Dave Dobbyn (born January 3, 1957) is a New Zealand award-winning musician,… Read Full Bio ↴Dave Dobbyn (born January 3, 1957) is a New Zealand award-winning musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. In his early career he was a member of rock group Th' Dudes and the main creative force in popsters DD Smash; since then has released the majority of his recordings as a solo act.

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

Beside You
Dave Dobbyn Lyrics

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Here's to your garden here's to your kids
I heard you were in the neighbourhood
I've been a long time on the skids
And baby I'm beside you - you run from the river

When it long ran over you
This is for you standing up to a bone-chilling wind
This is for the failures you collected from my sin

And this is for your lonesome tears I never dried

This is for you hanging in in the hope that it never dies
And baby I'm beside you - you run from the river
When it long ran over you
This is for you waiting up though the call never came

For the milk of human kindnesses you collected from our dream
And this is for your lonesome tears I never dried
This is for you hanging in in the hope that it never died
And baby I'm beside you - you run from the river

When it long ran over you
And now I'm running here beside you
And now I'm running here beside you
This is for the traveler on a blinding desert road

Good fortune smile upon you and may love be your only load
And this is for the only one who could quell my burning rage
To anyone whose been a broken man and anyone seen better days
Baby I'm beside you

And now I'm running here beside you
And now I'm running here beside you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dave Dobbyn's song "Beside You" express a deep sense of gratitude and love. The singer acknowledges the struggles and difficulties his partner has faced, and vows to always stand by her side. The first verse is a toast to his partner's garden and children, and the fact that he has heard she is back in the neighborhood after he's been on "the skids" for a long time. The chorus repeats the line "baby, I'm beside you" and refers to running from the river when it "long ran over you," demonstrating the strong support and protection the singer offers his partner.

The second verse mentions the partner's perseverance, and how she has waited for his call to come. He also acknowledges her kindness in collecting the "failures" from his sin, and explains that he never wants her hope to die. The chorus repeats, and the song ends with an emotive tribute to the listener, the people who have suffered, and the desire to always stand together.

Overall, "Beside You" is a powerful song that conveys a deep sense of love and support between two people who have faced hardship together. The lyrics are poetic, with powerful metaphors and imagery that convey a strong message. The repetition of "baby, I'm beside you" reinforces the commitment and loyalty of the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

Here's to your garden here's to your kids
I raise a toast to your garden and your children, as they bring you joy and happiness.

I heard you were in the neighbourhood
I heard you were close by, so I wanted to come see you and offer my support.

I've been a long time on the skids
I've been struggling for a long time and am in need of some help and guidance.

And baby I'm beside you - you run from the river When it long ran over you
I am here to support you through difficult times, even when you feel like giving up and the problems seem overwhelming.

This is for you standing up to a bone-chilling wind
I acknowledge and admire your strength in facing adversity and standing up against difficult situations.

This is for the failures you collected from my sin
I take responsibility for my past mistakes and acknowledge that they have caused you pain and struggles.

And this is for your lonesome tears I never dried
I regret not being there for you during times when you needed me the most, and I am sorry for causing you pain.

This is for you hanging in in the hope that it never dies
I admire your perseverance and hope that you will never give up on your dreams and aspirations.

And this is for you waiting up though the call never came
I am sorry for not reaching out to you sooner and not being there for you when you needed me to be.

For the milk of human kindnesses you collected from our dream
I am grateful for the kindness and compassion that you have shown to me throughout our relationship, even during difficult times.

And now I'm running here beside you
I am committed to being there for you and walking alongside you throughout life's ups and downs.

This is for the traveler on a blinding desert road
I offer good wishes and blessings to anyone who is enduring a difficult journey or facing hardships.

Good fortune smile upon you and may love be your only load
I wish for you to be blessed with happiness, success, and love throughout your life's journey.

And this is for the only one who could quell my burning rage
I am grateful for the calming and soothing effect that you have on me, and for helping me find peace during difficult times.

To anyone whose been a broken man and anyone seen better days
I extend my support and encouragement to anyone who is struggling or has faced difficult times in the past.

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE JOSEPH DOBBYN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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