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largely to an immense line-up change, most notable for the fact that the horn section of ...Young Soul Rebels had been replaced by "the Emerald Express," the band's Celtic folk section (featuring violinist Helen O'Hara).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."
Keep It
Dexys Midnight Runners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're sitting happy in gloom
Fate worries you, you will not give her room.
You give credit for might, inspiration and sight.
But you miss the point.
You won't join the fight,
You think to use is to lose so your clinging, pulling pleading.
Keep it cozy but it feels so out of place
You're feeling a loss but youre not fit to make it
You offered so much but youre frightened to take it.
It never was really proved, never was understood.
But there really is no virtue in the good.
The shoutings so loud that they'd do better to mime
You're deafened and you cannot hear the rhyme.
But secrets in whispers pull you, try to tempt you.
Try and keep it safe
Keep it cozy but it feels so out of place
You're feeling a loss but youre not fit to make it
You offered so much but youre frightened to take it.
You beg for help and advice, how to handle your life.
But you dare not move, you cannot pay the price.
Chances slip, you just chatter, flatter, to forget what matters.
Spout your lines, read all your books,
You hear the sounds, miss all the hooks,
Your best is what you least understand,
You hate the graft, wont join the race,
You're scared to scar your pretty face
Safe now cause your head is in the sand
Keep it
The lyrics to Dexys Midnight Runners' song "Keep It" paint a picture of a person who is struggling with fear and insecurity, and as a result, is reluctant to take risks and fully engage with the world around them. The song suggests that this person is living a life defined by safety and comfort, but is also feeling a sense of longing and dissatisfaction. The world may be passing them by, but they are too scared to fully participate.
The first verse describes how the world is right in front of this person, but they are content to stay in their own little world, safe and sheltered from what's going on outside. Fate worries them, but they refuse to give it room, instead giving credit to might and inspiration. They miss the point, and won't join the fight. They're clinging, pulling, and pleading, afraid to take risks and step outside of their comfort zone.
The chorus speaks to the person's fear and longing. They try to keep things safe and cozy, but they know it feels out of place. They feel a sense of loss, but they're not fit to make it. They've offered so much, but they're too frightened to take it. They're paralyzed by fear and insecurity.
The second verse continues in this vein. The person begs for help and advice on how to handle their life, but they dare not move, cannot pay the price. They spout their lines and read their books, but they miss all the hooks. They hate the graft, won't join the race, they're scared to scar their pretty face. They bury their head in the sand, hoping to stay safe and secure.
Overall, "Keep It" is a song about fear and the consequences of allowing that fear to control your life. The lyrics suggest that safety and comfort can be tempting, but ultimately unsatisfying. To fully engage with life and experience it to the fullest, one must take risks and step outside of one's comfort zone.
Line by Line Meaning
The world lives in your front room
You are aware of the world around you and how it affects your life.
You're sitting happy in gloom
You are content with the way things are, even if they are not ideal.
Fate worries you, you will not give her room.
You do not want to leave things to chance and want to control your own destiny.
You give credit for might, inspiration and sight.
You attribute your successes to your own personal strengths and abilities.
But you miss the point.
However, you are not seeing the full picture.
You won't join the fight,
You are not willing to fight for what you believe in.
You think to use is to lose so your clinging, pulling pleading.
You believe that taking action or making a choice will result in negative consequences, so you avoid it and beg for things to stay the same.
Try and keep it safe.
You want to maintain the status quo and avoid any potential risks or changes.
Keep it cozy but it feels so out of place
Staying in your comfort zone no longer makes you feel at ease.
You're feeling a loss but you're not fit to make it
You are experiencing a sense of loss but you do not have the ability or courage to overcome it.
You offered so much but you're frightened to take it.
You have potential but you are too scared to embrace it.
It never was really proved, never was understood.
You have not fully tested or comprehended your limits, talents, or interests.
But there really is no virtue in the good.
You realize that being only a good person, without striving for greatness or taking risks, has limited value.
The shoutings so loud that they'd do better to mime
The overwhelming noise and chaos of the world drowns out meaningful communication.
You're deafened and you cannot hear the rhyme.
You are overwhelmed and cannot find meaning or structure in your life.
But secrets in whispers pull you, try to tempt you.
You are intrigued by the hidden or mysterious aspects of life that offer excitement and temptation.
You beg for help and advice, how to handle your life.
You seek guidance for how to deal with your personal struggles and make the right choices.
But you dare not move, you cannot pay the price.
You are afraid to take risks or make changes that might come with a cost or unknown consequences.
Chances slip, you just chatter, flatter, to forget what matters.
Opportunities to take action or create a meaningful life pass you by as you distract yourself with trivial conversations and flattery.
Spout your lines, read all your books,
You are well-read and knowledgeable about many subjects.
You hear the sounds, miss all the hooks,
You are aware of what is happening around you but you miss the important details.
Your best is what you least understand,
Your greatest potential lies in areas you have not fully explored or embraced.
You hate the graft, won't join the race,
You despise hard work and do not like to compete for personal gain.
You're scared to scar your pretty face
You are afraid that taking risks or making choices will damage your reputation or image.
Safe now cause your head is in the sand
You feel safe and secure in your current situation because you are avoiding reality and ignoring your problems.
Keep it
Stay stagnant and avoid taking action, even if it means missing out on opportunities to grow and change.
Contributed by Allison M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.