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.
Landslide
Unbelievable Truth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one else is there
I try to be true
But I don't have the strength
Listening all alone in your room was your finest hour
Being overlooked by the ones who can only follow
Little men
We're caught in a net
And I'm caught in the middle
Leaving you miles ahead
How can you come this far
And never wished them dead ?
I try to be true but I don't have the strength
We're caught in a landslide
We're caught in a net
And I'm caught in the middle
Leaving you miles ahead
Listening all alone in your home was your darkest hour
Being clothed and fed by the ones who can only follow
Little men
Caught in a landslide
Caught in a net
Caught in a landslide
Caught in a net
Caught in a landslide
Caught in a net
I must try harder
The lyrics to Unbelievable Truth's Landslide are incredibly poetic and imbued with a sense of isolation and desperation. The opening lines convey the feeling of being caught in a natural disaster, a landslide, but without anyone else around to share in the experience. This creates an atmosphere of loneliness and abandonment, adding to the overall melancholy of the song. The subsequent lines suggest a struggle to maintain one's integrity and authenticity in the face of pressure to conform or follow others. The singer tries to be true to themselves but admits to lacking the strength to do so effectively.
The next few lines are particularly poignant, alluding to the idea of a lost opportunity or missed chance. The listener is told that their "finest hour" was spent alone in their room, suggesting that their talents or passions have gone unnoticed. They have been "overlooked" by others who are content to just "follow" rather than lead or create something truly original. The phrase "little men" is repeated throughout, perhaps referencing the smallness of mind or spirit that is necessary to follow instead of lead.
The chorus returns to the theme of being caught, both in a landslide and a net - two forces that are beyond one's control. The latter suggests being trapped or ensnared, possibly by the expectations of others or the constraints of society. The singer feels caught in the middle, torn between their desire to stay true to themselves and the pressure to conform. The final lines express a sense of determination to try harder, to overcome the obstacles in their way and be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
We're caught in a landslide
We are in a difficult situation that we cannot escape from.
No one else is there
We are alone in our struggle.
I try to be true
I strive to be honest and authentic.
But I don't have the strength
However, I feel powerless and weak.
Listening all alone in your room was your finest hour
Your moment of greatest success and achievement was when you were alone and focused.
Being overlooked by the ones who can only follow
You were ignored by those who lack initiative and only imitate others.
Little men
These people are small-minded and lack vision.
We're caught in a net
We are trapped and unable to move forward.
And I'm caught in the middle
I am stuck between conflicting forces and cannot choose a side.
Leaving you miles ahead
You have achieved far more success than me.
How can you come this far
I am surprised and impressed by your level of success.
And never wished them dead ?
Despite facing obstacles and opposition, you never resorted to violence or hostility.
We're caught in a landslide
Once again emphasizing our situation of being trapped in a difficult problem.
We're caught in a net
Another way of saying we are trapped and unable to escape.
And I'm caught in the middle
I am stuck and unable to make progress in either direction.
Leaving you miles ahead
You have surpassed me in every way.
Listening all alone in your home was your darkest hour
Your moment of greatest sadness and despair was when you were alone and isolated.
Being clothed and fed by the ones who can only follow
You were cared for by those who lack initiative and only imitate others.
Little men
Once again emphasizing that these people lack vision and only follow others.
Caught in a landslide
Repeating the idea that we are trapped in a difficult situation.
Caught in a net
Once again emphasizing our feeling of being trapped and unable to move forward.
Caught in a landslide
Repeating the idea that we are stuck and unable to escape from our problems.
Caught in a net
Once again emphasizing that we are trapped and unable to progress.
I must try harder
Despite feeling powerless, I must still make an effort to improve my situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDY YORKE, JASON ANTHONY MOULSTER, NIGEL POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind