In Spring of 1989, they signed to U2's independent Mother Records label to release their eponymous debut CD. "Grey Matter" was a mild local hit, but it was followed by "Celebrate", which hit the top 10 of the Ireland charts. College radio stations began to pick up the song. It received significant airplay, and eventually reached the top 5 of the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. Atlantic Records signed the band, and re-released "Grey Matter" in the US, where it became a lesser college rock hit. Atlantic released their debut album internationally, where it received generally poor reviews but sold well in Ireland.
After a tour to support the debut album, An Emotional Fish returned to the studio to record Junk Puppets. The songs were recorded over eight months, and four of the songs were produced by David A. Stewart. In 1993, the album was released, and An Emotional Fish opened for U2 on the Zoo TV Tour. However, the album sold few copies outside of Ireland. In 1994, the band released Sloper, but only secured a distribution deal in the UK. The album was released in the US two years later.
In 2002, Gerard Whelan began performing again as Jerry Fish, including two albums with Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club. The other former members of An Emotional Fish all made appearances as Mudbug Club musicians.
Dirt
An Emotional Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was dirty before we met
And if this dance is the last dance
Let it not be a dance to forget
Every time I think of you
I think about dirt
You can scrub a dub dub
But it always returns
Dirt
Wasn't it you who said that one should never
Bend over backwards to
Take a look inside
If it's squeeky clean you're after
You're gonna have to join the queue and wait awhile
Every time I think of you
I think about dirt
I've got you under my finger nails
I hear you laugh where it hurts
Dirt
And I can't wash my hands of you
No matter what soap I use
It's more than I'm worth
Don't ever leave me baby
For to be without you
Is to be without dirt
Every time I think of you
I think about dirt
No matter how you scrub a dub dub
It always returns that's
D. I. R. T.
Dirt
Yeah that's D. I. R. T.
Dirt
You've got dirty thoughts
You give dirty looks
You're the Queen of dirt
Dirt
The lyrics to An Emotional Fish's song Dirt describe a relationship that is plagued by a sense of impurity and uncleanliness. The singer suggests that the dirt existed before they met, indicating that their relationship is not to blame for the uncleanliness they feel. However, they cannot escape the sensation of filth that surrounds them, and it has become tied to their thoughts and memories of the other person. The chorus emphasizes the persistence of the dirt, asserting that it can never truly be scrubbed away. The second verse draws attention to the common phrase "squeaky clean," suggesting that the desire for purity is a common goal, but not always achievable. Ultimately, the chorus implies that the dirt has become an integral part of the relationship, and asking the other person not to leave is akin to asking them not to take the dirt with them.
The song seems to speak to a larger human experience of grappling with the idea of "cleanliness." It questions whether any of us can truly be pure, and suggests that we all have "dirty thoughts" and "give dirty looks." The uncleanliness of the relationship in the song may represent a larger existential anxiety about the impossibility of perfection in any area of life. The persistent "dirt" becomes a unifying force, a reminder that we are all imperfect and marked by our past experiences.
Overall, the lyrics to Dirt are a poignant exploration of the ways in which our relationships and experiences can leave indelible marks on us. The persistent sense of dirt is a symbol for the ways in which our pasts continue to shape us, and how we can never fully escape that influence. The song suggests that we must embrace the dirt as part of ourselves, rather than trying to scrub it away.
Line by Line Meaning
It wasn't us that got it dirty
The dirt already existed before we came into the picture
It was dirty before we met
The dirt existed long before our paths crossed
And if this dance is the last dance
This may be our last chance to confront each other
Let it not be a dance to forget
Let us address the issues at hand and make peace
Every time I think of you
Your memory is clouded with the dirt of our past
I think about dirt
My thoughts of you are tainted with negativity
You can scrub a dub dub
You can try to clean up this mess
But it always returns
But the dirt always resurfaces
That's Dirt
That's the nature of the problem
Wasn't it you who said that one should never
Did you not advise against delving too deep into something?
Bend over backwards to
Make too much effort to
Take a look inside
Investigate the root cause of the issue
If it's squeeky clean you're after
If the aim is to have a spotless outcome
You're gonna have to join the queue and wait awhile
You'll have to be patient and wait for the perfect opportunity
I've got you under my finger nails
You are embedded into every part of my life
I hear you laugh where it hurts
I can feel the pain of our past through your laughter
And I can't wash my hands of you
I cannot simply walk away from the situation
No matter what soap I use
Regardless of the attempts I make to clean up the mess
It's more than I'm worth
The emotional burden is becoming overwhelming
Don't ever leave me baby
Please do not abandon me in this mess
For to be without you
To lose you in this situation
Is to be without dirt
Would mean closing the chapter on our problematic past
No matter how you scrub a dub dub
Regardless of how hard you try to clean up the situation
It always returns that's
The underlying issues keep resurfacing
D. I. R. T.
Dirt - the problem that taints everything
Yeah that's D. I. R. T.
Yes, it's the same recurring issue- dirt
You've got dirty thoughts
Your thinking is corrupted by negativity
You give dirty looks
Your attitude is influenced by our past troubles
You're the Queen of dirt
You are the main source of the problem
Contributed by Benjamin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GWYTHAL. DOIRE.
TheOliefant }}}
Oh Reilly.???....oops !! OH REALLY !!!!???,
You've gotta be a disgruntled, non Musical, Non Political DUB....
Cos' Up Here in....
"Da Black Nort"..the music & the Politics tell me that....the Main Irish..
"PARTY"... have just begun..."Delivering"..& politically whoopin up, a well debated & reasoned Storm of "IRISHNESS",... though you "Free Staters", disgracefully,
"Via Brexit", & clinging "Devalerian" preferred, past Pathetic "Pointus Pilate" Prognostications .!!!!
Have been forced to take notice of....ONCE AGAIN......it is, as far as we..seemingly "Disposable,Diminished Few", of that equally "Diminished Kingdom".
.(9 minus 3).yet "Proud" land of "Uladh..Ulster" in that abominable treatised "Sell Out".
So,...& I speak,..not as a man of violence but a politically astute & man of Peaceful political means...& always one to accept the returns of the "Ballot Box".
The majority of Voters in the North will soon be the Majority in the South.. (as Dub's would prefer,De Velera's "Free State".)
So, Elections are due fairly soon.....Irish, English & European & believe me...THE PARTY'S nowhere near over....not while we up here are on the Cusp of a Border Poll.!....& will be at 7yr intervals under the "Good Friday Agreement".....& that'll do for me & mine......so you East of the Bann & South of the Border....just brace yourselves for something which should've happened in the 1920-30's.
Some PARTY'S keep the Party alive through reasoned & undiscriminatory political thought...!!!
So let's just Party for, & on the day, that this land will be "ONE".. once again, all embracing, without bloodshed, bias, or bigotry.!!!
This Nation's Party isn't over.....it's yet to BEGIN...for the betterment of Us All.!!!
Brian Ewing
AWESOME VERSION TO A VERY UNDERRATED SONG!!!
stevie bunch
CORRECT
MusicIsLife
This tune was covered in 1992 by Vasco Rossi with a different title “Gli Spari Sopra”.
This original version is much better I have to admit. Pity it never reached the deserved fame.
Well done Jerry 👏👏👏
Erik Aarseth
One of my all time favourite bands. Saw them in Oslo sometime in the late eighties...the crowd counted only between 20-30, but the energy was intense. Thanks for the music, lads.
Stephen 1974
Easily one of the best Irish songs, especially in that drab depressing period of music in Ireland in the late eighties, thank god no sax lol
mbrellin
They are amazing!
Michael Carolan
One of the best solo performances I have seen in my life . Wild ,brilliant
wckartist
Love this, these boys can play!!!
crazyfeline
Wow, so good.
Excellent musicianship by all
liam oshea
LOVE THIS BAND!