The first home-made tapes were recorded and copied in 1994. Lupe was the last to join the band in October scratching his way to create a new version of Thumb. Record companies began to show an interest and EMI signed a deal in March 1995. Six months later on 14th September Thumb’s debut was in the shops. A new star had entered the crossover arena. Genre-related bands Bad Religion, Dog Eat Dog, Henry Rollins and Foo Fighters kept the band company in the next two years at live gigs in Germany. Then it was time for the five to set to work in January 1997 and write the songs of their second album Exposure.
The album duly appeared on 5th May that year and proved to be a great surprise, because Thumb had changed direction. Thumb’s new sound is sharp-edged and at the same time so earthy that the critics are not the only ones to stand there open-mouthed. They have effortlessly succeeded in escaping the crossover stereotypes. The fans appreciate this move and the ensuing live shows lift Thumb above routine into a success story. Their path even leads them to America where they play in front of nearly 180,000 during the 1998 Vans Warped Tour. They played alongside greats like the Deftones, Bad Religion, NOFX and many more at thirteen shows in three weeks. Needing to recharge their batteries, they take a long break - and very nearly don't return from it.
Preparations for the third album slowly got underway at the start of 2000 but were abruptly interrupted when guitarist Axel Hilgenstöhler left the band half way through the year, the shock was compounded by the band's creative crisis. The band was on the brink of disintegrating, however, they were saved when new guitarist Axel Praiat along with the new blood coursing through the band's veins took things upwards again. Everything written and recorded up to that point was axed. Claus looks back on this phase: "It wasn't just a question of finding a new guitarist who could fill the gap. We wanted to be writing proper songs as an ensemble. In the past three years we have kept trying to do just that, but we never really came up to our own expectations." Their new-found strength virtually gave them wings. Anyone who thought that Thumb had reached the apogee of their creative career with Exposure soon had to think again. Whereas their old crossover companions had by now almost all retreated from the scene the Gütersloh crew were back with a heavyweight crossover/hardcore/alternative steam hammer unequalled in its genre and in its home country.
The new album showed progress. Thumb were coming in through the front door and they hadn't bothered to unlock it either. Beefy, powerful, with plenty of groove, intelligent arrangements and blazing anger in their belly they are forcing their way into the limelight. The sound was very dense. There are many ways to approach it and many small discoveries to be made about it. "Thumb's idea was never basic rock," explains Claus. "We always aimed to go deeper. Of course, we needed the sound to back that up. The first release from the third album, 'Down Like Me', is a typical example which shows that Thumb songs are more than just music to stomp to." 'Down Like Me' literally drives its way through the loudspeakers. PHAT! Steffen pushes the song forward with stoic, primal force, Axel's guitar work is mean and insidious, Jan Hendrik offers a nice soft pillow to cry on, Claus joins in with furious polyphonic arguments, and Lupe strings together chains of nuances to fuse the sound together. All this is crowned with psychedelic sounds within sounds and electronic elements reminiscent of Portishead. This single is a tailor-made opener, but the rest of the songs - this much we can guarantee - are in no way inferior."
More
Thumb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With every moment of my time
With all the strength I'll ever own
I'll never make it all alone
I believe you but I can't see you
You're every step I'll ever take
You're more than I can feel
You're more than I can say you're all to me!
My every heart inside of me
My every breath my every me
You're every thing I really own
I'd never make it all alone
I believe you but I can't feel you
You're every move I'll ever make
'Cause you're more than I can say
You're more than I can feel
You're more than I can say you're all to me!
I believe you, though I don't see you
You're every thing that's on my mind
I will seek you I will speak you
And everything will work out right so right!
'Cause you're more than I can say
You're more than I can feel
You're more than I can say you're all to me!
You're more
So much more
You're so much more
You're so much more to me!
The song "More" by Thumb is a beautiful tribute to faith and the belief that one is not alone in the world even during the hardest of times. The song begins with the acknowledgment that no matter how much strength a person possesses, they cannot make it all alone without the support of something or someone greater than themselves. The lyrics go on to express a belief in a guiding force, something or someone that cannot be seen or felt but is present in the world in every step and every breath, representing an unwavering source of comfort and strength.
The song then moves on to describe this force as more than what can be expressed in words, more than what can be felt, and more than what can be said, indicating the idea that the power of faith transcends language and emotional expression. The lyrics beautifully convey the idea that this guiding force is everything that the singer owns and that without it, they would never make it all alone. The song's message ultimately centers on the idea that faith is more than just a belief system, it is a source of hope, strength, and comfort that is more powerful than we can imagine.
Line by Line Meaning
With every corner of my mind
I am constantly thinking of you and your presence is never too far from my thoughts.
With every moment of my time
Every action I perform, and every second of my day is dedicated to you and your salvation.
With all the strength I'll ever own
I will put all my energy and power behind my belief in you and trust that you will guide me through life.
I'll never make it all alone
I know that with your guidance, I am never truly alone and I can overcome any obstacle.
I believe you but I can't see you
Although I have faith in you, it is hard to fully comprehend your existence as I have not seen you in person.
You're every step I'll ever take
You are guiding me through every aspect of my life, and every step I take is based on your teachings.
'Cause you're more than I can say
Your impact on my life and my faith in you cannot be put into words.
You're more than I can feel
Your presence in my life is so immense that it is beyond a physical feeling I can describe.
You're more than I can say you're all to me!
You are everything to me and your influence on my life has been immeasurable.
My every heart inside of me
My heart, mind, and soul are all consumed by my love and devotion to you.
My every breath my every me
Every breath I take and every aspect of my being is focused on you and your teachings.
You're everything I really own
My faith in you is the most valuable possession I have, and I entrust my life to you completely.
I'd never make it all alone
Without you, I would be lost and unable to navigate life's challenges.
You're every move I'll ever make
Your guidance will determine every decision and choice I make in life.
I believe you, though I don't see you
I have faith in your existence and your influence on my life, even though I have not seen you in person.
You're everything that's on my mind
Your teachings and influence are always at the forefront of my thoughts and I constantly think of how to integrate them into my life.
I will seek you I will speak you
I will actively pursue you and uphold your teachings in my daily life.
And everything will work out right so right!
By following your guidance, I know that everything in my life will fall into place and work out for the best.
You're more
Your influence on my life is immeasurable and cannot be summed up in just a few words.
So much more
Your impact on my life extends far beyond what I can express or comprehend.
You're so much more
Your teachings and influence are so immense that they encompass every aspect of my life.
You're so much more to me!
Your love, guidance, and teachings are everything to me and I trust in your plan for my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AXEL PRALAT, CLAUS GRABKE, JAN HENDRIK MEYER, STEFFEN WILMKING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind