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.
Caged Bird
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the valley
So we can run
Under illusion
This one dream
I see is true
The caged bird
Sings the blues
This one dream
I see is true
The caged bird
Sings the blues
For you
I know where we can fly
Into, into thin air
Something to believe
Or beware
Into thin air
Something to believe
Or beware
Into thin air
Oh I know where we can fly
Hold on
To break the cage
And route the Rage to love
Love
Oh for so many nights
A prayer to breach
That star you'll
Reach tonight
Into, into thin air
Something to believe
Or beware
Into thin air
No light despair
Into thin air
Something to believe
Hold on
It's all a dream
It seems to
Feel the air you breathe
There's so much needing
We are believing
Hold on
The lyrics to UNKLE's song Caged Bird seemingly convey a message of hope, freedom, and breaking free from oppression. The first verse describes the wind blowing across the valley, offering us a chance to run under an illusion of freedom. The chorus, "This one dream I see is true, the caged bird sings the blues for you," suggests that despite the illusion of freedom, the caged bird still longs for true freedom and is feeling the effects of being trapped.
The second verse offers a glimmer of hope, with the idea of flying into thin air, either to believe in a better future or to be aware of the dangers that come with freedom. The repeated phrase "hold on" serves as a reminder to stay strong, push through adversity and continue to fight for freedom.
The bridge of the song is particularly powerful, offering a call to break the cage and reject the rage that comes with oppression. The message of love overcoming hatred is further emphasised in this section, as the star being breached is interpreted as a beacon of hope and love.
Overall, Caged Bird conveys a message of hope, awareness, and a call to action to break free from oppression and embrace love.
Line by Line Meaning
The wind did blow
The wind blew across the valley.
Across the valley
The wind blew from one side of the valley to the other.
So we can run
The wind provides us with the ability to run.
Under illusion
Despite the wind, we may still be under an illusion.
This one dream
I see is true
The dream someone is experiencing seems to be the actual reality.
The caged bird
Sings the blues
For you
The caged bird is sad for you and sings the blues.
I know where we can fly
Into, into thin air
I know where we can go, it's high up in the air.
Something to believe
Or beware
It could be something to believe in, or something to be cautious of.
Oh I know where we can fly
Hold on
I know where we can go, but hold on tight.
To break the cage
And route the Rage to love
Love
To escape the cage and redirect one's anger towards love.
Oh for so many nights
A prayer to breach
That star you'll
Reach tonight
Many nights have been spent praying to reach the star tonight.
No light despair
There is hope even in darkness.
Something to believe
Something to put faith in.
It's all a dream
It seems to
Feel the air you breathe
It seems like all of this is just a dream, but you can feel the reality of the air you breathe.
There's so much needing
We are believing
Hold on
There is so much we need, but we will hold on to our belief.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOEL CADBURY, KATRINA KELLY FORD, PABLO SPENCER CLEMENTS, JAMES GABRIEL LEO LAVELLE, JAMES GRIFFITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind