Hailing from the town of Tunbridge Wells, Tom Williams & The Boat first formed as a natural progression from Tom William’s solo work. With drums, bass, violins, guitars, mouth organs, and pianos, their sound is epic and adventurous whilst retaining a strong personality and humanity, rooted in Tom’s song-writing. The band have earned a growing fan-base through supporting bands such as The Wombats, Good Books, Jack Penate, Jeremy Warmsley, Emmy the Great, and Laura Marling.
The first edition of the new Tom Williams and The Boat EP, The Penguin EP, is to be released by UNlabel on limited edition CD with hand finished artwork. Recorded onto 2'' tape at The Granary Studios in Lamberhurst, Kent, with a new group of players, The Penguin EP has earned interest from indie and major-level heavyweights.
http://www.tomwilliamsandtheboat.co.uk/
Concentrate
Tom Williams & The Boat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soaking and bleeding again I hit the floor spinning
Backpack on my back, it′s weighing me down
Weighing me down, weighing me down.
I think it's that I don′t know kids and they don't know me
But I know one thing, that I'm safer in my room
I′ve got the internet, I meet friends on MSN,Friends′ friends, friends' friends, they tell me
Don′t put stuff in your backpack that'll scare the
Shit out of kids, that chase you in the street
That′d help me out... That'd help me out
That′d help me out... That'd help me out
But after a while I get tired,
They try to get me to study but I've got things to do...
I′ve got homework too
′Cause they don't know my dad
He′s this town through and through
Old school fifty-something balding racist
And so his mates are too
But me I'm a modern man!
Me I′m a modern man!
I'm a modern man a wo-ooah
I′m a modern man a wo-ooah
And I think I'm intelligent
I think I'm open minded
And I think I′ve got a world view
And there′re not many people like me round here I can tell you
And I think I'm the future
And I think I′m dead, if I lose track
'Cause they don′t know my dad
He's this town through and through
Old school fifty-something balding racist
And so his mates are too
But me I′m a modern man!
Me I'm a modern man!
I'm a modern man a wo-ooah
I′m a modern man a wo-ooah
Yeah me I′m a modern man
Me I'm a modern man
I′m a modern man a wo-ooah
I'm a modern man a wo-oo-oo-aaahhh
Yeah-ahhh oh
The lyrics to Tom Williams & The Boat's song "Concentrate" describe a young person who feels like an outcast in their hometown. The opening lines depict someone who rushes inside from the rain, bleeding and tired, with a backpack that "weighs them down." The lyrics suggest that this individual struggles with feeling understood by others in their community. They feel like they don't know the local kids, and the kids don't know them. Although they have internet friends who can relate to them, they still struggle to fit in with the people around them.
The song goes on to describe how the singer sees themselves as a "modern man" who is intelligent, open-minded, and has a broad worldview. However, they feel this way in contrast to their father and his friends, who are racist, old-fashioned, and stuck in their ways. The song suggests that the singer feels like they need to break free from their old-fashioned roots to discover their true potential as a person.
The lyrics of "Concentrate" draw attention to the universal human need for connection and understanding. They describe the frustration of feeling like an outsider in one's own community and the struggle to define oneself amid conflicting cultural expectations. The song also prompts listeners to consider how their own experiences relate to the singer's story.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the rain, I burst in through the front door
I entered a new phase in my life and I am trying to adapt to it
Soaking and bleeding again I hit the floor spinning
I am physically, mentally, and emotionally drained
Backpack on my back, it′s weighing me down
My past experiences and possessions are a burden on me
Weighing me down, weighing me down.
I feel stuck and unable to move forward
I think it's that I don′t know kids and they don't know me
I feel disconnected from the younger generation and struggle to relate to them
But I know one thing, that I'm safer in my room
I feel more secure and comfortable in my own space
I′ve got the internet, I meet friends on MSN,
I find solace in online interactions and virtual relationships
Friends′ friends, friends' friends, they tell me
I receive advice and guidance from people I don't personally know
Don′t put stuff in your backpack that'll scare the
I am advised to avoid carrying things that could attract negative attention
Shit out of kids, that chase you in the street
I am cautious of being a target for bullying or harassment
′Cause they don't know my dad
My family and their beliefs are unknown to others
He′s this town through and through
My dad and his friends are very set in their ways and represent the traditional values of our town
Old school fifty-something balding racist
My dad is a conservative person who struggles with accepting diversity and change
And so his mates are too
My dad's friends share his beliefs and values
But me I′m a modern man!
I am trying to embrace progress and adapt to contemporary society
Yeah me I′m a modern man
I am proud of my progressive views and embrace change
I think I'm intelligent
I have confidence in my intellectual abilities
I think I'm open minded
I consider different perspectives and am willing to accept new ideas
And I think I′ve got a world view
I have a broad understanding of the world and its issues
And there′re not many people like me round here I can tell you
I feel like an outsider and struggle to find like-minded individuals in my community
And I think I'm the future
I believe that progressive values will shape the future
And I think I′m dead, if I lose track
I fear losing my identity and becoming like those who hold traditional values
Contributed by Liam I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.