Turin Brakes has been compared to many of the New Acoustic Movement's bands spawned in the late 90s such as Elbow, Starsailor, I Am Kloot (who were a support band for Turin Brakes on their Ether Song tour) and the Norwegian band the Kings of Convenience.
Their debut album "The Optimist LP" (2001) was nominated for the Mercury Prize that same year. In 2003 "Ether Song" got to #3 in the UK album charts and spawned a Top 5 single "Pain Killer". Further commercial success was not achieved. In 2005 "JackInABox" meant some sort of return to the first album, but this time with more production and a more diverse sound. Again the critics loved it, but the buying public seemed not to. It got to no. 9 in its first week (without a hit single - "Fishing For A Dream" got to #35), but had no further commercial success. This might have been the effect of the decision by the band and the record company to take the slow path (doing just a short UK tour and not doing as much promotion as they used to), so that Olly Knights (the singer) could also focus on his new family life.
In the summer of 2005 the boys toured the USA and Canada, followed by an acoustic tour taking the band to Germany, The Netherlands and Italy. 2005 ended with a longer acoustic UK tour, of which the closing night in the Palladium in London was recorded and released as a download only live album the day after. The album sold quite well on iTunes, riding the top of the download charts in several countries.
The band spent the first half of 2006 writing new songs, occasionally performing both new and old work at small gigs across the UK. The band did an intimate tour in November 2006 to try out new material. In January 2007 the band entered a small studio in London to record their 4th album with producer Ethan Johns. After three weeks the band took a break (on January 29th Gale's wife gave birth to a daughter), but the sessions were resumed several weeks later in a bigger studio (also in London). On the last day of March 2007 the band announced that they had finished the recording sessions, and recorded 17 songs.
Their 2007 album, "Dark on Fire", was preceded by a download-only single "Stalker".
The band released their 5th studio album in March 2010 titled "Outbursts".
Their sixth album, We Were Here, was released 30 September 2013, and their seventh album Lost Property (recorded at Rockfield Studios with producer Ali Staton) was released on 29 January 2016.
On 26 January 2018 the band released their eighth album Invisible Storm.
NO MERCY
Turin Brakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can keep me dreaming
Jet plane quiet down
I know you’re leaving
It’s better here
Much better here
There’s no mercy
There’s no mercy out there…
The worm will wiggle
The fish will bite
Down on your hook
The world’s so still
It’s better here
Much better here
There’s no mercy
There’s no mercy out there…
The sun melts the snow
The shadows grow
And all I know
is we…
WE WERE HERE
There’s no mercy
There’s no mercy
There’s no mercy out there…
The lyrics to Turin Brakes's song "No Mercy" paint a vivid picture of solitude, introspection, and the harsh realities of the outside world. The first stanza sets the scene, with the mention of long grass catching the singer's thoughts and keeping them in a dream-like state. The quietness of a departing jet plane signifies the departure of something or someone significant from their life. Despite this, the singer believes that where they are currently is better than out there, outside their current space. The repeated phrase "There's no mercy out there" suggests that the world beyond their present state is unforgiving and lacks compassion.
In the second stanza, the singer uses a metaphor of fishing to illustrate the idea of attracting attention or trying to connect with others. They encourage others to cast out their bait, implying that they should put themselves out there and take risks. The line "The world’s so still" indicates that despite their attempts to engage with the outside world, it remains unresponsive or uninterested, reinforcing the idea that the outside world lacks mercy.
The third stanza takes a slightly different turn, as the sun melts the snow and shadows grow. This imagery suggests a changing environment and a shift in perspective. The acknowledgment of "we" and the affirmation that they were here implies that the singer is not alone in their experiences and perhaps seeks solace in the presence of others who have shared similar struggles. It is, however, important to note that despite this unity, the repeated assertion of "There's no mercy" serves as a reminder that the external world remains harsh and unforgiving.
Overall, the lyrics of "No Mercy" convey a sense of isolation, with the singer finding comfort and solace within their own thoughts and immediate surroundings. They express a desire to shield themselves from the harshness of the outside world, emphasizing that there is no mercy to be found beyond their current sheltered space.
Line by Line Meaning
Long grass, catch my thoughts
My thoughts are trapped in a place of serenity and contemplation, like being caught in long grass.
Can keep me dreaming
This environment allows me to continue dreaming and indulge in my imagination.
Jet plane quiet down
The loud noise of a jet plane fades away, symbolizing the departure of something significant.
I know you’re leaving
I am aware that someone or something important is departing from my life.
It’s better here
The current situation or place I am in is superior in terms of comfort and contentment.
Much better here
The comparison between the current place or state and others reinforces its superior quality.
There’s no mercy
In this particular context or situation, there is no forgiveness or compassion.
There’s no mercy out there…
Outside of this specific environment, there is a lack of forgiveness or leniency.
Cast out your bait kids
Children, release your enticing offers or opportunities to attract attention or gain something.
The worm will wiggle
Once the bait is set, it will attract interest or response, just like a worm squirming.
The fish will bite
Others will be drawn into the trap or scheme and fall for it, like a fish taking the bait.
Down on your hook
The victims or targets will become trapped or ensnared, just like a fish caught on a hook.
The world’s so still
The surroundings or environment become tranquil and calm.
The sun melts the snow
The warmth of the sun causes the snow to melt, signifying a change or transformation.
The shadows grow
As the sun sets or fades, the shadows become longer and more prevalent, symbolizing darkness or uncertainty.
And all I know
Despite the changing circumstances, this is the only certainty or knowledge I possess.
is we…
What remains constant or unchanging is the connection between 'us' or a particular group.
WE WERE HERE
Emphasizing the presence and impact of 'us' or the group in a particular place or time.
There’s no mercy
Similar to before, within this context or situation, there is no forgiveness or compassion.
There’s no mercy
Reiterating the absence of forgiveness or leniency in this specific environment.
There’s no mercy out there…
Outside of this particular place or time, there is a lack of forgiveness or leniency.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: BOB ALLUM, MATTHEW EDWARD MYER, OLIVER KNIGHTS, STEPHAN PARIDJANIAN, Matthew Edward Myer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind