Vocalist Aidan Moffat and multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Middleton met in Falkirk, bonded over their mutual love for Drag City recording artists such as Smog and Will Oldham, and began a collaboration in 1995. The band is completed by violinist Jenny Reeve and cellist Stacey Sievewright. Arab Strap's marked characteristics include frank and forthright lyrics delivered in a Scottish brogue.
Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton confirmed the rumours about the end of Arab Strap on 8th September 2006. They celebrated their Ten Years of Tears with a tour through the UK and the rest of Europe. After UK/Europe, they made a short secret tour in Japan as the last of Arab Strap. In 2016, however, they have reunited a decade after their breakup and will be touring throughout the year 2017.
Chat In Amsterdam Winter 2003
Arab Strap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it just to cancel out the laughter from Thursday through to Sunday?
I spend the next two days in my bed and wonder what its all about.
And as soon as I feel ok I know it's time to go back out.
I've had the same look on my face for the past two lonely years.
24 months of bargain pills and cheeky lines and stolen beers.
In all the pictures that I took my eyes are so black and wide
A new home to hang my heart is what I thought I'd never find.
Fate has always intervened and now I've got a girl in mind.
And I'm meeting her next week when we get back to Glasgow.
That's if we ever make it and don't get buried in the Dutch snow.
And if my instincts are right I will fall in love and then
Have a laugh from time to time and you'll never see me there again.
When I get home in the morning Trisha's hosting a debate.
She says if you don't like the fish you're catching you've got to change the bait.
The lyrics of Arab Strap's song Chat In Amsterdam Winter 2003 reflect the contrasting emotions of happiness and despair that the singer experiences in his life. He wonders why he feels so depressed every Monday even though he had a good time with his friends from Thursday to Sunday. He spends his time alone in bed, pondering about the meaning of his existence. As soon as he starts feeling better, he knows it's time to go back out and start the cycle of emptiness once again. He has been stuck in this cycle for two years, using drugs, alcohol and women to fill the void in his life.
The singer finally feels a sense of hope when he meets a girl who he thinks will be his "new home to hang my heart." He plans to meet her when he returns to Glasgow but fears that he might not make it after getting buried in the Dutch snow. If he does make it back, he hopes to fall in love and leave his old life behind. The final line of the song, "She says if you don't like the fish you're catching you've got to change the bait," is a reference to the singer's need to change his lifestyle if he ever wants to find true happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
If we're having so much fun then why am I crying every Monday?
Despite having fun over the weekend, the singer is filled with sadness on Mondays.
Is it just to cancel out the laughter from Thursday through to Sunday?
The singer wonders if their Monday tears are to balance out the joy from the rest of the weekend.
I spend the next two days in my bed and wonder what its all about.
The singer is filled with existential dread and spends the next two days in bed thinking about the meaning of their life.
And as soon as I feel ok I know it's time to go back out.
The artist feels like as soon as they begin to feel better the cycle of partying and melancholy will start all over again.
I've had the same look on my face for the past two lonely years.
The artist has been feeling the same sadness and apathy for the past two years.
24 months of bargain pills and cheeky lines and stolen beers.
During the past two years, the singer has been using cheap drugs, making witty remarks, and stealing beer.
In all the pictures that I took my eyes are so black and wide.
The pictures the singer has taken show them with dark, wide eyes that betray their inner turmoil.
That you don't have to look too hard to see there's not much life inside
The artist's outward appearance suggests a lack of vitality and spirit that is easy to notice.
A new home to hang my heart is what I thought I'd never find.
The artist never expected to find a new romantic partner who would share their life with them.
Fate has always intervened and now I've got a girl in mind.
Despite past disappointment, the artist has met someone who they are interested in romantically.
And I'm meeting her next week when we get back to Glasgow.
The singer plans to meet their romantic interest when they return home to Glasgow.
That's if we ever make it and don't get buried in the Dutch snow.
The artist expresses some doubt that they will safely make it back to Glasgow without incident.
And if my instincts are right I will fall in love and then
The singer predicts that they will fall in love with the person they are planning to meet.
Have a laugh from time to time and you'll never see me there again.
If things go well for the singer and their love interest, they anticipate leaving their current patterns behind.
When I get home in the morning Trisha's hosting a debate.
Upon their return home the singer expects to participate in a discussion group led by Trisha.
She says if you don't like the fish you're catching you've got to change the bait.
Trisha offers advice that if you're unhappy with your situation, you need to change your approach or perspective.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Aidan Moffat, Malcolm Middleton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
parlexer
pls upload- Confessions Of A Big Brother omg ı cant find it :(