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.
Rabbit
This Town Needs Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eyelids grow heavy and at this hour start to ache.
The covers hide away
All our mistakes.
And so do I
stop to question why do…
It seems your pillow case all trussed in lace was no match for me and you.
No matter what it is
Your hurting again.
Like lessons learnt in ways,
stunned silence reigns.
Clear like chrystal I understand your malcontent
and while words may not quite mean as much,
I hope this never ends.
The lyrics to This Town Needs Guns's song "Rabbit" convey a sense of comfort and companionship in a moment of vulnerability. The opening lines, "Move over it's getting kind of late. Eyelids grow heavy and at this hour start to ache" create a mood of weariness and the need for rest. The idea of finding solace under the covers, where "all our mistakes" can be hidden away, suggests a shared understanding and trust between the two people described in the song.
As the lyrics continue, the imagery shifts to "white feathers" dancing in the room, adding a dreamlike quality to the scene. The idea of birds and feathers often symbolize freedom and flight, which could be interpreted as a desire to escape from the problems and stress that the characters are facing. However, the image is followed by a reference to a "pillow case all trussed in lace," which suggests that the dreamlike state is grounded by reality and the presence of another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Move over it’s getting kind of late.
As night falls, fatigue sets in and we become aware of our own weariness.
The covers hide away
All our mistakes.
Under the protection of our bed covers, we try to forget our errors and regrets from the past.
And so do I
stop to question why do…
As I lie there, I wonder about the purpose of my existence.
…White feathers dance in my room while I’m too tired to sleep?
In my mind's eye, I see white feathers fluttering around my room, while I struggle to fall asleep.
It seems your pillow case all trussed in lace was no match for me and you.
Our relationship was intense and passionate, as evidenced by the tangled mess of your lacy pillowcase.
No matter what it is
Your hurting again.
Despite my efforts, you are still experiencing pain.
Like lessons learnt in ways,
stunned silence reigns.
Through our experiences, we have learned to communicate through the weight of silence.
Clear like chrystal I understand your malcontent
and while words may not quite mean as much,
I can see clearly that you are unhappy, and though we may not always articulate it well, I empathize with you.
I hope this never ends.
Despite the challenges we face, I desire that our relationship never comes to an end.
Contributed by Natalie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.