His first success came with a band, Th' Dudes, which he formed while still in school. Their hit song "Be Mine Tonight" won single of the year in 1979 in New Zealand, while singles "Walking in Light" and "Bliss" became popular anthems.
After Th' Dudes folded, Dobbyn formed pop group DD Smash. The band's first album Cool Bananas debuted in the New Zealand charts at number one. The band's hit singles included "Devil you Know", "Outlook for Thursday", and the violin-tinged "Whaling".
When DD Smash folded, Dobbyn began a successful solo career, by writing the soundtrack music for the animated feature film Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale in 1986. The film yielded two hit singles: "Oughta Be in Love" and the chart-topping "Slice of Heaven", recorded with the band Herbs. After the release of the film, Slice of Heaven became one of Dobbyn's best-known songs, frequently used in tourism advertisements aired on Australian television that encouraged people to visit New Zealand. As a result, many Australians jokingly referred to the song as the New Zealand National anthem.
At the 2001 New Zealand Music Awards Dobbyn won a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005 and 2006 he won "Songwriter Of The Year" and "Best Male Solo Artist" respectively, both for his work on his 2005 album Available Light
Belle of the Ball
Dave Dobbyn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I wind up red, red anger yellow fear
Is there any other colour?
Pain ripped like canvas torn
My flag in tatters, Butterfly on a wheel
Is there any other way?
You know the roller-coaster ride
You are oblivious and naked, terrified
Over
Looking for an angle, the chance to dance the colour
Blue
You walk in like the belle of the ball and I'm head
Over heels
I know the answer, that's to dance your colour blue
With the belle of the ball
With the belle of the ball
Flower blooming in the dark unravel me
This is rapture in light?
Is there any other colour?
Pray, taste this air, feel this light
Feels like home
Is there any other way?
Where have I been all my life?
Now even sleep is vivid vivid white
Then you walk in like the belle of the ball and it's
All over
Looking for an angle, the chance to dance the colour
Blue
You walk in like the belle of the ball and I'm head
Over heels
I know the answer, that's to dance the colour blue
With the belle of the ball
With the belle of the ball
Then you walk in like the belle of the ball and I fall
Over
Looking for an angle, a chance to dance your colour
Blue
You walk in like the belle of the ball and I'm head
Over heels
I know the answer, that's to dance the colour blue
With the belle of the ball
With the belle of the ball
The lyrics of Dave Dobbyn's song Belle Of The Ball feature themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The opening lines use strong and vivid imagery to describe the emotions of anger and fear. The singer is torn apart emotionally, with pain ripping through him like a torn canvas. He likens himself to a flag in tatters and a butterfly on a wheel, both symbols of vulnerability and helplessness. He wonders if there is any other way to feel or see the world, any other color.
But then the belle of the ball walks in, and everything changes. The singer falls head over heels in love, and he sees the world in a completely new way. She is the one who makes him feel alive, who unravels him in the dark and leads him to rapture in light. He describes her as a flower, blooming in the darkness, and wonders if there is any other color in the world but the blue of her eyes.
The chorus repeats the notion of the singer falling head over heels for the belle of the ball. He searches for an angle or chance to dance with her, and he knows that the answer lies in dancing the color blue with her. The song ends on a positive note, with the singer finding home and peace with the belle of the ball.
Line by Line Meaning
Flame, flashfire through heartland
A strong and intense emotion has surged through me and captured my attention.
And I wind up red, red anger yellow fear
My mixed emotions of anger and fear make me feel agitated and restless.
Is there any other colour?
Is there a different way to see things and handle emotions?
Pain ripped like canvas torn
The pain I feel is like a tear in a canvas, creating an open wound.
My flag in tatters, Butterfly on a wheel
My pride and identity are shattered, like a broken butterfly on a wheel.
Is there any other way?
Is there a different path to follow?
You know the roller-coaster ride
You understand the ups and downs of life's emotional journey.
You are oblivious and naked, terrified
You are unaware of how exposed and vulnerable you appear, feeling fear more acutely.
Then you walk in like the belle of the ball and I fall over
You enter the scene with confidence and grace, causing me to fall completely under your spell.
Looking for an angle, the chance to dance the colour blue
I am searching for an opportunity to connect with you and experience the joy and serenity of the color blue together.
You walk in like the belle of the ball and I'm head over heels
You take my breath away and I am fully enamored with you.
I know the answer, that's to dance your colour blue
I realize that the way to happiness and unity is to join you in a dance, using the calming color blue to guide us.
Flower blooming in the dark unravel me
Surrounded by darkness, your radiance and beauty captivate and enchant me.
This is rapture in light? Is there any other colour?
Is there a way to experience the same blissful happiness in a different way, under different circumstances?
Pray, taste this air, feel this light, Feels like home
I am comfortable and content in your presence, and it feels like I belong here.
Where have I been all my life? Now even sleep is vivid vivid white
My life has been lacking something until you arrived, and now even my dreams are brighter and more meaningful.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LEROY ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind