gold and reached number 4 in the UK Albums Chart.[3] Producer Rick Nowels took care of about more than half of the tracks on that album which also led to the appearance of Belinda Carlisle on side vocals on the single "What Does It Take".[4]
Released in 1988, ahead of the group's second album, "Big Area" achieved their greatest chart success, peaking at number 13 in the UK Singles Chart.[3]
The original Then Jerico line-up split up in early 1990,[5] with Mark Shaw leaving the band to pursue a solo career. He released his only studio album, Almost for EMI in 1991.[6][7] It was produced by guitarist Andy Taylor and included two singles "Love So Bright" and "Under Your Spell".[7] Mark Shaw has also worked off and on with Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley and the SAS Band.[2]
In 1998, Shaw re-activated Then Jerico, writing the materials for Orgasmaphobia, a self-financed album[6][8] released on Eagle Rock. The album was co-produced by Mark Shaw and Andy Taylor with collaborations from Taylor, Simple Minds' keyboard player Mick MacNeil and author Iain Banks.[8] In 2000, a live album Alive & Exposed was released by Yeaah! Records credited to 'Then Jerico... Mark Shaw Etc.'.[9] It was a recording made in the summer of 1992 of a concert at The Grand Theatre, Clapham in London.[9][10] It contained a new song "Step into The Light".[10]
Shaw embarked on a new Then Jerico tour in 2012 with an original line-up of the band, made up of Mark Shaw, guitarists Rob Downes and Scott Taylor, bass player Jasper Stainthorpe and drummer Steve Wren.[11]
A Reprise Tour was launched for 2013[12] to promote the release of the 'Reprise' compilation album[12] on Warner / Rhino Music with a number of appearances including at Henley's Rewind the 80s Music[13][14] and at the Let's Rock Bristol festivals.[15]
As of February 2014 the 'original' Then Jerico called it a day; however, lead singer Mark Shaw has continued, as he vowed to do, with a new and improved line-up to fulfill Let's Rock festival dates in May, June and July. In 2015 Shaw has been playing club shows prior to a new album release in 2016 and a forthcoming performance at "Let's Rock London", Clapham Common, London, on 16 July 2016.
Big Area
Then Jerico Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was shattered by your eyes
Living far beyond my means
Do you know how that feels?
I was waiting for so long
I was praying to belong
Strong enough and hard enough to give you away.
In this big area of mine
Sometimes you break me up inside
Saying I
I want to let you go
Got that feeling
If anyone who comes to know you long enough will give you away.
There was never one as I who could stand the reasons why
Who would even take the time
Did you care
Was I right?
Only once did you try
Even then it was hard enough
Just for you to realize or believe there was only one
Strong enough and hard enough to give you away.
In this big area of mine
Sometimes you break me up inside
In this big area of mine. sometimes you break me up inside
Sometimes you break me up inside
In this big area of life
Saying I
I want to let you go
Go that feeling
If anyone who comes to know you long enough will give you away.
I was taken by surprise
I was shattered by your eyes
Breaking down something so right and so fine.
The lyrics of Then Jerico's song Big Area are very introspective and passionate, with the singer describing the emotional turmoil of a relationship that didn't work out. The first verse depicts the awe and attraction felt towards the other person, who appears to be out of their league. The singer confesses to living beyond their means to impress them, and wonders whether they understand the sacrifice. The desperation to be noticed and accepted is palpable, as they have been waiting for this person for a long time, hoping to belong. The last sentence of the verse implies that the singer has finally found someone strong enough and hard enough to give the other person away, suggesting that perhaps they are in a love triangle or that the other person is in a toxic relationship.
In the second verse, the tone switches to reproach and resignation, as the singer considers the reasons why the other person could not reciprocate their feelings. They seem to have been deluding themselves, thinking that they were the only one capable of understanding the other person, but have now realized that they were wrong. The line "Sometimes you break me up inside" repeats several times, emphasizing the pain and frustration of the situation. The final lines of the chorus reflect the sense of loss and betrayal, as the singer admits that they want to let the other person go, knowing that eventually, they will be given away.
The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, "I was taken by surprise, I was shattered by your eyes," bringing the singer full circle in their emotional journey. The lyrics of Big Area offer a poignant insight into the complexities of relationships, exploring themes of attraction, longing, rejection, and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
I was taken by surprise
I was caught off guard
I was shattered by your eyes
Your eyes profoundly affected me
Living far beyond my means
I was overextending myself
Do you know how that feels?
Have you ever experienced that before?
I was waiting for so long
I had been anticipating for a considerable time
I was praying to belong
I was hoping to fit in
Only holding out to see and believing there's only one
I was waiting patiently for the right one
Strong enough and hard enough to give you away.
Someone who is brave enough to let go of you
In this big area of mine
In my vast personal space
Sometimes you break me up inside
You have the power to hurt me deeply
Saying I
I confess
I want to let you go
I need to release you
Got that feeling
I have that gut instinct
If anyone who comes to know you long enough will give you away.
If someone spends enough time with you, they will realize you are not for them
There was never one as I who could stand the reasons why
No one else was as strong as me to tolerate the reasons for us not to be together
Who would even take the time
Who else would bother
Did you care
Were you emotionally invested
Was I right?
Was I justified in feeling this way?
Only once did you try
You only attempted once
Even then it was hard enough
It was still challenging
Just for you to realize or believe there was only one
To understand or acknowledge that there is only one person for you
In this big area of mine. sometimes you break me up inside
You have the power to cause me significant emotional pain within my personal life
Breaking down something so right and so fine.
Destroying something that was once perfect and beautiful.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alex Mungo, David Taylor, Jasper John Nielson Stainthorpe, Mark Shaw, Rob Downes, Stephen Wren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TimParker-Chambers
1:30
''Anyone
Who
Comes to know you
Long
Enough
Will give you away''
The Aussie-Ex was like that... 💔💔💔💔
If anyone ever makes a biopic about Then Jericho, they have to cast Jamie Campbell Bower as Mark Shaw 👍👍👍👍
@jamnoise72
I'm SO happy and blessed I was born in 72
80's was the best time and music ever it is timeless and always so fresh #2024
@marktolan3766
born in '71 i love the 80's as much as you do was the best years of my life!
@thewhrathgtsport7506
i was born 1973 best decade all all time
@eightiesboy
Born in 70 so was 10-20 from 80-90. Absolute bliss!!!!
@jerryn9496
Child of 73. This is one of the greatest 80s tracks
@lisachandler2260
16 years old when I first heard this 1989. Send me back please.. class! 👌👌👌
@marktrevor5485
If only 😮
@themoores9817
I loved this back when it was released, absolutely loved it so much! I had forgotten all about it until I watched the film. “Slipstream” yesterday, boy did I smile 😁! Addicted ałl over again, it's fantastic! Born in ‘77 I am so happy I remember the best decade in music (okay nearly all of it as I was three in 1980. BEST music, BEST films, BEST TV, BEST radio (with songs like this & the late, GREAT Steve Wright, R.I.P.)
@jerryfiore5818
Not to mention those killer guitar licks laid down by the late Scott Taylor.
@gezdevoy6454
I'm a 20th century boy struggling in the 21st century take me.back please