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.
Can't Hurt
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't hurt me now
Never is easy
Never is easy
Just think what you're sayin'
You know that I won't bleed
Just try to cut me
Just try to beat me
You know that I won't burn
Just try to light me
You know that I won't die
Just try to kill me
No, I won't let go
No, I won't let go
Never is easy
Never is easy
Never is easy
Exist in the shadows
You can't cut me now
You can't cut me now
Never is easy
Never is easy
Never is easy
Exist in the shadows
You know that I won't bleed
Just try to cut me
You know that I won't bruise
Just try to beat me
You know that I won't burn
Just try to light me
You know that I won't die
Just try to kill me
You can't hurt, you can't hurt, you can't hurt me
You assume all about this, about me
In a world that consumes me completely
On a day when I don't trust myself
You know that I won't bleed
Just try to cut me
You know that I won't bruise
Just try to beat me
You know that I won't burn
Just try to light me
You know that I won't die
Just try to kill me
You can't hurt, you can't hurt, you can't hurt me
You assume all about this, about me
In a world that consumes me completely
On a day when I don't trust myself
You can't hurt, you can't hurt, you can't hurt me
You assume all about this, about me
In a world that consumes me completely
On a day when I don't trust myself
The song "Can't Hurt" by UNKLE ft Gavin Clark & Joel Cadbury is a powerful message about strength, resilience, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics are centered around the idea that no matter what others may say or do to try to hurt or bring you down, you are in control of your own emotions and reactions. The repeated phrase of "You can't hurt me now, never is easy" conveys a sense of defiance and determination, as if the singer is saying that they have been through so much already that nothing can phase them anymore. The message is also reinforced by the lines "Exist in the shadows" and "Never is easy," both of which suggest that the singer has learned to live with uncertainty and hardship and that they are not afraid to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.
The lines "You know that I won't bleed, just try to cut me" is a powerful metaphor for resilience that suggests that the singer is invincible and cannot be harmed. This idea is repeated throughout the song with different forms of harm ("Just try to beat me," "Just try to light me," "Just try to kill me"), and it underscores the overall theme of the song which is that in the face of adversity, we can each choose to be strong and fight back. The lines "You assume all about this, about me / In a world that consumes me completely / On a day when I don't trust myself" is a reminder that we are often judged or misunderstood by others and that it can be difficult to stay true to ourselves when we are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. This line emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-care, and the idea that we must learn to trust ourselves even when the world around us is uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't hurt me now
I am not vulnerable to your attacks anymore
Never is easy
It's not easy to resist your attempts to harm me
Just think what you're sayin'
Be mindful of your hurtful words and actions
You know that I won't bleed
I am strong and resilient, and won't be defeated by you
Just try to cut me
You can try to hurt me, but I won't let you succeed
You know that I won't bruise
Your attempts to harm me won't leave a lasting impact
Just try to beat me
You can try to bring me down, but I won't let you
You know that I won't burn
Even if you try to damage me with fire or passion, I'm not easily affected
Just try to light me
You can try to ignite my anger or fear, but I won't let it consume me
You know that I won't die
I am strong enough to survive anything you throw at me
Just try to kill me
You can try to destroy me, but I won't let you win
No, I won't let go
I won't give up or surrender to your attacks
Exist in the shadows
I will continue to persist, even when facing adversity
You can't cut me now
I am impervious to your attempts to damage me further
You can't hurt, you can't hurt, you can't hurt me
I am invincible and won't let your actions affect me
You assume all about this, about me
You think you know me, but you don't understand my strength and resilience
In a world that consumes me completely
Life is challenging and difficult, but I won't let it defeat me
On a day when I don't trust myself
Even on difficult days when I doubt myself, I won't give up
Contributed by Lucy Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mouse1712
Is it me or does UNKLE just sound so good now? It was great years ago but feck me it's wicked now!!
@Shadowdemon2311
I love how the song ends the same as it begins.
@KeyserSoseRulz
I can hear this all day.
@JakubLiska89
I havent heard this song for years. Thank you for reminding me that such greatness exists
@Logoht
Love this :D
@Princess_Jenah
amazing
@BlindMunkyHead
Czech ears ? ... tak potom mas dobry sluch :) ... dobre songy , diky za upload !
@Fuckyourselfgoogle
Not really. Actually it's a great song and a fucking amazing album.
@CarxV_one
Thanks for the lyrics, years apart though 😅
@JakubLiska89
Eh...what does it mean? I cant speak Polish. For my Czech ears(eyes) it sounds(looks) like "Best song on that album." Is that right? Thanks for correction...