Toploader’s live career began playing with the likes of Coldplay and Muse in small venues across the UK. They later went on to back the likes of Paul Weller, Robbie Williams and Bon Jovi, becoming the last British band to play the original Wembley stadium. A string of top 20 hits both home and abroad followed, with Toploader quickly rising to become one of the most popular acts in British music. Their debut album, Onka’s Big Moka, sold over 1 million units and remained in the Top 5 of the UK album chart for over six months. Their cover of King Harvest’s song “Dancing in the Moonlight” became a global hit for the band. Their second album ‘Magic Hotel’, reached number 3, beating the number 4 of the debut. The result was over two million album sales to their name.
The band decided to break in 2003 due to the demise of their record label S2. In 2009, after an extended hiatus, they signed a one-album deal with Underdogs Music for their third album, which was released in June 2011.
The band line-up includes four of the five original members: Joseph Washbourn, Dan Hipgrave, Rob Green and Matt Knight.
Following The Sun
Toploader Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing's stopping me from smiling
Though my head is aching
Everything is fine
I'm mesmerized, your eyes excite me
All alone, but that just soothes me
There's no urgency, I'm following the sun
But this ain't what I planned
Don't know really who I am
I'm not asking anyone to understand
It doesn't matter if light burns my eyes
'Cause I'm where I wanna be
And it doesn't matter if I'm swallowed by the sky
'Cause I'm following the sun
Heading east, I'm looking skyward
Start to think that maybe I could
Reach the rising sun
And catch her when she falls
Sunday evening, daylight broken
Nothing stopping me from smiling
Just a fleeting glimpse
And everything is fine
This ain't what I planned
Don't know who I really am
I'm not asking anyone to understand
It doesn't matter if the light burns my eyes
'Cause I'm where I wanna be
And it doesn't matter if I'm swallowed by the sky
'Cause I'm following the sun
It doesn't matter if the light burns my eyes
'Cause I'm where I wanna be
And it doesn't matter if I'm swallowed by the sky
'Cause I'm following the sun
The lyrics to Toploader's song "Following The Sun" describe a sense of freedom and purpose that comes from following one's own path, regardless of what anyone else may think or whether it is what we imagined. The singer describes feeling content despite physical discomfort: they have a headache and their eyes hurt from the sun, but they are still happy. They are following the sun, heading towards something that excites them and that they feel is right for them, even if they don't know exactly what that is yet. The lyrics express a desire to take risks and explore new possibilities, to reach out to the unknown and embrace whatever it brings.
The middle section of the song reveals a certain uncertainty, however. The singer acknowledges that they are not sure who they really are or what they want, and they are not seeking understanding from others - their journey is their own. The final verse brings the song full circle as the singer completes their journey, having seen the sun rise and set once more. Nothing has changed, yet everything is different. In the end, it doesn't matter if the light burns their eyes or if they are swallowed by the sky, because they have followed their own path and found happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunday morning, daylight breaking
The start of a new day, with the dawn bringing light
Nothing's stopping me from smiling
Despite any troubles or worries, the singer is happy
Though my head is aching
The happiness is tempered by pain or discomfort
Everything is fine
Overall, the artist feels content and satisfied
I'm mesmerized, your eyes excite me
The artist is infatuated with someone they are thinking of
All alone, but that just soothes me
Being alone is comforting and peaceful
There's no urgency, I'm following the sun
The singer is taking their time and enjoying the journey
But this ain't what I planned
Things aren't going according to the artist's expectations
Don't know really who I am
The artist is unsure of their identity or purpose
I'm not asking anyone to understand
The artist is not seeking approval or validation from others
It doesn't matter if light burns my eyes
The pain or discomfort is worth it for the sake of being where the singer wants to be
'Cause I'm where I wanna be
The artist is in a place or state of mind that they desire
And it doesn't matter if I'm swallowed by the sky
The singer is not worried about being consumed or overwhelmed by their surroundings
Heading east, I'm looking skyward
The singer is on a specific path and paying attention to the heavens
Start to think that maybe I could
The singer is having new thoughts or ideas
Reach the rising sun
The artist has a grand goal or aspiration
And catch her when she falls
The artist wants to do something heroic or ambitious
Sunday evening, daylight broken
The end of the day, with darkness starting to fall
Just a fleeting glimpse
Perhaps the singer's goal was too difficult or unattainable
And everything is fine
Despite any disappointments, the artist is still content and happy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JULIAN DEANE, TIMOTHY DANIEL WOODCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind