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.
Kiss This Thing Goodbye
Del Amitri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without that look of distaste
I don't know why your feelings are changing
But I've seen it in your face
All those times when our lips were kissing
Our tongues were telling lies
And all those signs that I've been missing
Were right there in your eyes.
So come on babe, let's kiss this thing goodbye.
I sometimes feel when we're together baby,
Everything has turned out wrong
And I know you feel exactly the same way
But still we carry on.
I've been waiting up by the window
Watching these cars go by
And I tell myself that I'll go through the motions
For the last time tonight.
So come on babe, let's kiss this thing goodbye.
Now I'm watching the fumes foul up the sunrise
I'm watching the light fade away
And I'm hoping tonight that I'll open the door
And you'll stand here and say
Come on babe, let's kiss this thing goodbye
Better make it sooner than later
Before it all turns sour
We'd better kiss this thing
Goodbye.
In Del Amitri’s song “Kiss This Thing Goodbye,” the singer is reflecting on what seems to be the downfall of a relationship. He mentions a specific look of distaste that his partner has given him, and how he’s seen the feelings changing in her face. There are references throughout the lyrics to the physical aspect of their relationship, such as kissing and using their tongues, but how all of that is overshadowed by lies and deceit. The singer seems to be stuck in a cycle where they carry on with the relationship despite knowing it’s not right. He mentions waiting by the window and telling himself that he’ll go through the motions one last time.
The chorus of the song is a plea to end the relationship for good, urging the partner to “kiss this thing goodbye” and to do it sooner rather than later, before things turn bitter. There's a sense of melancholy in the lyrics, perhaps due to the realization that the relationship is coming to an end but also the feeling of being stuck in a cycle that is hard to break.
Overall, it seems that “Kiss This Thing Goodbye” is a song about recognizing that a relationship has run its course and that it’s time to move on. The lyrics express the feeling of being stuck in a cycle, knowing that things aren't right but unable to break free, and the hope for a clean break before it turns bitter.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like weeks since you looked at me baby
It feels like it's been a while since you gave me a loving look
Without that look of distaste
Instead, your look now seems displeased or disgusted
I don't know why your feelings are changing
I'm unsure why your emotions are shifting
But I've seen it in your face
However, I can tell from your expressions that something has changed
All those times when our lips were kissing
During our intimate moments of kissing
Our tongues were telling lies
Our physical affection hid the lies we were telling each other
And all those signs that I've been missing
I failed to notice the clues indicating something wasn't right
Were right there in your eyes.
But the truth was visible in your eyes all along
So come on babe, let's kiss this thing goodbye.
Let's put an end to our relationship, it's time to move on
I sometimes feel when we're together baby,
At times, I get the sensation that we aren't a good match
Everything has turned out wrong
Our situation has fallen apart
And I know you feel exactly the same way
I believe you share the same sentiments as me
But still we carry on.
Despite this, we still continue to struggle together
I've been waiting up by the window
I've been spending my time gazing outside by the window
Watching these cars go by
Observing the vehicles passing by
And I tell myself that I'll go through the motions
I've been psyching myself up to get the courage to end this
For the last time tonight.
For the final time, before it's too late
Now I'm watching the fumes foul up the sunrise
As I look at the bothersome smoke, the morning sky's beauty is diminishing
I'm watching the light fade away
As day breaks, the light is fading from the darkness
And I'm hoping tonight that I'll open the door
I'm anxious because tonight may be the night you end this
And you'll stand here and say
That you're ready for this to be over too
Come on babe, let's kiss this thing goodbye
It's time to part ways, it's best for both of us
Better make it sooner than later
It's best to do it as soon as possible before it gets worse
Before it all turns sour
Before our situation becomes unpleasant
We'd better kiss this thing
It's best to end things
Goodbye.
Say farewell, it's time to move on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAIN WALLACE HARVIE, JUSTIN CURRIE, MICHAEL SLAVEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Big Seadoves
Most underrated Scottish band ever !
pymats
I’m an Aussie and loved this band!!!
andyinoregon
One of rock and roll's perfect recordings ... wouldn't change a single note.
Pagano
andyinoregon don’t know if I’d go as far as saying that.. you call this rock n roll? Not knocking these guys but they’re most certainly not a rock n roll band
Richard Barton
Jeff Baker Yep! Saw them twice and they killed both times live. Not sure what Pagano is drinking, but I don't want any.
Sir Cole
@Pagano They ARE rock and roll, but they're not hard rock. They're more in the soft category.
Nick Samon
I very like this song very much!
Paul Metroka
Best band you never heard of...
Marcus C
Somebody left a Waking Hours cassette on my bandstand back in the day and I loved it! Fantastic cut--as andyinoregon mentioned down below "one of rocks perfect recordings, I wouldn't change a single note." Indeed--cheers mate!
Manoj Khatry
Perfect 80's sound...................great work.