Early rehearsals in Justin's parents house were followed by a move to secret rehearsal space behind some storage cartons in the basement of Glasgow Art Centre (now defunct). Later on the band secured official rehearsal space at the Art Centre in a proper room with a cupboard to keep their gear in. Postcard Record signing and future megastars Aztec Camera rehearsed in the room next door. At this time Paul Tyagi (drums) joined the band as its first drummer. The first recorded Del Amitri track "What she Calls it" was the B side of a flexi-disc given away free with Stand and Deliver fanzine - the A side was given to another future Glasgow megaband The Bluebells. Unable to read music, early Del tracks were arranged and remembered according to 'bits' named after musical influences that included from Genesis, Captain Beefheart and Orange Juice.
Guitarists Bentley and Scobbie left in 1982 for university and the band faced a brief uncertain future until Justin Currie placed an advert in the window of a music store asking for people who could play to contact him, and the new line-up was formed with Currie (bass and vocals), Iain Harvie (lead guitar), Bryan Tolland (guitar) and Paul Tyagi (drums). The first non-flexi 45 single was 'Crows in the Wheatfield' with cover design by artist Laura Michael. Tyagi left after the release of the first album three years later becoming a successful photographer. Currie and Harvie were the only members of the band to remain present throughout its history – they were also the main songwriters of the group.
Jon McLoughlin (recorded and toured with the band during 'Some Other Suckers Parade') passed away in March 2005 from complications of Diabetes. He was 42.
Here And Now
Del Amitri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if we'd thought to listen
We might have checked if the weather was right.
And I don't mind if you want to drive all day.
Hey, it's raining, I should have brought my coat
And sometimes I could sell my soul
Just to sit and watch you smoke.
'Cause you can burn paper.
You can turn a wheel
But you can't change later
Here and now just how good we can feel.
Hey, stop talking, think I can hear the sea.
And did I tell you the sound of the surf
Makes strange things happen to me
And I don't mind if you want to crash the car.
'Cause you can turn traitor
You can turn on your heels
But you can't change later,
Here and now just how good we can feel.
And hey don't worry, so that black cat's some kind of curse
'Cause if bad times are coming up ahead,
Just put us in reverse.
I don't want to waste time, thinking 'bout it here and now babe
Nothing else matters but what we've got here and now babe
The lyrics of Del Amitri's song "Here And Now" express the singer's desire to fully embrace the present moment with their partner. The song opens with the singer offering their partner a light and suggesting they should have checked the weather before setting out. The lyrics convey the idea that to fully appreciate and enjoy the moment, one should not focus on past or future circumstances. The singer also mentions how they could sell their soul just to watch their partner smoke, emphasizing their willingness to surrender themselves to the present moment.
As the song continues, the singer tells their partner to stop talking so they can hear the sound of the sea. They imply that the sound of the surf has an inexplicable hold over them. The final verse sees the singer attempting to reassure their partner by telling them not to worry about any bad omens, like a black cat, as they have the power to turn things around. The chorus emphasizes the idea that although life may present obstacles, the present moment is where they can truly experience happiness and love.
Overall, "Here And Now" is a song about living in the moment and cherishing what you have. The lyrics convey the idea that the present moment is all we have, and we should be mindful of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey I'm with you, let me just get you a light
I am here with you and I will help you light your cigarette
And if we'd thought to listen We might have checked if the weather was right.
If we had paid heed, we could have verified the climate earlier
And I don't mind if you want to drive all day.
I am willing to let you be in control and drive all day
Hey, it's raining, I should have brought my coat
It's raining and I regret not bringing my coat
And sometimes I could sell my soul Just to sit and watch you smoke.
Watching you smoke is so captivating, I could do anything to witness it
And I don't mind if you want to break my heart.
Even if it means you hurting me emotionally, I don't mind
'Cause you can burn paper. You can turn a wheel But you can't change later Here and now just how good we can feel.
We can do things like burn paper, turn a wheel, or anything, but we cannot change how good we feel in this present moment
Hey, stop talking, think I can hear the sea.
Please stop speaking; I believe I hear the sound of the ocean
And did I tell you the sound of the surf Makes strange things happen to me
I experience bizarre occurrences whenever I hear the sound of the waves
And I don't mind if you want to crash the car.
I don't care if you happen to crash the car
'Cause you can turn traitor You can turn on your heels But you can't change later, Here and now just how good we can feel.
You are capable of betraying me or leaving me, but you cannot change how content we are feeling right now
And hey don't worry, so that black cat's some kind of curse Cause if bad times are coming up ahead, Just put us in reverse.
Don't be bothered by the superstition about the black cat, if we encounter difficult times in the future, we'll just reverse the situation
I don't want to waste time, thinking 'bout it here and now babe Nothing else matters but what we've got here and now babe
I don't want to squander our time together by contemplating anything other than what we are experiencing now
Lyrics © AMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION
Written by: IAIN WALLACE HARVIE, JUSTIN CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
21st Century Heretic
The extent to which this band is underrated is directly proportional to the extent this world is messed up... Long Live Del Amitri.
Tasha Claire
I'd go as far as to say, that's why this world is messed up lol x
Michael Hall
Fuck, yeah.
Allan Ross
one of the greatest lines in music: "sometimes i could sell my soul just to sit and watch you smoke." if you've never been in love like that, it's the most awful, exhilarating feeling in the world. that line captured that feeling unlike any movie, book or song ever has for me. great job, justin.
Jim Harp
I agree this may be one of the most underrated bands in the world. I am 67 years old and believe the Beatles are the best band in the history of music. If anyone comes close, it would be Del Amitri, and Justin Currie is in the same league as John Lennon.
Jim Evenson
Absolutely agree!!!!
Mark Jones
this is one of the best songs ever
Lorenzo Fullana
Yes: the beatles, del amitri and paul kelly
The Super KING
I'd say Paul McCartney since both are bass players, songwriters and singers.
Emma Diva Official
This Liverpudlian wholly agrees about Currie being in the same league as Lennon as a songsmith. :)