1. Dead Flowers are an A… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name.
1. Dead Flowers are an Alternative-rock-pop band from Auckland, New Zealand that released material through Wildside records in the 90's.
Dead Flowers were signed by Wildside records in 1992, they released their first single 'Lisa' which reached 27 on the New Zealand charts. Later in the year they released their debut album 'Skin of A Stone' which was recorded at Phil Rudd's (AC/DC) recording studio in Tauranga, NZ. In December '93 they released their second album 'Sweetfish'. Their third and final album was a self titled album that was released early 1998.
2. Now defunct, Dead Flowers were for many years Newcastle's kings of acid rock. Their career began inauspiciously enough with the privately pressed TV single which, to be honest, was not especially good, consisting of two grungey hard rock tracks with little hint of the psychedelic mayhem to come.
After four years of local obscurity, they were picked up by Brian Sutton's Mystic Stones label for one of its earlier releases. The resultant album Smell The Fragrance does not capture the band at their best by any means. It contained plenty of good songs - Absolution, Crackdown and the drug anthem Piece Of Sky - but one had to ask "Where's the psychedelia?". The band sounded at this time like an updated, druggy Black Sabbath or an English Monster Magnet. If the idea sounds tempting, then go for it, but there was better to come. The track Crackdown also appeared on the Underground Newcastle compilation in an exclusive "grunge" mix.
1992's Moontan is something of an acid rock classic. It opens with the storming Chocolate Staircase which uses the riff from Pink Floyd's Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun A powerfully contrasting track follows in the spacey, almost ambient, Spiral Eye before the band turn the amps up to eleven again for Filling In Time. The heavy riffing of Thought World brings side one to a close. Side two begins with another near ambient track Gaia's Love Hole which despite the awful title is an awesomely beautiful piece of music; the word "ambient" should hold no negative connotations here: this is layers of liquid guitar and brushed cymbals with pulsating bass, and delicate flute (provided by Teapot from Cheops). There follows three tracks more in the heavy, doom-laden style of their first LP. Moontan is strongly recommended. A different version of Chocolate Staircase also appeared on the Delerium compilation Fun With Mushrooms which brought the band to the attention of a wider audience.
Moontan had turned Dead Flowers into one of the hottest properties on the psychedelic scene, and Delerium scooped them for their third LP Altered State Circus which was recorded at Dave Anderson's Foel studios. This contains all the elements which made Moontan so indispensable, but there was a noticeable improvement in the production and musicianship (not that it was bad before by any means). The music was even druggier than previously and the sleeve artwork amongst the most spectacularly psychedelic ever. The music showed the band developing the ambient textures of the previous album in six slow burning, extended tracks. Highlights are The Elephant's Eye Was Eerie (eh?), the title track Altered State Circus and Slouch Factor 9. The only half way weak track was Free the Weed a rather unfocused protest song. The CD contained an extra track, the excellent thirteen minute Vodafone In Oz. Although not an improvement on Moontan the band had instead tried a slightly different musical direction and the album is recommended. The deeply laid back Warmth Within (Chemical Binoculars) was featured on the Pick 'n' Mix Delerium sampler album.
The band split following the release of Altered State Circus. Steev Swayambhunath branched out into ambient dance music, forming a band called Cubic Space Collective. (Chris Williams)
Perfect Pair
Dead Flowers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Done nothing special not that I really care
But that's the attraction I find so sincere
With all this friction we make a perfect pair
You should've seen what I seen
You should've heard what I heard blue
I like the squabbling you like the park
I find the trouble you've got the bark
With all this friction we make a perfect pair
You asked me why I came today
The issue's hazy anyway
It seems the gods have time to play
So let's be cool and fly away
Into this garden we live amongst the gnomes
And from the tower we call we call it home
And if the world should being me down
You'll come along and smack me around
Dead Flowers’ song, Perfect Pair, is a deep reflection of a relationship that is built on imperfection and friction, yet still manages to be perfectly suited. The opening lines of the song, "I've had my problems, I've had my fair share, Done nothing special not that I really care," highlights the singer's acceptance of their own flaws and lack of extraordinary qualities. The attraction between the two partners, however, lies in their contrasting characteristics. The singer likes the squabbling while the other partner prefers the park. While the singer is attracted to trouble, the other partner has got the bark. Despite their differences, their chemistry is undeniable, and they make a perfect pair.
The lyrics suggest that the duo lives in a world of their own in a garden among the gnomes. They have carved out their small space amidst chaos and differences where they "call it home." The partners' union is so strong that they could endure any challenge thrown their way. The lines "And if the world should bring me down, you'll come along and smack me around" showcase their enduring love through the ups and downs of life. Overall, the song conveys a message that it's not necessary to be perfect to find someone who is perfect for you.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had my problems I've had my fair share
I have had my own issues and challenges in life, nothing special.
Done nothing special not that I really care
I have not done anything extraordinary and I don't really care about it either.
But that's the attraction I find so sincere
Despite our lack of achievements, we still feel drawn to each other.
With all this friction we make a perfect pair
Our constant bickering and disagreements actually make us a great match.
You should've seen what I seen
If you had witnessed what I have witnessed, you would understand.
You should've heard what I heard blue
If you had heard the things that have affected me, you would feel the same way I do.
I like the squabbling you like the park
I enjoy arguing and fighting, while you prefer peaceful nature.
I find the trouble you've got the bark
I tend to get into trouble, while you are better at standing up for yourself.
And that's the attraction I find so sincere
Our contrasting qualities still make us feel strongly drawn to each other.
You asked me why I came today
You inquired about my reason for showing up here.
The issue's hazy anyway
The problem or situation is unclear and difficult to understand.
It seems the gods have time to play
It appears as though the higher powers are just messing around.
So let's be cool and fly away
Let's not get caught up in the chaos and instead, escape and relax.
Into this garden we live amongst the gnomes
We reside in this garden filled with small mythical creatures.
And from the tower we call we call it home
We consider the tall structure our home and safe haven.
And if the world should being me down
If the world gets too overwhelming for me.
You'll come along and smack me around
You will give me a figurative slap in the face to wake me up and get me back on track.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TenThumbs Productions
Get your printable song sheet for this easy beginner lesson here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/14666324
Hollylaurenalise
Thank you so much for teaching this song I'm finally getting the hang of it
TenThumbs Productions
That is great to hear!
quarryfield
Great lesson. I love this song and can now play it thanks to you.
Johannes Kooij
Hey man, thanks for another great guitar tutorial.
TenThumbs Productions
You are very welcome! My guitar base is much much much smaller than my Ukulele base, this comments help me a lot to push myself to work harder to make even better guitar lessons.
anthony lloyd
Cheers man great lesson
TenThumbs Productions
Thanks Anthony, it is a great song and I’m happy I could help you jam it.
anthony lloyd
@TenThumbs Productions your a great teacher brother
TenThumbs Productions
@anthony lloyd 💪 Thank you!