Founded in 1978 by former singer of the Killjoys, Kevin Rowland, and guitarist Kevin "Al" Archer, in Birmingham (United Kingdom), the band was unique in that musically, they seemed best suited to the budding Mod/Skinhead Revival scene in the United Kingdom, but in many ways, especially fashion, they came off as rather hard to 'sell' to any particular scene. Musically, they've always been a sort of "soul-fusion."
An early single, "Geno" (written as an ode to American Northern Soul singer, Geno Washington), was immensely popular, despite being repeatedly bad-mouthed by the NME. In fact, "Geno" remains their biggest-selling single in the UK, thanks in part to at least one re-issue.
The following album, Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980), was an interesting punk and soul fusion, and despite (or perhaps because of) decidedly mixed reviews by the press, it was extremely well-received by the public.
Their second album, Too Rye Aye (1982), had a decidedly different sound, thanks largely to an immense line-up change, most notable for the fact that the horn section of ...Young Soul Rebels had been replaced by "the Emerald Express," the band's Celtic folk section (featuring violinist Helen O'Hara). The sound was still obviously soul influenced, at the very least, but this time it was Celtic soul. The album's first UK single was even titled "Celtic Soul Brothers."
Too-Rye-Aye was the most popular Dexys album Stateside, in fact it was the only one to break US charts, (though the album itself was only a modest to intermediate success in the US). This is largely because the US a-side single for "Come On Eileen" was debatably too popular (the single has been re-issued at least once in the UK; despite this, "Geno" was still their biggest-selling UK single). Undoubtedly the most "pop radio"-oriented song of the entire Dexys Midnight Runners catalogue.
A third album, Don't Stand Me Down was released in 1985 ending a three year silence from the band. It featured a noticeably different line-up. The ever-experimental Rowland abandoned the Too-Rye-Ay Celtic Soul/New Wave formula in favor of a more laidback Van Morrison conversational album. The previous album was a "Big Band" sound when compared to the new one (though, amusingly, the number of guest musicians featured on Don't Stand Me Down, plus the credited band members, seemed to outnumber all previous members of Dexys combined, including ex-Dexys who had recorded only song before leaving).
Don't Stand Me Down was well-received by critics though universally ignored by the music-buying public due in large part to Rowland stubbornly refusing to release any song from the album as a single, until considerably "late" after its release, as well as confusing listeners who may have been expecting a sequel to Too-Rye-Ay's Dance Pop. Sales of the album were sparse and it was considered a failure by the label. In the 20-plus years since it's original release it has come to be viewed by many as Rowland's magnum opus.
After Rowland's first solo endeavor in 1988, Dexys was briefly reformed in 1993, by Rowland with Big Jim Patterson, though this endeavor resulted in little, if anything more than a television performance.
In 2003, the career retrospective album ('don't call it a "greatest hits" collection'), Let's Make This Precious was released, featuring two new tracks, "Manhood" and "My Life In England, Part One." The new tracks were touted as singles and received regular radio play in the UK, though never commercially released outside the album.
Rowland officially announced in June 2005 that Dexys were back in the studio, recording and seeking a new contract. The current line-up includes Rowland Mick Talbot (former member of Merton Parkas and Hammond player for Paul Weller).
In the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, notably, Dexys Midnight Runners are the only band to have all of their albums listed, and with a full page review for each album (understandably, most albums only get a half-page review). All three albums received glowing reviews, save Too-Rye-Aye, wherein it was noted "[[i]Too-Rye-Aye] is the worst of the three Dexys albums; but if this is the worst album in your collection, pat yourself on the back."
All In All
Dexys Midnight Runners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh no.
It's no better.
I've been thinking it out
And it still gets no better,
I'm here singing this out
And these thoughts get no fresher.
All in all I'd say things have turned out good,
But then I never thought you would.
You don't waste time on praise.
Do you sir?
But you should be proud to be sure.
No sir.
It's still no better oh sir,
I thought you meant better
Your experience will teach me no more lessons.
From lower down you just seemed so much better
All in all I'd say things have turned out good,
You still don't smile at me
But then I never thought you would.
You don't waste time on praise, when you could.
Or just tell me something.
Anything.
Good.
Oh no look it's still no better.
No no these thought are no fresher.
You see tenderess is the asset here lacking,
But won't you join me in this one last wild waltz,
Just once again in the one last wild waltz.
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
round and round, and round and round...
round and round, and round and round...
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
The song "All In All" by Dexys Midnight Runners is a melancholic ballad about unrequited love and the frustration that comes with it. The lyrics depict the singer's attempt to come to terms with the fact that his relationship has not progressed as he hoped, despite his best efforts. The opening lines, "Oh, what's the matter?/Oh no. It's no better," set the tone for the song's overall feeling of disappointment and resignation. The singer continues to express his disappointment throughout the song, saying that he has "been thinking it out/And it still gets no better" and "these thoughts get no fresher."
However, despite his sadness, the singer still manages to find some solace in his situation. He sings, "All in all I'd say things have turned out good/You still don't smile at me/But then I never thought you would." Although his love interest does not reciprocate his feelings, he seems to have accepted that fact and is grateful for the little moments they do share. He also recognizes the other person's lack of praise as a character trait that he does not expect to change, saying "But you should be proud to be sure/No sir, it's still no better oh sir."
In the final verses of the song, the singer shifts his focus to the more positive aspects of their relationship, asking the other person to "join me in this one last wild waltz." The song ends with the repeated phrase "Anduici tú mé san damsa fión," which is Irish Gaelic for "You brought me into the dance with wine," suggesting a feeling of closeness despite the singer's unfulfilled desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, what's the matter?
What's wrong? What's troubling you?
Oh no.
I see. That's not good.
It's no better.
The situation hasn't improved.
I've been thinking it out And it still gets no better,
Despite my attempts to evaluate the situation, it remains unchanged.
I'm here singing this out And these thoughts get no fresher.
As I express my thoughts, they don't become any newer or more insightful.
All in all I'd say things have turned out good, You still don't smile at me But then I never thought you would.
Overall, things have worked out well, even though you don't show affection. I never expected otherwise.
You don't waste time on praise. Do you sir? But you should be proud to be sure.
You don't give compliments, but you should take pride in your accomplishments.
No sir. It's still no better oh sir, I thought you meant better
I was hoping that you had better news, but unfortunately, the situation hasn't improved.
Your experience will teach me no more lessons. From lower down you just seemed so much better
I can't learn anything new from your experience. From a distance, you appeared to be more accomplished.
All in all I'd say things have turned out good, You still don't smile at me But then I never thought you would.
Despite the lack of affection, everything has worked out favorably for us.
You don't waste time on praise, when you could. Or just tell me something. Anything. Good.
You don't express positive feedback when you have the opportunity. Say something positive to me.
Oh no look it's still no better. No no these thought are no fresher.
Unfortunately, the situation hasn't improved, and my thoughts haven't become any fresher or more insightful.
You see tenderness is the asset here lacking, But won't you join me in this one last wild waltz, Just once again in the one last wild waltz.
The one thing we're missing is tenderness. Can we share one last intimate moment and dance to this song?
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión Anduici tú mé san damsa fión round and round, and round and round... round and round, and round and round... Anduici tú mé san damsa fión Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
Lyrics in Irish Gaelic that don't have a specific translation, but seem to represent a repeating, circular motion in the dance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES PATERSON, KEVIN ROWLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alanoneill3065
Oh, what's the matter?
Oh no.
It's no better.
I've been thinking it out
And it still gets no better,
I'm here singing this out
And these thoughts get no fresher.
All in all I'd say things have turned out good,
You still don't smile at me
But then I never thought you would.
You don't waste time on praise.
Do you sir?
But you should be proud to be sure.
No sir.
It's still no better oh sir,
I thought you meant better
Your experience will teach me no more lessons.
From lower down you just seemed so much better
All in all I'd say things have turned out good,
You still don't smile at me
But then I never thought you would.
You don't waste time on praise, when you could.
Or just tell me something.
Anything.
Good.
Oh no look it's still no better.
No no these thought are no fresher.
You see tenderess is the asset here lacking,
But won't you join me in this one last wild waltz,
Just once again in the one last wild waltz.
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
round and round, and round and round...
round and round, and round and round...
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
Anduici tú mé san damsa fión
@RyanSymons
This is a musical masterpiece.. I love the backup singers! Very talented crew.
@kenbob331
The best song on Too Rye Ay, just a shame that they were a one hit wonder in the States. The entire album is fantastic
@nunosem-sentido
I agree. I chose this song for my brother's funeral, as it was all that joined us.
@sharpvidtube
Funny how that happens to a lot of British groups in the States, they miss most of the best music.
@stevesilverstone1015
One of the most important albums of the 80's. I felt deeply all the songs on this record
@jmedia1102
Can't imagine my life without this album.
@Searchandpreserve
Totally agree, I perhaps literally wouldn´t have survived some dark times back in the day if it wasn´t for Dexys (and some others). I used to listen to them, until I believed in my soul and finally became ready for Plan B
@darren7125
Changed my life this album did.
@darc9782
Listened to this album obsessively as a teen; so great to hear it again. It sounds as good now as it did then.
@brinojuly
THE under-rated songwriter of the 80's