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.
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
UNKLE Lyrics
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Ruin myself out on the north shore
I make it one, watch the sun
Sink behind the trees with the keys to the kingdom
I shoot it high, let it fly
Bury myself under a blue sky
I see a scheme, make it clean
Call your number wishing I could make amends
And I'm caught in a space between my head and my face again
I hit it down, kill the sound
Ruin myself out on the northbound
I make it one, kill the sun
Bury my disease with the keys to the kingdom
Call your number wishing I could make amends
And I'm caught in a space between my head and my face again
I shoot it low
Shoot it low
Kill the flow
Kill the flow
Ruin myself out on the north shore
Call your number wishing I could make amends
And I'm caught in a space between my head and my face again
Call your number wishing I could make amends
And I'm caught in a space between my head and my face again
The lyrics to UNKLE's song "Keys To The Kingdom" explore themes of self-reflection, inner turmoil, and the pursuit of power. The song's opening lines, "I shoot it low, kill the flow, ruin myself out on the north shore," speak to a sense of self-destructiveness, as the singer seems to be purposely undermining their own creative drive. The line "keys to the kingdom" suggests a desire for control or dominance, but it remains unclear what that actually entails.
Throughout the song, the phrase "call your number" appears several times, implying a sense of longing or regret towards someone who is not present. Interestingly, the phrase "caught in a space between my head and my face" suggests a disconnect between one's inner and outer selves, as if the singer is struggling to reconcile their true desires with the image they present to the world.
Overall, UNKLE's "Keys To The Kingdom" is a beautifully layered and enigmatic song that invites a variety of interpretations. Its haunting melody and introspective lyrics speak to the complexity of human emotions and the ways in which we navigate our inner landscapes.
Line by Line Meaning
I shoot it low, kill the flow
I aim for mediocrity, destroying my own potential for greatness
Ruin myself out on the north shore
I sabotage myself in a familiar, comfortable environment
I make it one, watch the sun
I unify myself with nature and contemplate its beauty
Sink behind the trees with the keys to the kingdom
I reflect and find solace in being in control of my own destiny
I shoot it high, let it fly
I aim for greatness and unleash my full potential
Bury myself under a blue sky
I become one with the vastness of the sky, feeling insignificant yet free
I see a scheme, make it clean
I envision a plan, and execute it with precision and clarity
Drown in blue rivers under a muffled scream
I immerse myself in nature, feeling both serene and overwhelmed
Call your number wishing I could make amends
I regret my past actions and wish I could make things right
And I'm caught in a space between my head and my face again
I struggle with being true to myself and living up to societal expectations
I hit it down, kill the sound
I bring myself down to a level of conformity, silencing my individuality
Ruin myself out on the northbound
I destroy myself in an attempt to fit in with the crowd
I make it one, kill the sun
I lose my connection with nature, feeling isolated and alone
Bury my disease with the keys to the kingdom
I attempt to bury my flaws and insecurities, seeking control and power
Shoot it low, Shoot it low
I continue to aim for mediocrity, rejecting my own potential for greatness
Call your number wishing I could make amends
I continue to regret my past actions and wish for forgiveness
And I'm caught in a space between my head and my face again
I continue to struggle with being true to myself and living up to societal expectations
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Christopher Allen Goss, Gavin Clark, James Gabriel Leo Lavelle, Richard File
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind