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.
Old School
Daryll-Ann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me a story of love so devine
Hard to betray all my needs all my pleasures
They'll certainly keep things more than alive
Oh the innocent years in love and devotion
The delicacy of a motion in life
All I can state in the search for my treasure
Weather new friendships
Watch them fall again
Arise from the glory
And colour the sky
Where would I be without my life's reunion
Give me the morning for I will survive
Hard to betray all my needs all my treasures
They'll certainly keep things going for a while
The lyrics to Daryll-Ann's song "Old School" capture a bittersweet nostalgia for a time when love was pure and simple. The singer is wrestling with conflicting desires: on the one hand, they want to maintain their "needs" and "pleasures," while on the other hand, they long for the "innocent years" of "love and devotion." The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to strike a balance between their past and present selves, between holding onto the past and embracing the new.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of longing and wistfulness, as though the singer is reflecting on a bygone era of their life. The refrain "Hard to betray all my needs all my pleasures / They'll certainly keep things more than alive" suggests that the singer is torn between their past and present, between holding onto a simpler time and living in the present. The lines "Weather new friendships / Watch them fall again / Arise from the glory / And colour the sky" suggest that even as the singer moves on from the past, they recognize the fleeting nature of human relationships.
Overall, the lyrics to "Old School" capture a mood of reflection and introspection, as though the singer is trying to make sense of their own experiences and emotions. The song is a testament to the power of music to capture the human experience, to help us grapple with our hopes, fears, and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Where do I go to with all my intention
I'm lost and confused, not sure where to direct my energy and focus
Tell me a story of love so devine
I'm searching for inspiration and guidance in matters of the heart
Hard to betray all my needs all my pleasures
It's difficult to deny my desires and wants, even if it causes trouble
They'll certainly keep things more than alive
Satisfying my needs and pleasures will keep me feeling alive and fulfilled
Oh the innocent years in love and devotion
Reflecting on a time of pure love and dedication
The delicacy of a motion in life
Life's movements can be subtle and fragile
All I can state in the search for my treasure
In my pursuit of what I desire most, all I can say is...
Was hoping to keep all my secrets alive
I wanted to maintain my privacy and not reveal too much about myself
Weather new friendships
Whether new friendships...
Watch them fall again
I see them falling apart and ending
Arise from the glory
But sometimes they can also bring great joy and happiness
And colour the sky
Enhancing and brightening my perspective on life
Where would I be without my life's reunion
I wouldn't be where I am today without the people who have re-entered my life
Give me the morning for I will survive
Just getting through each day is a struggle, but I know I can keep going
Hard to betray all my needs all my treasures
Even if it's tough, I can't ignore what I want and value most
They'll certainly keep things going for a while
These things that matter most to me will keep me going, at least for a little while
Lyrics © Red Brick Music Publishing
Written by: JOHANNES A. JELLE PAULUSMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind