Their four track debut EP, ‘Mirrors’, has been produced by former SikTh members Dan Weller and Justin Hill (Enter Shikari, Haunts, Gallows), and covers a host of subjects, from party-induced-excess and temptation, to adolescent aspirations and dependency, and all this in little more than 16 minutes. However, it’s a brief blast of promise that should more than whet the appetite for what’s to come from the five-piece and serves as a ringing statement of intent.
A 12-track debut album 'All Our Kings Are Dead' was released on the 21st of July 2010, and was well-received by both critics and fans alike.
With former Johnny Truant drummer Paul Jackson (Alexisonfire, Cancer Bats, The Ghost Of A Thousand) handling artwork duties, and a forthcoming remix of ‘The Weight Of The World’ by Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins’ L’Amour La Morgue project, there’s a distinct British flavour to ‘Mirrors’.
“British music is so healthy right now, the scene here has been building for a long time,” explains singer Gustav Wood, “and to have people from some of the best bands, past and present, helping us out and digging our band is incredible.”
Having clocked up shows alongside the likes of Funeral For A Friend, Lostprophets, The Answer and We Are The Ocean already, and with a relentless touring schedule ahead of them including supporting All Time Low on their UK tour, it’s going to be near impossible to avoid Young Guns in 2011, and on the proof of 'All Our Kings Are Dead' and ‘Mirrors’, we wouldn’t advise even trying.
[1]On October 13th, Young Guns released their new song 'Learn My Lesson' after it was premiered on Zane Lowes Radio 1's show at 7.30pm.
Young Guns' new album 'Bones' is out in Feb!
Speaking In Tongues
Young Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought we were indivisible
Remember when
The distance wasn't insurmountable?
When I get to you, yeah my blood runs cold
'Cause I don't recognize the person I behold
Underneath the moon, yeah we shake our bones
When you're speaking in tongues
(In tongues)
I can't understand a single word you say
Sex and politics a dangerous game we play
It's all we've ever known
(We've ever known)
(We're speaking in tongues)
Face to face but miles away
(We're speaking in tongues)
I can't find the words to say
(We're speaking in tongues)
You're speaking in tongues
(Hey!)
You're speaking in tongues to me
I confess I
Was never one for waxing lyrical
But the radio
Taunts me with its modern parables
It don't make sense but it's all I know
When you're face down there's still further to go
Underneath the moon yeah we shake our bones
But I don't understand
When you're speaking in tongues
(In tongues)
I can't understand a single word you say
Sex and politics a dangerous game we play
It's all we've ever known
(We've ever known)
(We're speaking in tongues)
Face to face but miles away
(We're speaking in tongues)
I can't find the words to say
(We're speaking in tongues)
You're speaking in tongues
(Hey!)
You're speaking in tongues to me
I danced with the devil
In the pale moonlight
You've got such a sharp tongue
Cuts me like a knife
I danced with the devil
In the pale moonlight
(O-o-o-oh)
You've got such a sharp tongue
Cuts me like a knife
Oh!
(We're speaking in tongues)
I danced with the devil
(We're speaking in tongues)
I danced with the devil, I
(We're speaking in tongues)
I danced with the devil
(Hey!)
In the pale moonlight
In "Speaking in Tongues," the singer reflects on a past love, lamenting the presence of distance and confusion in their relationship. They can no longer understand their lover, who seems to be speaking in a foreign language or "tongue." Despite being face-to-face, the distance between them feels vast. The song acknowledges the complexities of sex and politics as dangerous games played by both parties. The singer's language is poetic - waxing lyrical but ultimately coming up short. The final lines of the song speak to the romantic, if not self-destructive, power of the relationship: "I danced with the devil in the pale moonlight," suggesting that even though the relationship may have been fraught with difficulty, the memory of it remains compelling.
Overall, "Speaking in Tongues" is a complex and artful reflection on the nature of love and communication. It acknowledges the pitfalls of language and politics, as well as the intense emotions and memories that can make even disastrous relationships feel irresistible.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I
I thought that we were an inseparable couple.
Thought we were indivisible
I thought that nothing could ever come between us.
Remember when
Do you recall the times when...
The distance wasn't insurmountable?
...we never considered our geographical separation as a problem?
When I get to you, yeah my blood runs cold
When I'm with you, I feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
'Cause I don't recognize the person I behold
This is because you've changed so much that I fail to identify you anymore.
Underneath the moon, yeah we shake our bones
During night-time, we enjoy our company.
But I don't understand
However, I can't comprehend what you're saying...
When you're speaking in tongues
...whenever you're using difficult, and seemingly meaningless phrases.
(In tongues)
I can't understand a single word you say
I'm unable to decipher any of your cryptic messages.
Sex and politics a dangerous game we play
We try to control each other with sexual and political tactics, but it's causing disconcerting feelings of discomfort.
It's all we've ever known
This is the only way we've ever interacted.
(We've ever known)
(We're speaking in tongues)
Face to face but miles away
Although we're physically close, we might as well be distant from each other due to our emotional distance.
(We're speaking in tongues)
I can't find the words to say
I don't have an explanation for why we're behaving like this.
(We're speaking in tongues)
You're speaking in tongues
You're using mysterious words and speak in a way that I fail to comprehend.
(Hey!)
I confess I
I admit that I...
Was never one for waxing lyrical
...have never been the kind of person who enjoys prolonged romantic speeches or poems.
But the radio
However, the radio station...
Taunts me with its modern parables
...bothers me with its current and relatable stories.
It don't make sense but it's all I know
The messages may sound ridiculous, yet they're all I can identify with.
When you're face down there's still further to go
Even when you're vulnerable, there are still layers of complexity around you.
Oh!
(We're speaking in tongues)
I danced with the devil
I put myself in harm's way; got involved in something risky.
In the pale moonlight
At night when everything seems pale, and the world's quiet.
You've got such a sharp tongue
You're using strong words that are hurting me.
Cuts me like a knife
Your comments, like a sharp knife, bleed me without leaving visible marks.
(O-o-o-oh)
I danced with the devil, I
Again, I involved myself in something I wasn't sure was right.
Hey!
In the pale moonlight
At night when everything seems pale and the world is quiet.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GUSTAV TOMAS WOOD, JOHN STUART TAYLOR, FRASER MACLEOD TAYLOR, SIMON MITCHELL, BENJAMIN LLOYD JOLLIFFE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack H
The video seems to demonstrate shallow objectification and sexist attitudes that the media uses towards celebrities, always whether they like it or not, for the sake of profit - something that celebrities themselves often take advantage of to boost their own fame (Miley Cyrus anyone?). The band members all enter, take their photos of the woman and then exit; leaving her on her own once they've got what they wanted.
I think people have also started taking attitudes like this much more in general, such as with the way that we judge pictures of each other online rather than actually looking at someone in person: "OMG let me take a selfie! #givemelikes #me_me_me " "She looks fat LOL". Urgh.
Lyrically (click 'SHOW MORE') it's about how the world has started communicating with each other using phones and the internet instead of doing it in person. Speaking has become less meaningful and sincere, eg:
"I'd run all night
Just to hear you speak in tongues to me
Now we stare at phones
And talk in awkward teenage poetry"
"We're speaking in tongues
Face to face but miles away"
Overall the lyrics and video are about how times have changed from a world of simple face-to-face conversation about things that actually matter, to the more sordid, superficial world we find ourselves moving progressively closer to.
That's my take on everything anyway :)
OlympicGing1
Am I the only one who doesn't understand why the heck this album got so much hate? Lyrically, the whole album is one of the best I have heard from any band, the instrumentation creates an atmosphere that's perfect for this album, Gustav really shines with his voice and it still really sounds like Young Guns to me. Why all the hate?
Matt Hendrickson
The album is a masterpiece and always has been
Michael Smedley
It's a fucking great album
Benjamin Davis
Because God forbid they use synths
Josie Mai
No matter what direction this band goes in, nothing will change how amazing Gustavs voice is omg!!👌👏
Love this song and the direction of the video, even if I don't really get it haha
Mike Terio
Yup!
Jonathon McClean
Just seeing how far these guys have gone is amazing. I saw them at lancaster library in 2010 warming up for the Blackout. From that moment I have always been a YG fan. Also manged to get them a few other followers as well keep going guys
919Motorsports
Young Guns have some of the best videos, really good band.
Hannah Kenny
Still my fav song from this album Gustav your voice !! Wow I listen to this song before I have photo shoots. Amazing
anon
i love this video and they're my favorite band <3 i love that they always have variations in their music videos, and there's always nothing i've seen before!