The band released their debut album, Good Feeling (1997), to moderate success where it debuted at number nine on the UK Albums Chart and was later awarded a silver certification from the BPI in January 2000. The band gained greater success with their second album, The Man Who (1999), which spent nine weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart, totalling 134 weeks in the top 100 of the chart. In 2003, The Man Who was certified 9× platinum by the BPI, representing sales of over 2.68 million in the UK alone. Following this success, the band released their third effort, The Invisible Band (2001) album. The Invisible Band went on to match the success found with their previous album, where it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and spent a total of four weeks at the top spot, fifteen weeks in the top ten, and a total of fifty-five weeks in the top 100 chart, as well as peaking at thirty-nine on the US Billboard 200 album chart, spending a duration of seven weeks in the Billboard 200 chart. A year following the release of The Invisible Band, the BPI awarded Travis with a 4× platinum certification for the album.
In recent years, the band's discography has included studio albums 12 Memories (2003), The Boy with No Name (2007), Ode to J. Smith (2008), Where You Stand (2013), Everything at Once (2016) and 10 Songs (2020). In 2004, the band released their first greatest hits album, Singles, which spent nineteen weeks in the top 100 of the UK albums chart. Travis have twice been awarded best band at the BRIT Awards and were awarded the NME Artist of the Year award at their 2000 ceremony, and in 2016 were honoured at the Scottish Music Awards for their outstanding contribution to music. The band are widely said by the media to have paved the way for other bands such as Keane and Coldplay to go on to achieve worldwide success throughout the 2000s, particularly with the success of The Man Who.
Craft Recordings celebrated the 20th anniversary of Travis' breakthrough year with two simultaneous releases: Live at Glastonbury '99, plus expanded editions of The Man Who – both of which were released on 21 June 2019.
Nina's Song
Travis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The only ones left are all dumb
Hope I'm wrong again, wrong again, wrong
Uh-huh
There's our mum
The last time we checked she was young
But all she's got left has gone numb
And she's gone again, gone again, gone
There's nothing wrong with a song sung into battle, oh
We need you now, don't leave us now, what a palaver, oh
What a, don't leave me
Holding the candle too long
Burning my fingers and thumbs
Holding a candle too long
How can losing one leave you half as strong?
How dare anyone sit in your chair?
Somebody needs to be there
How we gonna get, gonna get there?
But where is our guy?
Don't care if he's lonely or shy
Just two legs, a shirt and a time
We'd get by, by, by
Hi, hi
And now you're gone, we don't belong
Where do we follow?
How can you say another day
When there's no tomorrow?
Tomorrow don't leave me
Holding the candle too long
Burning my fingers and thumbs
Holding a candle too long
How can losing one leave you half as strong?
There's nothing wrong with a song sung into battle, oh
We need you now, don't leave us now, what a palaver, oh
What a, don't leave me
Holding the candle too long
Burning my fingers and thumbs
Holding a candle too long
How can losing one leave you half as strong?
Burning my fingers and my thumbs
The lyrics to Travis's song "Nina's Song" convey a sense of loss and longing for a father figure who is no longer present. The opening lines ask the question, "How come all of the best dads are gone?" expressing a lament for the absence of strong and wise fathers. The song suggests that the remaining father figures are inadequate, described as "dumb." The singer hopes they are proven wrong, indicating a desire for a father figure who defies expectations.
The song then shifts focus to the singer's mother, highlighting her loneliness and numbness after experiencing loss. The repetition of "gone again" suggests a pattern of abandonment, leaving the family longing for stability and support. The lyrics reflect the emotional struggle of the family, desperately in need of guidance and a strong presence to fill the void.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of a song as a form of connection and strength during difficult times. It acknowledges the need for the absent father figure, pleading for him not to leave. The metaphor of holding a candle too long represents the pain and vulnerability experienced while waiting and hoping for a return. The lyrics also raise the question of how losing someone can leave an individual feeling only half as strong, highlighting the impact of this absence on the family's wellbeing.
Overall, "Nina's Song" captures the emotional turmoil and longing for a father figure in a family, expressing the deep need for love, support, and stability.
Line by Line Meaning
How come all of the best dads are gone?
Why is it that the most outstanding fathers have passed away?
The only ones left are all dumb
The remaining fathers are not as competent or capable
Hope I'm wrong again, wrong again, wrong
I wish to be mistaken about this, as I have been in the past
Uh-huh
An expression affirming agreement or understanding
There's our mum
Our mother is present
The last time we checked she was young
The most recent assessment showed her to be youthful
But all she's got left has gone numb
However, all that remains for her has become emotionally desensitized
And she's gone again, gone again, gone
And now she has departed once more
Uh-huh
An expression affirming agreement or understanding
There's nothing wrong with a song sung into battle, oh
There is nothing amiss with using music as motivation during a struggle
We need you now, don't leave us now, what a palaver, oh
We require your presence at this moment, please do not abandon us, what a chaotic situation
What a, don't leave me
Please, do not depart from my side
Holding the candle too long
Continuously enduring a difficult situation
Burning my fingers and thumbs
Causing discomfort and pain to myself
How can losing one leave you half as strong?
In what way does the loss of one person make you only partially resilient?
How dare anyone sit in your chair?
Who has the audacity to occupy your place?
Somebody needs to be there
It is essential for somebody to fulfill that role
How we gonna get, gonna get there?
How will we achieve our desired destination?
But where is our guy?
Yet, where is the person we are seeking?
Don't care if he's lonely or shy
We do not mind whether he feels alone or reserved
Just two legs, a shirt and a time
All we require is someone with a physical presence and availability
We'd get by, by, by
We would manage and cope, despite the circumstances
Hi, hi
A simple greeting
And now you're gone, we don't belong
Now that you are no longer with us, we do not fit in
Where do we follow?
Where should we direct our path?
How can you say another day
How can you promise another day
When there's no tomorrow?
When there is no future to look towards?
Tomorrow don't leave me
Please, do not abandon me in the days to come
Burning my fingers and thumbs
Causing discomfort and pain to myself
Holding a candle too long
Continuously enduring a difficult situation
How can losing one leave you half as strong?
In what way does the loss of one person make you only partially resilient?
There's nothing wrong with a song sung into battle, oh
There is nothing amiss with using music as motivation during a struggle
We need you now, don't leave us now, what a palaver, oh
We require your presence at this moment, please do not abandon us, what a chaotic situation
What a, don't leave me
Please, do not depart from my side
Holding the candle too long
Continuously enduring a difficult situation
Burning my fingers and thumbs
Causing discomfort and pain to myself
Holding a candle too long
Continuously enduring a difficult situation
How can losing one leave you half as strong?
In what way does the loss of one person make you only partially resilient?
Burning my fingers and my thumbs
Causing discomfort and pain to myself
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Francis Healy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Percy Quintana
No pude evitar derramar una lágrima al recordar a mis dos gatitas que ya no están 😢💔, Gracias Travis siempre tocan el corazón ...
Ximena Olivo Meneses
No puedo con toda la dulzura que irradia Fran Healy
Siempre he pensado que esta banda le hace cariño al corazón.
Travis no podían ser más adorables, los amo 💖
Marcelo Furmiga
These songs are literally connected to my life. Every single moment have a Travis song to play. Thanks Fran, Dougie, Andy & Neil for everything. When this darknesses days be over, I'll going to a concert, cause in Brazil I couldn't go.
Travis
Hey Marcelo, thanks for this. We will try. Stay well in the meantime, x fran
Fatal1ty
This song is like a warm hug for the strange times that we're living right now. Thank you Travis and please stay safe at home.
Arvin Bhowaneedin
The band that saved my life
cats, ducks and other хрень
Моей еще года нет, но уже обидно
Javier Ariel
i know it's pretty off topic but do anyone know a good site to stream newly released tv shows online ?
Arvin Bhowaneedin
Have faith. I am now 38 and still going despite falling in many pits so many times. But this is life
Aya
I hope it does mine too.