Del Amitri are a guitar-driven pop rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotla… Read Full Bio ↴Del Amitri are a guitar-driven pop rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1980, internationally known for the 1995 melodic rock hit "Roll to Me". They came together at school as teenagers when Justin Currie (bass and vocals), James Scobbie (guitar and vocals) and Donald Bentley (guitar) formed a band in reaction against the rest of the 'rockers' in the school. The name was chosen deliberately because it didn't mean anything but sounded a bit like someone's name. Early Del Amitri did not want to be classified and their existence was kept secret from the rest of the school.

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.

Some Other Sucker's Parade
Del Amitri Lyrics

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I must've had a million damn unlucky days
But there ain't no cloud that a bottle can't chase away
I've done my deal of livin', ran from place to place
But when the roof comes in I don't wanna take it straight

They say with faith any soul can make it
But hell, why should I wait?
'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade

I've had my share of heartaches, let downs and tricks
But the everyday blues is the one thing I can fix
I've heard those holy brethren muttering my name
But it ain't no sin to drink when you're suffering

Patience, they say, is a saintly virtue
But hell, why should I wait?
'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade
'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade

When every heavy sky just empties on your fate
Sometimes keepin' dry's something to celebrate

So if the road of sin is the one I'm takin'
I ain't gonna stray

'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade
'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Del Amitri's song Some Other Sucker's Parade reflect a sense of resignation and a belief in the power of alcohol to alleviate pain and suffering. The first verse details the singer's long string of bad luck, but suggests that a bottle of alcohol can make it all disappear. The second verse touches on the singer's sense of frustration – they have tried all kinds of things to escape their troubles, but when things really fall apart, they don't want to face it head-on. The refrain – 'til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade – suggests a sense of bitterness, as if the singer feels like they always get the short end of the stick and are tired of being the one who has to suffer.

The second half of the song takes a slightly different tone. Whereas the first half was about resignation and a sense of powerlessness, the second half is more defiant. The singer talks about the everyday blues as something they can fix with a drink, and suggests that there's nothing wrong with drinking when you're suffering. The line 'patience, they say, is a saintly virtue' suggests that others might judge the singer for their coping mechanisms, but they are unwilling to wait for their luck to change. They end the song by stating that if they are on the 'road of sin,' they won't stray, seeming to indicate that they are taking control of their life and don't care what others might say about their choices.

In summary, the song seems to be about a person who has faced a lot of hardship and feels like they have been dealt a bad hand in life. They have tried various methods to cope, but ultimately feel like a drink is the best way to chase away their troubles. The refrain suggests a sense of bitterness at always being the one who suffers, but the final verse is more defiant, as the singer suggests that they don't care what others might say about their choices.

Line by Line Meaning

I must've had a million damn unlucky days
I have experienced a lot of bad luck in my life.

But there ain't no cloud that a bottle can't chase away
Alcohol is a coping mechanism for me to deal with my problems.

I've done my deal of livin', ran from place to place
I have lived my life on the move, never settling down in one place.

But when the roof comes in I don't wanna take it straight
However, when something major goes wrong in my life, I don't want to face it head-on.

They say with faith any soul can make it
People say that having faith in a higher power can guide you through difficult times.

But hell, why should I wait?
But why should I wait for that when I can take control of my own happiness?

'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade
I don't want to wait for someone else's life to get ruined before I take control of mine.

I've had my share of heartaches, let downs and tricks
I have experienced a lot of emotional pain and deceit in my life.

But the everyday blues is the one thing I can fix
But drinking alcohol helps me alleviate my everyday sadness and depression.

I've heard those holy brethren muttering my name
I have been judged and criticized by religious leaders for my drinking and sinful behavior.

But it ain't no sin to drink when you're suffering
But I don't see drinking as a sin when it helps me cope with my mental and emotional pain.

Patience, they say, is a saintly virtue
People say that being patient is a virtuous trait.

But hell, why should I wait?
But why should I be patient and wait for things to get better when I can fix them myself?

'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade
I don't want to wait for someone else's misfortune to happen before I take control of my own life.

When every heavy sky just empties on your fate
When everything in your life seems to be falling apart.

Sometimes keepin' dry's something to celebrate
Sometimes avoiding further damage and coping in small ways is an achievement.

So if the road of sin is the one I'm takin'
If my way of coping with sadness and difficulties is through drinking alcohol,

I ain't gonna stray
I will not deviate from this path.

'Til the clouds go rain on some other sucker's parade
I will take control of my own life and not wait for someone else's misfortune before doing so.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, JUSTIN CURRIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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