UNKLE, a musical outfit founded in 1994 in London, England, United Kingdom.… Read Full Bio ↴UNKLE, a musical outfit founded in 1994 in London, England, United Kingdom. Originally categorized as trip-hop, the group once included producer DJ Shadow and has employed a variety of guest artists and producers.

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.

In Vasion
UNKLE Lyrics

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Show them only
Flesh you needed
You want it for you too
(stares, stares that follow)
(stares, stares that follow)

They want it for you
Are you all that

You're cracked up to be
We all want it for you
Sacrificial
Made for TV
(laughter's coming)

And goodbye kisses
Gave him family
Pray your dream
Pray you're dreaming

Are you all that
You're cracked up to be
We all want it for you
Stares that follow
Friends to call on
Don't be desperate
(show them once)

Sacrificial
Made for TV
Laughter's coming
Goodbye kisses
(pray you stutter)

(pray it's not old)
Goodbye.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of UNKLE's "Invasion" appear to address the dehumanization of society and the preoccupation with fame and superficial success. The first verse implies that those in the public eye are only seen as flesh, and they are constantly being watched and judged by others. The second verse questions whether or not these individuals are truly as great as they are made out to be, and that society wants them to succeed in a way that is ultimately detrimental to them. The final lines of the song seem to suggest that this desire for fame and success may ultimately lead to one's downfall, and that it is important to be wary of the consequences.

The repetition of certain lines throughout the song, particularly "are you all that you're cracked up to be" and "we all want it for you," emphasizes the pressure placed on those in the public eye and the collective desire for success and fame. The use of the phrase "made for TV" further emphasizes the superficiality of this desire and suggests that it is something easily attained and marketed.

Overall, "Invasion" is a commentary on the dehumanization of society and the obsession with superficial success that can ultimately lead to one's downfall.

Line by Line Meaning

Show them only
Only display what they want to see

Flesh you needed
You craved superficial physical pleasure

You want it for you too
You desire the same as them

(stares, stares that follow)
Intense gazes that track your every move

They want it for you
They want to give you what they think you want

Are you all that
Are you really the person that others perceive you to be?

You're cracked up to be
The reputation you have is not completely accurate

We all want it for you
Everyone is trying to give you what they think you want

Sacrificial
Sacrificing yourself for others' approval

Made for TV
Your life is superficially glamorous and characterized by artificiality

(laughter's coming)
Disasters are looming

And goodbye kisses
Parting moments with loved ones

Gave him family
Provided him with a supportive family

Pray your dream
Hope that your aspirations come to fruition

Pray you're dreaming
Hope that what you're experiencing is not reality

Are you all that
Are you really the person others think you are?

You're cracked up to be
The reputation you have is not completely accurate

We all want it for you
Everyone is trying to give you what they think you want

Stares that follow
Gazes that track your every move

Friends to call on
People to turn to in times of need

Don't be desperate
Don't act in a way that makes you appear needy

(show them once)
Give them a glimpse of who you truly are

Sacrificial
Sacrificing yourself for others' approval

Made for TV
Your life is superficially glamorous and characterized by artificiality

Laughter's coming
Disasters are looming

Goodbye kisses
Parting moments with loved ones

(pray you stutter)
Hope that your speech doesn't betray your true feelings

(pray it's not old)
Hope that your experiences and aspirations haven't grown stale

Goodbye.
A final farewell

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTONY GENN, JAMES LAVELLE, NEIL DAVIGE, RICHARD FILE, ROBERT DEL NAJA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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