Underdogs

The most openly punk, and most overtly silly song from Send Away The Tigers it’s a dedication to fans, to those of us outsiders and freaks and underdogs. The lyrics are mostly poor although we appreciate the sentiment. Musically it’s very simple, the verses swept along by chugging, muted guitars, with a sudden explosion of manic drums and electric guitars for the chorus. It’s a fun bit of fluff, a curious moment of charity by the band, and one that comes off as both bizarre and harmless.

Underdogs: 3/Good

Misheard Lyrics: And the disposable destiny/and the dis-a-poseable (?) destiny

2: Shining bright but not disappeared

3: Passive like some faded stars

Actual Lyrics: And the disciples of our destiny

2: Shining bright but now disappeared

3: Passing like some fading stars

The Story Of The Song: It’s ostensibly a dedication to the fans. From day one, superfans of the Manics have been notable for being what idiots may term ‘freaks’. As the band became more popular, you can see a clear division in the fandom – those who came on board around the time of Everything Must Go (myself included) and who only like the big hits (myself not included), and those who are obsessed with the band and love everything. Then there are those who take it further by dressing up like Nicky and Richey. The song was the first single from Send Away The Tigers and in a rare moment of whatthefuckery from the band, they encouraged fans to send video footage of themselves to be spliced into the video. Ironically, fan reception of the song was not positive, so much so that the song was removed from the re-release of the album.

 

Rendition

Rendition: 3/Good

A neat little punk quickie with flamboyant performance from Bradfield, thunderous drums, and some amusing lyrics. It’s all very catchy too, with the verse taking the most points but with a chorus which still does a fine job. It’s not going to change anyone’s world, but it’s a good, quick, impactful rocker that gets to the point without excess and doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Misheard Lyrics: All the animals I’m missing/All the animals are missing

2. Another moment of Japan and sorrow/Another moment of general sorrow

Actual Lyrics: All the emeralds that are missing

2. And at the moment I’m jumping at sorrow

Send Away The Tigers

Generic Ratings: 1: Crap. 2: Okay. 3: Good. 4: Great

If any fans were put off by the experimental, electronic sounds of Lifeblood, then the opening track of Send Away The Tigers should see those fans sighing in relief. They play a little trick with a false organ start, but the opening guitar attack sets the tone for the album – a more streamlined, old fashioned rock sound with guitars, drums, bass, and vocals all unhindered by studio jiggerypokery. It’s a terrific opening riff, and the melodies and musical strength shines through the three and a half minutes, not allowing any spare seconds for additional nonsense – the point is made, and we can leave it at that. Lyrically, Wire seems to be on better form, and although the old themes of regret and nostalgia are prevalent there is a freshness to proceedings after the sleepy nature of the last album which makes you sit up and listen – and that chorus is bound to stay in your head for hours.

Send Away The Tigers: 3/Good (Patrick Jones video)

Misheard Lyrics:

1. There’s no hope in the counties
2. Faces on whores
3. Same noise death and destroy
4. Look at me I’m modest and free

Actual Lyrics:

1. There’s no hope in the colonies
2. Fixing some holes
3. Same noise left to destroy
4. Look at me I’m honest and free

Your Love Alone Is Not Enough

If ever a song was going to bring the band back into the spotlight from a truly commercial standpoint, it was this. It was easily their most catchy slice of arena pop rock since This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours and it was a hefty success. It reached 2 in the UK charts and stayed in the top 40 for seven weeks, making it their second most successful single. It didn’t reach number one though, kept off by some Beyonce/Shakira song that no-one remembers.

The song gets straight to the point – a big chord followed by the main hook, then into a song which is basically one giant singalong chorus, albeit with different peaks and diversions. James and Nina (from The Cardigans) work incredibly well together, the riffs and music are simple, the strings are there, but the finest moment is, seriously, a Nicky Wire vocal. As James and Nina are trading lyrics, Wire interjects with an emotional ‘I could have written all your lines’ and it’s perfect. The whole thing is perfect in fact. 10 years before this was Everything Must Go et al, and it is (at time of writing) 10 years since Your Love Alone Is Not Enough – methinks it’s time they unleashed another top 5 classic single.

Your Love Alone Is Not Enough: 4/Great