From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.
The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.
In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.
In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.
A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.
Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).
UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.
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UNKLE Lyrics
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You see things in life
And you're bit surprise what you see
Life, your whole life, is changes
You go through changes in your life
One second you've got it made
Next second you're down in the dumps
Throughout your whole life
One second you've got the most beautiful girl in the world
Next second you don't even have a girlfriend no more
And it goes back and forth
And back and forth, you known
And this is life man, it's changes
This is what you gotta go through throughout your whole lifetime
I'm going through changes
I'm going through changes
I'm going through changes
And it goes back and forth
And back and forth, you known
Never
Never
Land
The UNKLE song, "Back and Forth" is an emotional and introspective track that touches on the theme of change in life. The opening lines speak of life being full of surprises and changes, and how we must constantly adapt to them. The verses touch upon the ups and downs of life, such as having it all and then losing it, or the fluctuation of romantic relationships. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm going through changes" which further emphasizes this idea of life being inconstant and ever-changing. The song ends with the phrase "Never Never Land" which could be interpreted as a state of being lost, confused, and feeling disconnected from reality. The overall tone of the song is somber and reflective, highlighting the complexities of the human experience and our constant struggle to navigate our way through life's changes.
Line by Line Meaning
You see things in life
Life presents various situations and experiences to an individual
And you're bit surprised what you see
Sometimes life's unpredictable changes can be shocking
Life, your whole life, is changes
Throughout life, change is constant and inevitable
You go through changes in your life
Every individual experiences personal transformation at some point in their life
One second you've got it made
At times, things can seem to be going well and in one's favor
Next second you're down in the dumps
However, that could change in the blink of an eye, leaving someone feeling low and hopeless
And it goes back and forth
Life is full of ups and downs, it's a constant cycle of change
Throughout your whole life
This cycle of change can last an individual's entire lifetime
One second you've got the most beautiful girl in the world
At times, one may feel they have something/someone that's extremely valuable to them
Next second you don't even have a girlfriend no more
However, that situation can change quickly, leaving someone without what they once had
And it goes back and forth
Again, life is a constant cycle of change
And back and forth, you known
It's important to recognize this cycle of change
And this is life man, it's changes
That's just the nature of the constantly evolving life
This is what you gotta go through throughout your whole lifetime
Everyone has to face this cycle of change at some point in their entire life
I'm going through changes
The singer is currently experiencing their own cycle of change
Never
Not ever
Never
Not ever
Land
A reference to a mythical place that can never be reached, implying that change is constant and never-ending
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD FILE, ANTONY GENN, JAMES LAVELLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind