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.
The Answer
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burning up in our cars
And in our hearts
Better days
Sleeping late, with a headache
Perfect weather
Lay in wait for an answer
They're still waiting
With your tea
Lucky states as the day breaks
The blind are leading the blind
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Xenon lights
Dots go dashing the highways
Nothing's moving
Radiates
Everything lasting for seconds
Evaporated
Lover's lips
Drinking late at the station
Smiling faces
Comic weep,
Wiping your face in whatever
There's an answer.
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Better, better days with a headache
Perfect weather
The lyrics of UNKLE’s “The Answer” are a beautiful and enigmatic reflection on modern life. The opening verse speaks of the hectic pace of modern civilization, where we seem to be always on the go, with our cars and our hearts burning up. The second verse speaks of the longing for simplicity and the beauty of a lazy morning, where we can take a break from the rat race, and the weather is just perfect.
The chorus speaks of the search for answers, whether it be something as mundane as a headache remedy or something as weighty as the ultimate meaning of our existence. Despite the congregating and waiting, the answer remains elusive, and we are left with the blind leading the blind. The third verse takes a dreamy turn, with images of xenon lights, radiating dots on highways, and lovers drinking at stations. The final line of the song is a comforting reassurance that there’s an answer, even if it is not immediately apparent.
Overall, “The Answer” is a poetic meditation on modernity, with its frenzied pace, its yearning for simplicity and beauty, and its search for meaning and answers in the midst of chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are
We are existing in our current reality
Burning up in our cars
We are consumed by our fast-paced, technological world
And in our hearts
Our emotions are also in turmoil
Better days
We long for a happier, less complicated time
Sleeping late, with a headache
Our problems follow us even into our sleep
Perfect weather
Despite our troubles, the world around us is beautiful
Congregate
We come together in search of answers
Lay in wait for an answer
We wait patiently for a solution to our problems
They're still waiting
Unfortunately, no clear answer has presented itself yet
With your tea
Even in our mundane moments, we are searching for meaning
Lucky states as the day breaks
There are moments of hope and clarity in each day
The blind are leading the blind
We are all lost and unsure, trying to guide others through the darkness
Xenon lights
The fast-moving, unstoppable pace of life
Dots go dashing the highways
We are all just small parts of a larger, chaotic system
Nothing's moving
Despite the chaos, nothing is really changing
Radiates
Our world is full of fleeting moments and experiences
Everything lasting for seconds
We struggle to hold onto moments of joy and significance
Evaporated
However, these moments slip away from us too easily
Lover's lips
The simple, intimate moments that make life beautiful
Drinking late at the station
There are moments of joy even in the most ordinary times
Smiling faces
The people around us bring us happiness
Comic weep,
In the midst of tragedy, there can still be humor and lightness
Wiping your face in whatever
We cope with our struggles in whatever way we can
There's an answer.
Despite the chaos and confusion, there is always hope and the possibility of resolution
Better, better days with a headache
We long for a simpler time, even though our problems will follow us
Perfect weather
Our world is still beautiful, even during tough times
Better, better days with a headache
Despite our struggles, we look towards a brighter future
Perfect weather
The beauty of the world around us gives us hope and comfort
Better, better days with a headache
Our struggles cannot last forever, and we will find a way through
Perfect weather
Despite our struggles, the world is still full of wonder and beauty
Better, better days with a headache
We must endure our challenges, but things will get better eventually
Perfect weather
The beauty of the world can give us the strength to keep going
Better, better days with a headache
We must face our problems head-on, and we will eventually overcome them
Perfect weather
Even in the midst of hardship, the world around us is a source of comfort and beauty
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GAVIN MICHAEL CLARK, PABLO SPENCER CLEMENTS, JAMES GRIFFITH, JAMES LAVELLE, MICHAEL LOWRY, MATTHEW PIERCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@komaa1712
Here we are
Burning up in our cars
And in our hearts
Better days
Sleeping late with a headache
Perfect weather
Congregate
Lay in wait for an answer
They're still waiting
With your tea
Lucky tips as the day breaks
The blind are leading the blind
Better
Better days with a headache
Perfect weather
Xenon lights
Dots go dashing the highways
Nothing's moving
Radiates
Everything lasting for seconds
Evaporated
Lovers' lips
Drinking late at the station
Smiling faces
Comic weep
Wiping your face in whatever
There's an answer
Better
Better days with a headache
Perfect weather
@chriscole7056
Good taste in music brought me here...
@Apdool33
Ma favorite. Their music always makes me consider my life. It is philosophical and heavy and never overreacts. From start to finish, they sing raw.
@ParadoxicalSerenity
Heard this years back and hummed to google and voila! Im here 🎉
@Courtneythehippie13
IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS SONG FOR LIKE 6 YEARS!!!! Im so happy Ive found it💗this music video is all i could remember about it. Its amazing
@pfvidz
This is the song for the Quarantine 2020
@peterwilson5528
Worth listening to if your feeling like giving up. Cling to life with every breath in your body :)
@destinyquestgame
mate I feel you. Hope your last year was positive.
@damocles5047
Years ago, to be precise in 2000 i went to a resort with my family and have seen one of the most beautiful girl in my life. 20 years later i still can't let this memory go from my mind. In 2013 i went to the same resort and wanted to see the same place but it was changed so much by the building contractors. It was nice to be there again but the pain of not knowing her name or whereabouts is staying like a knife wound in my heart.
@CrazyGodlikeAtheist
Can definitely relate to this 100 percent.. Forever waiting for it to happen again so I can do something about it :)
@Azarath_Metrion_Zinthos
haunting song with amazing lyrics...found this gem from watching Drive Angry (2011) movie.