The band formed in 1993 in Oxford, and was named after Hal Hartley's film, The Unbelievable Truth.
Unbelievable Truth's first single, Building, was published in February 1997 by Shifty Disco, a label based in Oxford. They released their first album, Almost Here, in 1998 on Virgin records, and the second, Sorrythankyou in 2000. The first was released on Virgin, but they were dropped and the latter appeared on Shifty Disco. Sorrythankyou was the first release from Shifty Disco that was pressed in vinyl. They split up in 2000, due to Andy Yorke's decision to leave the band.
However, in 2001 they released a double album, self-published, called Misc. Music, whose disc 1 contained b-sides and unreleased tracks, while disc 2 was the live recording of their farewell show held at the Zodiac in Oxford on September 16th, 2000.
Nigel Powell now has a new band: The Sad Song Co., and has been playing with Oxford band Dive Dive (formerly Dustball). They have released 3 singles and one full length album and are currently at work on their second LP. Jason and Jim are part of Nine Stone Cowboy, with members of other defunct Oxford bands The Candyskins and Ride.
The band reunited for a one-off gig in Oxford to support tsunami victims on February 19, 2005, but this was a one time event and did not signal that the group would be reforming.
Andy Yorke recently played a solo slot supporting Mark Mulcahy, at a gig at The Zodiac in Oxford on 21st October, 2005. Of the 8 song set, he played seven new songs and one old Unbelievable Truth song, Stone.
Agony
Unbelievable Truth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I be sure you really keep me here?
Blood on my fingers seems to testify
To my imprisonment, but I have my doubts
My faith is on the wane
I will choose silence
Do I resist when you bring me bread?
Silence
I like the sound of it
If I keep it up
Then will you let me go?
Blood on my fingers
Jesus was that really me?
Sorry thank you, sorry thank you, sorry thank you, thank you let me go
Keep me here
Keep me here
Am I tempted when you promise the world?
Blood on my fingers
Jesus was that really me
Sorry thank you sorry thank you sorry thank you sorry thank you
The lyrics to Unbelievable Truth's song Agony seem to talk about an unclear and confusing situation that the singer is in. The first two lines suggest that there are walls and barriers that are hindering the singer from moving forward, and they are unsure if these walls are put up by someone else or if they are creating the walls themselves. The line "Blood on my fingers seems to testify" suggests that there may have been a physical struggle involved in this situation or that the singer feels trapped and cornered, but they are still doubtful about the situation they are in.
As the song progresses, the singer questions their own motives and desires. The lines "Do I resist when you bring me bread? Am I not tempted when you promise more?" suggest that there is someone offering them something, perhaps to make them stay, and the singer struggles with whether or not to accept. However, the singer seems to come to a decision and chooses silence, perhaps indicating that they will no longer participate or communicate in this situation. The repetition of "sorry thank you" seems almost like a polite goodbye, further emphasizing that the singer might be trying to leave or distance themselves from whatever was happening.
Overall, the song seems to be about a confusing and possibly dangerous situation, where the singer is trying to make sense of what is happening and decide on a course of action. The repetition of certain phrases throughout the song, like "blood on my fingers," "keep me here," and "sorry thank you," give the lyrics a sense of desperation and helplessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Could I break through the walls you put me in?
Do I have the strength to break away from the restrictions and limitations that you have placed upon me?
Can I be sure you really keep me here?
Do I trust that you will keep me confined and not let me escape?
Blood on my fingers seems to testify
The blood on my fingers serves as evidence of my captivity, but I am not fully convinced.
To my imprisonment, but I have my doubts
Although there are signs that suggest that I am imprisoned, I am uncertain if it is true or not.
My faith is on the wane
I am losing confidence in what I once believed in.
I will choose silence
I will remain quiet and not give in to any temptations or promises.
Do I resist when you bring me bread?
Will I refuse your offerings even when I am hungry and vulnerable?
Am I not tempted when you promise more?
Do I not feel tempted by your promises of something better or greater?
Silence
I find comfort in the lack of noise and words.
I like the sound of it
The absence of sound is pleasing to me.
If I keep it up
If I continue to stay quiet and not give in...
Then will you let me go?
...will you finally release me from my confinement?
Blood on my fingers
The blood on my hands is a reminder of what I have been through.
Jesus was that really me?
I am questioning my own actions and whether or not I am responsible for what has happened to me.
Sorry thank you, sorry thank you, sorry thank you, thank you let me go
Apologies and gratitude are my way of pleading for you to release me.
Keep me here
I am resigned to the fact that I am unable to escape from my confinement.
Am I tempted when you promise the world?
Do I feel drawn to your promises of wealth, status, or power?
Jesus was that really me
I am beginning to question who I am and what I am capable of.
Sorry thank you sorry thank you sorry thank you sorry thank you
My apologies and appreciation are my way of trying to appease you so that you will release me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDY YORKE, JASON ANTHONY MOULSTER, NIGEL POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind