16 April 2011

Ladytron lyrics

Here are the lyrics of all Ladytron songs. For Marnie lyrics go here.









Ladytron - 604

604


Mu-Tron

[Instrumental]
top


Discotraxx

[Bulgarian lyrics]

Prez gorite, prez poliata,
Pod zvezdite, nad zhitata

I know her, used to follow everywhere we'd go
And it's so sweet, now she's sleeping with a boy I know
The boy I know, knows a pretty girl in every town
And the way they look, they were made to let each other down

She got her face from the same house where she stole her clothes
On the same street, there's a dance hall where nobody goes
Four to the floor, stealing cigarettes of '90s ghosts
And then at Christmas time, 'till we exceed the recommended dose

Prez gorite, prez poliata,
Pod zvezdite, nad zhitata
Shte patuvat prez noshta,
Risuvat prez denia i shte spiat do obed
Viatarat gi bruli na srebaren MZ
I shte piat gorski chai ot zlaten samovar
Litsata im greiat s ognenen zagar.
Prez gorite, prez poliata,
Pod zvezdite, nad zhitata
Shte patuvat prez noshta,

I know her, used to follow everywhere we'd go
And it's so sweet, now she's sleeping with a boy I know
The boy I know, knows a pretty girl in every town
And the way they look, they were made to let each other down


[English translation]

Through the forests, through the fields
Under the stars, above the wheats

(I know her, used to follow everywhere we'd go)
(And it's so sweet, now she's sleeping with a boy I know)
(The boy I know, knows a pretty girl in every town)
(And the way they look, they were made to let each other down)

(She got her face from the same house where she stole her clothes)
(On the same street, there's a dance hall where nobody goes)
(Four to the floor, stealing cigarettes of '90s ghosts)
(And then at Christmas time, 'till we exceed the recommended dose)

Through the forests, through the fields
Under the stars, above the wheats
They will travel through the night
They paint during the day and sleep until noon
The wind burns them on a silver MZ
And they will drink forest tea from a golden samovar
Their faces shine with a fiery tan.
Through the forests, through the fields
Under the stars, above the wheats
They will travel through the night

(I know her, used to follow everywhere we'd go)
(And it's so sweet, now she's sleeping with a boy I know)
(The boy I know, knows a pretty girl in every town)
(And the way they look, they were made to let each other down)


Notes: The lyrics in parantheses are already in English. The Bulgarian lyrics seems to be inspired from an old Bulgarian song. The "silver MZ" seems to be a reference to the MZ motorcycles.
top


Another Breakfast With You

[2x]
I don't want to fight
Just want a piece of your life
Oh, if you come out to play
I don't want you to say... anything
I didn't feel a thing when you told me that
You didn't feel a thing when I told you that
I didn't feel a thing, another breakfast with you

Did you ever fall in love?
For a quarter of an hour or above
top


CSKA Sofia

[Instrumental]
top


The Way That I Found You

Up on the stand, the society meeting
That was the way, was the way that I found you
Drunk after work, here in the late night feelings
That was the way, was the way that I found you

Sat in the crowd, watching the women's tennis
That was the way, was the way that I found you
Saw who you were, picking up from the canvas
That was the way;
I was wrapped around you, met you while you were switching on
And checked your box on the blue coupon
That was how... I... found...

Up on the stand, the society meeting
That was the way, was the way that I found you
Drunk after work, here in the late night feelings
That was the way;
I was wrapped around you
Kicked your wheel in the midday sun
And saved your place in the peloton
That was how... I... found...

Sat in the crowd, watching the women's tennis
That was the way, was the way that I found you
Saw who you were, picking up from the canvas
That was the way;
I was wrapped around you
You still don't know what I want
Picked up your book in a street kiosk
That was how... I... found...

Up on the stand, the society meeting
That was the way, was the way that I found you
Late night feelings, trying to set for the winter
To leave you this way, the way I found you
Met you while you were switching on
And checked your box on the blue coupon
That was how... I... found...
top


Paco!

[Lyrics repeated 4x]
Ground floor: ladies clothes, sportswear stationery
First floor: kitchenware, furnishings, confectionary
Second floor: children toys, back to school, many more
Fourth floor: electronic, fake antiques, and lingerie

I saw your face on the black and white screen
I knew your name from the checkout machine
You don't have to spend you just have to pretend
top


Commodore Rock

[Bulgarian lyrics]

Ti si zemen rai
A Dunav veselo shumi
Tih bial Dunav se valnuva
Veselo shumi
Eto Simeon pristiga
S negovite voiski

Haide Vaksa haide de
Triabva pak da se iade
Haide Vaksa haide de
Triabva pak da se iade

Y Simeon voevodi so zove

Mila moia rodino
Ti si zemen rai
S visoki sini plani
Reki y shirni dolini
Eto Simeon pristiga s negovite voiski

Kudeto y da si ti si zemen rai
S visoki sini planini

Veselo shumi
Veselo shumi

Y Simeon voevodi si zove

Visoki sini planini
Y ti si mila moia rodino
Ti si zemen rai
Ti si zemen rai
Y veselo shumish
Y veselo shumish

Tih bial Dunav se valnuva
Y po nego Radetski pluva
Y Simeon voevodi si zove
Veselo shumi
Veselo shumi
Visoki sini planini
Reki y shirni dolini

Kadeto y da si
Ti si zemen rai
S visoki sini planini


[English translation]

You are heaven on Earth
And Danube is babbling cheerfully
Quiet white Danube is waving
And is babbling cheerfully
Here comes Simeon
With his army

Come on Vaksa come on
We should eat again
Come on Vaksa come on
We should eat again

Simeon is calling his voivods

My precious Motherland
You are heaven on Earth
With high blue mountains
Rivers and wide valleys
Here comes Simeon

Wherever you are, you are heaven on Earth
With high blue mountains

Is babbling cheerfully
Is babbling cheerfully

Simeon is calling his voivods

High blue mountains
And you are my precious Motherland
You are heaven on Earth
You are heaven on Earth
And is babbling cheerfully
And is babbling cheerfully

Quiet white Danube is waving
And Radetski sails
And Simeon is calling his voivods
Is babbling cheerfully
Is babbling cheerfully
High blue mountains
Rivers and wide valleys

Wherever you are
You are heaven on Earth
With high blue mountains


Notes: The parts with "High blue mountains / And you are my precious homeland / You are heaven on earth" are clearly inspired by Mila Rodino, The Bulgarian anthem. The parts with Simeon are from an old revolutionary song. The parts with Vaksa ("Come one Vaksa come on / We should eat again") are probably from an old song for children. Radetski is an old Bulgarian steamship.
top


Zmeyka

[Instrumental]
top


Playgirl

Playgirl, why are you sleeping in tomorrow's world, hey playgirl
Playgirl, why are you dancing when you could be alone, hey playgirl
Playgirl, why are you sleeping in tomorrow's world, hey playgirl
Playgirl, choking on cigarettes to get you along, hey playgirl

Hey playgirl, hey playgirl
Northern lights catch you coming down
Sleep your way out of your hometown

Playgirl, why are you sleeping in tomorrow's world, hey playgirl
Playgirl, why are you dancing when you could be alone, hey playgirl
Playgirl, why are you sleeping in tomorrow's world, hey playgirl
Playgirl, choking on cigarettes to get you along, hey playgirl

Hey playgirl, hey playgirl
Northern lights catch you coming down
Sleep your way out of your hometown
Hey playgirl, hey playgirl
Northern lights catch you coming down
Sleep your way out of your hometown
Hey playgirl, hey playgirl
Northern lights catch you coming down
Sleep your way out of your hometown
Hey playgirl, hey playgirl
Hey playgirl, hey playgirl

Foreign coin on a telephone box
A question mark on a calendar
An empty seat on the alpha line
A sorting code, an account number

Hey playgirl, hey playgirl
Northern lights got you coming down
Sleep your way out of your hometown
top


I'm With the Pilots

Time in hands
With the pilots and the traveling bands
When you're down there, don't feel down and out
You have something you can smile about

Coke or gin
Why are you boys frowning, have you lost something?
The solution that you have for me
Will invalidate my guarantee

Sell something to someone you love
Not someone that you don't
Even though...

Six-oh-four
Belgian teachers and the cosmonauts
When you're down there, don't feel down and out
You have something you can smile about

Holding hands
Rocket scientists revise their plans
The solution that they have for me
Will burn me up on re-entry

Sell something to someone you love
Not someone that you don't
Even though...
top


This Is Our Sound

I can't seem to take you anywhere
We ditched your friends at Williamson Square
Where the rank and file shoot us dirty looks
Hail a taxicab, don't want to walk

The night time here is a plastic box
Gently amplifying in the basement rock
The distant tones from the detainees
Friendly girls who pack it full of these

When you're not around, this is our sound

I can't seem to take you anywhere
We ditched your friends at Williamson Square
Where the rank and file shoot us dirty looks
Hail a taxicab, don't want to walk

The night time here is a plastic box
Gently amplifying the basement rock
The distant tones from the detainees
Friendly girls who pack it full of these

When you're not around, this is our sound
When you're not around, this is our sound

When you're not around, this is our sound
This is not a song, 'cause there's nothing wrong
When the light inside is not as bright
top


He Took Her To a Movie

He met her in the fall, he took her to a movie
And when they'd done it all, he took her to a movie
And from the hospital, he took her to a movie
But so did I

And when her heart was sad, he took her to a movie
She's all he's ever had, he took her to a movie
And should their love turn bad, he took her to a movie
But so did I

I think she's been alone, he took her to a movie
When they cut off the phone, he took her to a movie
And when her cover's blown, he took her to a movie
But so did I

There's nothing on TV, he took her to a movie
But she's the one for me, he took her to a movie
We're at number three, he took her to a movie
But so did I
top

Laughing Cavalier

[Instrumental]
top


Ladybird

Once there was a young girl
But old enough to know girl
Went by the name of Ladybird

Charmed you with the one hand
And broke you in the next hand
Then she'd be gone out of your life

If you've got time (if you've got time)
And you're ever to change her mind (to change her mind)
You'll need more than a glass of wine
She's not that kind of girl

You'll never win (you'll never win)
'Cause she leaves when you think you're in (think you're in)
Doesn't care if it's her or him
She's not that kind of girl

Mornings are the cruelest
No no, no, nothing more or less
Just slept with the thought of Ladybird

Everywhere you see her
Her new possession with her
Don't warn them they're not listening to you
top


Jet Age

She caught her flight at 10am
And checked her face at Amsterdam
Oh, it's just what it's like
When you're only seen at night
She left her love somewhere at home
And now she's dancing on her own
To the kind of disco sound
That makes her glad he's not around

She's looking at you
So maybe you're looking too
Do you want to be her
Or don't you?
Of course you do
But would she be you?

He doesn't dance as good as she
Why don't you save a seat for me
As the sun came and went
From the safety of a jet
He gave Atlanta one last look
Then dropped his head inside the book
That he never gets to read
Maybe he'll just get some sleep

She's looking at you
So maybe you're looking too
Do you want to be her
Or don't you?
Of course you do
But would she be you?
top


Skools Out...

Packing her bags, they left the sailor girl
When she returned to find that she could love no one
Meeting her way through cheap bar and cafe
Expecting to see the same sour faces there, why not

Oh yes, they'll do
School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out and it might be true
School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out, I'll be nice
School's out for me, school's out for you
Swallow all our bad advice
School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out

Packing his bags, they loved the Tesco boy
When he returned to find that he could love no one
He stayed away through salons and musics
There's still a ground in her up to the years, why not

Oh yes, they'll do
School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out and it might be true
School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out, I'll be nice
School's out for me, school's out for you
Listen to our bad advice

School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out, please behave
School's out for me, school's out for you
You don't want a English name
School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out, I'll be nice
School's out for me, school's out for you
Swallow all our bad advice
School's out for me, school's out for you
School's out
top



Ladytron - Light & Magic

Light & Magic


True Mathematics

[Bulgarian lyrics]

[Lyrics repeated 2x]
Sluntseto presicha tiahnata daga,
Na piasaka risuvat, blestiashta svetlina.

Iz grada te tichat,
Tuk tame nadnichat,
Burzo se oblichat,
Pogled ne privlichat.

Suncho gi prispiva v toploto kreslo,
Tiho shte broiat do shest-stotin i edno.

Iz grada te tichat,
Tuk tame nadnichat,
Burzo se oblichat,
Pogled ne privlichat.
[The last block is repeated once again at the end; 3 times in total]


[English translation]

[Lyrics repeated 2x]
The sun is crossing their rainbow,
They draw on the sand, shining light.

Through the town they run,
Here and there they peep,
They dress up quickly,
They don't draw attention.

Suncho puts them to sleep on the warm couch,
Quietly, they will count up to 601.

Through the town they run,
Here and there they peep,
They dress up quickly,
They don't draw attention.
[The last block is repeated once again at the end; 3 times in total]


Notes: Suncho is a Bulgarian cartoon character from a Bulgarian TV channel that sang a lullaby to the small children (the word "sun" means "dream" in Bulgarian). 601 is a reference to the movie The Andromeda Strain from 1971. There is also a Ladytron B-side named "Holiday601" which was an earlier version of "NuHorizons".
top


Seventeen


[8x]
They only want you when you're seventeen
When you're twenty-one
You're no fun
They take a polaroid and let you go
Say they'll let you know
So come on

[2x]
We only want you when you're seventeen
When you're twenty-one
You're no fun
They take a polaroid and let you go
Say they'll let you know
So come on

[4x]
They take a polaroid and let you go
Say they'll let you know
So come on
top


Flicking Your Switch

Stole your Visa card, and took a trip downtown
I don't really care that there's people around

Nine two three, eight one six, is the sound of that flicking your switch
Eight one five, one nine four, does this mean you don't trust me anymore?
Does this mean you don't trust me anymore?

I'm so happy that you're coming out to play
Now I'm only one cocaine decision away

Three six nine, two four eight, is the sound of them closing your gate
Eight one five, one nine four, does this mean you don't trust me anymore?
Does this mean you don't trust me anymore?

It's the time to head beyond the city lights
Now I don't recall there being warning signs

Nine two three, eight one six, is the sound of that flicking your switch
Eight one five, nine three four, does this mean you don't trust me anymore?
Does this mean you don't trust me anymore?

Eight one five, one nine four, does this mean you don't trust me anymore?
Does this mean you don't trust me anymore?
top


Fire

A red cell
A perfect view out of the Novotel
Sat gently listening to this song
It started over again

And the girl gets higher
The room's on fire
If you want her
Let it go

Hello

The sun went in
And it started over again

The rain came
An encyclopedia of nothing
In half-written signatures of false names
It started over again

And the girl gets higher
The room's on fire
If you want her
Let it go

Hello

The lights went out
And it started over again

A red cell
A perfect view out of the Novotel
Sat gently listening to this song
It started over again

And the girl gets higher
The room's on fire
If you want her
Let it go

Hello

The sun went in
And it started over again
top

Turn It On

[Instrumental]
top


Blue Jeans

Straight lights that cut through the scene like you wanted to
Blue jeans

Soft larks that spend all of summer buying drinks for you
Blue jeans

Left hand that crashed through your house in the ice and snow
Blue jeans

A face outside sleeping pressed against the bay window
Blue jeans

You've been trying to protect me
An insect living in your memory
Don't blue jeans won't cut at the seams like you want them to.

You won't need me to show the way now they're onto you
Blue jeans

And I won't be phoning you today unless you want me to
Blue jeans

[3x]
You've been trying to protect me
An insect living in your memory
Don't blue jeans won't cut at the seams like you want them to.
top


Cracked LCD

Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD

Back to summertime.
It was almost six months to the day.
Eyes clock to his hand.
Liquid crystals on his watch catch rays
Of morning peeking through.
Moving the pillows out of the way.
Tries to make the time.
Falls asleep with his watch on again.

Cracked LCD

He has got
Last year's summertime, the one she liked
On daylight saving time,
Hoping that the world catch up with him
Before he catches her.
It happens once a year.
She'd better run.
Was summertime for all.
Alpine retreat off the A40.

Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD

Rising out of the slopes.
Cracked LCD
Plastic snow and wooden trees surround.
Cracked LCD
She felt they had it all.
Cracked LCD
Pulling curtains over dreamy faces.
Cracked LCD
Sealing off the globe.
Cracked LCD
Waiting for a spark to start the fire.
Cracked LCD

Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD
Cracked LCD
top


Black Plastic

(Black plastic, touching black plastic)

[2x]
Someone's coming round in the evening
One touch on the face of a city
One black plastic chair with some time to spare.
Black plastic, touching black plastic.

Someone's coming round in the evening
One touch on the face of a city
One black plastic chair with some time to...
Drawing on face of a girl who is sleeping.
Black plastic chair, reaching out, making one... touch.
top


Evil

When a menthol hit, hooks a spatial girl in her summer clothes,
Like a transmission, on an empty channel, all lines are closed.
Taking photographs, speaking slowly through the permanent waves
The taste in her mouth that she read about earlier today

This is happening for your pleasure, at your leisure
Use your evil, when you want

When a menthol hit, hooks a spatial girl in her summer clothes,
Like a transmission, on an empty channel, all lines are closed.
Taking photographs, speaking slowly through the permanent waves
The taste in her mouth that she read about earlier today

This is happening for your pleasure, at your leisure
Use your evil, when you want

This is happening for your pleasure, at your leisure
Use your evil, when you want

When the night becomes, automatic sequence joining the day,
Singing something new, someone else is sliding into your way.
When a menthol hit, hooks a spatial girl in her summer clothes,
Like a transmission, on an empty channel, all lines are closed.

Got to get you off my conscience by Friday,
On Saturday I'll be wide awake, on Sunday I'm your new best friend,
On Monday learn it all again

For your pleasure, at your leisure
Use your evil, when you want.
top


Startup Chime

School holiday that she could do without,
A weekend break that slept in late.
A beach resort under a year of rain,
This is where it has to start.

When the AC hum inside your sleepy head,
Drowns the startup chime inside your heart,
Technology is there to cure yourself,
This is where it has to start

Unfamiliar brand falls from an empty shelf,
Without sounding an alarm,
The test results tell you nothing at all,
This is where it has to start.

When the AC hum inside your sleepy head,
Drowns the startup chime inside your heart,
Technology is there to cure yourself,
This is where it has to start.

The Northern Lights are just a band for hire,
Playing class reunions without end.
The test results tell you nothing at all...
Technology is there to cure yourself...
A dusty cartridge from the VCs is on the way to see old friends,
This is where it has to start
top


NuHorizons

Oblatsi prez reshetki
Kolektsii ot sulfetki
Vlakove, motoretki
Raziadeni podmetki

Klameri v ruka
Konets prez igla
Igratchki v torba
Lista vuv kosa

Oblatsi prez reshetki
Kolektsii ot sulfetki
Vlakove, motoretki
Raziadeni podmetki

Hvurlena guma
Iztrita duma


(English translation)

Clouds through bars
Collections of napkins
Trains, motorcycles
Eaten soles

Paper clips in hand
A string through a needle
Toys in a bag
Leaves in hair

Clouds through bars
Collections of napkins
Trains, motorcycles
Eaten soles

Thrown rubber
Deleted word
top


Cease2xist

High,
21st of July,
you know the thought is all wrong,
but the feeling is right.

Say,
On the 19th of May,
Turn it on close the door,
and then set to ignore.

Hey, where did you come from?
And why don't you stay where you belong?
Think, everyone that you kiss,
do they cease to exist when you stop being missed?

You live
In someone else's song.
Have you been there too long,
or not long enough?

Yes, what did you leave behind?
Another weekend expires,
with no definite signs.

Hey, where did you come from?
And why don't you stay where you belong?
Think, everyone that you kiss,
do they cease to exist when you stop being missed?
top


Re:Agents

Traffic things and power lines
Cables on the ocean floor
Traffic things and power lines
Going out to number four
There's a photo hidden on page four,
has the halo around your smile, think fast
They say, that play, that fallout is a must
Still you keep on keeping on past the kids

You're the boss from behind your eyes
With, looking for the cherry on the ice
They say, that play, that fallout is a must
Still you keep on keeping on past the kids,
and still you keep on keeping on past the kids
top


Light & Magic

The kids are free,
Now all they need is a gift from their mum and dad
They heard the tones, of Spanish phones singing in the sand

You left on the lights, is there somebody home?
Left on the lights, is there somebody home?
Left on the lights, is there somebody home?
Light and magic

You cut your hair and made a friend,
Now they're falling into you
This is the closest that you will get to them,
How do you do?

You left on the lights, is there somebody home?
Switched off your voicemail and left it alone
Left on the lights, is there somebody home?
Light and magic

Then lost some time in someone's line,
Might have just caught the storm
This is not real, but it will deal
With this thing between tonight and tomorrow...

By the beach in a one-storey building,
You're lucky if the light's not out
But, baby, now you look like a xerox of yourself

The kids are free, now all they need is a gift from their mum and dad
top


The Reason Why

Where am I
Sleeping at the console
I dreamt something
That I don't remember

Checking in
Just like any other
Signing off
Signing out forever

Your second hand
That's the reason why you're easy to drive
(The reason why)

You understand
That's the reason why you're easy to hide

My heart says yes
But I was sedated
Signing off
Checking in together

Your second hand
That's the reason why you're easy to drive
(The reason why)

You understand
That's the reason why you're easy to hide
(The reason why)

You joined a band
That's the reason why you're easy to try
(The reason why)

You understand
That's the reason why you're easy to hide
top



Ladytron - Witching Hour

Witching Hour


High Rise

Black sun rising
New day dawning
I'm defying
I'm destroying

We are on the same high you and I
Open on the same page no sunrise

Tender talons
Chase horizons
Masquerading
Black sun rising

We are on the same high you and I
Open on the same page no sunrise

Silent movers
Up and towards them
Perfect timing
Hello morning

We are on the same high you and I
Open on the same page no sunrise

Sun is fading
Darkness falling
New day dawning
Last sun rising

We are on the same high you and I
Open on the same page no sunrise

We are on the same high you and I
Open on the same page no sunrise

We are on the same high you and I
Open on the same page no sunrise
top


Destroy Everything You Touch

Destroy everything you touch today
Destroy me this way
Anything that may desert you
So it cannot hurt you

You only have to look behind you
At who's underlined you
Destroy everything you touch today
Destroy me this way

Everything you touch you don't feel
Do not know what you steal
Shakes your head
Takes your gun
Walks you out of the sun

What you touch do not feel
Do not know what you steal
Destroy everything you touch today
Please destroy me this way

Destroy everything you touch today
Destroy me this way
Anything that may delay you
Might just save you

You only have to look behind you
At who's underlined you
Destroy everything you touch today
Destroy me this way

Everything you touch you don't feel
Do not know what you steal
Shakes your head
Takes your gun
Walks you out of the sun

Once you touch do not feel
Do not know what you steal
Destroy everything you touch today
Please destroy me this way

Everything you touch you don't feel
Do not know what you steal
Shakes your head
Takes your gun
Walks you out of the sun

Once you touch you don't feel
Do not know what you steal
Destroy everything you touch today
Please destroy me this way

Everything you touch you don't feel
Do not know what you steal
Shakes your head
Takes your gun
Walks you out of the sun

What you touch you don't feel
Do not know what you steal
Destroy everything you touch today
Please destroy me this way
top


International Dateline

Woke up in the evening
To the sound of screaming
Through the walls it was bleeding
All over me

Untied and weightless
Unconscious as we cross
The international dateline
Let's end it here

Grown tired of the show-coast
And then as we toast
There are all zeros
Around here

Untied and weightless
Unconscious as we cross
The international dateline
Let's end it here

Let's end it here
Let's end it here
Let's leave it here
Let's leave it here

Woke up in the evening
To the sound of screaming
Through the walls it was bleeding
All over me

Untied and weightless
Unconscious as we cross
The international dateline
Let's end it here

Let's end it here
Let's end it here
Let's leave it here
Let's leave it here
top


Soft Power

Broken glass is luxury
Friendly fires are alchemy
Daylight is the enemy
Witching hour, soft power.

We're not sleeping at the wheel.
The wheel is turning the machine
that kills for us.

Close your eyes, so you're not seen
in Valentine's daydream.

We're not sleeping at the wheel
The wheel is turning the machine
that kills for us.

The hourglass of the forests
Setting fire to the tourists.

We're not sleeping at the wheel.
The wheel is turning the machine
that kills for us.

Broken glass is luxury
Friendly fires are alchemy
Daylight is the enemy
Witching hour, soft power.
top


CMYK

[Instrumental]
top


amTV

Films will come and films will go,
that kiss on your neck won't show

Posing in the same place everytime,
When your still speaking in the sunshine

Watching TV at 4 am
But that's not when she needs a friend
Staring at the bathroom floor
Please don't say you've got to go

Posing at the same place to put things right.
In your eyes, we're meeting in the morning light

You've done it again, you've done it before
That kiss on your neck won't show

Watching TV at 4 am
But that's not when she needs a friend
Staring at the bathroom floor
Please don't say you've got to go

Watching TV at 4 am
But that's not when she needs a friend
Loose change from your pocket on the floor
Please don't say you've got to go

Cheap thrills that this time I clasp
Cheap thrills that you'll dream about

You've done it again, you've done it before
That kiss on your neck won't show

Watching TV at 4 am
But that's not when she needs a friend
Staring at the bathroom floor
Please don't say you've got to go

Watching TV at 4 am
But that's not when she needs a friend
Loose change from your pocket on the floor
Please don't say you've got to go

(Electronic Voice)
Level 1
top


Sugar

("sugar" whispered and panned across the guitar intro about eight times)

If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?
If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?
We've got the signal to leave you alone,
Alone's where we leave you, alone's where we find you.
If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?

If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?
If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?
We've got the signal to leave you alone,
Alone's where we leave you, alone's where we find you.
If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?

If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?
If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?
We've got the signal to leave you alone,
Alone's where we leave you, alone's where we find you.
If I give you sugar, will you give me something elusive and temporary?
top


Fighting in Built Up Areas

(Bulgarian lyrics)

Zavarshva
Proletta ne chakam
Mostat e zatvoren
Pushyek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe
Slantseto izstina, nishto ne zapalzva
Pushek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe

Pushek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe
Relsite se slivat
Patyat pak izchezva
Pushek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe

Zavarshva
Zashtoto zashto... zavarshva (3x)

Sedna da vecheryash, dumi ne razmenyash
Pushek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe
Symna pak blesteshe... ne razmenyash
Pushek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe
Prasti v dzhoba kriesh, dumi ne razmenyash
Pushek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe
Syanka v slance tarsish
Syankata namirash
Pushek ne vidya, a oganyat goreshe

Zavarshva
Zashtoto zashto

Zashtoto zashto... zavarshva
Zashtoto zashto... zavarshva, zavarshva (2x)
Zashtoto zashto... zavarshva, zavarshva, zavarshva
Zashtoto zashto... zavarshva, zavarshva (4x)
Zashtoto zashto... zavarshva

Zashtoto zashto
Zashtoto zashto... zavarshva


(English translation)

It's over
I'm not waiting for the spring
The bridge is closed
No smoke seen but the fire's burning
The sun is rising but nothing's lightened
No smoke seen but the fire's burning

No smoke seen but the fire's burning
The rails flow together
The road is disappearing again
No smoke seen but the fire's burning

It's over
For what... it's over (3x)

You sat to have a dinner, but you don't throw a world
No smoke seen but the fire's burning
It dawns, it shines again... you don't throw...
No smoke seen but the fire's burning
You hide fingers in your pocket
No smoke seen but the fire's burning
You seek a shadow on the sun
You find the shadow
No smoke seen but the fire's burning

It's over
For what

For what... it's over
For what... it's over, it's over (2x)
For what... it's over, it's over, it's over
For what... it's over, it's over (4x)
For what... it's over

For what...
For what... it's over
top


The Last One Standing

Merging away,
like we did yesterday
wrong direction
The traffic we'll know,
the traffic is slow and thoughtless
The wheel that is still,
on the concrete and green,
away home
And it is alone,
a division unknown,
a split decision

Climbing the floors,
and I'm not running
Through revolving doors,
and you're not driving
The barrier stands,
between your hands and me,
Sorry

You said I made,
you said you said I made,
a bad decision
Said I made a mistake
Fatal without the recognition
But how would we know,
know of that consequence,
had I forseen
Our California hates,
had I not been

Closing the doors,
and I am running
Past video stores,
and you are driving
A barrier stands,
between your hands and me,
Sorry

You have got to be the last one standing (3x)
Ahhhhh Ahhhhh

You have got to be the last one standing (3x)
Ahhhhh Ahhhhh

You have got to be the last one standing (3x)
Ahhhhh Ahhhhh
top


Weekend

When they come out to find you
And they cannot describe you
Someone somewhere has to buy you out of your weekend

Friday is the fever
And Monday the destroyer
You are a permanent feature
Perpetual weekend

And on the wire in the morning, there's a city growing in my head
Where there is no weekend

When they come out to find you
And they can multiply you
Someone's been caught in the crossfire
Of your weekend

Friday is the teacher
And Monday the tormentor
You are a new kind of creature
Perpetual weekend

And on the wire in the morning, there's a city growing in my head
Where there is no weekend

You took the end
You took the end out of the weekend

You are a permanent feature
You are a new kind of creature

You took the end
You took the end out of weekend
top


Beauty*2

I sent you out to play last night
The alarms went off at three
Funny how I'm not laughing now
Loneliness a guarantee

I sent you out to play last night
The alarms went off at three
Funny how I'm not laughing now
He's not coming home to me

I sent you out to play last night
The alarms went off at three
Funny how I'm not laughing now
He's not coming home to me

Try to get out of the lease
And to move out of love
If only there was no consequence
I'd watch it all turn to dust

Hey can I go with you, my beauty number 2?
Hey can I go with you, when the rendez-vous' over?
It's over

Hey can I go with you, my beauty number 2?
Hey can I go with you, when the rendez-vous' over?

(Hey can I go with you, my beauty number 2, my beauty number 2, his beauty number...)
(Hey can I go with you, when this rendez-vous', when this rendez-vous', when the rendez-vous'...)
(When the rendez-vous' over)
(It's not over)
(No, it's not over)
top


Whitelightgenerator

Hold like our own video
What luck to have another turn
High in Victorian England
Away from the smoke and the fire

The mirror you'll see,
Has a memory, special feature

It's falling on you from above
The walker is under the cloud
Out sound like a two minute warning
Falling on you from above

The mirror you'll see,
Has a memory, special feature

The picture you'll see, infatuates me
The mirror you'll see, has a memory

Sisters when hit by the lightning
Wouldn't we talk under these

The mirror you'll see,
Has a memory, special feature

The picture you'll see, infatuates me
The mirror you'll see, has a memory, special feature
top


All the Way...

They heard the sound of the snow falling
They left the house, and started running
They ran past the street where they flout their lines
Where chemistries slowly redesigned

All the way, the calender froze on even number
Kat caught the tones of the cold corner
All the way, they could see it going
All the way

Is temperature, fahrenheit sanction
A transparent sound, mapping distraction
All the way, it would be forever
All the way

All the way, they heard the sound of the snow falling
They left the house and started running
I'm gonna let you know when it's time to be leaving
Don't run, the same goes for company this evening

You come here and I disappear
Some how I see, something I fear
Maybe we'll make someones souvenir
All the way, they heard the sound of the snow falling
top



Ladytron - Velocifero

Velocifero


Black Cat

(Bulgarian lyrics)

Slushai me
Uniniyata zabravi
Chui, za sinite skali si pripomni
Nov pat vseki den napred nameri
Kak obichashe da se katerish
Kotkata v orel dnes prevarni
(Utro moe...)
Izvan kartata da izleti
(Utro moe...)
S badeshteto si ako igraesh,
(Utro moe...)
Da e ot men

Slushai me
Uniniyata zabravi
Chui, za sinite skali si pripomni
Nov pat vseki den napred nameri
Kak obichashe da se katerish
Kotkata v orel dnes prevarni
Izvan kartata da izleti
S badeshteto si ako igraesh,
Realno i valshebno


(English translation)

Listen to me
Forget the opinions
Hear, remind yourself of the blue cliffs
Everyday find a new course forward
How you used to love to climb
Today transform the cat into an eagle
(my morning...)
To fly outside the map
(my morning...)
If you play with your future
(my morning...)
May it be of me

Listen to me
Forget the opinions
Hear, remind yourself of the blue cliffs
Everyday find a new course forward
How you used to love to climb
Today transform the cat into an eagle
To fly off the map
If you're going to play with your future,
Real and magical
top


Ghosts

In the first days of the spring time
Made you up and split from one thousand enemies
Made a trail of, of a thousand tears
Made you a prisoner inside your own secrecy

There's a ghost in me
Who wants to say "I'm sorry"
Doesn't mean I'm sorry

At the first hour of the springtime
Made you up and split from one thousand enemies

Now I see you from the corner
Clock strikes
And I know you will be drinking alone

There's a ghost in me
Who wants to say "I'm sorry"
Doesn't mean I'm sorry.
top


I'm Not Scared

January clipped your wires
The summer went straight through your tires
Every faded sign that passed you
Used to point the way towards you
Lately you've come to enjoy the generosity of strangers
The mechanisms you imply
And you've gone, you know that I'm not scared to go home
We have got to know, know that I'm not scared to go home

Instruments they leer towards you
Every fallen stone that passed you
Used to form a wall around you
Maybe you've come to rely on the generosity of strangers
The mechanisms you imply
You've gone, you know that I'm not scared to go home
We have got to know, know that I'm not scared to go home

January clipped your wires
The summer went straight through your tires
Every faded sign that passed you
Used to point the way towards you
Lately you've come to enjoy the generosity of strangers
The mechanisms you imply

You've gone, you know that I'm not scared to go home
We have got to know, know that I'm not scared to go home
to go home (4x)
top


Runaway

Every new day that you start
plans the minute you're flagging your heart
where you waking up today
my little runaway

every red eye that you cross
makes the next feel serious
where you waking up today
my little runaway (4x)

every silver shell that you crush
will be enough
where you gonna sleep today
my little runaway

when you feel like everyone
wants to kill the unicorn
where you waking up today
my little runaway (x16)
top


Season of Illusions

Obliterate the Sunday you've been cherishing all week
Obliterate the Sunday, he's a pleasure you can keep
I thought you'd let me speak today
But Esperanto's out of date
It's just another Sunday
Now Top of the Pops is dead

And if the morning gets you down
And then the evening lets you down
Obliterate the Sundays, fair play.

Obliterate the Sunday
Just keep your phone awake
Supposing wrong intentions won't make it easier to wake.

A season of illusions
A pocket full of doubts
A night of fading stars and a legacy of clouds

Obliterate the Sunday
The glass is out of reach
The heat was low, relief, you'll find a palm tree in your sleep.

Your hiding for months
Dodging the seas
You spent the day scheming
And you're a Houdini
Train has pulled out
Light has pulled in
A chance of escape
Come right up the street.

Obliterate the Sunday
You've been cherishing all week
Obliterate the Sunday
He's a pleasure you can keep

Season of illusions
Pocket full of doubts
Night of fading stars and a legacy of clouds

And if the morning gets you down
And then the evening lets you down
Obliterate the Sunday, fair play.

Your hiding for months
Dodging the seas
You spent the day scheming
And you're a Houdini
Train has pulled out
Light has pulled in
A chance of escape
Come right up the street
top


Burning Up

I wrote a protest song about you, about you
Set off on a long march without you, without you (2x)

I wrote a protest song about you, about you
about whats left that lies between us, I'm walking
so many things we're burning for

I set myself on fire without you, without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
that not a soul was meant to hear, except you

I wrote a protest song about you, about you
I cheated gravity to chase you, to chase you
and through the burning space between us, you're falling
you have a long way to fall

I set myself on fire without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
that not a soul was meant to hear, except you

so many things we're burning for (7x)
top


Kletva

(Bulgarian lyrics)

Kylna se, nikoga da ne
zabravjam teb,
s kogoto pet godini
vsichko sym delil.
Kylna se, popadne li
v beda edin ot nas
da mu podam ryka (x2)
i v losh za mene chas. (x2)

Kylna se, popadna li
v beda da ne predavam,
prijatelskite greshki
da proshtavam.
Kylna se vyv Djavola
i v Boga
da storja az za teb
kakvoto moga!
Zakleh se! (x4)


(English translation)

I swear, never to
forget you,
with whom I shared everything
for five years.
I swear, if anyone from us
falls into trouble,
to lend a hand (x2)
even in bad times for me. (x2)

I swear, if I fall into trouble,
to never surrender,
to forgive
mistakes by friends.
I swear in the name of the devil
and God
to do for you
all that I can!
I swore! (x4)


Note: "Kletva" (which means "oath") is a cover of a song from a solo album by Kiril Marichkov of Bulgarian rock band Shturtzite.
top


They Gave You a Heart, They Gave You a Name

They gave you a heart
They gave you a name
Released to the wild
With no one to tame
You need a place to disappear
That's why you're here
Escapeless dreams
I keep climbing off the floor
(They gave you a heart)
Lay down beside me
(They gave you a name)
They've been knocking at your door
(They gave you a heart)
Lay down beside me
(They gave you a name)
Lay down beside me
Lay down beside me

They gave you a heart
They gave you a name
Released to the wild
With no one to tame
You need a shape for your fear
Thats why you're here
Escapeless dreams
I keep climbing off the floor
(They gave you a heart)
Lay down beside me
(They gave you a name)
They've been knocking at your door
(They gave you a heart)
Lay down beside me
(They gave you a name)
Lay down beside me (3x)
top


Predict the Day

Predict the day you wanted to get away
A second chance is calling for you
Predict the day you wanted to get away
No second chance is calling for you

Predict the day you sentence your enemies
Don't look away they're coming for you
Predict the day you're bathing in victory
A second chance had fallen for you

Predict the day the night's never ending
As shattered falls darken your face
I never thought
I didn't think twice
I never thought
(6x)
top


The Lovers

We're the silence that wakes you day
We're the sound of your name outside the room
We're the sirens across the street
Where the lane, it becomes an avenue

Oh, we're right under your nose
We're the lovers that you don't know
Baby, we go, and you follow
We are the lovers, the lovers you don't know

We're the lovers that you don't know
We're the sound of your name outside the room
We're the sirens across the street
Where the lane it becomes an avenue

Oh, we're right under your nose
We're the lovers that you don't know
Baby, we go, and you follow
We are the lovers, the lovers you don't know

Oh, we're right under your nose
We're the lovers that you don't know
Baby, we go, and you follow
We are the lovers, the lovers you don't know
top


Deep Blue

Deep Blue I wanna take you to the sun,
In the power station at the heart of town,
I saw it on the news the other day,
Let's go and play before they take it down.

Deep Blue I wanna give it all to you,
Deep Blue I know that scares you.

Deep Blue lets get a train out of town,
To a place that's easier to get around,
To a place that's easier to get along,
To pretend to be strong Deep Blue.

Deep Blue I wanna give it all to you,
Try and make you laugh Deep Blue.
Deep Blue I know that scares you,
Try and find your smile,
Deep Blue.

Holidays lead you astray,
When you make them last more than a day,
Starting with a smile then that fades away,
Don't stay another day Deep Blue.

Deep Blue I wanna give it all to you,
Try and make you laugh Deep Blue.
Deep Blue I know that scares you,
Try and find your smile,
Deep Blue.

Deep Blue I wanna give it all to you,
Deep Blue I know that scares you.
Deep Blue I wanna give it all to you,
Deep Blue I know that scares you.
top


Tomorrow

I don't hate you or want you enough to wake you
There's a crack in the window, return of the key in ignition

So if you freeze tomorrow come back lucky
We said as your eyes were closing

There's a crack in the window, return of the key in ignition
But I don't hate you or want you or celebrate you

So if you freeze tomorrow come back lucky
We said as your eyes were closing
So if you freeze tomorrow come back lucky
We said as your eyes were closing

But I don't hate you or want you enough to wake you

So if you freeze tomorrow come back lucky
We said as your eyes were closing
So if you freeze tomorrow come back lucky
We said as your eyes were closing

We said as your eyes were closing
We said as your eyes were closing
We said as your eyes were closing
We said as your eyes were closing

So if you freeze tomorrow come back lucky
top


Versus

Distance versus time, cutting verses down to size
Focus versus tears versus "How did I get here's" versus curses in your eyes
Force of nature versus range, nature versus "That is strange"
"There's a fire starting here" versus "There's nothing to fear" versus lonely versus safe
Like a kitten versus rain
A cathedral versus love versus shame
Free versus out to sea, versus, versus, versus me versus me

Distance versus time, cutting verses down to size
Focus versus tears versus "How did I get here's" versus curses in your eyes
Force of nature versus range, nature versus "That is strange"
"There's a fire starting here" versus "There's nothing to fear" versus lonely versus safe
Like a kitten versus rain
A cathedral versus love versus shame
Free versus out to sea versus, versus, versus me versus me
top



Ladytron - Gravity the Seducer

Gravity the Seducer


White Elephant

Surrender with me, we're walking in our sleep
and won't come around for you
leave the story at the shore, in case you thought it done
and yes it is, we are submarines

now, surrender with me, 'cause we're walking in our sleep
and won't come around
hey, put our pistols down, and crawl along the ground,
where we won't, won't be found

surrender with me, and bring your violin,
and photographs, and some brass rings
for when we're breaking stones
the only things we know are tigers eyes and wasp stings

now, surrender with me, 'cause we're walking in our sleep
and won't come around
hey, put our pencils down, and crawl back under ground,
where we won't, won't be found

now, surrender with me, 'cause we're walking in our sleep
and won't come around
hey, put our pistols down, and crawl along the ground, where
we won't, where we won't, won't be found
top


Mirage

Footsteps cross the schoolyard, holding hands with a mirage
you don't listen, you do not exist
mute of all suggestions, the broken doll in question
through shattered mirror, empty caravel

you, mirage mirage, that sings to me
or maybe stopped hearing, you do not exist

two tracks through the desert, sad eyes, little puppet
you don't listen, you do not exist
happy not to notice, the room, the traps, the focus
where you cannot see reflections from within

you, mirage mirage, that sings to me
or maybe stopped hearing, you do not exist

or maybe stopped hearing...
holding hands with a mirage
holding hands with a mirage
holding hands with a mirage
holding hands with a mirage

holding hands with a mirage
holding hands with a mirage
holding hands with a mirage
holding hands with a mirage
top


White Gold

Back from the window
everything's subtle
temporary sanctuary

look through the window
everything's subtle
tallored to fit, but nothing's that simple

gold, you'll aways come to me with the power of deception
gold won't ever comfort me
the colour of deception
the colour of deception

move closer
subterfuge

illusion's there for all to see
there's no one left to rescue me
glass and stone, it cuts like a knife
and gold won't ever comfort me

gold, you'll aways come to me with the power of deception
gold won't ever comfort me
the colour of deception
the colour of deception
top


Ace of Hz

Ace on an unbroken line, ace of hearts
mariner of the time, another ace of hearts
sweet procession of cards that you take
from each victoria box that you break

you break the ace of hearts that break too much
the hearts that cannot be refused on your watch
break the ace of hearts

shed your clothes shed your name, ace of hearts
aces among the tame, another ace of hearts
hearts to make yourself free, yes, you will
make free of the cities where time stands still

you break the ace of hearts that break too much
the bombs that cannot be defused by your touch
break the ace of hearts
break aces of hearts
break all aces of hearts

break the ace of hearts
break aces of hearts
break all aces of hearts
top

Ritual

[Instrumental]
top


Moon Palace

A stolen kiss, a moment to run free
The veil drops in an instant to reveal
A flashback, a postcard from a distant dream

Moon palace
On a frozen sea

The serpent sea is calling out your name
The serpent sea is calling you again
The serpent sea has landed and is crashing at your feet

As city canyons fade into the night
A jagged landscape in a sodium haze
Breaks away from the sky
To shelter sparkling eyes
A stolen kiss sends electricity
It trips a switch for a moment to reveal
A vision, a picture of a shared dream

Moon palace
On a frozen sea

The serpent sea is calling out your name
The serpent sea is calling you again
The serpent sea is calling out your name
The serpent sea has landed and is crashing at your feet
The serpent sea is calling out your name
The serpent sea is calling you again
The serpent sea is calling out your name
The serpent sea is calling out your name
The serpent sea is calling you again
The serpent sea has landed and is crashing at your feet

Moon palace
On a frozen sea
top


Altitude Blues

thirty seven thousand feet, broken in a heartbeat
this air supply, an elixir

to the sea, the singing sands
this air supply, an elixir
late september, echoes of spring
thirty seven thousand feet, broken in a heartbeat

to the sea, the singing sands
broken in a heartbeat, broken in a heartbeat
top


Ambulances

if I should ever let you go
i'll never want to know
oh way

inside, a sudden loss of air
confessions in despair
oh why
oh why
this love is whispering
as distant sirens ring
goodbye

and I should never get the chance to let you know
listen to me now, how we loved you so
the first time, the last time a lifetime ago
fallen, you were calling, you, it's time to go

if I should ever let you go
i'll never want to know
oh way

if I should ever let you go
i'll never want to know
oh way

fallen, you were calling, you, it's time to go
fallen, you were calling, you, it's time to go
top


Melting Ice

Sailing to a distant port
to meet your reflection on some desert shore
running up to the coast
I walk through a mirror and out of your ghost

hide you, not seek you or free here I must
before you can melt down my iceberg or trust

passing clouds hold on to shadows
melting ice leaves nowhere to go

Sailing to a distant port
to meet your reflection on some desert shore
I tried to keep your heart
burning down bridges to break from the past

hide you, not seek you or free here I must
before you can melt down my iceberg or trust

passing clouds hold on to shadows
pouring light on ancient shipwrecks
passing clouds hold on to shadows
melting ice leaves nowhere to go

driving through the rain
I sold all my wishes to play the odd game

hide you, not seek you or free here I must
before you can melt down my iceberg or trust

passing clouds hold on to shadows
melting ice leaves nowhere to go

passing clouds hold on to shadows
pouring light on ancient shipwrecks
passing clouds hold on to shadows
pouring light on ancient shipwrecks
passing clouds hold on to shadows
melting ice leaves nowhere to go
top


Transparent Days

[Instrumental]
top


Ninety Degrees

Ninety degrees in the shade, the shade that stretches forever
over black everglades, crystallised and circled with flames of the summer
I don't know where you've been, out on the sand with medusa,
and not busy with fighting gravity, the seducer

go now and look out your window, go now and look out your window
tonight belongs to you

Ninety degrees in the shade, the shade that's woven around us
woven over and out, outside and in, within which they'll never find us

I don't know where you've been, out on the sand with medusa,
and not busy with fighting gravity, the seducer

go now and look out your window, go now and look out your window

tonight belongs to you, I hope there's some to share
tonight belongs to you, I hope there's some to share
silent conqueror of the night
top

Aces High

[Instrumental]
top



Ladytron - Ladytron

Ladytron


Until the Fire

Until the fire, turns to desire
Until the fight, becomes daylight

Oh we hang on the wire, and the walls get higher
Just until the fire, catches them
Oh we hang on the wire, and the walls get higher
Just until the fire, catches them

Until the fire, turns to desire
Until the fight, becomes daylight
Phantom soldier, no surrender, of your splendour

Oh we hang on the wire, and the walls get higher
Just until the fire, catches them
[4x]

Oh we hang on the wire, and the walls get higher
Just until the fire, catches them
[4x]

Note: Helen Marnie actually sings "catches them" even if in the official booklet it's written "turns to them".
top


The Island

Farewell, farewell dreams we once knew
Farewell, farewell to you and you
People, people in lost and found
People, people we've hit the ground

Falling fast, falling harder
Falling faster and harder the chains that bind us
Symptomatic departure
Symptomatic our heavenly future
Calling out, call protection
Calling out, calling out to the hand that blinds us
Make it count, make it alive
Make it count, make it out, this is dangerous

Poisoned paradigm
We are savages
Give them your poison lips
Broken wires, ghetto souls
Conflicted, calculated architects
Echo a new direction
Faith, lust, desire
We are sirens of, of the apocalypse
Poisoned paradigm
We are savages
Give them your poison lips

Welcome, welcome your gory bed
Welcome, welcome to the island
Glory, glory begin again
Glory, glory in betrayal

Falling fast, falling harder
Falling faster and harder the chains that bind us
Symptomatic departure
Symptomatic our heavenly future
Calling out, call protection
Calling out, calling out to the hand that blinds us
Make it count, make it alive
Make it count, make it out, this is dangerous

Poisoned paradigm
We are savages
Give them your poison lips
Attitudes, privilege,
Without regret
A hazard lost at sea
A toxic intuition
Faith, lust, desire
We are sirens of, of the apocalypse
Poisoned paradigm
We are savages
Give them your poison lips
Poisoned paradigm
We are savages
Give them your poison lips
Poisoned paradigm
We are savages
We are savages


Tower of Glass

I only came here for the view
A stow-away in an elevator
Half a step ahead of you
And far faster than the flight of a scream

Reverse shadow, dim lantern
I'm your favourite apparition
That makes your ears and fingers burn
I am your amnesiac kingdom

Falling from your tower of glass
Falling from your tower of glass
Falling from your tower of glass

Tower of glass
Tower

Spell turned on a sorcerer
An inland sea swept up below you
And rose with every passing hour
Until there was only one way to fall

Falling from your tower of glass
Falling from your tower of glass
Falling from your tower of glass

Falling from your tower of glass
Falling from your tower of glass
Falling from your tower of glass

Climbing your tower of glass, climbing, climbing
Climbing your tower of glass, climbing, climbing
Climbing your tower of glass, climbing, climbing
Climbing your tower of glass, climbing, climbing
Climbing your tower of glass
Climbing your tower of glass

Far From Home

We wave bye bye to the city
Its rarity, and energy
From the East is how we'll come
Just like the sun as it breaks the canopy

The weaponry, ideas, flames, and reverie
For when the rays cut through the calm, with no alarm
Just a sense of something

On the way
We're O.K.
Safe and sound
Far from home

South is where we'll be
Unfamiliar and free
In the West is where we'll rise
Just like the smoke as it starts to hurt our eyes

Their weaponry, their lead and steel, and verdigris
To protect what they don't know, so far below
They think we got caught

A world away
We're O.K.
Safe and sound
Far from home
[2x]


Paper Highways

We sleepwalk into fire
A cloud of doubt just passed us by
We hide the truth behind a screen
This fire won't burn my dream

Weightless you were dreaming
When you wake don't forget
This world keeps turning
If the sun sets to the West

They put their trust in tarot cards
New Age of Reason proved us right
Suspicion drives as nature screams
This fire won't burn my dream

Weightless you were dreaming
When you wake don't forget
This world keeps turning
If the sun sets to the west
[2x]

Burning it keeps turning
If the sun sets to the West
[2x]

And if the world should stand still
There won't be much left to say
I'll find the next rugged hill
And let the wind blow your name away

Weightless you were dreaming
When you wake don't forget
This world keeps turning
If the sun sets to the West
[2x]

Burning it keeps turning
If the sun sets to the West
[4x]


The Animals

There's no wrong, there's no God
There's no harm, there's no love
We are more like you
Than the ones that you knew

Phantom road, erased address
Duplicate queen, dismantled cross
We are more like you
Than the ones that you knew

Is it that we know we are animals
Or because to them we are animals
You're inventing words for defending me
While lined up to shoot for the enemy
While lined up to shoot for the enemy
You're inventing words for defending me
It's because to them we are animals
Or because we know we are animals

Concrete soul, machine-read heart
Poison creed, primate savant
We are more like you
Than the ones that you knew

Is it that we know we are animals
Or because to them we are animals
You're inventing words for defending me
While lined up to shoot for the enemy
While lined up to shoot for the enemy
You're inventing words for defending me
It's because to them we are animals
Or because we know we are animals
[2x]

There's no wrong, there's no God
There's no harm, there's no love
We are more like you
Than the ones that you knew
top


Run

I hunt, I hide, I run
I hunt, I hide, and I run
I hunt and I hide, I hide
I hunt and I hide
And I run
[2x]

Stop looking at me with a gun in your hand
[6x]
top


Deadzone

Through shattered glass there's headlights
I swear I died and came back to life
Maybe as someone else
For better, for worse, I'm forever changed
Abandoned lives on stereo
Talking all night about what they know
But maybe this horror show
Advice is the price that the people pay

Through shattered glass I see it coming
I can't hold back, my body's aching
For this
For this

You ain't got no right, you ain't got no right
You are not my saviour
Wake me up tonight, wake me up tonight
Baby I'm in danger
You are not my ride, you are not my ride
I won't go gently
I don't like you, I don't want to
I'll remind you

You won't win this fight, you won't win this fight
I'm the wrong girl on the wrong night
Visions haunt my mind, visions haunt my mind
Wild dreams or an omen?
You ain't got no right, you ain't got no right
So don't coming knocking with your night moves
My resistance is your weakness

Vibrations soar through my bones
Am I a bird now? Am I atoned?
Maybe. Or something else
The purr of the flames, I can't get away
Unnatural world with no echo
Have I become immaterial?
Maybe. My blood still flows
For better, for worse I'm forever changed

You ain't got no right, you ain't got no right
You are not my saviour
Wake me up tonight, wake me up tonight
Baby I'm in danger
You are not my ride, you are not my ride
I won't go gently
I don't like you, I don't want to
I'll remind you

You won't win this fight, you won't win this fight
I'm the wrong girl on the wrong night
Visions haunt my mind, visions haunt my mind
Wild dreams or an omen?
You ain't got no right, you ain't got no right
So don't coming knocking with your night moves
My resistance is your weakness

Don't coming knocking with your night moves
My resistance is your weakness
[12x]
top


Figurine

Strange days and celebrations
A soft warning, are we drowning?
Late night congratulations
Eyes wide: we're enchanting
Party fears and declarations
I've got something I want to tell you
Lost trails of conversation
I want you to break me out

How does it feel?
This true, true, coming dream
I will hold you tight
My figurine

Party fears and declarations
Heart is pounding, are we surrounded?
Room full of aspirations
True lies: are we dreamers?
All bound to expectations
Cannot help it, the lucky ones
Strange days and celebrations
I want you to break me out

How does it feel?
This true, true, coming dream
I will hold you tight, my figurine
True coming dream
Dreams for protection
Blow those candles out, another year

How does it feel?
This true, true, coming dream
I will hold you tight, my figurine
True coming dream
Dreams for protection
Blow those candles out, another year
How does it feel?
This true coming dream?
There's no place for me
Me without you
top


You've Changed

You've changed, what were you thinking?
You've changed
You've changed

Girl buys a dress
So bored
Repetitive, your greed
A confidante all gone
So take a bow
Too far

You've changed, what were you thinking?
You've changed
[2x]

So now you're a mess, oh no!
Come take me on, you'll lose
It's your happiness, but what's real?
I'll make you sorry, oh yeah!

You've changed, what were you thinking?
You've changed
[2x]
top


Horrorscope

Ballerina palm reader sitting on the stairs
Telling you the future you shouldn't be aware of
[2x]

The seven seas I hear
As blue eyes disappear
You'll cross the hemispheres
And now is always near

In time

In time

Ballerina palm reader sitting on the stairs
Telling you the future you shouldn't be aware of
[2x]

You'll walk the longest pier
The Alpine skies will clear
Riddles never fear
And now is always near

In time

In time

Ballerina palm reader staring at your face
Pupils are dilating, will you find your way
[2x]
top


The Mountain

We woke up on the mountain
Air was clear sun was shining
All we could see was silver
And so we started thinking
Then when we came off the mountain
All of the lanes were static
All expressions were frozen
Over each other's traffic

Second time the dusk was setting
Streets filled with different people
All of them tired and distant
Some of them tried to know us
We had carried our instruments
And hid behind our features
Laughed and joked and hoped that they'd have
They'd have something to show us

At sea in the cities
Alien in the suburbs
Adrift on peripheries
Wake up back on the mountain
[2x]

We went back to the mountain
They spoke a different language
A mess of walls and fences
The mountain we created
Our faces amongst the landed
Except that we were nameless
Only inherited stories
Since we fell off the mountain

Then the mountain came between us
And took away the buildings
We were the half remembered
The only two remaining
Then we knew we were the mountain
You said "I'll do this for you"
Covered what we had broken
Forgot about the mountain

At sea in the cities
Alien in the suburbs
Adrift on peripheries
Wake up back on the mountain
[10x]
top


Tomorrow Is Another Day

How's the water?
The blue pill's for you
Are they poisoning all that's left till you're alone in a dark room
And all is forgiven
Water gone
I will comfort you, my blood

The clock is ticking
But a calm looms over your face like you are not alone
I am your scars frozen and framed
For the good times

A photograph found
Bound by your secrets
Hidden deep with old memories
When you were young and beautiful (Beautiful and free)
Myth and fantasy and fantastic times
I never asked you all the damn things I wanted to
But tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day

Oh father
Watch him pray for you
Is he comforting distraction?
But there's a boy in the corner
And it is forbidden
You alone, is this earth, is this heaven?

The clock is ticking
But a calm looms over your face like you are not alone
I am your scars frozen and framed
For the good times

A photograph found
Bound by your secrets
Hidden deep with old memories
When you were young and beautiful (Beautiful and free)
Myth and fantasy and fantastic times
I never asked you all the fucking things I wanted to
But tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is, tomorrow is another day
top



Ladytron - Various songs

Various songs


Olivetti Jerk

Commodore Rock EP (French edition)

[Instrumental]
top


Miss Black

Miss Black and Her Friends EP

[Instrumental]
top


USA vs. White Noise

[Instrumental]
top


Open Your Heart

The Human League cover from Reproductions: Songs of The Human League

Don't let it hurt you baby love to tell you
How they warned you
They say don't be surprised at someone's lies
They think they taunt you
But if you can stand the test
You know your worst is better
Than their best

And so you stand here with the years ahead
Potentially calling
With open heart or with a spirit dead
You walk on

Lies the reason
Faith or treason
Playing a part

End concealing
Try revealing
Open your heart

Dare to feel
Take the chance
Make the deal

Being an island
Trying from trying
Seems the easy way
Such an easy way
But there's no future
Without tears

Lies the reason
Faith or treason
Playing a part

End concealing
Try revealing
Open your heart

Dare to feel
Take the chance
Make the deal

But if you can stand the test
You know your worst is better
Than their best

Lies the reason
Faith or treason
Playing a part
End concealing
Try revealing
Open your heart
[3x]
top

Oops Oh My

Tweet cover from Softcore Jukebox

There goes my shirt, up over my head
Oh My
(Ooops) There goes my skirt, dropping at my feet
Oh My
(Ooops) Some kind of touch, caressing my face
Oh My
(Ooops) I'm turning red
Who could this be?

Tell you what I did last night, I came home, say about a quarter to three
Still so high
Hypnotized
In a trance
From the start it, so butter and brown and tantalizing
You woulda thought I needed help, from this feeling that I felt
So shook I had to catch my breath

(Ooops) There goes my shirt up over my head
Oh My
(Ooops) There goes my skirt, dropping at my feet
Oh My
(Ooops) Some kind of touch, caressing my face
Oh My
(Ooops) I'm turning red
Who could this be?

I tried and I tried to avoid but this thing was happening
Swallow my pride
Let it ride, and party
But this body felt just like mines and
I got worried
I looked over to the left
A reflection of myself
That's why I couldn't catch my breath

(Ooops) There goes my shirt, up over my head
Oh My
(Ooops) There goes my skirt, dropping at my feet
Oh My
(Ooops) Some kind of touch, caressing my face
Oh My
(Ooops) I'm turning red
Who could this be?
[3x]
top


Nothing to Hide

Extended Play EP

[Bulgarian lyrics]

Ako, ako, tarsi zashto,
Ako, ako, i za kakvo.
Ako, ako, nyama zashto,
Ako, ako, i za kakvo.

Ako imashe svetlina, ne bi skasal verigkata
Razgovorat prez noshta, zavarshi igra.
Ako razchisti stayata, ne bi schupil vazata
Razgovorat prez noshta, zaklyuchi vrata.

Ako ne zagubil bil klycha, ne bi ostanal vav studa
Razgovorat prez noshta, zavarshi igra.
Ako, ako,
Razgovorat prez noshta,
Ako, ako,
Za propilenata igra.

Ako, ako,
Za propilenata igra,
Ako, ako,
Nyama nishto za sega.
[5x]


[English lyrics]

If, if, search why,
If, if, and for what.
If, if, there's no why,
If, if, and for what.

If there was light, you wouldn't brake the chain
The talk through the night, ended a game.
If he cleans the room, he wouldn't brake the vase
The talk through the night, locked a door.

If he didn't lose the key, he wouldn't stay out in the cold
The talk through the night, ended game.
If, if,
The talk through the night.
If, if,
For the wasted game.

If, if,
For the wasted game.
If, if,
There's nothing for now.
[5x]
top


Tender Talons

Extended Play EP

[Instrumental]
top


Citadel

Extended Play EP

[Instrumental]
top


Rockfalls & Estuaries

Exclusive song for The Sims 3 game soundtrack

(Performed in Simlish)
top


She Stepped Out of the Car

Exclusive song for The Sims 3 game soundtrack

(Performed in Simlish)
top


Young Etruscians

Exclusive song for The Sims 3 game soundtrack

(Performed in Simlish)
top


Tesla

Exclusive song for The Sims 3: Supernatural game soundtrack

[Instrumental]
top


Use Your Mind

Performed at Yo Gabba Gabba in 2009

How does it work? How does it work?
You can figure out, just how it works
Mysteries can be found.
Lots of fun for everyone.

Slow down, and you will find,
You can do it, if you use your mind.

How does it work? How does it work?
You can figure out, just how it works
Slow down, and you will find,
You can do it, if you use your mind.
Mysteries can be found.
Lots of fun for everyone,
Lots of fun, lots of fun.

Slow down, and you will find,
You can do it, if you use your mind.
Slow down, and you will find,
You can do it, if you use your mind.
Slow down, and you will find,
You can do it, if you use your mind.
Mysteries can be found.
top


Little Black Angel

Best of 00-10

Little black angel as years roll by
I want you to fly with your wings held high
I want you to live by the justice code
I want you to burn down freedom's road

[Repeated 4x]
My little black angel

Oh, lie away
Oh, lie away sleeping
Lie away safe in my arms
Your father, your future protects you
And locks you safe from all harm

Little black angel as years roll by
I want you to fly with your wings held high
I want you to live by the justice code
I want you to burn down freedom's road

[Repeated 8x]
My little black angel
top


Tropic of Capricorn

The Island B-side

[Instrumental]
top
Tag:

13 April 2011

Ladytron equipment



This is a list of the Ladytron equipment used in studio and live. The studio equipment list contains the most important items, but it's incomplete. The live gear list also includes mics, computers and pedals. For Marnie equipment go here.


Studio equipment

Synthesizers

Korg MS-10
Korg MS-20
Korg MS2000B
Korg Delta
Korg microKorg
Korg M500 Micro-Preset
Korg Mono/Poly
Roland SH-201
Roland SH-2
Roland SH-09
Roland Juno-6
Roland Juno-G
Roland MKS-80
Roland V-Synth GT
Roland XP-80
Moog Micromoog
Moog Minimoog
Moog Minimoog Voyager
Crumar Stratus
Mellotron
Sequential Circuits Pro-One
Sequential Circuits ProphetVS
Logan String Synth
Casio CT-630
ARP 2600
ARP Solina String
Buchla 200e
Analogue Systems French Connection
Octave The Kitten
Jen SX-1000
JoMox SunSyn
Stylophone
Speak and Spell
Analogue Solutions Fusebox
Simmons Electronics Digital Clap Trap

Guitars, basses and accessories

Vox Phantom Six Strings guitar
Ovation Breadwinner guitar
Vox Phantom Bass
EBow

Pianos and organs

Farfisa organ
Conn organ
Fender Rhodes electric piano
Harmonium (through a Leslie amp)
Moog CDX-0652 (aka White Elephant)

Drums and drum machines

Live drum kit
Native Instruments Battery 3 (virtual drums)
Korg DDD-1
Yamaha RY-8
Roland TR-707 (samples)
Korg Electribe-R
Simmons Clap Trap drum module

Mics, mic preamps, EQs, compressors, effects/plug-ins

Neumann TLM 103 mic
Shure SM7 mic (for background vocals)
API 2500 stereo compressor
Crane Song HEDD signal processor (for synth parts)
Electro-Harmonix Bass Micro Synthesizer effects unit
Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape echo
Shadow Hills GAMA preamp, The Equinox preamp/summing mixer
SoundToys EchoBoy plug-in
Tonelux MP1a preamp, EQ4P EQ and TXC compressor
URS Classic Console Strip Pro plug-in

Computer, DAW, recording hardware (Velocifero)

Steinberg Cubase SX software
Apple MacBook Pro 2.16 GHz running Logic Pro 8
Digidesign Control|24 console
Digidesign Pro Tools software
Guitar Rig software
Komplete software bundle



Live equipment

604 tour (2001-2002)

Helen Marnie: Korg M500 Micro-Preset
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20, Jen SX-1000, Stylophone, Speak and Spell
Daniel Hunt: Roland SH-09, Crumar Stratus
Reuben Wu: Korg MS-10, Roland SH-2


Light & Magic tour (2002-2004)

Config 1
Helen Marnie: Roland Juno-6
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20, Roland Juno-6
Daniel Hunt: Sequential Circuits Pro One, Korg Delta, Roland SH-09
Reuben Wu: Korg MS-10, Korg microKorg
Pop Levi: Fender Jazz Bass
Keith York: drum kit, syndrums

Config 2
Helen Marnie: Roland Juno-6
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20, Jen SX-1000
Daniel Hunt: Sequential Circuits Pro One, Korg Delta, Roland SH-09
Reuben Wu: Korg MS-10, Roland SH-2, Korg Mono/Poly
Pop Levi: Fender Jazz Bass
Keith York: drum kit, syndrums


Witching Hour tour (2005-2007)

Config 1
Helen Marnie: Korg MS2000B (Cleopatra)
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20, Korg MS2000B (Babylon)
Daniel Hunt: Vox Phantom Six Strings guitar, Roland SH-09, Korg MS2000B (Ulysses)
Reuben Wu: Korg MS-10, Korg MS2000B (Gloria)
tour bassist: Fender Jazz Bass
Keith York: drum kit, syndrums

Config 2
Helen Marnie: Korg MS2000B
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20, Korg MS2000B
Daniel Hunt: Vox Phantom Six Strings guitar
Reuben Wu: Korg MS-10, Korg MS2000B
Andrea Goldsworthy: Fender Jazz Bass, Korg MS2000B
Keith York: drum kit, syndrums


Velocifero tour (2008-2009)

Helen Marnie: Korg microKorg / Roland Juno-G / Korg Delta
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20, Korg MS2000B
Daniel Hunt: Vox Phantom Six Strings guitar, Roland SH-201, Korg MS2000B
Reuben Wu: Korg MS-10, Korg MS2000B, Moog Minimoog Voyager
Dino Gollnick: Vox Phantom Bass
Billy Brown: drum kit, syndrums


Best of 00-10 & Gravity the Seducer tours (2011)

Helen Marnie: Korg Delta
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20
Daniel Hunt: Crumar Stratus
Reuben Wu: Moog Minimoog Voyager
Billy Brown: drum kit, syndrums


Ladytron tour (2018-2019)

Glasgow, Liverpool, London (2018)
Helen Marnie: Korg Minilogue
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20
Daniel Hunt: Vox Phantom Six Strings guitar, Roland JX-3P, Roland PG200
Reuben Wu: Moog Subsequent 37 CV
Sarah Stanley: computer, guitar
Peter Kelly: drum kit, syndrums

American tour (2019)
Helen Marnie: Korg Minilogue
Mira Aroyo: Korg MS-20, Roland JD-Xi
Daniel Hunt: Vox Phantom Six Strings guitar, Korg Minilogue
Reuben Wu: Moog Subsequent 37 CV
Sarah Stanley: computer, guitar
Peter Kelly: drum kit, syndrums


Sources

- interviews: IGN interview (2002), XLR8R interview (2005), Remix Mag interview (2005), Roland US - Insider interview (2008), Electronic Musician interview (2008), Ology interview (2011), Korg interview;
- various concerts: La Route Du Rock 2001 (604 era gear), Sofia 2003 and XFM 2003 (L&M era gear), Exit Festival 2005 and KCRW 2006 (WH era gear), KCRW 2009 (Velocifero era gear), MTV Iggy 2011 (Best of 00-10 + GTS eras gear);
- various live pictures.
Tag:

The Gearwire interview (2006)

Ladytron debuted in 2001, with the album, 604. Since then, the foursome has crafted moody electronic anthems which can be heard on everything from college radio playlists to overhead music programming at Old Navy.

It's hard to imagine parents with their toddlers grooving along while shopping to songs with names like "Destroy Everything You Touch," and while the group's latest, Witching Hour, has a definite apocalyptic feel, it's obvious those Old Navy shoppers are oblivious to the subject matter, lost in finely crafted electronic bliss.

Ladytron's Danny Hunt says the group usually tagged with an "electro pop" handle, and while Hunt says that may be technically correct, but "pop" and "electro" are genres far too limiting for his taste.

"We're shy of any generic term because we started this group to exist outside of any genres," said Hunt, "They kind of creep up on you though, which is why its important to keep moving and experimenting. When we're being copied or placed in a pigeonhole, we just move another step."

Ladytron seems to have eyes fixed squarely on the future, but for their mix of robotic synth noises, precision drumming, and haunting vocals, the group takes a step backwards in time, not forward.

"We use predominantly old analogue synths, and synth drum sounds, we feed them through other analogue effects." Hunt says. "We use treated guitars and drums too, we like to feel that we're not shackled, that we can act instinctively against advice or expectation, and be ultimately vindicated by the end product."

Ladytron isn't completely stuck in analog mode, but the group has had its share of problems with more modern gear. The group's early flirtation with computers on stage produced mixed results. "In the days when we used to run drums from a laptop, Ableton live, which had served us well for a year straight, decided to re-serialize during sound check in Barcelona. There was no net connection, so we had to dial up through a cellphone back home, to carry out the challenge-response to get a new serial number." Hunt added, "That's the thanks you get for using legal software."

Ladytron's members pride themselves on blurring the distinction between one instrument and another. To this end, the group has an elaborate setup which harkens back to the days of prog rock excess.

"At the moment we have 7 keyboards with us, plus bass, guitar, drums, syn-drums, that is a lot of gear, it's practically Emerson Lake & Palmer, but this is because we play everything live."

Hunt is adamant that creating every single note on stage is much more interesting that taking the easy way out with backing tracks and other on-stage "enhancements". "It wouldn't be any fun for us. When using live drums we always use the original sounds from the record, amazing how much difference that makes."

How does Ladytron work up their live act? After four albums, Hunt says on-stage experience guides the decision-making process.

"We pick the songs that make the most sense live, the latest album 'Witching hour' was written having toured the previous album extensively, so we knew more about playing live, more of what worked, and what to concentrate on, but it is always an ongoing process."

"At the beginning, 6 years ago," Hunt adds, "We had a few synths and a DAT player, we didn't have the resources or the perspective. We felt like live shows were secondary, now we feel they are integral. There is some footage of really basic live shows from 2001 out there online, it is a thousand percent better five years on."

Ladytron's growing pains as a touring unit has given Hunt plenty of wisdom to offer newcomers to the tour circuit.

"Work within the tools at your disposal, look at all the gear you have, not just what you use, and establish whether it can do anything at all to enhance." Hunt says re-purposing old gear can be a huge revelation for a group's live act. "Old effects [can be] used for purposes and instruments other than the intended [uses]. There is lots of cheap gear available now, and very portable."

Hunt takes the opposite approach when recording in the studio. He says smaller is better, but he doesn't always take his own advice. "Bringing and using only the gear you absolutely need, not plugging in effects you never use for example, but to be honest, we're suckers for noise-outs so I never compromise in that regard."

The group's 2006 schedule has been quite busy, with shows in California, Bogota, and Chile, just to name a few. Witching Hour was followed by an extended-play remix disc, and the first three releases have been re-issued on vinyl. There seems to be an unlimited supply of Ladytron at the moment. Only Hunt and company know when they will be ready to head back into the studio to work on new material, but for the moment, the fans have plenty of back catalogue to get through.

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Roland US - Insider interview (2008)

Now a well-established electropop powerhouse, Ladytron formed in Liverpool back in 1999 when synth-based electronic outfits were much fewer and farther between. Eight years later, the group is stronger than ever thanks to the recent success of its critically-acclaimed third album, "Witching Hour". With a sound that melds memorable melodies with dance-floor-ready beats and a dark, densely-textured sonic landscape, the foursome have won over scores of fans and made their mark as pioneers in today's ever-expanding electronic music scene. We sat down with Helen Marnie, Mira Aroyo, Daniel Hunt, and Reuben Wu before a recent San Francisco show and talked about the evolution of their music, and how Roland keyboards are helping them create their distinct sound — both live and in the studio.

You have a very devoted, almost fanatical following. Why do you think that is?

Helen: We have done a lot of touring the past four years, so we've gotten new fans on every tour.

Mira: Nowadays, I think a lot of bands have a big first album, and then they disappear, and as Helen said, every album has kind of picked up more people along the way. We've kind of never been over-hyped. I think people had a chance to listen to the music and then see us live. We didn't come and tour in the U.S. with [first album] "604" at all.

Daniel: I think it's pretty rare these days that a band gets to grow over a few albums. A lot of times everything is fully formed on the first album and then your problem is how to follow it. But we've had time to just develop it and evolve. I don't know why that translates into loyalty, but maybe the fact that we've never been mainstream.

Helen: People like that.

How much of the music do you think contributes to that?

Daniel: I think when we started there weren't that many people doing similar things. Now, some of the things that we were doing on the first album are more common currency. Even the synths themselves – I mean, at the beginning it felt like we were constantly having to justify being a synth-based band, and constantly answering questions and coming up against this attitude that a band in a similar position now wouldn't have to justify.

You definitely broke a lot of ground.

Daniel: It didn't feel like it at the time, but in retrospect.

Mira: I think in electronic music at the time, there also weren't that many bands who were actually bands. It was maybe a DJ project and a singer, whereas we were the one thing that gave it an identity because we were four people. And the songs are more conventional songs, rather than beat-driven tracks.

Tell me about when you first started out, what kind of electronics you were using.

Daniel: Right at the beginning, we had a lot of old gear that had just accumulated. Big keyboards like old Crumars and the [Roland] SH-09, and the Juno-6. We used to take all of that out live.

Mira: It used to fall apart.

Daniel: One of them actually caught fire! So we got interested in the analog-modeling synths because we could take them out live and they were reliable, and a little more versatile as well. It's given us a couple more tricks.

Reuben: It's good that there have been synths that have come out in the last couple years which are basically the equivalent of what we used to have. So the equivalent of the SH-2 is the '201. It's the equivalent which doesn't go out of tune.

What is everybody playing right now?

Daniel: Live, I've got a Juno-G and the SH-201. The 201 is a direct replacement of the [SH-]2, and it's perfect. I really like the way it's laid out, and it's simple. It's the basics of synthesis completely laid out in a logical way. I like the way you access the effects very easily. And then the Juno-G I use more for paddy sounds and poly-sounds.

Helen: I'm using a Juno-G also. On this tour, we've used them.

Have they helped you at all?

Daniel: The Juno-Gs have replaced our two MS-2000s. [to Helen] You got into the D Beam.

Helen: Yeah, it's great.

Mira, I've watched you play, and you do lots of realtime control. Do you think you can do that on the SH-201?

Mira: Yeah – I've played with it, and I do think so.

Do you process any sounds through the keyboards?

Reuben: We have when we recorded, but not live, yet. We just like to play with the stuff.

There is a consistency from "604" through "Witching Hour", at least from my perspective. Where does that come from? Is it intentional?

Daniel: It's weird because almost all of our songs are completely different. So I think the consistency is in certain instruments – obviously in the voices.

Helen: It's the songwriting.

Could there ever be a Ladytron unplugged?

Mira: There has been.

Daniel: We did the Harmonium sessions, which was supposed to be unplugged. It was pretty plugged to be honest. We did Jonesy's Jukebox in LA, and had Steve Jones jamming with us on "Destroy". That was fun. We'd probably use accordions if we were going to do it properly.

Mira: I used to play [the accordion] when I was a young girl.

Some musicians argue that computers will one day take the place of synthesizers. Others think that hardware synths will remain. What do you think?

Reuben: Well it depends what you think a computer is. Pretty much all modern synthesizers have computer technology inside them. All it is, is that you've got a musical keyboard instead of a text one.

Mira: A computer is like a sound bank in some ways as well – a sample bank.

Reuben: In terms of actually playing music, we can't use a mouse and build blocks. We always have to play on the keyboard live, because it's just more expressive.

Daniel: I think they serve different purposes. If you're carrying your laptop around with you, and you've got your sequencer and some soft synths and you're putting stuff together quickly – especially on the road – then it makes sense. But it's nowhere near as much fun to play with a soft synth. We've dallied in using laptops live.

You've never really used any sequencing live either, have you?

Daniel: Not really. It's gonna develop in the future. It's like the SH-201 compared to doing something with a laptop – even if you've got controllers, it's still not the same. I can't see software synthesizers replacing hardware synthesizers at all.

Reuben: When you've got a computer in front of you, the screen basically is the face of your keyboard. You have to use a mouse to point the cursor around. You may as well just grab a slider. It's like, the computer is for general use. You use it to go on eBay, you use it to talk to people – it's like a general tool, whereas a keyboard is for a specific purpose, and that's for playing music.

If we could design the perfect keyboard for you, what would it be?

Reuben: I like knobs.

Mira: I think that's something we all want. Something with less LCD screens, more the way that the [SH-]201 is.

Daniel: That's what I prefer about the 201 is that it's laid out logically. Knobs, faders, and D Beam. I like the way that Roland does these updated versions of old stuff. I suppose that started with the grooveboxes, didn't it? Recognizing what people like about the old stuff, and then making a new thing.

What's in the works for the band next?

Helen: We go to Paris on the 3rd, and we'll be in the studio to the end of November.

Anything you can divulge about the new release, what it's going to be like?

Helen: It's weird that people ask that because we really have no idea. [laughter]

Is that common, that you kind of wait until the ending to see?

Daniel: Yeah. We start out with a frame, and leave a space to be filled when we're in the studio and being the most creative. We always co-produce the albums, too. With Jim Abbiss last time and Mickey Petralia before that. This time we're recording with this guy Andy Gardiner a.k.a. Vicarious Bliss. We've been talking about ideas, and he's really on the same wavelength – it's almost like an extra band member. He's a fan, and he has an understanding of what we do. We're excited about it, and we think it could really turn into something good.

When do you anticipate releasing it?

Reuben: Next May.

Question for the fan club, from Dimitri. San Francisco is fascinated to know, how does Mira get her ringlets so perfect?

Mira: By sleeping in the correct way. [laughter]

If everybody could name a Ladytron song that is a favorite?

Reuben: I like "Another Breakfast With You". It's a shame we don't play it anymore.

Mira: I actually really like "Skools Out...".

Helen: "Beauty*2".

Daniel: ...I just don't know. [laughter]

• • • • •

A seasoned keyboard player and analog synth user, Ladytron keyboardist Daniel Hunt recently added Roland's V-Synth GT to his rig, and he sat down with us to share his thoughts and insights on using the GT.

Daniel, what are your initial impressions of the GT?

It seems extremely powerful. I've only had it a short time, but I've played with it, and I actually used it to record on one of the songs on the new album. My first impression is that it's very powerful. I have not used a workstation keyboard like that before. It seems like there's a hell of a lot of things going on that I haven't discovered yet.

I got quite into the Articulative Phrase Synthesis. Very clever. I got a bit carried away with it. I was playing an organ and suddenly I had all these strings swelling and arpeggiating behind it. And then I discovered how to switch the sounds off and just have the phrase synthesis itself. And using it like that I think will come in really handy.

How will it fit into your rig?

I think it's an ideal workstation keyboard in the studio. Live, obviously we take more basic stuff out with us. What I'm intrigued by also is the Vocal Designer. This could be really useful, and it's exciting.

I was going through the patches and there are so many and as you said, it's got the filters, and a good set of classical keyboards. So I think it could be really useful in that respect. I've had to play before with the rackmount version of it [XT]. And I suppose it's like, it reminds me of a hardware equivalent of something like Reaktor. It's kind of modular. That's interesting because we've had other comparisons to Reaktor, to Massive and synths like that.

Yeah, we've used quite a bit of their stuff. They sent us Massive when they were developing it.

Anything you'd like to get into when you have time?

I've never really done that much sampling, to be honest. I've had the gear, but it's always been – for instance, I've got an old Akai, and I just can't be bothered to turn it on anymore. Now I have something more modern and accessible.

In a way, the V-Synth is the absolute opposite of the [SH-]201. If it's gonna have a screen, then I'd prefer it to be as much like a computer as possible, which I think the GT is — rather than buying a keyboard with a 2-line LCD — that just scares the hell out of me. It just feels like a tomb.

I like the computer integration by USB, and also the Mac support is really impressive. I like the way that the Mac is well-supported, because often, even nowadays, you find that things don't have drivers and you end up using third-party stuff. So I was impressed with the editor and the VST integration as well. Cubase is our main platform. It always ends up in ProTools once we're in the studio, but when we're composing we actually use Cubase.

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RockSchool mini-documentary

From a promo VHS tape

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12 April 2011

Rave Magazine interview (2009)

Alasdair Duncan recently caught up with Ladytron's beguiling vocalist, Helen Marnie, to try and unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the band.

Critics often reach for words like 'frosty' and 'chilly' when describing Ladytron's music, but in the presence of singer Helen Marnie, with her warm Scottish burr and sweetly dorky disposition, it's impossible not to feel at least a little sunny. "People say that, when we're onstage, we look like we're not having fun," she says, "and that really annoys me. There's this impression that we always wear black, like characters in a '60s film, but I actually wore a purple top on stage last week!" A beat of silence follows. "Unfortunately, someone stole it from me after the show..."

Fans, be alert: if you happen to see an eBay auction item labelled 'LADYTRON PURPLE TOP – RARE!', the band would very much like to know about it.

The impression of Ladytron as icy and inapproachable comes back, Marnie says, to the fact that they play electronic music. "Keyboards and synthesisers often suggest coolness and detachment, but they can be just the opposite – you can make them sound warm and lovely." While the band use technology, Marnie is adamant that they're not obsessed by it. "We're interested in more personal things – we write love songs, like any songwriter does, but they're not so obvious. We don't like to give too much away."

In its earliest incarnation, Ladytron was a song writing vehicle for founding member Daniel Hunt, who crafted cheeky, low-key synth pop tracks for Marnie and co-vocalist Mira Aroyo to sing over. Four albums in, the dynamic has changed substantially – each new release is louder and denser than the last, as all four band members assert themselves, and this, Marnie says, is what keeps the band's records and live shows so vibrant.

"When we started out, our set-up was really simple," she says, "but over time, we got a bit bored with that. We decided we wanted to take things into our own hands a bit more – we wanted to dirty it up a bit, and make sure you knew that, when you saw us on stage, you weren't listening to the records." This newfound confidence in playing live influenced, in turn, the band's song writing process. "Now, when we go into the studio and record, we're thinking right away about how we'll reproduce the songs on the live stage."

Though Ladytron's music can frequently be heard on indie-oriented dance floors, the band themselves aren't much for going out – in fact, when they return to Australia in June, it's more than likely they'll be spending their downtime curled up with warm laptops. "It's quite embarrassing really," Marnie laughs. "You go onstage, you do a sound check, you go back to the bus and you get straight on the internet; then you have an hour before the gig, so you go play the gig, then come straight back and get on the internet again. It's a bit geekish, but it's a way of connecting with people we miss back home, and with new friends we've met while on the road."
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Rave Magazine interview (2008)

Daniel Hunt, keyboard player for Liverpool electro-pop group Ladytron, talks to Alasdair Duncan about embarrassing YouTube footage, recording in Paris, and the ways in which constant touring has changed the band for the better.

When the first wave of eighties revivalism broke in 2002, it's fair to say that Ladytron became electroclash royalty – fashion bible The Face reviewed their early singles with giddy reverence, and they appeared on numerous compilations, including City Rockers' now-legendary Futurism mixtape, alongside the likes of Felix da Housecat, Peaches, Chicks on Speed and Fischerspooner. In the years to come, many of these artists would flame out (Ministry of Sound invested more than a million pounds in Fischerspooner's failed debut album) or fade away, but Ladytron stuck around, and over the course of four albums, their cult-like fan base continued to grow while their dark, fuzzed-out electro pop sound would evolve into something altogether more intriguing.

When writing about Ladytron, journalists tend to reach for adjectives like 'icy', 'wintry' and 'detached', to the point where their reviews have become a game of indie electro word substitution. "I don't mind those adjectives if someone's talking about our sound", Hunt says, when I ask if this bothers him, "but when people call our music 'emotionless', that really bothers us. We play a lot of sad songs, but still... These days, people are so visually absorbed – they tend to look at a photo, and have these very clear preconceptions about what we're going to be like, but when they actually meet us and realise that we're smiling, it's not what they expect".

"We've always been quite awkward, in that we've never been really keen on crossing over", Hunt tells me when I ask about the reasons behind Ladytron's continued success. "We've never changed anything we do to be more commercial. We're not really musicians, we're just four people in a band who often wonder how they ended up in a band. It feels like we've hit our stride now – most bands are fully formed at the beginning, and they have their first album that comes out fully formed as a complete idea. For our first album, people assumed that what we did was the be all and end all, but then we just carried on".

The first Ladytron album, 604, was a collection of stripped back, simplistic pop songs – most of the tracks were composed of little more than junk shop synths and tinny beats – but the lyrics, about cool kids falling in love ("He Took Her to a Movie") and out again ("Another Breakfast With You"), hinted at something more beneath the surface. The band's two singers, Helen Marnie and Mira Aroyo, also provided a startling contrast – the former provided heartbreakingly sweet melodies on tracks like "Playgirl", while the latter undercut these with sinister speak-singing, often in her native Bulgarian. Their second album, Light & Magic, built on the atmospheres of the first, and lead single "Seventeen" – "they only want you when you're seventeen / when you're twenty-one you're no fun" – would become the band's signature track in years to come.

Ladytron's newest album, Velocifero, is a different beast entirely. Dark, fuzzy and drenched in feedback, tracks like "Season of Illusions" and current radio hit "Ghosts" rely as heavily on guitars as the band's older records did on cheap Casio synthesisers. More than anything, this evolution in the band's sound comes down to the skills they picked up playing live. "We were spoiled at first", Hunt says of Ladytron's earliest forays into touring, "because up until then, we'd really never had to pay our dues. We never really played a small tour – we started at a big level, and we naively thought that everyone could get away with playing bedroom production music live to big rooms".

"When we toured the first album, we found it really frustrating, to be honest", he continues. "It's not until you put things in a live arena that you realise how constrained they are. Some bands will say, 'fuck it, we'll just go out with a backing tape until we've got to the level where we can tour with proper equipment', but we haven't done that since we were touring our first album, and that's a big part of the reason why it was so frustrating. We had a DAT, and we had synths and vocals, but it just felt like there was nothing breathing. There's footage on YouTube of our first album tour, but if people see it and think that's what we're like now, they'll get a shock".

"Touring the second album was better", Hunt continues, "because we had a drummer and a bass player, and we wanted to make things bigger. Instead of just recreating the album, we wanted to do something that would surpass it. That definitely fed into the third album and beyond – we liked the idea of using a broader range of instruments, and just having a bit more chaos going on. It's about scope; when we play the newer songs live, they always make sense. The older songs always need a lot more augmentation to make sense live, but the new stuff just goes".

How many of the old songs have survived and found their way into Ladytron's current live set, I wonder? "We've ditched some of the really early stuff now", Hunt tells me. "He Took Her To a Movie mutated so much when we'd do it live, it became this big freak-out. That song made sense in 1998 in terms of what was going on then, but it's not relevant personally to me now. It's still a cool track, but I don't really feel a connection with it at all to be honest. There are a couple tracks from the first album where I think, if we were to make a compilation now, they probably wouldn't be on it, because the threads that connect the four albums together exist elsewhere. There's plenty of it on the first album, but it's more songs like "This Is Our Sound", or "Another Breakfast With You" or "Discotraxx", those are the ones we're more proud of from the early stuff".

Velocifero was recorded in Paris with Ed Banger-affiliated producer Busy P, although it is stands out defiantly from the trendy, distortion-heavy techno currently coming out of that city. "We all know Paris quite well", Hunt says, "and it's changed. Even compared to two years ago, when I spent a lot of time there, it's changed. It's blown up into a dance music capital. That's not the reason we went there, though. When people heard we were working with Vicarious Bliss, they assumed we wanted to make an Ed Banger record, but that's not what we wanted to do. We made that clear from the very start. We wanted to work with him more because he liked us as a band, and understood what we were trying to do. We'd have long conversations about The House of Love, My Bloody Valentine, Stereolab and things like that... there's a common pool of influences there, maybe ones that aren't so apparent".
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