Cha Cha Cohen were formed in Leeds, UK, 1995 by The Wedding Present's forme… Read Full Bio ↴Cha Cha Cohen were formed in Leeds, UK, 1995 by The Wedding Present's former bassist Keith Gregory and guitarist Paul Dorrington.

Led by Australian Jaqi Dulany, DUSTdevils singer/guitarist who resided in NYC, Cha Cha Cohen’s debut single Sparky's Note was made a Priority Tune on Radio One’s Evening Session leading to the band signing to Chemikal Underground. and releasing two singles in as many years: 1996’s 538ep and, following their first recorded Peel Session, Spook on the High Lawn in May ’97.

It was not until early ’98 that the band came together to perform some shows around the UK while Jaqi simultaneously ducked and dodged UK immigration officials.

Following on the heels of these shows, came Cha Cha Cohen’s eponymously titled debut. Developing on the earlier singles, the album was a bold, thunderous gallop through gonzo-tinged Americana: swamp-blues slide guitars careered off hip-hop breakbeats while Jaqi’s knowing, lyrical swipes recalled the heady days of Blondie.

Despite the musical plaudits showering down on Cha Cha Cohen’s efforts, UK Customs took a somewhat dimmer view of Jaqi’s residence in Britain and promptly ordered her back to her hometown of Sydney, Australia.

Hope glimmered throughout 2000 and early 2001 when Jaqi Dulany became Jaqi Gregory and with that, an official UK resident: Cha Cha Cohen reconvened to put together their sophomore effort All Artists Are Criminals featuring The Wedding Present's drummer, Simon Smith.

Regardless of their achievements, Jaqi and Keith were growing increasingly disillusioned with the UK lifestyle and, catalysed by a particularly depressing and vacuous edition of Top Of The Pops in 2002, decided to turn their backs on the UK and permanently relocate to Australia.

The band has been quiet since...

August
Cha Cha Cohen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Picking up
The glittering parcels
Picking up
The glittering parcels
Crashing and crashing
Crashing and crashing
Picking up
The glittering parcels

Picking up
The glittering parcels
Crashing and crashing
I shouldn't do it
Shouldn't do it
Shouldn't do it
Shouldn't do it
Now I never had the patience for the lure of the West
Never had the patience for the lure of the West
The look of love
Is a 20/20 vision converter
The look of love
Is a stone-cold sucker's illusion
God, you are magic
God, you are magic
So damn cold
The colder El Dorado is cracking
So damn cold
It's coming anti-aging is aging
The frost and the fire
The frost and the fire
The fire and the frost
The fire and the frost
It's not the man
It's not the man
It's not the man
It's the sun

Now I never had the patience for the lure of the West
No I never had the patience for the lure of the West

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cha Cha Cohen's song "August" are open to interpretation, but they seem to contain some themes about the pursuit of success and the cost of that pursuit. The repeated phrases "picking up the glittering parcels" and "crashing and crashing" suggest that the singer is reaching for something desirable but struggling to hold onto it. The line "I shouldn't do it" is a kind of warning or acknowledgment of risk, but it is quickly followed by repetition of the first two phrases, suggesting that the singer cannot resist the allure of success or wealth.

The second half of the lyrics contain some references to the West, which could refer to the American West and the idea of the frontier as a place of opportunity or possibility. The line "I never had the patience for the lure of the West" suggests that the singer has not been drawn to this idea of boundless potential, but the following lines contain more ambivalence about the idea. The "look of love" is compared to a "20/20 vision converter" and a "stone-cold sucker's illusion," which implies that even successful pursuits can be misleading or deceptive. The final line, "It's not the man, it's the sun," suggests that the forces driving the pursuit of success are external and beyond human control.

Overall, "August" seems to explore some complex ideas about ambition, aspiration, and success, while acknowledging the risks and uncertainties inherent in these pursuits.

Line by Line Meaning

Picking up
Collecting or gathering

The glittering parcels
Shiny or attractive packages

Crashing and crashing
Continuously falling or failing

I shouldn't do it
I know I shouldn't continue with this behavior

Now I never had the patience for the lure of the West
I was never interested in the appeal of Western culture or lifestyle

The look of love
The appearance or expression of affection

Is a 20/20 vision converter
Love can make someone see clearly or have a clear perspective

God, you are magic
Expressing admiration or awe towards someone/something

So damn cold
Emotionally detached or indifferent

The colder El Dorado is cracking
A reference to the mythical city of gold and its eventual downfall

It's coming anti-aging is aging
Things that were once considered youthful and trendy are now outdated