Idles on the Mainstage at Haldern Pop Festival 2019.
Photo by Alexander Kellner
l. – r.: Jon Beavis, Mark Bowen, Lee Kiernan, Adam Devonshire and Joe Talbot
This week’s prompt got me scrambling my brain for a song that taps into the raw sexual energy of one’s – mine, in particular — libido, which Freud said was the id’s reservoir. I cannot wait to see what everyone else chooses.
IDLES is a group that excels, and I’m not talking about the accounting program, in tapping into this primal energy for me. Adam’s almost insectoid droning bass, Jon’s rat-a-tat drums, Mark’s lead, and Lee’s rhythm prime the pump, preparing a place for Joe Talbot to bark out lyrics that set me on fire. Watching these guys live is a must as their architecture builds an edifice to id’s irresistible allure.
I’ve written on IDLES before but only after being introduced to them by Steve for the Deaf. Thank you, Steve! I came into them with Joy as an Act of Resistance (2018,) but at that time Tangk (2024) was on the way. Last year they wrote music for the soundtrack of Caught Stealing. There are still a few of their recordings yet to be heard, and I will get to them.
Tangk is IDLES fifth studio album. It was nominated for best rock album at the 67th Grammies.
Joe said about the album:
he “needed love” so he “made it. [He] gave love out to the world and it feels like magic. This is our album of gratitude and power. All love songs. All is love.” Talbot said that he wanted to “make people dance” and “feel the love that [he] need[s] in life,” as well as wanting to make the music “infectious in a way that makes people feel, not think” and be “part of something electric again.”
Tangk was Idles’ first work with a major producer, Nigel Godrich, who is known for his work with Radiohead. The band members saw Godrich as among “the upper echelon” and had assumed they would never be able to create something of his calibre. However, Bowen said: “What we learned is that it’s not that difficult to attain if you put work into it. We learned that there are no geniuses.” Bowen said Godrich taught him how to use tape loops, distortion and delay in new ways to create textures.
Band members (for album):
Jon Beavis – drums, backing vocals
Mark Bowen – lead guitar, electronics, keyboards, programming, design, backing vocals, production
Adam Devonshire – bass guitar, backing vocals
Lee Kiernan – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Joe Talbot – lead vocals, artwork, design
Additional musicians
Colin Webster – saxophone
Aaron Paris – strings, string arrangement
James Murphy – additional vocals (“Dancer”)
Nancy Whang – additional vocals (“Dancer”)
Freud’s Couch, photo by Robert Huffstutter
NME’s Max Pilley describes, “Gift Horse” as, “an aggressive, raucous rock track, driven by Bowen’s muscular, metallic riffs, with frontman Joe Talbot scowling, ‘Look at him go’ repeatedly over the chorus.”
Joe has said about the song, “Look at us go! Music and movement for you and yours. Be bold and ride us like the disco donkeys we are.”
I wouldn’t presume to tell you what I think the lyrics mean, but they mean whatever you oomph in them.
And here is the official video, which kicks butt imo.
Gift Horse
Sinew exploding from chrome hooves
Where we're going, we don't need glue
Can he run in a tutu?
He looks a little long in the gold tooth
Watch-watch, my-my steed-steed go-go far, far
Watch-watch, my-my steed-steed go-go far, far
Watch-watch, my-my steed-steed go-go far, far
Watch my steed go far
(Go)
Look at him go
Look at him go
Look at him go
(Look at him go)
Look at him go
Look at him go
Look at him go
My steed sees how dreams are made (made)
He's my dream like I just got paid (paid)
No joyride fee, it's free today ('day)
We don't care what the people say (say)
'Cause he moves like a generator
He puts the foot down and see you later (later)
Somebody call up the undertaker
Handing out passes to meet your maker (your maker)
See-see my-my steed-steed go-go far, far
See-see my-my steed-steed go-go far, far
See-see my-my steed-steed go-go far, far
See my steed go far
(Go)
Look at him go
Look at him go
Look at him go
(Look at him go)
Look at him go
Look at him go
Look at him go
My baby she-she's so raw
I give her love and she gives me more
Ask us to kneel and bow to the floor
She said, "No," and she asked, "What for?"
My baby, she-she's so strong
She talks me straight when I'm doing wrong
Ask us to sing your empire songs
She laughs, tells you where I'm from
My baby, she-she's so great
I wake up grateful every day
My baby is beautiful
All is love and love is all
Fuck the king, he ain't the king, she's the king
(Go)
Look at him go
Look at him go
Look at him go
(Look at him go)
Look at him go
Look at him go
Look at him go
All lyrics are written by Joseph Talbot; all music is composed by Jonathan Beavis, Mark Bowen, Adam Devonshire, Lee Kiernan, and Joseph Talbot.
Album: TANGK
Released: 2024
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week, Jim wants us to find a song related to Sigmund Freud’s id exhibiting instinctual drives that seek immediate pleasure or gratification without regard for reality.
Tao-Talk 
I’ve never heard of this group or this song! Awesome choice I enjoyed it very much Li! 😄😄📔📔🙌🙌
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CA, happy to make the introduction :)
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First of all Li. You are welcome! They would have found you anyway. They’re going to be very famous for a long time. Secondly. Wow I never saw Freud’s actual couch before. Looks comfy.
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Steve, I see IDLES as an alchemical recipe. I really really really hope they don’t f*ck with it. Please guys, stay together!!!!! It takes each one of you!
Me neither, but I went searching for it. Isn’t the internet great?
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Isn’t the internet great?
Wow!
That’s something I haven’t heard someone say in at least a decade. But yes! Yes it is.
They are a perfect band. Their albums have so many hidden special guests though. Warren Ellis, Frank Carter, Jamie Cullum, James Murphy.
I hope they NEVER change too. I LOVE them.
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Steve, didn’t know about the hidden special guests. Hoping they are credited somewhere (how did you learn about them?) What did you think of what Bowen said about Nigel? Seemed like a backhand followed by a compliment lol.
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Goodrich is a total legend. I definitely think their simple/clever combination is actually genius.
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Great way to start the day Lisa – I loved it – never heard of them before so thank you 🤩 – for me the lyrics imply escaping the grind of the world on something powerful with a partner who doesn’t take any nonsense! Of course I could be totally wrong 😃
Also thanks for the photo of Freud’s couch- looks creepy to me 👀
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Ange, I love what you see in the song <3
Oops on the couch. Probably has all sorts of stains on it ;)
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😂🤭
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How did this band get past me? I had never heard of them, and I love what I have seen and heard of them here today. I can always count on you Li!
and unlike Ange, I think Freud’s couch looks like a delightful place for a lay down!
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V, I am delighted to make the intro and that you are loving what you’re hearing. Listen to “Television” by them and you’ll be a lifelong fan. <3
Yes, on the couch, imagining the distraught laid out on it, ripe for the plucking (in Freud's head.)
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A new band and song for me. I liked it 👍
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Clive, the energy that pours out of these guys is an addictive elixir to me. Glad you like what you heard from them. Most are raw like this but the lyrics are always narrative in important ways.
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I’ll have to try more 😊
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New to me! Thanks for the intro. What a way to start the day!! Awesome.
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haha! J, happy to rev up your Sunday :)
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I love this totally fun song that you selected, Lisa and I think this group has great musicians that work together very well as a band.
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Jim, I’m glad you love the song. Thanks for sharing what you see in them. I hope you check out more of their music.
p.s. Where’s your SLS post? Just finished listening to the linked songs and don’t see yours.
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As You Shine on Me – A Unique Title For Me
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Another new song/band for me Li. Excellent choice as always! I also love that you included Freud’s couch!!! 🤣
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Happy to make the intro, Christine. If couches could talk… Thanks <3
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New to me. I enjoyed the beat with the word repetitions as an instrument. Bass is awesome.
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Marina, happy you liked those aspects of the song. Rabbit Run also uses the word repetitions to bring it home.
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New to me as well. Cool and different song, Li.
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Thanks for giving it a chance, Nancy.
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I think I caught an earworm from this song! And I don’t mind at all! New to me, and I loved it, especially as it features my fav. instrument, the bass, and also the drums. Lyrics – odd but fun. :)
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Barbara, my work here is done ;) Glad you enjoyed the tune.
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I sure did! :)
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I remember watching the band on the Jools Holland show. (I always like to see new bands/singers performing on that series). There’s always one that sticks in the mind
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Another song of theirs (among many) that I love is, “Television.”
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Gets the blood moving! (K)
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It certainly does! :)
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These guys are quite the excitement package. I will explore further.
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Indeed they are, Sean. Happy you’ll explore further.
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