Dirty Pretty Things played their first shows in October 2005 in Italy and France.
Initially, the choice of name caused some troubles. A four-piece band from Salisbury had been playing as "Dirty Pretty Things" since early January of 2005, claiming to have already copyrighted the name in the UK; the two groups ended up coming to an agreement over the name. An Australian band had also been playing under that name since 2003, though since opted to change it.
Dirty Pretty Things began recording their first album in Los Angeles, California, with high-profile producer Dave Sardy (producer of the Oasis album Don't Believe the Truth), and in Glasgow, Scotland with producer Tony Doogan.
The first track of the band's to be released on the CD format was "You Fucking Love It" which was made available on a free CD with the April 1, 2006 issue of NME entitled "NME and MTV2 present Best Newbands Showcase 2006".
The band's debut album, entitled Waterloo to Anywhere, was released on May 8, 2006 reaching #3 on the music charts and receiving critical approval. The first single (and first official band release) from the album, "Bang Bang, You're Dead", was released on April 24, 2006 and reached #5 in the singles chart in its first week of sales. The second single was "Deadwood", released on 10 July 2006 and got to #20 in the singles chart.
They toured extensively in the UK during the first half of 2006. Their setlist has comprised most of the songs from the debut album and selected b-sides, along with a few Libertines songs (usually "Death on the Stairs", "France", and "I Get Along"). They played their first American show at the SXSW festival in Texas. They played several festivals in the UK in the summer of 2006, including the Isle of Wight Festival, Wireless Festival, T in the Park, and they played at the Irish festival Oxegen.
'Wondering' was the third single released from Waterloo to Anywhere on September 25, 2006 and reached #34.
On a holiday in Taipei, Carl broke his collarbone (he had fallen from a motorbike during a drinking session), thus giving the impression that DPT would have to cancel a North American tour. However, the band recruited The Paddingtons Josh Hubbard to deputise for Barât on guitar.
On 16th October 2006 the band released a DVD 'Puffing On a Coffin Nail' featuring over 2 and a half hours of concert footage and documentaries.
On 25th October 2006 Carl appeared as a special guest at Paul Weller's set during the Electric Proms, duetting on Peacock Suite and In the City.
The band's second album "Romance At Short Notice" is set for release on the 30th June 2008.
The Band Split On Ist Oct 2008 Saying "It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things," It's been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things"
You can visit their Official Website.
Bang Bang You're Dead
Dirty Pretty Things Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I was right at the start
About the seeds of the weeds
That grew in your heart
Self satisfaction for the factions
Who formed to tear us apart
Oh I gave you the Midas touch
As you turned round to scratch out my heart
Oh what did you expect?
Oh tell me what did you expect?
To lay it on my head?
So is it all upon my head?
Bang bang you're dead!
Oh I'm so easily lead
Bang, bang, you're de-e-ead!
Put all those rumours to bed
Bang, bang you're dead
I knew all along
But I was loathed to believe
There was nothing but spite
Fury and lies in the words that you weave
Bring our illusion to a conclusion
With all our unsold dreams
Put it to bed, kick it in the head
Oh won't they just let it be
Bang bang you're dead!
Oh I'm so easily lead
Bang, bang, you're de-e-ead!
Put all those rumours to bed
Bang, bang you're dead
Bang bang bang bang you're dead
The song "Bang Bang You're Dead" by Dirty Pretty Things is a poignant take on a broken relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer of the song knew all along that his partner wasn't really in love with him, but rather, harbored harmful emotions. The line "About the seeds of the weeds that grew in your heart" suggests that the relationship was bound to end badly because of the negative emotions that his partner harbored within herself. The next line "Self-satisfaction for the factions who formed to tear us apart" suggests that there were other people involved in their lives who may have played a role in the breakdown of their relationship.
The chorus of the song repeatedly uses the lines "Bang bang you're dead" and "Put all those rumors to rest" suggesting that the singer is willing to move on from the past and let go of the hurt that he had been feeling. The repeated use of the phrase "Oh I'm so easily led" suggests that the singer may have been naive or gullible, and may have allowed himself to be led astray by his former partner's false promises.
Overall, "Bang Bang You're Dead" is a poignant take on a failed relationship where the singer has been hurt by the words and actions of his partner. The lyrics suggest that despite his best efforts, the relationship was always destined to fail, and that the singer is willing to move on with his life.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew all along
I had a nagging feeling that something was wrong
That I was right at the start
My intuition was correct from the beginning
About the seeds of the weeds
I sensed the negative qualities you possessed
That grew in your heart
That became more apparent in your personality
Self satisfaction for the factions
You found pleasure in stirring up conflict
Who formed to tear us apart
Those who wanted to harm our relationship
Oh I gave you the midas touch
I treated you like royalty and everything turned to gold
As you turned round to scratch out my heart
But you betrayed me and hurt me deeply
Oh what did you expect?
Did you truly believe you could betray me without consequences?
Oh tell me what did you expect?
What outcome did you anticipate from your actions?
To lay it on my head?
Did you think I would shoulder the blame?
So is it all upon my head?
Am I the only one accountable for our downfall?
Bang bang you're dead!
Your actions have led to a complete breakdown
Oh I'm so easily lead
I was vulnerable to your manipulation
Bang, bang, you're de-e-ead!
Your lies and deceit have caught up with you
Put all those rumours to bed
Stop spreading falsehoods about me and our relationship
Bang, bang you're dead
Your behavior has permanently damaged our connection
I knew all along
My intuition was correct all along
But I was loathed to believe
I didn't want to accept the truth
There was nothing but spite
Your actions were motivated by malice and hatred
Fury and lies in the words that you weave
You were deceptive and dishonest in everything you said
Bring our illusion to a conclusion
It's time to end this fake and unhealthy facade
With all our unsold dreams
Abandon all the things we hoped to achieve together
Put it to bed, kick it in the head
Do away with it completely and move on
Oh won't they just let it be
Why can't others allow us to find closure?
Bang bang you're dead!
Your negative influence is over
Oh I'm so easily lead
I should have seen the warning signs earlier
Bang, bang, you're de-e-ead!
Your toxic behavior has finally caught up with you
Put all those rumours to bed
Stop spreading falsehoods about me and our relationship
Bang, bang you're dead
Your actions have caused irreparable damage
Bang bang bang bang you're dead
Your actions have caused a complete and utter breakdown
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY ROSSOMANDO, GARY POWELL, DAVID HAMMOND, CARL BARAT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind