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largely to an immense line-up change, most notable for the fact that the horn section of ...Young Soul Rebels had been replaced by "the Emerald Express," the band's Celtic folk section (featuring violinist Helen O'Hara).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."
BECAUSE OF YOU
Dexys Midnight Runners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because of you, because of you.
because of you, because of you.
You love nature(you love nature)
You love nature(you love nature)
You love nature don't you?
Anything you want me to do,
bay I'd do it to you,
I'll do it for you,
Anything I can do you gotta see this through.
You love nature(you love nature)
You Love nature(you love nature)
You love nature don't you?
Your alright with me
you just need a little company
Your alright with me
You love nature(you love nature)
You love nature(you love nature)
You love nature don't you?
The lyrics to Dexys Midnight Runners' song "Because of You" are a declaration of devotion to a lover. The repetition of "because of you" throughout the song emphasizes the deep impact this person has had on the singer's life. The lyrics suggest that the beloved is a lover of nature and that this is one of the qualities that draws the singer to them. The singer offers to do anything for the beloved, even if it is personal or difficult, because their love is so strong. The repetition of the phrase "you love nature" functions almost like a mantra, driving home the central message of the song.
The refrain "you're alright with me" suggests that the singer is supportive and accepting of the beloved, flaws and all. The line "you just need a little company" implies that the singer is willing to provide emotional or physical support to the beloved. Once again, the repetition of "you love nature" reinforces the importance of this quality to the singer's understanding of the beloved.
Overall, "Because of You" is a simple, heartfelt ode to love and devotion. The specific details about the beloved's love of nature give the song a unique flavor and suggest a deep connection between the singer and the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Because of you, these things I do.
I am inspired to do certain things because of you.
Because of you, because of you.
You are the reason behind my actions.
because of you, because of you.
I keep doing what I am because of you.
You love nature(you love nature)
You have a soft spot for nature.
You love nature(you love nature)
You really adore the environment.
You love nature don't you?
You care deeply about the natural world, right?
Anything you want me to do,
I am here to help and ready to take requests.
bay I'd do it to you,
I am willing to go the extra mile for you.
anything personal i can do
If you need something more intimate or private, just let me know.
I'll do it for you,
I am committed to serving you.
Anything I can do you gotta see this through.
I am invested in helping you succeed.
Your alright with me
I am comfortable around you.
you just need a little company
You seem to benefit from having someone around to talk to.
You love nature(you love nature)
Once again, you really appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
You Love nature(you love nature)
Your passion for nature is very apparent.
You love nature don't you?
I can tell how much you care about the environment.
Contributed by Michael J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.