The band's figureheads and main songwriters were Jelle Paulusma (lead vocals) and Anne Soldaat (guitar, vocals). Critics often heard echoes of early Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield and other sixties bands from the American west in Daryll-Ann's particular blend of indie rock.
After an initial EP (Decibel, 1991) and début album (Renko, 1992) on tiny domestic labels, the band drew the attention of Hut, the indie branch of Virgin Records. The I Could Never Love You and Come Around EP's (1993 and 1994, respectively) were praised by critics in Holland and the U.K. The group toured Europe and their first full-length album for Hut, Seaborne West (1995), even saw a U.S. release. It received rave reviews in the U.K. music press.
Due to disappointing sales, however, the band was dropped by Hut and joined the respected Dutch indie label Excelsior Recordings, for which they continued to release albums to huge critical acclaim (but moderate commercial success). A small international cult following continued to follow the band, so that some of their Excelsior releases were also put out internationally.
Daryll-Ann's studio albums for Excelsior Recordings:
Daryll-Ann Weeps (1996)
Happy Traum (1999)
Trailer Tales (2002)
Don't Stop (2003)
Excelsior also released a limited edition live album, entitled DA Live (2000).
The band decided to call it a day in 2004. Frontman Jelle Paulusma resurfaced two years later with his first solo album, using his his family name Paulusma as his moniker, whereas guitarist Anne Soldaat went on to form the band Do The Undo (self-titled début album released in 2007) and subsequently started recording under his own name, Anne Soldaat.
2014 saw Daryll-Ann's eagerly anticipated re-formation: original line-up, no new new material, old songs only. The band's brief reunion and farewell tour of The Netherlands received rave reviews.
On April 24, 2022, the band reunited once again, this time for one night only, to perform at Paradiso during the 25th anniversary party of Excelsior Recordings.
Freedom Is a Gift
Daryll-Ann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It gives more than I can enjoy
Brothers stay awake
Temptations are strong
Oh, and maybe when I'm out
I'll take the love that I want
I guess I talked on and on
Medicine's the show
For those who're wide awake
Girls are everywhere
But where is the love I adore?
You never lose the wish
To give a man more
Oh, and maybe when we ride
Up the hills away
Oh, and maybe if we ride
Take the love
Oh, and maybe if we ride
Freedom Is a Gift by Daryll-Ann is a song that explores themes of temptation, love, and freedom. The song opens with the line, “Freedom is a gift, it gives more than I can enjoy.” This suggests that the singer understands the value of freedom, but perhaps they don’t quite know how to make the most of it. The next line, “Brothers stay awake, temptations are strong,” supports this idea. The singer is warning others to stay vigilant because the temptation to indulge in excess can be overwhelming, especially when you have the freedom to do so.
The song then shifts to a more personal narrative, with the singer reflecting on a night out where they talked “on and on.” It seems that this was a night of indulgence, perhaps involving drugs or alcohol, with “medicine” being described as “the show for those who’re wide awake.” Despite all of this, the singer still feels like something is missing. They ask, “Where is the love I adore?” suggesting that even in the midst of freedom and excess, they still long for a deeper connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom is a gift
Being free is a present bestowed upon us
It gives more than I can enjoy
The freedom we have is more than we can enjoy
Brothers stay awake
Men beware of your surroundings
Temptations are strong
The urge to do something wrong is powerful
Oh, and maybe when I'm out
Perhaps when I'm free
I'll take the love that I want
I will seize the opportunity to pursue the love I desire
Last night was a gas
Yesterday evening was a good time
I guess I talked on and on
I kept talking for a long time
Medicine's the show
The cure is the spectacle
For those who're wide awake
For people who are alert
Girls are everywhere
Women can be found anywhere
But where is the love I adore?
But where is the love I cherish?
You never lose the wish
You always yearn
To give a man more
To provide more for someone
Oh, and maybe when we ride up the hills away
Perhaps when we journey uphill away from everything
Oh, and maybe if we ride
Perhaps if we travel together
Take the love
Let's take the opportunity for love
Contributed by Nolan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.