Wallinger recorded the first two World Party albums (Private Revolution and Goodbye Jumbo) practically single-handed. The former reached the US Top 40 and the single ‘Ship Of Fools’ broke into the Top 30 (it was hastily dropped by radio in his native Great Britain because of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster). Goodbye Jumbo took equal amounts of inspiration from the eco movement and the Beatles, and the highly catchy single ‘Message In The Box’ provided Wallinger with his first UK Top 40 hit.
Wallinger’s muse, a relaxed and melancholic take on mid-period Beatles, has not so much been updated as revitalized on his subsequent, sterling work, although a minor breakthrough was made with 1993’s Bang!, which featured Wallinger’s only UK Top 20 hit to date, ‘Is It Like Today’, and reached number 2 on the album charts. On Bang!, Wallinger was joined by Chris Sharrock (drums, ex-Icicle Works) and Dave Catlin-Birch (guitars/keyboards). Some of the reviews for 1997’s Egyptology were unnecessarily cruel (especially the New Musical Express). It was by his standards another good album, which, although still locked into the Beatles’ sound (this time circa 1968), featured some great moments, notably the gentle ‘She’s The One’ and the meatier ‘Curse Of The Mummy’s Tomb’. The former indirectly gave Wallinger a worthy chart-topping single, when Robbie Williams’ cover version reached the top of the UK singles chart in November 1999 (Williams’ songwriting partner Guy Chambers (b. 12 Jan 1963, England) was at one time a member of World Party).
The next World Party album, 2000’s Dumbing Up, retreated from the ambitions of Egyptology, and found Wallinger resorting to his pick ‘n’ mix style of songwriting. He is one of the best magpie songwriters around, and the strong influence of ELO, Bob Dylan (‘Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream’ in the shape of ‘Who Are You?’) and even Rare Bird (shades of ‘Sympathy’ in ‘All The Love That’s Wasted’) could be heard, in addition to strong memories of the Beatles’ ‘Dear Prudence’ and ‘Baby You’re A Rich Man’ in ‘Another 1000 Years’.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin.
Take It Up
World Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Staring at my breakfast
When I thought I heard it say
Fighting is no good
Success an empty lie.
The treasure hunt is lonely
Until you realize.
We came to take it up
We came to take it up
We came to raise it up
Came to take it up
Came to move it up.
I promise you miss, I will do my best today
But somebody keeps trying to make me
Trying to make me lose my way
But I believe, oh my darling,
I believe in you
And I hope when you hear this
You'll remember what we were sent to do
We came to take it up
Came to take it up
Came to take it up.
We came to move it up
Came to raise it up
Came to praise it up
I came to take you up
You came to take me up
We came to take it up
Take me up
Take me up
Speeding out of the town
I thought I'd lost my way
Til I saw the green and ebony
Come a-wondering about their pay.
Well, I've got the money
If you've still got the friends.
We can really put this world to right
Or sit and watch the end.
You know
We gonna take it up.
We gonna move it up.
We gonna take it up.
We gonna take it up.
To the veyr very top
To the very very very very very very top
To the very very top
The lyrics of the song Take It Up by World Party are about standing up for what you believe in, even when faced with opposition. The song is about taking action to make a change in the world and to raise awareness about important issues. The opening verse speaks about the truth that the singer discovered while having breakfast – that fighting is not productive and success is ultimately empty. The lyrics then go on to encourage the listener to take action, to "take it up" and "raise it up," to be proactive in creating a better world.
The song also touches on the importance of relationships and believing in oneself. The singer promises to do his best despite external forces trying to deter him and expresses his belief in his loved one to remember their purpose. The third verse talks about being lost and finding one's way through the support of friends and the willingness to create change.
World Party's Take It Up has an upbeat and catchy melody that reflects the song's positive and uplifting message. The lyrics inspire listeners to take action and be the change they wish to see in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I got an extra glimpse of the truth today
I gained a new perspective on reality today
Staring at my breakfast
While eating my morning meal
When I thought I heard it say
I believed I heard a message in my food
Fighting is no good
Violence and conflict are pointless
Success an empty lie.
Achievement may not have true value
The treasure hunt is lonely
The journey of seeking wealth and power can be solitary
Until you realize.
Until you come to a realization or understanding
We came to take it up
Our goal is to improve the situation
We came to raise it up
We aim to elevate the situation
Came to take it up
We were sent to make things better
Came to move it up.
Our intent is to progress and advance
I promise you miss, I will do my best today
I assure you, I will give my best effort today
But somebody keeps trying to make me
I am facing interference or opposition from another person
Trying to make me lose my way
They are attempting to confuse or distract me
But I believe, oh my darling, I believe in you
Despite the obstacles, I trust and have faith in you
And I hope when you hear this
I wish that this message reaches and inspires you
You'll remember what we were sent to do
You will recall our mission and purpose
Take me up
Elevate me to a higher level
Speeding out of the town
Rapidly departing from the city
I thought I'd lost my way
I felt that I was directionless or lost
Til I saw the green and ebony
Until I noticed the green and black colors
Come a-wondering about their pay.
Workers appearing uncertain or concerned about their income
Well, I've got the money
I have the financial resources
If you've still got the friends.
Assuming that you still have supporters
We can really put this world to right
Together, we can make the world a better place
Or sit and watch the end.
Otherwise, we can passively witness the decline or conclusion of things
We gonna take it up.
We intend to improve and elevate the situation
To the very very top
To the absolute highest point or level
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARL EDMOND DE VERE WALLINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind