In 2003 there was ‘’Before the dawn’, a dark, haunting CD perfectly combining strong songwriting and tasteful electronics. The single ‘Awake’ enjoyed a lot of radio airplay and made it onto several compilations. Flanders’ biggest girl group Scala even took it as far as Japan. More than enough good reviews, again and again hearty applause from those in the know. Anton played live, and every time he was convincing.
But a real performer always wants to go deeper and wider. Walgrave did what he had to do: write songs, scrap songs, rewrite songs and scrap some more songs. Day in, day out, rain or shine. Week after week, month after month. Lots of songs.
And then more work, to make good songs into great songs.
The great songs caught the attention of Frank Vander linden. Although he’d won prizes for outstanding production work on De Mens Cds, Vander linden had never dared to produce any one else’s work yet. But Walgrave’s compositions twisted his arm, his voice gave him shivers and the man’s passion was simply contagious.
Thus, they got down to work together, starting in May of 2005. Day in, day out, rain or shine, week after week. Songs fell by the wayside, refrains were halved, verses turned upside down, and every unnecessary note was ruthlessly scrapped.
Out of a mass of raw songs, twelve made the cut, each one just right – à point, with the compliments of the chef.
An elite team was put together to put these twelve songs onto CD. Michel ‘Shelle’ Dierickx, who had just made 'Pocket revolution' with dEUS and had been honoured for it in the media by Barman, recorded and mixed everything. Mario Goossens (Hooverphonic, Triggerfinger,...) played drums. The bass parts were shared by Hans Mullens (Buscemi,...) and fellow ‘Mens’ Michel De Coster. Aram Van Ballaert and Geoffrey Hautvas played guitar. The rest was done by Anton and Frank themselves.
The result is absolutely first class. Only seven days of mixing (in Brussels’ ICP Studio) were needed to finish the job. And, as Walgrave would say, ‘het vonkt!’ (it sparks!) It rocks, it moves you, seduces you, bites you, soothes and hits you. It has ‘it’.
And ‘it’ is a new CD with twelve extraordinary songs, of which ‘Lost Soul’ became the single. We dare say that ‘Lost Soul’ may be one of the best songs of 2006. The full CD, entitled Shine, will be released on 3 April 2006. The album presentation will be on 4 April in Het Depot in Leuven. There are rumours that the breakthrough to the larger public won’t have much longer to wait.
Dust
Anton Walgrave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That Shiver As I Pass
The World's Asleep But I'm Awake
I'm Walking Home Again
Morning Stars
Left My Shoes Back At the Bar
Didn't Know My House Was Quite So Far
So Far From Anywhere
Strange How the Ground
Tips Upside Down
And Morning, It Starts Without Me
Did I Let You Down
Should I Come Around
Would That Make Things Better Baby
You and I
We Get Along Just Fine
But Oh We Both Love to Be Right
It's Just Not Possible
Change Your Mind Or Maybe I'll Change Mine
But Either Way We Won't Arrive At Something
Plausible
I'll See Ya 'round When You're in Town
And You Can Pretend to Hate Me
All Trace of Love
Has Turned to Dust
Which I've Been Collecting Lately
The opening lines of Anton Walgrave's "Dust" paint vivid imagery of a quiet morning in which the singer is the only one awake. He observes the blades of grass shivering as if they know something he doesn't. The singer is walking home again, and as he trudges along, he realizes that he has left his shoes back at the bar. The distance between him and home is long, and he feels as if he's far from anywhere. This line reflects the sense of disconnection he feels within himself, as if he's unable to find his place in the world.
The second verse is contemplative rather than observational, with the singer questioning why he feels a sense of detachment from the world around him. He finds it strange how the ground seems to tip upside down and that morning starts without him. In the third line, "Did I let you down?/Should I come around?/Would that make things better, baby?" the singer seems to be addressing someone else, perhaps a friend, or a lover, but there are no clear answers as to who that might be. The fourth and fifth lines convey a sense of unresolvable conflict, with both the singer and the other party unwilling to back down from their position. The last two lines of the second verse describe the futility of trying to resolve the situation, with the singer acknowledging that arriving at a resolution is just not possible.
The last verse of "Dust" describes the aftermath of the disagreement. Both parties have gone their separate ways, and the singer realizes that "all trace of love has turned to dust" between them. The line "which I've been collecting lately" suggests that the singer is somehow holding on to this dust- perhaps as a reminder of what was lost, or as a way of processing his own emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Blades of Grass
Refers to the natural beauty in the environment around the singer.
That Shiver As I Pass
The singer observes the beauty in the grass as they walk by, and how the blades shake as they pass.
The World's Asleep But I'm Awake
The singer is awake and taking in the beauty of the world while everything else is still asleep.
I'm Walking Home Again
The artist is returning home while reflecting on their surroundings.
Morning Stars
The artist is still up early in the morning and observing the stars that are still visible in the sky.
Left My Shoes Back At the Bar
The singer is forgetful and distracted by the world around them.
Didn't Know My House Was Quite So Far
The singer is so absorbed in their own thoughts that they didn't realize how far they were from home.
So Far From Anywhere
The artist feels isolated and disconnected from the world.
Strange How the Ground
The artist is lost in thought and observing the smallest details of their surroundings.
Tips Upside Down
The artist is imagining the world turning upside down, possibly as a metaphor for their own confusing thoughts.
And Morning, It Starts Without Me
Life goes on, even if the singer is preoccupied with their own thoughts and troubles.
Did I Let You Down
The artist feels guilty for something they've done to someone else.
Should I Come Around
The singer is considering making amends with the person they've let down.
Would That Make Things Better Baby
The singer is unsure if their apology will make any difference to the person they've wronged.
You and I
Refers to the relationship between the singer and the person they've hurt.
We Get Along Just Fine
Despite everything, the relationship between the artist and the person they've hurt is not irreparably damaged.
But Oh We Both Love to Be Right
The main source of conflict between the artist and the other person is an unwillingness to compromise and admit fault.
It's Just Not Possible
The singer knows that their relationship won't work unless they both learn to compromise and let go of the need to be right.
Change Your Mind Or Maybe I'll Change Mine
The singer is hopeful that either they or the other person will come around to a more understanding and forgiving attitude.
But Either Way We Won't Arrive At Something
The artist knows that unless they can both learn to let go of their stubbornness, they won't be able to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Plausible
Refers to the need for a realistic and viable solution to their relationship problems.
I'll See Ya 'round When You're in Town
The artist is resigned to the fact that they and the other person won't reconcile anytime soon, and will just have to live with the tension between them.
And You Can Pretend to Hate Me
The singer is aware that the other person may harbor ill will towards them, even if they don't outright express it.
All Trace of Love
Refers to the fact that the relationship between the artist and the other person has soured to the point where love and affection are no longer evident.
Has Turned to Dust
Refers to the fact that the love and affection that once existed between the singer and the other person has completely disappeared and is irretrievable.
Which I've Been Collecting Lately
The singer has been taking note of their relationship problems and reflecting on them deeply.
Contributed by Harper L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.