De Staat is a Dutch alternative rock band from Nijmegen, The Netherlands, f… Read Full Bio ↴De Staat is a Dutch alternative rock band from Nijmegen, The Netherlands, formed in 2006. The band, fronted by songwriter, singer, guitarist and producer, Torre Florim, released four albums: Waiting For Evolution (2009), Machinery (2011), I_Con (2013) and O (2016).

De Staat have been described by SonicAbuse as "genre-hopping Gremlins of the first order, who take in the eclectic, grand slamming funk of Beck, the dance grooves of Kelis’ Milkshake, the horny soul of QOTSA (...) and the lost, gothic romanticism of Nick Cave often within the same song."

The band's sound gradually evolved from rather heavy, riff-based 'desert rock' in the vein of Queens Of The Stone Age and Kyuss to a more eclectic 'heavy disco' sound with funky synthesizers and bouncing melodies. Typical for this shift in sound is 2014's Vinticious Versions EP, on which - if you wish - the 'new De Staat' interprets songs of the 'old De Staat'.

November 2021 saw the first release of a possible series of EP's based around the three colors red, yellow and blue. Each color represents the main vibe of a track. Red stands for dark and hard, yellow stands for light-footed, and blue stands for melancholic. De Staat frontman Torre Florim explained that future song releases would fit these vibes and possibly become a series of EP's instead of an album.

Line-up:
Torre Florim - vocals, guitar
Vedran Mircetic - guitar
Jop van Summeren - bass, keyboard, vocals
Rocco Hueting - percussion, keyboards, synth, guitar, vocals
Tim van Delft – drums

BAND HISTORY

De Staat debuted in 2009 with Wait for Evolution and shortly thereafter performed on all major Dutch stages and festivals such as Lowlands and Pinkpop, and internationally at Sziget and Glastonbury. The album was awarded various prizes, and in 2011 and 2012 the band received a 3FM Award for Best Alternative Act. Second album Machinery was released in 2011. Once again, De Staat toured a large number of European venues and festivals, this time with an extra element added to their live shows: a huge, specially built machine. In 2013 they released I_CON, which was awarded an Edison, Holland’s most prestigious music prize. Late 2013 they played three packed out riotous shows at the Black Heart in London.

www.destaat.net

HABIBI
De Staat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I found this dog on the street
with a little pup.
With those big eyes, wagging tail,
I need to speed up.
I don't have time, my stability is on the line.
So wag your tail to his brain,
instead of mine

Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there

I found this dog on the street
with a little pup.
With those big eyes, wagging tail,
I need to speed up.
I don't have time, my stability is on the line.
So wag your tail to his brain,
instead of mine

Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there

Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there
Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there

Come on and leave it,
Leave it like you found it there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to De Staat's "Habibi" song are about the singer finding a dog on the street with its little pup. The dog's big eyes and wagging tail make the singer want to take it home with him, but he realizes he doesn't have the time or stability to take care of it. He tells the dog to wag its tail to its own brain instead of his, indicating that the dog should trust its own instincts and find its own way in life. The chorus repeatedly urges to "leave it like you found it there," which can be interpreted as a message to let things be and not interfere in someone or something else's life unless necessary.

The song's title, "Habibi," is a term of endearment commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries and means "my love" or "my dear." This adds a layer of meaning to the song, suggesting that the dog represents something the singer cares about deeply but cannot keep due to his own limitations. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody juxtapose with the bittersweet lyrics, creating a feeling of both joy and sadness.

Line by Line Meaning

I found this dog on the street
I stumbled upon a dog on the road

With a little pup
It had a small puppy with it

With those big eyes, wagging tail,
It had big, expressive eyes and a tail that was joyful

I need to speed up.
I have to hurry

I don't have time, my stability is on the line.
I am pressed for time and my own well-being is at stake

So wag your tail to his brain, instead of mine
Don't appeal to me, make the dog listen to you

Come on and leave it, Leave it like you found it there
Let the dog be, don't meddle with it

Come on and leave it, Leave it like you found it there
Don't fuss with it, leave it be

Come on and leave it, Leave it like you found it there
It's best to keep your distance, let the dog be

Come on and leave it, Leave it like you found it there
Don't bother with the dog, just walk away

Come on and leave it, Leave it like you found it there
Don't interfere with the dog, let it be