In 2016, the band were invited to support Massive Attack on their UK and European tour after working together on Massive Attack’s single “ Voodoo In My Blood”, which was released in January 2016.
Young Fathers feature 6 tracks on the Trainspotting T2 soundtrack, including “Only God Knows”, written specifically for the film.
In November 2017 the band announced that they had finished work on their third album to be release on Ninja Tune in early 2018.
Picking You
Young Fathers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause that's all that seems to matter to me lately
All alone by yourself
What do you do
It's the closest thing to heaven maybe
Lay low
What you missing
Pay the toll
Save your soul
Before they getcha
Lay low
What you missing
Ammunition
Keep your lights off
Curtains closed
Whatever currency that holds
Strangers to ourselves
They take your money
But they hate your kind
Oh the power of money
Oh why oh why do I always end up with Scorpios or Geminis
See I don't want no adios
To get close
They only time I go to church is when someone in the casket
I said the only time I got to church is when someone in the casket
Good men are strange, bad men are obvious
Mama said the good men are strange, bad men are obvious
I'm picking you and you
'Cause you don't really matter to me
You'll never find your way to heaven
But you can follow me
You'll never find your way to heaven
You'll never find your way to heaven
Good men are strange, bad men are obvious
Mama said the good men are strange, the bad men are obvious
Heaven
You'll never find your way to heaven
You'll never find your way to heaven
You'll never find your way to heaven
Heaven
The lyrics of "Picking You" by Young Fathers seem to revolve around the themes of relationships, self-reflection, and the pursuit of happiness. The singer reflects on their recent choices in picking someone, or perhaps multiple people, to be with. The repetition of "I'm picking you and you" suggests that the singer is focused solely on these individuals, as if they are the only things that matter.
The chorus, "All alone by yourself, what do you do? It's the closest thing to heaven maybe," hints at the idea that being with someone, even if they may not be the perfect match, provides some sense of solace or contentment. The line "Keep your lights off, curtains closed, whatever currency that holds" suggests a desire to hide away from the world, protecting oneself from external influences while holding onto something valuable.
There is also a mention of the power of money and its impact on relationships. The line "They take your money, but they hate your kind" suggests a cynical view of how money can corrupt and manipulate relationships. The verse also references astrology, with a mention of ending up with Scorpios or Geminis, possibly alluding to the idea of constantly getting entangled with difficult or incompatible partners.
The mention of going to church only when someone has passed away could signify a disconnect from religious practices, but also speaks to the value placed on life and death. The repetition of "You'll never find your way to heaven" in the latter part of the song seems to question the possibility of finding true happiness or fulfillment in life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Picking You" convey a sense of longing, introspection, and an exploration of the complexities of relationships and the pursuit of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm picking you and you
I am choosing you and you alone
'Cause that's all that seems to matter to me lately
Because you are the only thing that matters to me in recent times
All alone by yourself
Completely isolated, without any company
What do you do
How do you spend your time in this situation
It's the closest thing to heaven maybe
This solitude feels almost like being in heaven
Lay low
Stay out of sight, keep a low profile
What you missing
What do you lack or desire
Is ammunition
Referring to something that can give you power or strength
Pay the toll
Sacrifice or give something up
Save your soul
Protect and preserve your true self
Before they getcha
Before they harm or take advantage of you
Keep your lights off
Avoid drawing attention to yourself
Curtains closed
Not letting anyone see what is happening inside
Whatever currency that holds
Whatever is of value or importance in the current situation
Strangers to ourselves
We are not familiar with who we truly are
They take your money
They exploit and take advantage of your resources
But they hate your kind
They have animosity towards people like you
Oh the power of money
Expressing the influence and control money possesses
Oh why oh why do I always end up with Scorpios or Geminis
Expressing frustration in consistently forming relationships with individuals born under the signs of Scorpio or Gemini
See I don't want no adios
I do not want any departures or goodbyes
To get close
In order to establish a close connection or relationship
They only time I go to church is when someone in the casket
The sole occasion I attend church is during funerals
I said the only time I got to church is when someone in the casket
I emphasize that the sole reason for my church attendance is to mourn the deceased
Good men are strange, bad men are obvious
Decent individuals are enigmatic, whereas wicked individuals are easily identifiable
Mama said the good men are strange, bad men are obvious
My mother conveyed that virtuous men possess eccentricities, while sinister men are plain to see
You'll never find your way to heaven
You will never succeed in reaching paradise
But you can follow me
However, you can join and follow my path
Heaven
Referring to the realm of divine existence or eternal bliss
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alloysious Massaquoi, Graham Hastings, Kayus Bankole, Tim London
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind