The original lineup consisted of Stuart Smith on rhythm guitar and vocals, Tim Collis on lead guitar, Simon Thompson on Drums and Ian Lewis on Bass. Ian and Simon left the band in 2005, to be replaced by Dan Adams (replaced by Jamie Cooper during the recording of Animals in 2008) on bass and Chris Collis (brother of guitarist Tim) on drums in early 2006. In earlier careers, bassist Jamie Cooper had worked as a graphic designer, drummer Chris Collis had been a librarian at the University of Oxford, guitarist Tim Collis was a primary school teacher, and lead vocalist Stuart Smith worked building websites for a publisher. On May 11, 2011, it was announced on This Town Needs Guns' website that lead singer Stuart Smith would be leaving the band to start a family, and that he would be replaced by Pennines' singer and guitarist, Henry Tremain. Bassist Jamie Cooper also left the band in late 2011 to focus on a full-time career in graphic design. Tremain has since taken over on bass guitar duties, converting the band into a power trio.
The band's second and third studio albums, 13.0.0.0.0 and Disappointment Island, were released in January 2013 and July 2016, both via Sargent House.
Panda
This Town Needs Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are the 3 words I hope to hear next year.
Another place another time another twinkle in eyes caught between awkward glances
in crowded social scenes, another breeding ground for apathy
to tire me into indifference.
Now that I’m numb
Know when you’re wrong
it’s cos you’re fallible just like everyone.
Just stuck between a lampshade and the drunk.
Sentenced to an evening as the party entertainment’s prop.
Oh but it’s only you that I am thinking of.
Please return to me, cos it’s so…
So hard to take that I might break.
I’m discovering that there’s so much to consider worthwhile,
but most of all I’ve learned to hate that I’m still stuck on you.
If time has taught us this much,
it’s that honesty is the cornerstone of trust.
Well to tell the truth I’m tired of watching clocks,
waiting for endings of evenings that never seem to stop. Enough!
In short I’ve come
back to the places I had run from.
You saw it all
fall to pieces, now it’s so…
The song "Panda" by This Town Needs Guns is a ballad about unrequited love and the difficulties associated with it. The lyrics describe the singer's longing for someone who they hope will reciprocate their feelings in the future. The singer bemoans their own indifference and apathy, stating that they have grown numb to the world around them due to their unfulfilled desires. The song also touches on themes of self-discovery, as the singer realizes the futility of waiting for someone who may never love them back.
There is a sense of frustration throughout the song, as the singer struggles to come to terms with their own emotions. They feel trapped, stuck between a lampshade and a drunk, as they are forced to play the role of party entertainment. Despite their own discomfort, they can't help but think of the object of their affections. The chorus highlights this internal conflict, with the singer declaring that it's "so hard to take that [they] might break". The bridge of the song acknowledges the lessons of time - that honesty is essential in building trust - but ultimately the lyrics suggest that waiting for a love that may never come is a futile endeavor.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m in love!
The singer yearns to hear the three words expressing love, hoping for them to be spoken next year.
Another place another time another twinkle in eyes caught between awkward glances
The singer wants to experience a different setting with new people, where they can notice the subtle eye movements between them.
in crowded social scenes, another breeding ground for apathy
The singer is tired of socially interacting in person, frequently leading to experiences of apathy and societal conditioning.
to tire me into indifference.
The artist has become uninterested and apathetic due to the constant repetition of social scenes and lack of emotional variation.
Now that I’m numb
The artist is now desensitized and less responsive to physical or emotional stimuli.
to places I had run from.
The singer is now returning to locations previously abandoned for the hope of finding something new.
Know when you’re wrong
The singer acknowledges that acknowledging one's flaws is important.
it’s cos you’re fallible just like everyone.
Mistakes are a common factor among all people.
Just stuck between a lampshade and the drunk.
Speaker experiences a moment of stagnant time before being forced into the role of party entertainment for those consumed by alcohol.
Sentenced to an evening as the party entertainment’s prop.
The artist feels someone being used for the alcohol-infused entertainment of others at social events.
Oh but it’s only you that I am thinking of.
The singer is preoccupied with the thoughts of another person who they secretly long for.
Please return to me, cos it’s so…
The artist pleads for the other person's return, because they feel incomplete and unhappy without them.
So hard to take that I might break.
The singer feels the emotional pressure building up, fearing it could cause them to shatter.
I’m discovering that there’s so much to consider worthwhile,
The singer is beginning to realize that life has many things to offer, all of which are worth considering.
but most of all I’ve learned to hate that I’m still stuck on you.
Despite all these new things, the singer still finds themselves deeply attached to their love interest, which causes them to feel upset.
If time has taught us this much,
Over time, the artist has learned a lot through experience.
it’s that honesty is the cornerstone of trust.
Honesty is foundational for building strong relationships and trust.
Well to tell the truth I’m tired of watching clocks,
The singer is exhausted with passively observing time's slow and monotonous progression.
waiting for endings of evenings that never seem to stop.
The singer is tired of waiting for the nights of social events to come pass, regardless of how long they might feel.
Enough!
The artist has had enough of witnessing the night's monotony without change or difference.
In short I’ve come
In brief, the artist has returned.
back to the places I had run from.
The artist chose to return to locations previously fled from.
You saw it all
The singer's love interest had witnessed everything.
fall to pieces, now it’s so…
Things have been destroyed, and things now feel dull, empty and pointless
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@USAReject
When you discover that this music video exists years after first hearing the song and after listening to it millions of times somehow the video is literally exactly what you pictured every single time you listened to it
@Reaperscreepers
I love TTNG due to it having more that of a math structure which they decide to "give up solo's" in exchange for a more complex song overall. The use of complex rythms but yet the reuse of them in the transcurse of the song is refreshing. Similar yet different to the basic structure of jazz
@Thelaofkazi
Just discovered these guys. Love the way the drummer keeps the beat driving while the guitar and bass have this loose feel to them. It all just blends together well.
@daedley
this band is amazing, how great their music is to me cannot be put into words
@codyd.18
How does this amazing song not have more views?
@HouseNHaunted
Because you forgot to tell your dad.
@h0pesfall
Because I am the gatekeeper
@tyl2472
I wish that they'd revive this song for their live shows
@dirtydan958
swear
@shirona3
The lyrics are amazing. He puts you right in his shoes.