Biko

Does anyone else see the parallel between "The world isn't kind to little things" and "I left you blueberries in the fridge / The little thing that I can do"?

In a sense, could be saying that the world as a whole doesn't care about their relationship and the little, kind things that you do for the people you love, like leave them their favourite food in the fridge.

When coupled with the idea that the other person is dying or depressed, it suggests a sense of despondency; the narrator cares so much about the other person, but sort of no-one else does. You know?

Kele has mentioned in an interview that Biko is a term of affection that his parents used to used...no references to any activists really. and its obviously about someone dying from cancer

can only guess from the lines

"Was my love not strong enough to Bring you back from the dead If I could eat your cancer I would but I can't"

its about his friends who dies of cancer. or found out his friend has cancer.

I actually think bethie might be on to something, look at some of the other song titles: Ares: greek god of war Mercury: messenger of roman mythology Halo: obvious christian references, not sure of any other religious/mythological connetions Biko: as already mentioned sukuna-biko is prominent in japanese culture Trojan Horse: greek culture Zypherus: found in traditional greek stories Better than heaven: well...yeah.

HMMMM?

its got nothing to do with the activist biko.
'Biko' in a nigerian language - i think it's eto - is a way of addressing a loved one. kele's parents speak it. biko is a greeting reserved for loved ones.

this is all from an interview with kele

achielles the son of thetis was alleged to have been dipped in the river styx by his mother which gave him immortality, so by crossing the river styx "biko" became immortal but it doesnt seem to be working, also to do with greek mythology!

incredible song, but i think these are the correct lyrics in this verse: So I keep writing these songs for you To steal you from your grey And we can dance in our front room again

So 'grave' is actually 'grey' and 'a front row' is 'our front room' :)

but then again, the official lyrics also has 'Was my love strong enough to bring you back from the dead' without the 'not' so maybe it isn't entirely correct.. which is totally ironic considering they wrote the lyrics! But i think it is definitely 'grey' and 'front room'

Source: blocparty.com/lyrics.php

I love this song. Personally, I think this song is mostly about a someone who's been through a very traumatic experience (Biko) and their lover trying their best to work with them (singer) but reminding them to "toughen up/I need you to be strong for us".

Probably the most powerful and underrated song on the album, especially for those that have experienced a great loss to the hands of cancer.

"For my sweetheart the melancholic You have crossed the River Styx And the waves have taken you away"

The person in question is dead, they have crossed the river styx, they have been taken away.

Now, I believe the next verse begins a flashback, to when the person is first diagnosed with, presumably, cancer. He can't see the physical manifestation of the illness but "I can hear it in your veins", he knows it is there, inside here.

"You're not doing this alone" repeated throughout the verse implies he is very close to 'Biko', possibly romantically attached.

I don't like the "eat your cancer" line. yes it is graphic, but it is too candid, it just shoves cancer in your face, which to me, seems crude.

"I left you blueberries in the fridge, the little things..." Again, very powerful imagery. It shows the desperation of trying miracle cures like anti-oxidant rich blueberries, coupled with the helplessness he feels because, really, its just a "little thing" that he can do.

"resist" seems obvious, and the repetition shows a sense of urgency towards the end of the song as the flashback is drawing to its conclusion (Biko's death).

The line "when you stand up, you stand up for the both of us" is again very powerful. It is saying, if you cant do it for yourself, at least try for me. It isn't just yourself that you are fighting for, fight for me, just so I can have one more day with you. Again, this view is backed up by the constant "toughen up", the "resist" at the end, and the general tone of the song.

Its just a sad, sad song, and for me, it is this bands very best.

damn! so quickly the lyrics :P