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.
Eye For An Eye (Force Mass Mo
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
Run, run, run
But you sure can't hide
Does our ruin benefit to earth?
The sun to shine?
Is this darkness in you too?
Have you'd passed through this night?
Run, run, run
But you sure can't hide
Where you're going you're not coming back from
Run, run, run
But you sure can't hide
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
Run, run, run
But you sure can't hide
This great evil
Where's it come from?
Had still the end of the world?
Who's doing this?
Who's killing us?
Mocking us with the sight of what we might have known
Run, run, run
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
Run, run, run
But you sure can't hide
Are you righteous?
Kind?
Does your confidence lie in this?
Are you loved by all?
Do you imagine your suffering will be any less
because you loved goodness and truth?
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
Run, run, run
But you sure can't hide
What are you to me?
The lyrics of UNKLE's song "Eye For An Eye" are powerful and thought-provoking. The song begins with an imagery of angels in heaven carrying weapons which sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The repetition of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" suggests a cycle of retribution and vengeance that never ends. The line "run, run, run but you sure can't hide" further emphasizes the futility of running away from one's past and the consequences of their actions.
The second verse delves deeper into the motivations behind such vengeance. By asking if our ruin benefits the earth, the lyricist questions the purpose of inflicting pain on others. The line "is this darkness in you too?" suggests that the cycle of vengeance can transform people into something dark and cruel. It is then followed by the question, "have you passed through this night?" which implies that the person has been through a similar experience and understands the pain.
The chorus "run, run, run but you sure can't hide" is repeated throughout the song, signifying the constant chase and the inevitability of facing the consequences of one's actions. The final verse raises important questions about the nature of evil and who is responsible for it. The lines "who's doing this? Who's killing us?" point to the lack of accountability and responsibility when it comes to violence and injustice. The song ends with the question "what are you to me?" which could be interpreted as a call to self-reflection and introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
Even now in heaven there were angels carrying savage weapons
The existence of violence and destruction exists even in the afterlife.
An eye for an eye
A retaliatory act for a perceived wrong.
A tooth for a tooth
Justice must be balanced equally in return.
Run, run, run
The urgency to escape danger and potential harm.
But you sure can't hide
No matter how fast or far you flee, the consequences will still catch up to you.
Does our ruin benefit to earth?
Is our demise an advantage to the world?
Does it help the grass to grow?
Does it have any positive impact on nature?
The sun to shine?
Does it contribute to the natural cycle of life?
Is this darkness in you too?
Does the negativity and misery affect you as well?
Have you'd passed through this night?
Have you struggled through similar hardships?
Where you're going you're not coming back from
The consequences of your actions are irreversible.
This great evil
The immense wrongdoing and cruelty.
Where's it come from?
What is the source of such evil and harm?
Had still the end of the world?
Is this the end of civilization as we know it?
Who's doing this?
Who is responsible for this malicious act?
Who's killing us?
Who is causing harm and destruction?
Mocking us with the sight of what we might have known
Taunting and teasing us with the possibilities of what could have been.
Are you righteous?
Are you morally just?
Kind?
Compassionate towards others?
Does your confidence lie in this?
Do you firmly believe this to be true?
Are you loved by all?
Do you have the affection and admiration of everyone around you?
Do you imagine your suffering will be any less because you loved goodness and truth?
Does being a good and honest person make the pain of suffering any less?
What are you to me?
What significance do you hold in my life?
Contributed by Kennedy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidkline4372
What?? UNKLE is a really dystopian style of music. All of their songs, on this album especially, are dark.
"Even now in heaven they're are angels caring savage weapons..."
"Who's doing this?
Who's killing us
... Mocking us with the sight of what we might have known?"
"What are you to me?"
You were confused?
@thriversoffset
saw this late at night on MTV back in the days. Never been same person again after that. UNKLE defined me as a person. This video is unbelievable. I was pretty young back then 12 or13.
@Sternertime
Just remembered that this song exists after many years. Thank you subconscious.
@augustuscolumbano
Same here. Out of the blue, for like the past 10 years or so, I would randomly whisper the chorus of this song.
@chateaupig826
Same , heard it on some majorly minor student radio station just today -shazammed it .
Didnt realize it was Unkle
@TFFgeek
Fun fact: the classic interlude at the beginning is the reversed tail of the first movement from Beethoven's 6th symphony, that bears the title 'Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside', which obviously mirrors the peaceful landscape we are about to see.
In the album version of this track, it is put the right way around.
@chateaupig826
Thankyou 👍
Love these backstories
@alyce1617
Wow had no idea
@TheRiverkayaker
a few quotes in this video from the movie "The thin red line" .I believe the quotes were from private Whitt. played by Jim Caviezel.
@jeffpaul5176
Finally! An HD version on YT! Been watching 480p on Vimeo for years.
@KenFehling
This video is so haunting