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.
Never Enough
Del Amitri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You walk off that last lonely train.
On the half finished buildings only seagulls remain
As you try to think back to the root of this pain.
And life ain't worth living without a little love
But a little love is never enough.
So some folks are fighting for freedom but you're just fighting the flab
And therein lies the reason that life is a drag.
So you gaze at the television
As some publicity goons cut loose those useless balloons.
Down in the darkness of your lying little heart
There's a space for you to change
So you can take this world apart.
And these days the morning mirror seems to say to you now,
That you used to be pretty but you're alright now.
And sometimes you find you're dreaming as you're late for work again
Thinking there's not many trees you can see from this train.
Life ain't worth living
Without a little love
But a little love is never enough
The lyrics to Del Amitri's "Never Enough" paint a portrait of someone experiencing a feeling of lack and dissatisfaction in life. The first verse describes this person's surroundings – a group of people dressed similarly in suits, empty half-finished buildings, and seagulls. The singer is trying to remember what caused their pain, which suggests that it has been a long-standing feeling. The refrain repeats the paradox that a little love is not enough, but life isn't worth living without it. This line underscores the sentiment of dissatisfaction that permeates the song.
The second verse describes how others might be fighting for causes, but the singer is merely struggling with their own body image. There's an acknowledgement of how this struggle contributes to a feeling of life being a drag. The mention of "publicity goons" and their "useless balloons" feels like a commentary on the meaninglessness of much of the world's spectacle. The third verse turns to the singer's inner self. There's recognition that they've got a "lying little heart," and the implication is that this internal strife is contributing to their feeling of lack. The song ends with a reference to an unkind inner critic that suggests the singer's best years are behind them.
Line by Line Meaning
With two hundred people in suits all the same
You're surrounded by people who all seem to blend together and look the same, adding a sense of monotony and boredom to your life.
You walk off that last lonely train.
You're finishing another day of meaningless routine work and heading home, feeling disconnected from the outside world.
On the half finished buildings only seagulls remain
The empty buildings and lack of progress around you are a reminder of how stagnant your life and your surroundings are.
As you try to think back to the root of this pain.
You're struggling to pinpoint the cause of your unhappiness and dissatisfaction with life.
And life ain't worth living without a little love
You recognize that love is an essential component of a fulfilling life.
But a little love is never enough.
You feel disappointed by how fleeting romantic relationships tend to be and how they don't fulfill all your needs.
So some folks are fighting for freedom but you're just fighting the flab
You feel as though you're not contributing anything important to the world and instead are preoccupied with personal appearance and health goals.
And therein lies the reason that life is a drag.
Focusing solely on superficial goals leads to a feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction with life.
So you gaze at the television
You turn to TV as a way to escape and numb these negative feelings.
As some publicity goons cut loose those useless balloons.
You're bombarded with frivolous advertisements and media that do little but distract from real life.
Down in the darkness of your lying little heart
You recognize the dishonesty and denial that you engage in when avoiding confronting your problems and emotions.
There's a space for you to change
You acknowledge the possibility for personal growth and recognize that change is necessary in order to find fulfillment.
So you can take this world apart.
You feel capable of making a positive impact on the world if you can first address your own issues and challenges.
And these days the morning mirror seems to say to you now,
You're increasingly critical of your appearance and aging process.
That you used to be pretty but you're alright now.
You mourn the loss of youth and beauty, but try to accept and come to terms with your current appearance.
And sometimes you find you're dreaming as you're late for work again
Your dreams and aspirations are frequently overshadowed by the demands and monotony of your daily routine.
Thinking there's not many trees you can see from this train.
Your environment lacks natural beauty and feels dull and uninspiring.
Life ain't worth living
The underlying theme of the song is that life can feel meaningless and unfulfilling without deeper purpose, connection, and self-awareness.
Without a little love
The song emphasizes the importance of human connection, especially in the context of romantic love.
But a little love is never enough.
Despite recognizing the importance of love, the song also acknowledges the limitations of love as a sole source of fulfillment and meaning in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAIN WALLACE HARVIE, JUSTIN CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind