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 First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and empty skies, my love
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hands
Like a trembling heart of a captive bird
And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time
And last till the end of time
The UNKLE feat. Keaton Henson song "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a poignant ballad that describes the overwhelming feeling of falling in love for the first time. The opening verse describes the intense recognition of a future love, as the singer sees someone for the very first time and is struck by their beauty. The metaphor of the sun rising in the person's eyes, and the moon and stars as gifts to the dark and empty skies suggests that this love has illuminated the world and enriched the singer's life.
The second verse describes the physical experience of falling in love. The first kiss is described as being so intense that it caused the singer to feel as if the earth moved in their hands. The metaphor of the trembling heart of a captive bird further illustrates the intensity and vulnerability of the experience. The singer feels empowered, as they have harnessed their partner's affections and have control over their emotions.
The final verse depicts the emotional culmination of this love, as the two partners come together and their hearts beat as one. The singer feels that their love will last until the end of time, and that it will bring joy to the world. The song is a beautiful, heartfelt confessional of love that captures the intensity and beauty of falling in love for the first time.
Line by Line Meaning
The first time ever I saw your face
At the very first moment I laid eyes on you
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
It appeared to me that the light and warmth of the sun originated from your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
As though the celestial bodies in the sky were a present given by you
To the dark and empty skies, my love
To a sky that otherwise would have been bleak and barren
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
From the first moment I tasted your lips
I felt the earth move in my hands
I experienced a profound sensation, as though the ground beneath me shifted and changed
Like a trembling heart of a captive bird
It was as if a frightened bird's heart was beating frantically within me
That was there at my command, my love
An overwhelming intensity of emotion that I controlled
And the first time ever I lay with you
The initial time we shared an intimate moment together
I felt your heart so close to mine
It was as though our hearts were in perfect sync and beating as one
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
I was certain that the happiness we shared together would radiate and impact the world
And last till the end of time
Our shared love and joy would be eternal and never fade away
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Lavelle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vlad the Inhaler
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and empty skies, my love
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hands
Like a trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time
And last till the end of time
Vlad the Inhaler
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and empty skies, my love
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hands
Like a trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time
And last till the end of time
Cheryl Coons
This ethereal song touches on every living creature in the universe. I thank you.
Bobby
i felt bad when i read this
"Henson suffers from anxiety and as a result, rarely plays concerts"
Let's show Love for him
and ofc UNKLE is always in our hearts
Suzi Anthony
💜💙
Rogério Sousa
❤️🖤💚
Henson, we love you
The Flaming Bridges
I feel that.
Peter Lawler
There have been many covers. There has even been the original. But this, oh my goodness. My love to the creators, and also to you reading this xoxo
Mono Lith
Unkle, like Massive Attack, one of the coolest bands on the planet. Fact!
Andy Taylor
mono lith yes have to agree. I’ve seen massive and would say it’s the best concert ive seen in my 57 yrs. lm a huge Unkle fan as well, need to see these guys
taka trip
@Andy Taylor haha. it is guys isnt it.
james lavelle and featured artists, collabs, jams, mixes, genius. Tricky, Mike D, Thom Yorke on and genius brilliant on