The Dance Hall Crashers recorded a few songs during their first year (these are featured on The Old Record), and in 1990, they made their most notable lineup change, adding second vocalist Karina Denike. Soon after, the band members parted ways, but they played a reunion show in 1992 due to pressure from fans. The show met with great fanfare, and so the band decided to reunite on a more permanent basis, with Rogers and Denike on vocals, Hammon on lead guitar, his brother Gavin on drums, Scott Goodell on second guitar, and Mikey Weiss on bass. The Dance Hall Crashers song "Enough" was featured on the soundtrack for Angus (1995 film). The song "Don't Wanna Behave" was featured in the 1996 film "Biodome" as well.
As of August 2005, the band members lead separate lives but still play a few shows per year. In November 2004 they played and recorded a show at the Hollywood House of Blues; the concert was released by Kung Fu Records in September 2005 as part of the popular The Show Must Go Off DVD series.
Othello
Dance Hall Crashers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can you say that you love me when you've been messing around all over the place
I went downtown yesterday and I was walking in the marketplace
Everybody laughed at me, they whispered that i was a disgrace
You've been out all night drinking again, you never even bother to call
Been crossing blades with god knows who, you're headed for your rise and fall
Sooner or later I'll wake up and wipe the sleep out of my eyes
You talk about yourself all night when really you are such a bore
You give me flowers to my face, behind my back you call me a whore
I've had enough of your god knows what, I think it's time for you to leave
I've forgiven you too many times before, this time you get no reprive
The bed's too big without you but I suppose it'll have to do
Better to lay in an empty bed than to spend another night beside you
People talking all over town about the way you've been putting me down
People talking all over town, they don't want to see you around
In Dance Hall Crashers's song "Othello," the singer is expressing immense frustration and dissatisfaction with the behavior of their partner. The lyrics express feelings of betrayal, disrespect, and sadness in a relationship where the partner has been unfaithful and uncaring towards the singer. The opening lyrics express a sense of confusion and hurt at the partner's hypocrisy in claiming to need and love the singer while also cheating and ignoring them constantly. The singer then goes on to describe specific examples of the partner's behavior, such as drinking and fighting, talking about themselves too much, and insulting the singer behind their back.
The chorus of the song serves as a final declaration of the singer's decision to end the relationship, saying that the partner has been forgiven too many times before and there will be no more second chances. The final lines of the song present a sense of relief that the relationship is over and that the singer can move on from the toxic dynamic they were in.
In many ways, "Othello" is a classic breakup song, with the lyrics focusing on specific actions and behaviors that led to the relationship's downfall. It presents a clear picture of the emotions involved in ending a relationship, from frustration to sadness to relief. The lyrics also demonstrate a deeper understanding of the power dynamics at play in unhealthy relationships, with the singer expressing a sense of agency in choosing to leave rather than continuing to be mistreated.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you say that you need me when you never look me in the face
You claim to need me, yet you refuse to make eye contact and acknowledge my presence.
How can you say that you love me when you've been messing around all over the place
Your actions do not align with your words; you cannot claim to love me while engaging in infidelity.
I went downtown yesterday and I was walking in the marketplace
I was out and about, minding my own business.
Everybody laughed at me, they whispered that i was a disgrace
I was subjected to ridicule and shame by others in public.
You've been out all night drinking again, you never even bother to call
You are not prioritizing our relationship, as you have been out drinking and neglecting to communicate with me.
Been crossing blades with god knows who, you're headed for your rise and fall
Your reckless behavior and conflicts with unknown individuals will eventually lead to your downfall.
Sooner or later I'll wake up and wipe the sleep out of my eyes
I will eventually realize the truth of our situation and come to clarity.
Later that day when you wake up you'll be in for a big surprise
Your actions will have consequences, and you will experience a significant shock when you face them.
You talk about yourself all night when really you are such a bore
You are self-absorbed and uninteresting, despite dominating conversations throughout the night.
You give me flowers to my face, behind my back you call me a whore
Your two-faced behavior involves showering me with affection while simultaneously disrespecting and disparaging me to others.
I've had enough of your god knows what, I think it's time for you to leave
I am finally fed up with all of your unacceptable behavior and believe it is time for you to depart from my life.
I've forgiven you too many times before, this time you get no reprieve
Despite having previously granted you forgiveness multiple times, I am no longer willing to do so again.
The bed's too big without you but I suppose it'll have to do
Although your absence leaves a void, I must accept the reality that you are no longer in my life.
Better to lay in an empty bed than to spend another night beside you
It is preferable to be alone than to endure another night in your company.
People talking all over town about the way you've been putting me down
Your disrespectful behavior towards me has become the topic of discussion among many individuals in our community.
People talking all over town, they don't want to see you around
Due to your reprehensible actions, many people within our community have grown to despise your presence and do not wish to see you again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roopaloooop
on Cricket
When I listen to it, it makes me sad in a good way. It makes me think it's being sung to a terminally ill child.
"Why are you worried about the dirt? I don't think that you'll mind. When it's your time." And the "promise I'll wait a while. To make sure that you've moved on." If it's a lullaby, it's scary. Ha. I thought maybe it was her singing to her grandma on her deathbed, too. Makes more sense I guess.