As a founding member of the ground breaking Bauhaus, multi-instrumentalist Daniel Ash has distinguished himself in the world of contemporary music. He later went on to form Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets with members of Bauhaus.
After attending gigs in his teenage years, he made a promise to himself that no matter in what capacity; he would get up on that stage, even if he was only banging a tambourine. He started playing guitar at age 15, but later he confessed that he didn’t give it much effort, only learning three chords during his first three years. Driven by a love of Rock 'n Roll, Ash began playing in cover bands. The first gig he played was in the Glasgow Rangers Workman's Club. During this time, Ash started playing music with his Kindergarten mates David J and Kevin Haskins. With the addition of Peter Murphy, this lineup became Bauhaus.
Ash became friends with Peter Murphy during his teenage years. Ash went to art school and Murphy to work in a printing factory. They met up five years later and Daniel suggested forming a band. After rigging up a makeshift rehearsal space, Ash played an echo-laden 12-bar blues while Murphy sang a series of newspaper articles. Four weeks later they formed Bauhaus and recorded "Bela Lugosi's Dead".
That song, released in 1979, became the cornerstone of the gothic rock movement. From early on, Ash was intent on sounding original and often tried to “make the guitar not sound like a guitar.” His style is simplistic and visceral, frequently using an EBow or a guitar with a sustainer circuit.
Four years and as many albums later, Bauhaus broke up. Soon after, Ash put together Tones on Tail with Bauhaus drummer Kevin Haskins. In 1984, Tones on Tail was disbanded, and Ash founded the influential Love and Rockets in 1985 with Kevin Haskins and David J, also of Bauhaus.
Despite creating a unique guitar style seminal to several genres, he's often said that he's really not that interested in guitars. During the last ten years, he has been experimenting with electronic music, limiting the use of guitar as an extra element as opposed to the main focus. Since the last reformation of Bauhaus however, he's been returning to a more guitar based rock sound.
Sweet Little Liar
Daniel Ash Lyrics
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Where I can be alone
And when I close my eyes
I can see behind the sweet lies
And you can earn all that money
And you can earn all that gold
But you won't get me back
And what you're going through
There's nothing I can do
And what you going through
There's nothing I wanna do for you
'Cause you're a liar
A sweet little liar
'Cause you're a liar
And now you're wrapped up in the shadow
The cold and lonely shadows
And now you're wrapped up in the shadow
Of someone you thought you had bought
'Cause you're a liar
A sweet little liar
'Cause you're a liar
I love the darkness and the shadows
Where I can be alone
And when I close my eyes
I can see behind the disguise
You're a liar
A sweet little liar
You're a liar
The song "Sweet Little Liar" by Daniel Ash is a dark and mysterious take on relationships and the lies people tell. The singer loves being in the darkness and shadows where he can be alone with his thoughts. The lyrics suggest he wants to be away from the world, away from anyone who might try to deceive or manipulate him. When he closes his eyes, he can see through the sweet lies and is aware of someone's true nature.
The singer is also aware of the materialistic aspects of life, but those things are not enough for him. He won't be swayed by someone's wealth and is not interested in getting involved in their problems. In the second verse, the singer describes someone who is now wrapped up in the shadow of someone they thought they had bought or owned. The final line of the song, "You're a liar," is a direct statement to the person who has been lying, and it reinforces the theme of deceit and the singer’s distaste for it.
The song's lyrics and overall mood evoke a sense of unease and darkness. The repetition of "sweet little liar" is almost hypnotic and adds to the song's eerie qualities.
Line by Line Meaning
I love the darkness and the shadows
I find solace in being alone in the dark and in the unknown
Where I can be alone
Being around others does not alleviate my pain - I seek solitude
And when I close my eyes
I escape from reality and into the imaginary
I can see behind the sweet lies
I can see the truth behind the façade
And you can earn all that money
You may have material wealth
And you can earn all that gold
You may have financial riches
But you won't get me back
Your money cannot make me forget the truth
No, not with that, you've been told
Your deception has been exposed
And what you're going through
It appears that you are struggling
There's nothing I can do
I am powerless to assist you
And what you going through
Your troubles do not concern me
There's nothing I wanna do for you
I have no desire to help you
'Cause you're a liar
You lack integrity
A sweet little liar
You are skilled in deception
'Cause you're a liar
You cannot be trusted
And now you're wrapped up in the shadow
You are now concealed within your own deceit
The cold and lonely shadows
You are left alone in the darkness of your own lies
Of someone you thought you had bought
You believed you could manipulate me with material possessions
You're a liar
You consistently deceive others
A sweet little liar
You are charming and deceptive
You're a liar
You are untrustworthy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL GASTON ASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind