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.
Medicine
Del Amitri Lyrics
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Somewhere you can hide yourself away
Find yourself another set of holes to haunt
Get yourself another debt that you can't pay
Yeah, you can try to run for cover everywhere
Add another letter to your name
Burn everything you ever used to wear
But sometimes it's the medicine
Sometimes it's the medicine
Yeah, sometimes it's the medicine itself
That makes the pain
Well, you can always make another move again
Another set of keys, a different town
And you can try to lose yourself in them
Till the truth it catches up and cuts you down
'Cause sometimes it's the medicine
Sometimes it's the medicine
Yeah, sometimes it's the medicine itself
That makes the pain
And you can always hide the wreckage
That you come from
But every new disguise
Is just another lie to run from
Yeah, you can only try to fool yourself so long
With any kind of measure you can find
'Cause every phony pleasure you've been on
Has lifted off and left the pain behind
'Cause sometimes it's the medicine
Sometimes it's the medicine
Yeah, sometimes it's the medicine itself
That makes the pain
The lyrics of "Medicine" by Del Amitri touch on the idea of escape and how it may not always solve one's problems. The song suggests that while one may try to leave their troubles behind and start fresh in a new place, the pain and problems will inevitably follow. The opening lines, "You can find another country if you want, somewhere you can hide yourself away," set the tone for the rest of the song. The idea of fleeing one's problems and starting over somewhere else is emphasized throughout the song, but the lyrics suggest that this approach is ultimately futile.
The chorus, "Sometimes it's the medicine, sometimes it's the medicine, yeah, sometimes it's the medicine itself that makes the pain," drives home the message that sometimes the things we cling to as solutions to our problems may actually be the cause of our pain. The song suggests that much like medicine has side effects, some of the ways we choose to deal with our issues may end up causing us more harm than good.
Overall, "Medicine" is a poignant reminder that while escape and avoidance may provide temporary relief, true healing and growth require facing our problems head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
You can find another country if you want
You can move away to another place.
Somewhere you can hide yourself away
You can try to escape and conceal your true self.
Find yourself another set of holes to haunt
You can find other places where you can be destructive or cause chaos.
Get yourself another debt that you can't pay
You can acquire more loans which will eventually become unmanageable debts.
Yeah, you can try to run for cover everywhere
You can try to find refuge in different locations.
Add another letter to your name
You can adopt a new identity or alter your name as a way of starting afresh.
Burn everything you ever used to wear
You can get rid of all reminders of your past self.
Get yourself another lover that looks the same
You can replace a former partner with someone who has the same physical appearance or traits.
But sometimes it's the medicine
However, sometimes the solution is the problem.
Sometimes it's the medicine
The remedy can sometimes aggravate the situation.
Yeah, sometimes it's the medicine itself
The very cure can be the cause of the ailment.
That makes the pain
Leading to more pain and suffering.
Well, you can always make another move again
You can relocate once more for a fresh start.
Another set of keys, a different town
A new place to live with new possessions.
And you can try to lose yourself in them
You can immerse yourself in new things to forget the past.
Till the truth it catches up and cuts you down
However, the past will always catch up with you and hurt you.
'Cause sometimes it's the medicine
The cure can sometimes become the disease.
Sometimes it's the medicine
The remedy can sometimes worsen the pain.
Yeah, sometimes it's the medicine itself
The treatment can cause great harm.
That makes the pain
Leading to even more misery and affliction.
And you can always hide the wreckage
You can try to conceal the damage caused by your past actions.
That you come from
The origin of your pain and suffering.
But every new disguise
Each new identity or persona.
Is just another lie to run from
Another deception to distance yourself from the truth.
Yeah, you can only try to fool yourself so long
You can only deceive yourself for a limited time.
With any kind of measure you can find
With any manner of solution available.
'Cause every phony pleasure you've been on
All artificial sources of comfort.
Has lifted off and left the pain behind
Will eventually vanish, leaving only the hurt and suffering.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JUSTIN CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jeff kirchens
Great Tune! Love the drumming in it.