Following the split of One Dove in 1995, she released her debut single Tomorrow Never Comes in 1998 and the following year saw the LP, Afterglow, released to generally positive reviews. A song-oriented pop outing, it was followed by the electro and house music inspired We Are Science in 2002. Following her folk-like third effort, Exaltation of Larks, she continued further down this path and released her fourth solo album Room 7 1/2 in August 2009.
In addition to solo ventures, Allison's career has concentrated on collaborative efforts, and has seen her work beside the likes of Death in Vegas, Hal David, Arab Strap, Scottish dance troupe Slam, Kevin Shields (of My Bloody Valentine), Peter Doherty/Babyshambles, Gary 'Mani' Mounfield (of The Stone Roses & Primal Scream) and club stalwarts Massive Attack. Dot recently dueted on the co-write Sheepskin Tearaway on Peter Doherty's solo album.
Allison's touring group includes members of The Fall, Two Lone Swordsmen, Tindersticks, Death in Vegas, Massive Attack, and Tokyo Windbag.
Sunset
Dot Allison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of each new smile
That said without a word
'I have lost once or twice'
Knowledge of decline
But only
In the sense of sunsets
Like girlish eyes
Again to rise
Again to rise
Sunsets fail and roses grow
Somewhere a legend I’ll not know
Step by palsied step
The days deliver us new bread
Kneaded by worthy hands
Aged by a billion life-times
To age a billion more
The sunsets fail and roses grow
Somewhere a legend I’ll not know
There was something
Among the birth and bud
Of each new smile
That said without a word
'I have lost once or twice’
In Dot Allison's song Sunset, the lyrics convey a sense of loss and the cyclical nature of life. The opening lines, "Among the birth and bud of each new smile" suggests the beginning of new life, new beginnings and possibly happiness. However, the line "that said without a word 'I have lost once or twice'" signifies that even in new beginnings, there is always an element of loss. This line could be interpreted in a variety of ways, possibly reflecting the loss of loved ones, personal failure or missed opportunities.
The next stanza contains the line "Knowledge of decline but only in the sense of sunsets" which suggests that the singer is aware of the inevitability of decline, but only through the peaceful and beautiful medium of sunsets. This line is followed by "dipping full blush like girlish eyes, again to rise, again to rise" which could be interpreted as a reminder that even in moments of decline, new opportunities and moments of beauty will continue to arise.
The chorus, "Sunsets fail and roses grow, somewhere a legend I'll not know" suggests that while sunsets may mark the end of something, new beginnings and growth will always follow. The reference to a legend that the singer will not know adds a sense of mystery and unknown possibilities beyond what we can see or comprehend.
The last stanza speaks to the passage of time, with the lines "Step by palsied step, the days deliver us new bread, kneaded by worthy hands, aged by a billion life-times, to age a billion more." The imagery here is of the slow progression of time, and the idea that the lives we live are influenced by those that came before us stretching back countless generations, and will continue to shape those who come after us.
Overall, the lyrics of Sunset convey a hopeful message about the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that even in moments of loss there will always be new beginnings and growth. The reference to legends and unknown possibilities creates a sense of mystery and wonder, reminding us that even in the face of decline there is always more beyond what we can see.
Line by Line Meaning
Among the birth and bud
In the midst of new beginnings and growth
Of each new smile
Of every positive, hopeful moment
That said without a word
That conveyed silently and instinctively
'I have lost once or twice'
The experience of past failures or hardships is present, but unspoken
Knowledge of decline
Awareness of the inevitability of endings
But only
However
In the sense of sunsets
In the way that sunsets represent endings and transitions
Dipping full blush
Fading with vibrant colors
Like girlish eyes
Like the delicate beauty of youth
Again to rise
But also to give way to a new beginning
Sunsets fail and roses grow
Endings are a constant, but so are new beginnings
Somewhere a legend I’ll not know
The eternal cycle of life and death has existed before and will continue after us
Step by palsied step
Slowly and with some difficulty
The days deliver us new bread
Despite the challenges, each day provides sustenance and the potential for growth
Kneaded by worthy hands
The experiences that shape us are meaningful and valuable
Aged by a billion life-times
Our individual growth is part of a larger, cosmic journey
To age a billion more
And we will continue to evolve and change over time
Contributed by Dominic E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.