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.
Gourmet
Arab Strap Lyrics
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She's waiting on another man, I've no drink again.
She flashed me the menu, working smile on her lips.
Led me just enough. I shouldn't have tipped.
I soon learned the food there was crap.
The other one there, I didn't give two glances.
She's in love with my soul, she thinks I'm attractive.
She forged a smile, I saw the floor.
I soon learned,
But I still make the mistake of eating where the food is crap.
In Arab Strap's song "Gourmet," the lyrics depict a man waiting for service at a restaurant, which quickly evolves into a commentary on his romantic life. He finds himself waiting for a woman who is serving another man, leaving him without a drink. The woman then flashes him the menu with a smile on her face, but he soon discovers that the food is terrible. Despite this, there is another woman present, who the man acknowledges is in love with him. However, he cannot reciprocate her feelings and finds himself looking down at the floor or examining the ashtray when she tries to be friendly.
The lyrics in this song represent a sense of loneliness and dissatisfaction with one's situation. The man finds himself waiting and settling for something that he knows is not good, whether it be the food or the woman who is interested in him. He is searching for something more but cannot seem to find it. The lyrics also touch upon the idea of missed opportunities and the regret that comes with them, as the man admits to still making the mistake of eating at places where the food is bad.
Overall, "Gourmet" is a poignant exploration of a man's inner feelings and desires. It explores themes of unrequited love, dissatisfaction, and missed opportunities against the backdrop of an unimpressive restaurant. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man searching for something more but struggling to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm waiting for a service, waiting in vain.
I am sitting here waiting for someone to attend to me, but unfortunately, no one has come around to assist me just yet.
She's waiting on another man, I've no drink again.
The waitress is occupied providing service to a man who is not me, and as a result, I still haven't received the beverage I am hoping for.
She flashed me the menu, working smile on her lips.
She presented me with the menu while maintaining an amicable demeanor on her face, which I recognize as her professional obligation to do so.
Led me just enough. I shouldn't have tipped.
She tempted me by showcasing the menu items, and I fell for it by ordering a meal at this restaurant, which I now regret and feel I should not have rewarded her with a tip.
I soon learned the food there was crap.
I quickly realized that the food served at this eatery is subpar and not palatable.
The other one there, I didn't give two glances.
There was another woman present at the establishment, but I had no interest in paying her any attention whatsoever.
She's in love with my soul, she thinks I'm attractive.
The other woman present admires and loves me for my inner self, considering me physically appealing as well.
She forged a smile, I saw the floor.
The waitress put on a fake smile while serving, and I took notice of her dejected expression when she looked down at the ground beneath her feet.
She tried again, I examined the ashtray.
She made another attempt to put on a facade of good service, but I chose to divert my attention to the ashtray on the table and ignore her efforts.
I soon learned, But I still make the mistake of eating where the food is crap.
Even after learning the food is terrible, I am still guilty of making the error of dining at establishments where the cuisine is inadequate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Aidan Moffat, Malcolm Middleton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind