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largely to an immense line-up change, most notable for the fact that the horn section of ...Young Soul Rebels had been replaced by "the Emerald Express," the band's Celtic folk section (featuring violinist Helen O'Hara).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."
Let's Make This Precious
Dexys Midnight Runners Lyrics
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Pure, let's make this pure,
(Do you mean it?) Yes I do,
(Then let's sing it) Certainly, but
First bare your hearts and cleanse your souls
(And then?) Let's try and make this precious, like this.
Let's make this precious.
We're striving over here
(Visions clearer) of course, of course.
But still we must forsake all to win
(All temptation?) everything (for salvation?) now you're talking
Then let this apply to all we do
(And then?) Our striving will guide us
And somehow I think that we'll win.
Let's make this precious,
First let's hear somebody sing me a record
That cries pure and true.
No not those guitars. They're too noisy and crude.
The kind that convinces refuses to leave,
There's no need to turn it up.
If it's pure I'll feel it from here
Let's make this precious, (I think we probably will)
Let's make this precious, (I think we probably will)
The song "Let's Make This Precious" by Dexys Midnight Runners is a call to create a moment that is pure and meaningful. The singer wants to create something that is untainted by the world and its distractions. The first stanza begins by echoing this desire for purity, reaffirming that it must be pure. The singer invites the listener to enter into this pure space together. It is clear from the lyrics that creating something pure and meaningful requires vulnerability, honesty, and an openness to the experience. The singer urges everyone to bare their hearts and cleanse their souls. From this space of purity, they can create something precious.
The song speaks to the importance of striving for something that is good and true, even when it is difficult or tempting to give up. The singer notes that in order to win one must forsake everything. This could be seen as a reference to the difficulties that come with creating something that is truly worth creating. It may require sacrificing things that you previously held dear or letting go of distractions that interfere with the creative process. However, the singer remains optimistic throughout the song. They believe that if they can create something truly precious, it will guide them and help them win.
Line by Line Meaning
Pure, this must be, it has to be.
We must ensure that what we do is pure and genuine.
Pure, let's make this pure, (Do you mean it?) Yes I do, (Then let's sing it) Certainly, but
Let's strive to make this project pristine, sincere and honest.
First bare your hearts and cleanse your souls (And then?) Let's try and make this precious, like this.
We need to start by being open and honest before we can create something truly valuable and meaningful.
We're striving over here (Ever nearer?) I think so (Visions clearer) of course, of course.
We are working hard towards our goal, and as we approach it, our vision and direction becomes clearer.
But still we must forsake all to win (All temptation?) everything (for salvation?) now you're talking Then let this apply to all we do (And then?) Our striving will guide us
To succeed, we need to give up all distractions and put in all our effort. We should apply this mindset to everything we do, and it will guide us towards success.
And somehow I think that we'll win. Let's make this precious,
I have a good feeling that we will succeed. Let's put in the hard work to make this project valuable and worthwhile.
First let's hear somebody sing me a record That cries pure and true. No not those guitars. They're too noisy and crude. The kind that convinces refuses to leave, There's no need to turn it up. If it's pure I'll feel it from here
Let's listen to a song that is genuine and sincere. We don't need loud and distracting instruments; we want to hear a song that truly speaks to us and resonates with our souls.
Let's make this precious, (I think we probably will) Let's make this precious, (I think we probably will)
Let's work hard to make this project truly valuable and meaningful. I have a good feeling that we will succeed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES PATERSON, KEVIN ROWLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind