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.
what are you to me
UNKLE Lyrics
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Day dream...(day dream...)
So many times I've overflowed
So many faces come and go
I play my cards into the sun
And try to work out
What you are to me
To me
Been here before
A million open doors
Only one will set me free
So I fall against the wall
And try to work out
What you are to me, to me, to me, to me...
To me...
Inside my eyes
The answer lies
Something I can't see
Another day
Another way
It's the same to me, to me
To me..., to me..., to me...
(what's wrong?)
To me... (to me...)
To me... (to me...)
To me... (to me...)
To me... (to me...)
The lyrics to UNKLE's "What Are You To Me" suggest a sense of confusion and uncertainty about the nature of a relationship. The repetition of "day dream" at the beginning and end of the song give a sense of being lost in a fantasy world, perhaps trying to escape the harsh realities of figuring out what someone means to you.
The first verse suggests a pattern of constantly being overwhelmed and unable to make sense of the people coming and going in their life. The metaphor of playing cards into the sun suggests a feeling of futility in trying to figure things out. The repeated line "what you are to me" in the chorus could be interpreted as searching for clarity or definition in the relationship.
The second verse suggests a feeling of being stuck, with many options but no clear direction. Falling against the wall could imply a sense of defeat or exhaustion. The line "something I can't see" suggests a feeling of being blind to the answer. The final repetition of "to me" leaves the question of the relationship's meaning unresolved.
Overall, the lyrics communicate a sense of searching and confusion in trying to understand a relationship. The repetition of certain phrases give the song a dream-like quality, perhaps hinting at a sense of detachment or escapism in trying to grapple with these questions.
Line by Line Meaning
So many times I've overflowed
I have experienced an overwhelming amount of emotions and situations
So many faces come and go
Many people have come in and out of my life
I play my cards into the sun
I take risks without knowing the outcome
And try to work out
I attempt to figure out
What you are to me
What your role and significance are in my life
Been here before
I have experienced this situation previously
A million open doors
There are countless opportunities available to me
Only one will set me free
There is only one path that will lead me to true freedom
So I fall against the wall
I feel lost and defeated
And try to work out
I attempt to figure out
What you are to me, to me, to me, to me...
What your role and significance are to me repeatedly
Inside my eyes
My perspective
The answer lies
The solution can be found
Something I can't see
Something that is unclear or uncertain to me
Another day
A new day
Another way
Another approach or option
It's the same to me, to me
It feels familiar or routine to me
To me..., to me..., to me...
Repeated emphasis on the importance of my perspective
(what's wrong?)
(asking if everything is okay)
To me... (to me...)
Continued emphasis on the importance of my perspective
To me... (to me...)
Continued emphasis on the importance of my perspective
To me... (to me...)
Continued emphasis on the importance of my perspective
To me... (to me...)
Continued emphasis on the importance of my perspective
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD FILE, ANTONY GENN, JAMES LAVELLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind