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.
Bloodstain
UNKLE Lyrics
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Users and losers
There's nothing here to make me stay
Bloodstain on a blue vein
Take it with no shame
Love tracks on a loose train
Bloodstain
No gain with no pain
My scars are deeper than you think
Tie me, try me
One more time before I sink
Big lies, big times
This love is not what we're about
It's too late, and I'm too straight
It's time to blow this fire out
Bloodstain on a blue vein
Take it with no shame
Love tracks on a loose train
Bloodstain on a blue vein
Take me softly
I'm going crazy for your touch
Bloodstain on a blue vein
(Blue, blood, blue, blood, blue, blood)
Take it with no shame
(No, take, no, take, no, take)
I'm alone
And dissatisfied
And someone else is alone
And dissatisfied
You are alone
The lyrics to UNKLE's song Bloodstain appear to be about a turbulent relationship that has reached its end. The singer seems to be tired of the games and drama involved, referring to the other person as a "user" and "loser." They feel there is nothing left to make them want to stay in this situation.
The chorus includes the repetition of the phrase "Bloodstain on a blue vein," which could suggest a physical injury or perhaps a more metaphorical wound caused by the relationship. The singer seems to be willing to accept the consequences of whatever has caused this “bloodstain,” and even take it with “no shame.”
The second half of the song has a sense of resignation, as the singer acknowledges their own pain and scars but seems ready to move on. They realize that this love is not what they are "about" and that it's time to "blow this fire out." The final verse suggests that the singer and their partner are both alone and dissatisfied, possibly indicating that the issues in their relationship are two-sided.
Line by Line Meaning
It doesn't matter what I say
My words hold no value or effect.
Users and losers
People come and go in my life, some of whom I've lost.
There's nothing here to make me stay
I'm not attached or bound to anything that could tie me down.
Bloodstain on a blue vein
A metaphorical image of a painful reminder of a past hurt.
Take it with no shame
Accept it and move on without feeling guilty or ashamed.
Love tracks on a loose train
The path of love is unpredictable and uncertain.
No gain with no pain
You can't achieve anything without experiencing the struggles and hardships along the way.
My scars are deeper than you think
The emotional pain I've endured has left me with more than just surface-level wounds.
Tie me, try me
Put me through whatever trials and tribulations you can come up with, I'll endure it all.
One more time before I sink
Give me one last chance to prove myself before I fall apart.
Big lies, big times
The grand illusion of a grand romance.
This love is not what we're about
Love wasn't the focus or intention in this situation.
It's too late, and I'm too straight
It's too far gone and I'm too far removed from this situation to fix it.
It's time to blow this fire out
It's time to end things and move on for good.
Take me softly
Handle me with care and gentleness.
I'm going crazy for your touch
The longing and desire for physical intimacy is driving me insane.
Bloodstain on a blue vein
The haunting memory of a past wound.
(Blue, blood, blue, blood, blue, blood)
Repeating the metaphorical image of the bloodstain on the blue vein.
Take it with no shame
Don't feel guilty or embarrassed for carrying the weight of that past hurt.
I'm alone
I'm by myself with no one to turn to.
And dissatisfied
Unhappy with the way things are currently.
And someone else is alone
Someone else is experiencing the same loneliness as me.
And dissatisfied
Unhappy with their current situation as well.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICE TEMPLE, JOSH PAUL DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind