In 1998 "DM", as he is known, moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts, United States, where he is a sought-after studio musician, record producer, and member of the band, Super Genius, although he still tours the UK, Europe and Australia regularly with various acts.
He has toured and recorded with:
Fairport Convention
Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Chris Rea
Ralph McTell
The Chills
Mickey Jupp
Everything But the Girl
Richard Thompson
Georgie Fame
Jethro Tull
Ashley Hutchings
Steeleye Span
Feast of Fiddles
Jimmy Page (Death Wish II)
Judith Owen
He has toured with
Nick Heyward
Andy Fairweather-Low
Grey DeLisle
Rosanne Cash
He has recorded with
Mike Heron
Incredible String Band
Elton John
XTC
Paul McCartney
George Harrison
Cat Stevens
Loudon Wainwright III
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Brian Eno
Alison Moyet
Martin Phillipps
Joan Armatrading
Jimmy Page
The Proclaimers
Gary Brooker
Elkie Brooks
Nick Drake
Liane Carroll
Sandy Denny
Super Genius
Four Piece Suit
Barbara Dickson
The Happy Kenneths
Sebastian Santa Maria
Shelagh McDonald
Shirley Collins
Spirogyra
Bill Nelson
Brooks Williams
Debra Cowan
Michael Wang
Elaine O'Rourke
The Dream Academy
Born Under a Bad Sign
Dave Mattacks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I´ve been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn´t for bad luck
I wouldn´t have no luck at all
Born under a bad sign
I´ve been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn´t for bad luck
Wine and women is all I crave
Big fat woman.
Who is going to carry me to my grave
Born under a bad sign
I´ve been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn´t for bad luck
I wouldn´t have no luck at all
Born under a bad sign
I´ve been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn´t for bad luck
I wouldn´t have no luck at all
Born under a bad sign ...
The lyrics to Dave Mattacks's song "Born Under a Bad Sign" speak to the idea that the singer's life has been one of unfortunate circumstances and hard times. The line "I've been down since I began to crawl" suggests that the singer has been struggling since birth, and the repetition of the refrain "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" further emphasizes this sentiment. The wine and women mentioned in the next line are likely distractions or sources of momentary pleasure for the singer, but ultimately unfulfilling. The final line about wanting a big fat woman to carry them to their grave speaks to a desire for someone to be there for them until the end, someone to ease the burden of the difficult life they feel they've been dealt.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being trapped by circumstance and unable to escape the cycle of bad luck, hardship, and disappointment. The bluesy quality of the music adds to this sense of melancholy and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Born under a bad sign
I am cursed from the beginning.
I´ve been down since I began to crawl
My life has been a constant struggle since birth.
If it wasn´t for bad luck
My luck is so consistently poor that if it weren't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all.
I wouldn´t have no luck at all
Without bad luck, I would have had no luck in any aspect of my life.
Wine and women is all I crave
My only solace is drinking and seeking the company of women.
Big fat woman.
I desire a large, comforting woman to be with.
Who is going to carry me to my grave
I know my lifestyle is self-destructive and I am resigned to my fate of dying young.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind