With sounds gathered from the landscapes of the American Southwest, chris and thomas’ music could just as easily find its home in the rainy hills of the early 1970’s English countryside. Combining American roots instrumentation with soothing vocal harmonies, the duo’s rustic sounds and heartfelt songs are filled with thoughtful lyricism.
chris and thomas became close friends at the historic art school in Liverpool where John Lennon and Paul McCartney had met up decades before. During their student years they found themselves in the bohemian surrounds of a group of painters, sculptors, renegades, holy men and metaphysical explorers who had made up much of Liverpool’s underground. They played the drunken Irish pubs till the sun shone and they sang for the Queen while they earned music degrees in film composition.
In the late 90’s the two had created “Cook Au Van,” a traveling cooking show. The vehicle for the show was literally an old gas board utility van that they had converted into a five star restaurant. Made from exquisite found objects, the van boasted water fountains, changing works of art and a fully functional wet bar. Inside the van, they hosted dinner parties for the Lord Mayor and countless British celebrities. After doing the circus lifestyle with the traveling restaurant and cooking for the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Bill Drummond, politicians and fine artists, the two had decided to turn back to their true love of music.
In 2003 chris and thomas arrived in Los Angeles, California. The duo’s live debut was on 11/18/03, opening up at the Hotel Café for singer/ songwriter Alexi Murdoch. Their unique live performance which involved playing with one condenser microphone and gathering around it like some modern day Carter Family, quickly earned chris and thomas a name on the L.A club circuit.
That was just the beginning. Returning from a weekend in Joshua Tree, the two were greeted by multiple phone messages from excited friends who had heard their song “Take These Thoughts” on L.A.’s influential NPR station KCRW. It was news to the pair. Their EP, Vista Street Sessions, was passed on by a mutual friend to the station’s tastemaker DJ /music director Nic Harcourt. Harcourt programmed the disc on his show, eventually included it on NPR’s syndicated Sounds Eclectic, which introduced a national audience to chris and thomas. Since then a lot has happened.
On air performances on KCRW and other radio stations followed with appearances at SXSW and other venues and festivals throughout the country. More radio stations have added chris and thomas to their playlists as their fan base continues to grow in the U.S., in continental Europe and in the UK.
“Take These Thoughts” recently won best song of the year in the Americana category at the Independent Music Awards 2006. The duo’s full length debut Land Of Sea was recorded with renowned producer/engineer Mark Howard (Bob Dylan, U2, Tom Waits). Howard, who used to work with producer Daniel Lanois for over ten years, has a very unique way of recording. He rented out an old sound stage in Hollywood the size of Abbey Road Studios, where he set up vintage recording equipment, Persian rugs, Victorian lamps and brought in legendary musicians to accompany chris and thomas on their record.
The record was first released in the UK in 2006 in conjunction with a 5 week tour and has gained critical acclaim and rave reviews (4 stars and runner up to album of the month in MOJO Magazine).
The US release includes the bonus track "Horse In The Sky". The song, penned by chris and thomas and Oscar nominated composer John Debney, is featured in the end credits of Garry Marshall’s new film Georgia Rule starring Lindsey Lohan and Jane Fonda.
chris and thomas’ woven harmonies and sparse instrumentation will make you think of big skies with small clouds.
Beautiful World
chris and thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see hard times coming
I see a time
I might have to run
Beautiful girl
I'd never leave you behind
Even in hard times
You are my world
Beautiful world
I hear rumors spreading
They're like a fire
Burning my soul
Beautiful girl
Now we've got to stand together
And face the wind
With our hearts again
Beautiful girl
You are my world
Beautiful girl
Beautiful world
I see a brand new Heaven
One without walls
To keep us apart
And beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
In your eyes
And here in my heart
Beautiful girl
You are my world
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
Our love will live forever
Beautiful girl
The song "Beautiful World" by Chris and Thomas expresses a sense of impending hardship, with the lyrics "I see hard times coming/I see a time/I might have to run." However, the singer is clinging to the hope that his beautiful girl will be with him through those difficult moments - "even in hard times/You are my world." Throughout the song, there is a sense that the couple will face adversity, but they will do it together and emerge stronger for it. The imagery of fire and wind suggests that these hard times will be intense and challenging, but the couple will stand strong in the face of them.
As the song continues, there is a theme of hopefulness for a better future. The singer dreams of a "brand new Heaven/One without walls/To keep us apart," suggesting a world where there are no barriers and the couple can be together without worry or fear. The repetition of "Our love will live forever" drives home the message that no matter what happens, their connection will not be broken.
Line by Line Meaning
Beautiful world
Despite hardships and rumors, the world still exudes beauty
I see hard times coming
The singer believes that difficult times are in store
I see a time / I might have to run
The singer foresees a moment where they may have to flee
Beautiful girl / I'd never leave you behind / Even in hard times / You are my world
The artist treasures and values their loved one so deeply that they would never abandon them regardless of the circumstances
I hear rumors spreading / They're like a fire / Burning my soul
Gossip is taking an emotional toll on the artist
Now we've got to stand together / And face the wind / With our hearts again
The couple must stand united against the negativity surrounding them
You are my world
The singer's loved one is the most important thing in their life
I see a brand new Heaven / One without walls / To keep us apart
The artist visualizes a perfect place where nothing can separate them from their loved one
Our love will live forever / In your eyes / And here in my heart
Their love transcends time and space and will always be cherished
Beautiful girl / Our love will live forever
Reiterating the strength and eternal nature of their love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD V. CASALE, MARK MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cooperyoung1928
I cant stop.
@closhawcom
I love them <3
@malikzabir1692
i love them too