In that time, they've been signed to one of the great indie labels, played sold-out shows in Germany and Sweden, wowed the crowds at the Indietracks and Swn festivals, toured the UK and recorded an album. They've received airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 music and XFM, and had glowing reviews in places such as the Metro, The Fly and The Guardian, the latter calling their Henry Rollins Don't Dance single on WeePOP! Records "the best indiepop song for years".
Their first single for Fortuna Pop!, The Polaroid Song, was released in December 2009. That song made it into the Drowned in Sound Top 50 Singles of the Year, and garnered them further great reviews. "I'm sort of scared at how brilliant Allo Darlin' are, and could be. Disarming and self-effacing they might be, but when they smack you square on the nose with a pop song so instantly loveable as The Polaroid Song it makes my jaw drop in awe." (A Layer of Chips blog)
Their debut album Allo Darlin' was released in June 2010, and another single Dreaming was preceded this in March. The album was recorded at Soup with producer Simon Trought, underneath the Duke of Uke shop in Brick Lane.
The band amicably disbanded in 2016.
Dreaming
Allo Darlin' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lose it on a disco floor
Take the night bus with me tonight
Frost on the window
It's freezing out here on the pavement
But here in your arms
It's heaven
I can wait for you now
But not forever
I have tried everything I know
To make you understand
This is not a game for broken hearts
Played by a lonely band
We've both got so much to lose
But here in your arms
It's heaven
I can wait for you now
But not forever
I was surprised by how happy I was
Don't ask why it's just because
Down by the harbour in the dawn
It's not a star it's a satellite
The thought of it keeps me from sleeping
Or am I already dreaming?
The song "Dreaming" by Allo Darlin' is a delightful ode to the feeling of being in love and the joy that it brings. The track opens with an invitation to go out for the night and let loose on a disco floor. The singer implores her beloved to take the night bus with her and forget about the cold frost on the window, as she feels like she's in heaven when she's in his arms. She acknowledges that they have so much to lose in this relationship, but the euphoria of being with him is enough to make her want to wait for him.
The chorus of the song reveals how she has tried everything in her power to make her partner understand that this is not just a game and that her heart cannot take any more beating. Here, the metaphors come in, as she says that this is not a game for broken hearts played by a lonely band. The urgency to communicate her feelings is real, and she knows that they both have a lot at stake, but the hope of being with him makes everything else obsolete.
The second verse is filled with some of the most beautiful lines in the song, as the singer describes the happiness that she felt when she was with him. She acknowledges that sometimes she doesn't know why she's so happy, but being with him fills her heart with joy. The reference to the harbour in the dawn and the satellite in the sky are both descriptions of how small things can make a big difference when you're in love. The thought of him keeps her from sleeping, and she wonders if she's already dreaming. The song ends on the same note of hope and eagerness as she says that she can wait for him now, but not forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you go out with me tonight
Asking someone to spend time together
Lose it on a disco floor
Having fun and dancing without inhibition
Take the night bus with me tonight
Traveling together at night
Frost on the window
Weather indication
It's freezing out here on the pavement
Describing the cold outside
But here in your arms
Being comforted by someone's presence
It's heaven
Feeling very happy and content
I can wait for you now
Willing to be patient for someone
But not forever
Limited amount of patience
I have tried everything I know
Exhausted all options
To make you understand
Attempting to communicate a message
This is not a game for broken hearts
Emphasizing the seriousness of a situation
Played by a lonely band
Being alone in a difficult situation
We've both got so much to lose
Having a lot to lose
I was surprised by how happy I was
Experiencing unexpected happiness
Don't ask why it's just because
Not knowing why something feels good
Down by the harbour in the dawn
Describing a location and time of day
It's not a star it's a satellite
Correcting a mistaken assumption
The thought of it keeps me from sleeping
Being preoccupied with something that prevents sleep
Or am I already dreaming?
Wondering if something is real or just a dream
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.