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.
Tied To The 90
Travis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the middle
I'm terribly frightened
I'm takin' it fast
Takin' it slow
There's thunder and lightning
It's terribly frightening
Lord knows
But I know
That if so
Well I want to tell you
We're tired of the 90's
We're tired of the 90's
But we're tied to the 90's
Tied to the 90's
Remember the 80's?
(they were something)
Were worse than the 90's
We're stuck in a path
Where fashion is fast
And nothin' is lasting
Its all ghetto blasting
And Lord knows
Where it goes
But I know
That if so well I want to tell you
We're tired of the 90's
We're tired of the 90's
But we're tied to the 90's
Tied to the 90's
Ah oh no
It's nothing to go on
The hifi five alive
That's it I'm stayin' in bed
'til my hair falls out
Everything's over
That said I like my wig
And I hate myself
I know its all in my head
We're tired of the 90's (x3)
But we're tied to the 90's
Oh we're tied to the 90's
We're tied to the 90's
We're tied to the nines
Tied to the nines
Tied to the 90's
Travis's "Tied to the Nineties" is a song that is reflective of the singer's feelings towards the decade that had just ended. The song begins with the lyrics "We're tied to the 90's in the middle; I'm terribly frightened; I'm taking it fast, taking it slow." These lines paint a picture of someone who is grappling with their feelings towards the past decade. They are unsure of how to proceed and are afraid of what may happen.
The following lines "There's thunder and lightning; it's terribly frightening; Lord knows where it goes; but I know that if so, well, I want to tell you" further emphasize this fear and uncertainty. The singer acknowledges that they do not know what the future holds but is determined to take control of it. The chorus repeats that while they are tired of the 90s, they are still tied to it.
The second half of the song reflects on the previous decade, the 80s, and how it was viewed in comparison to the 90s. The lyrics "Remember the 80's? (They were something); Were worse than the 90's; We're stuck in a path; Where fashion is fast, and nothing is lasting" suggest that despite the negative aspects of the 90s, they were still an improvement over the 80s. The song ends on a somewhat playful note with the singer expressing their dislike for themselves before acknowledging that they, like everyone else, were tied to the 90s.
Line by Line Meaning
We're tied to the 90's
We are trapped in the cultural era of the 90s and cannot seem to escape it.
In the middle
We are in the midst of a cultural shift, unsure of where things are headed.
I'm terribly frightened
The unknown future is causing fear and anxiety.
I'm takin' it fast
We are rushing through life without fully considering our actions.
Takin' it slow
Despite the rush, we are also delaying making big decisions, possibly due to fear and uncertainty.
There's thunder and lightning
The current cultural climate is volatile and unpredictable.
It's terribly frightening
This unpredictability is causing great fear and anxiety.
Lord knows where it goes
We don't know where the future is headed, and we have no control over it.
But I know that if so
Despite the uncertainty, there is still hope that things will turn out okay.
Well I want to tell you
The artist has something important to communicate.
We're tired of the 90's
We are weary of the cultural era we are stuck in and long for something new.
Ah oh no
An expression of frustration and despair.
It's nothing to go on
There is no clear direction or guidance to follow in this confusing time.
The hifi five alive
Nostalgic reference to the music of the past, which is still appreciated and brings joy.
That's it I'm stayin' in bed
The singer wants to retreat from the world and hide from their problems.
'til my hair falls out
The artist will stay in bed for an indefinite period of time, possibly until they begin to physically deteriorate.
Everything's over
The artist feels defeated and that their opportunities are exhausted.
That said I like my wig
Despite the bleak outlook, there are still things in the present that bring comfort and happiness.
And I hate myself
Conflicting emotions between positive and negative feelings about oneself.
I know its all in my head
The artist recognizes that their negative thoughts and emotions are self-generated and not necessarily reflective of reality.
We're tied to the 90's (x3)
Reiteration of the theme that we are unable to shake off the cultural era of the past.
Oh we're tied to the 90's
Emphasizes the intensity of being trapped in the past.
We're tied to the nines
A play on words that means being stuck in the past at the highest level or degree.
Tied to the 90's
Final reiteration of the central theme.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANCIS HEALY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
popsceneffm
Put a smile on my face in the 90s. And still does today.
delboy20091
Travis are one of the best bands ever. I hope all fans know that by watching these official videos on this official page add towards sales, as well as streaming on spotify. I'm not sure everyone knows. I. know not everyone cares but they deserve to sell more.
Ale
Totally agree!
I don't understand why the heck every video it's so poor on views!
A GREAT band, but underestimate. Beyond my comprehension 😔😔😔
Nicola Honey 🍯
I can’t believe this song is 24 years old?! 😱 Bought this when it came out!
The Parabolics
We love this entire albun!!!!! Travis is the greatest band currently!!!!
xjumpxdancex
I Love this song but I never tired of the 90s! 80s-90s are awesome years & have the best musics! :D
Chris Hyde
I lost track of these guys for awhile, but am loving the new record.
Vícmapp
Perfecta, me encanta escucharla con mis audífonos cuando viajo o simplemente cuando camino por la calle... 🎤🎧🙌
spid3rz
Anyone of a certain age will always feel “tied to the 90s” musically (I was 17 - 27 yrs old that decade)
Guy Burgess
Same here. I was 13 - 23 in that decade and I miss it.