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.
Only Molly Knows
Travis Lyrics
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Oh Molly Molly
Will I be the one
When the day is through
Oh Molly Molly
Will I be with you
Oh Molly Molly
Let me follow through
'Cause I am lost at sea
Oh Molly Molly
Haven't got a clue
All I have to show
For all the years below
Only Molly knows
When the lights go down
Oh Molly Molly
Will you be around
When the lights are gone
Oh Molly Molly
Will you leave the town
Tell me what is wrong
Oh Molly Molly
Let me sing a song
'Cause I have lost the will
Oh Molly Molly
Cannot carry on
All I have to show
For all the years below
Only Molly knows
When the day is done
Oh Molly Molly
Will I be the one
When the day is through
Oh Molly Molly
Will I be with you
Tell me what to do
Oh Molly Molly
Let me follow through
Where are we to be tomorrow Molly
Haven't got a clue
All I have to show
For all the years below
Only Molly knows
The lyrics of Travis's song "Only Molly Knows" are written in a way that portrays the singer's vulnerability and longing for a woman named Molly. The first two stanzas depict the singer's uncertainty about his future with Molly: whether he will be the one with her when the day is done, and whether he is lost at sea without her. The third stanza is a plea to Molly to guide him, as he has no idea what to do, and he needs her to show him the way. The chorus, "All I have to show, for all the years below, only Molly knows," suggests that there is a history between them, and only Molly knows what it means and how it will be resolved.
The second half of the song continues in this vein. The singer questions whether Molly will be there when the lights go down and if she will leave the town when they are gone. He pleads with her to tell him what is wrong, asking if he can sing a song to make things right. However, the singer has lost his will and cannot carry on without Molly. The song concludes with another repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the idea that only Molly knows the deeper meaning of their relationship and the future that lies ahead.
Overall, "Only Molly Knows" is a beautiful and melancholic ode to the complexities of relationships that captures the bittersweet uncertainty of love. The lyrics play with a longing and vulnerability of a man that is trying to find his way, and the emotional weight of the song is amplified by the simplicity of the lyrics and the gentle acoustics that help to keep the focus on the words and the emotions conveyed.
Line by Line Meaning
When the day is done
At the end of the day
Oh Molly Molly
Addressing a person by the name of Molly
Will I be the one
Will I be chosen or favored
When the day is through
At the end of the day
Will I be with you
Will I spend time with you
Tell me what to do
Provide guidance, give direction
Let me follow through
Allow me to take action
'Cause I am lost at sea
Metaphor for being lost, unsure
Haven't got a clue
No idea or plan
All I have to show
Everything I've accomplished or experienced
For all the years below
Throughout my entire life until now
Only Molly knows
Only the person named Molly knows the whole truth
When the lights go down
When the day ends, when the mood changes
Will you be around
Will you still be present or available
When the lights are gone
When things get dark or hopeless
Will you leave the town
Will you abandon me or our situation
Tell me what is wrong
Explain the problem or issue
Let me sing a song
Express myself through music
'Cause I have lost the will
I have no desire or motivation
Cannot carry on
Unable to continue
Where are we to be tomorrow Molly
Asking about our future or where we will be
All I have to show
Everything I've accomplished or experienced
For all the years below
Throughout my entire life until now
Only Molly knows
Only the person named Molly knows the whole truth
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind