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.
When You Were Young
Del Amitri Lyrics
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They drained the pool while you drowned in the dream
They bought your beauty and your soul
Then softly sold you back what they stole
So look into the mirror do you recognise someone
Is it who you always hoped you would become
When you were young
The disappointment of success
Hangs from your shoulders like a hand-me down dress
And down nostalgia's rocky road
You watch your former lovers growing old
So look into the mirror do you recognise someone
Is it who you always hoped you would become
When you were young
Sometimes your lack of sympathy gets hard to explain
So on your mask of make up just paint
A little parody of pain
So I look into the mirror and I recognise someone
It is who you always hoped you would become
When you were young
The song "When You Were Young" by Del Amitri, talks about growing up and the harsh reality of life that hits us when we become adults. The first stanza speaks about how we are fooled by society who takes everything from us, including our beauty and soul. Society then sells it back to us at a higher price. The second stanza touches on the disappointment that comes with success, and how it can hang like a heavy burden. The lyrics go on to talk about how we grow old, and how former lovers become distant memories. The final stanza encourages us to look into the mirror and recognize who we have become. It questions whether we have become the person we always hoped to be when we were young.
The song highlights the universal struggle of growing up and facing the harsh realities of life. It speaks about how we are easily fooled by societal expectations to become someone who is not true to themselves. The lyrics encourage us to look at ourselves and recognize who we truly are so that we can fulfill our dreams and become the person we always hoped to be.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at the fool you have been
Reflect on the mistakes you have made in the past
They drained the pool while you drowned in the dream
Others took advantage of you while you were lost in your own illusions
They bought your beauty and your soul
People have tried to buy your physical appearance and inner self
Then softly sold you back what they stole
They tried to trick you by giving back what they took, but it was never truly yours to begin with
So look into the mirror do you recognise someone
Question whether you see the same person you once were
Is it who you always hoped you would become
Think about whether this is the person you had intended to turn into
The disappointment of success
Feeling unfulfilled despite achieving success
Hangs from your shoulders like a hand-me down dress
Feeling burdened by the expectations and disappointments that come with success
And down nostalgia's rocky road
Reflecting back on the past and the ups and downs that come with it
You watch your former lovers growing old
Seeing people you used to be with age and change, and realizing that time moves on
Sometimes your lack of sympathy gets hard to explain
Occasionally, it is difficult to understand why you are not more compassionate
So on your mask of make up just paint
Cover up your emotions with a façade of superficiality
A little parody of pain
Make light of your own suffering, as if it were a joke or an act
So I look into the mirror and I recognise someone
The artist looks in the mirror and sees a changed version of themselves
It is who you always hoped you would become
Despite challenges, the artist grew into the person they had envisioned themselves becoming
When you were young
A reminder of a time when hopes and dreams were pure and untainted by the harsh realities of life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JUSTIN CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
U no hoo
One of the all-time greatest bands, and consistently under-rated!
Bill Thomas
Just wonderful songwriting and performance.
Jim O'Dell
Another fantastic example of Justin's brilliant lyrics.
Robert Klobucar
One of the greatest band ever. Playing UK this summer!!
Vincent Byrd
a great and relaxing song. i like del amitri, first heard it on aspen extreme one of my all time fave movies
02Duszj
Del Amitri= best bridges ever!
David Wright
Great album great band met them at a bar in Pittsburgh they're hard to understand with their thick Scottish accents
Jeffrey Spencer
from Aspen Extreme
Daniel Stocker
great movie