Suede were a very notorious band during the early 90's particularly during their first eponymous album. The signature sound of Suede was thanks to the guitar work of Bernard Butler. Bernard fell out with the band members and the producer of the first two Suede albums. He walked away from the band and later hooked up with David McAlmont. Initially they were only going to 'try out' in the studio. The session produced a number of songs which became part of the 'Yes EPs'. 'Yes' became a huge hit and the press heralded the emergence of a new talent. The follow up single 'You Do' also made the top 10 in the UK. However, history repeats and yet again David and Bernard fell out and the partnership was dissolved. One album was released which was a collection from the EPs previously released as well as one additional song. The album was imaginatively called 'The Sound of McAlmont and Butler'.
David then spent a long time trying to create his follow up album. It would be an important album to see if he could, as a solo artist continue the commercial and critical success experienced with McAlmont and Butler. He first released a single from called 'Look at Yourself' which sounded as if he were trying to copy the McAlmont and Butler blueprint. Although it garnered lots of radio play the single barely scraped into the Top 40. David scrapped the rest of the work that had been carried out in the same vein and began the process of writing a new album from scratch. His efforts were rewarded with 'A Little Communication' which was his first release under his full name of David McAlmont. The sound was a sea change from his previous work - it was a classy, sophisticated soul effort - emphasising the quality of David's primary asset - his voice. Three singles were released from the record - 'Honey', 'A Little Communication' and 'Lose My Faith' while the last two single particularly were geared to commercial success none sold well.
Again David retreated to make another album and another attempt at commercial success. He created a more 'dance-orientated' garage influenced album called 'Be'. Two singles preceded the intended release of the album. Both singles ('Easy' and 'Working') again failed to hit. At the last moment (promos had been sent out and reviews were already written!) the record company pulled the album and dropped David from the label.
During this period Bernard Butler had also released two solo albums, and had lost his label deal at the collapse of Creation Records. Bernard had written a number of songs which he thought sounded like 'McAlmont and Butler' songs and both artists were able to make up and record a further album 2002's 'Bring it Back'. The album was a Motown-esque pop album. 'Falling' was a hit single just failing to reach the top 10, and the title song was a further minor chart hit. The album was positively reviewed and reached the Top 40 chart. McAlmont and Butler started work on a third album and recorded songs 'Freak' and 'Speed' but were again dropped from EMI due to disappointing sales.
It was during this time that Bernard also 'made up' with the lead singer of Suede Brett Anderson and they formed a new band called 'The Tears' releasing and promoting an album.
The McAlmont and Butler project was put on indefinite hold and David again recorded solo. Again, he changed his sound dramatically and headed down a 'jazz pop' route inspired by one of his favourite artists jazz singer Cassandra Wilson. The album (Set One - You Go To My Head)
was released on an independent label with little promotion except a few articles in the broadsheets which re-iterated the overlooked talent of David McAlmont. One song was released to radio - a brilliant cover of 'Saving All My Love' the Whitney Houston recorded song. It garnered some interest due to McAlmont (an out gay man) singing the song to a married family man. There are a few other notable songs on the record - a further Shirley Bassey cover (he had previously had a minor hit with a version of 'Diamonds are Forever' with David Arnold) 'Never Never Never' and the title track 'You Go To My Head'.
During 2006 McAlmont and Butler released a 'one off' song from their recording session for the abandoned third album - 'Speed' it was well received by the press and gained the 'record of the week' by the Sun newspaper!
Fans are anticipating the release of 'Set Two'. For David McAlmont information check his myspace
webpages.
In 2012, David along with Guy Davies have formed a new band, Fingersnap and are performing successfully in and around London.
YES
David McAlmont Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How I've been
You can't help someone recover
After what you did
So tell me am I looking better?
Have you forgot
Whatever it was that you couldn't stand
About me about me about me?
Because
Yes I do feel better
Yes I do I feel alright
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
To offer
You wanna know me now
How I've been
You can't help someone recover
After what you did
So tell me am I looking better?
Have you forgot
Whatever it was that you couldn't stand
About me about me about me?
Because
Yes I do feel better
Yes I do I feel alright
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got to offer
Because
Yes I do feel better
Yes I do I feel alright
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
To offer
On and on and on and on and on and on and has no-one said
Stay away, stay away I'm better
Ye-ea-ea-ea-yes!
Ye-ea-ea-ea-yes!
Ye-ea-ea-ea-yes!
Ye-ea-ea-ea-yes!
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got.
In the song "Yes" by David McAlmont, the singer is expressing their feelings towards someone who has hurt them in the past. The person seems to be attempting to reconnect with the singer, perhaps wanting to be back in their life in some way. However, the singer is not interested in having this person around and instead chooses to focus on their own well-being. They acknowledge that the person cannot help them recover from the pain they caused and that they are better off without them. Additionally, the singer seems to have come to terms with their emotions and is now in a better place mentally and emotionally, as they state that they feel "better" and "alright." They use the repeating phrase "Yes I do feel better" to affirm their newfound confidence and strength.
The lyrics "I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got to offer" indicate that the singer is standing up for themselves and refusing to let this person back into their life. They have moved on and are not interested in what the person has to offer, as they were the cause of the singer's pain in the past. The closing lines of the song, "Has no one said stay away, stay away, I'm better," suggest that the singer may have received advice from others to distance themselves from this person and focus on their own well-being.
Overall, the lyrics of "Yes" paint a picture of a person who has been hurt but has come out stronger and more determined than ever. They are no longer willing to let someone else dictate their emotions and are taking control of their own life.
Line by Line Meaning
So you wanna know me now
You are showing interest in knowing me now
How I've been
You want to know about my well-being lately
You can't help someone recover
You can't assist someone to recover from something that you did to them
After what you did
Referring to a past incident or situation where the other person caused harm
So tell me am I looking better?
Asking if there is improvement in my current state or appearance
Have you forgot
Asking if the other person has suddenly forgotten something important
Whatever it was that you couldn't stand
Referring to specific things or behaviors that the other person disliked about me
Yes I do feel better
Confirming that I am feeling better now
Yes I do I feel alright
Confirming that I am feeling okay and doing well
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got
I am strong enough to express my dissatisfaction and dismissive attitude towards the other person
To offer
Referring to what the other person has to give or offer
On and on and on and on and on and on and has no-one said
Indicating that the other person keeps going on and on about the same topic without thinking about my feelings
Stay away, stay away I'm better
Asking the other person to stay away from me as I am doing better without them
Ye-ea-ea-ea-yes!
Exclamation of affirmation and confidence
I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with what you got.
Repeating the message that I am strong and capable of handling whatever the other person has to offer, but it is not needed in my life anymore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Butler, David McAlmont
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gren2463
One of THE most underrated songs of the last gazillion years. Bloody fantastic!
@Benjooooo77
One of the best and most accurate descriptions i ever heard was a music critic who said that when MacAlmont opens his mouth a cathedral falls out of it, his voice is amazing
@sueCollins
I never tire of this song. Loved it back in the day, and love it now. It still gives me goose bumps. Its the whole package, the voice, the strings, everything. One word..WOW
@Kainlarsen
This was my decade... and it will never come again. Ever.
@UncommittedAddict
Blur? Oasis? THIS defined the 90's, for me. Stunning song.
@arita2006
How can a breakup song sound so beautiful? Pure perfection.
@tokyosigsy
I have been listening to this all day - it's incredible, the vocal, the arrangement, the crescendo, the swell of the song, it keeps going, the lyrics, the performance - that guy fascinates me.
@robtaylormusic
One of the best songs ever... Spector did this in his dreams... Butler is a hell of a producer but the voice of David McAlmont is where its at... this band deserved better than they got... 10 years too early I guess...
@jamsams
One of my favourite all time songs. So much power in a song. Blows me away every time.
@anfieldlegend
this will never get old, its pure genius.....