Dirty Pretty Things played their first shows in October 2005 in Italy and France.
Initially, the choice of name caused some troubles. A four-piece band from Salisbury had been playing as "Dirty Pretty Things" since early January of 2005, claiming to have already copyrighted the name in the UK; the two groups ended up coming to an agreement over the name. An Australian band had also been playing under that name since 2003, though since opted to change it.
Dirty Pretty Things began recording their first album in Los Angeles, California, with high-profile producer Dave Sardy (producer of the Oasis album Don't Believe the Truth), and in Glasgow, Scotland with producer Tony Doogan.
The first track of the band's to be released on the CD format was "You Fucking Love It" which was made available on a free CD with the April 1, 2006 issue of NME entitled "NME and MTV2 present Best Newbands Showcase 2006".
The band's debut album, entitled Waterloo to Anywhere, was released on May 8, 2006 reaching #3 on the music charts and receiving critical approval. The first single (and first official band release) from the album, "Bang Bang, You're Dead", was released on April 24, 2006 and reached #5 in the singles chart in its first week of sales. The second single was "Deadwood", released on 10 July 2006 and got to #20 in the singles chart.
They toured extensively in the UK during the first half of 2006. Their setlist has comprised most of the songs from the debut album and selected b-sides, along with a few Libertines songs (usually "Death on the Stairs", "France", and "I Get Along"). They played their first American show at the SXSW festival in Texas. They played several festivals in the UK in the summer of 2006, including the Isle of Wight Festival, Wireless Festival, T in the Park, and they played at the Irish festival Oxegen.
'Wondering' was the third single released from Waterloo to Anywhere on September 25, 2006 and reached #34.
On a holiday in Taipei, Carl broke his collarbone (he had fallen from a motorbike during a drinking session), thus giving the impression that DPT would have to cancel a North American tour. However, the band recruited The Paddingtons Josh Hubbard to deputise for Barât on guitar.
On 16th October 2006 the band released a DVD 'Puffing On a Coffin Nail' featuring over 2 and a half hours of concert footage and documentaries.
On 25th October 2006 Carl appeared as a special guest at Paul Weller's set during the Electric Proms, duetting on Peacock Suite and In the City.
The band's second album "Romance At Short Notice" is set for release on the 30th June 2008.
The Band Split On Ist Oct 2008 Saying "It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things," It's been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things"
You can visit their Official Website.
B.U.R.M.A
Dirty Pretty Things Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born ready, but on the decline
To keep you from my thoughts
When we first broke the line
Do you remember like I remember?
Lost pursuits of excellence
The glory of the crowd
Lives of imperialists
Leave me with aching wrists
So no wonder you frown when you're two world wars down
So when the dark times come well I will sing you a good time song
I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me twice as strong
Just to gaze in your eyes, makes all the difference to me.
Just be ready my angel
Be ready when I call
I've been re reading letters
They were moving warm but bitter and I cried right through them all
Oooh ooooh
The days go so slow
Ooooh oooh
We'll never get to heaven with the artillery in tow
So when the dark times come, it might warm your heart to know
That I went to the crossroads but the devil never showed
They can stick their war, I'm leaving now
It makes no difference to me
I'm hoping if you know where I am
Send your heart in a telegram
I'm praying that you know where I am
Be upstairs ready my angel
Be ready when I call
And then my angel I'll be ready too and I will catch you when you fall
Do you remember like I remember
All the dirty things you said?
Do you remember like I remember
Or was it all in my head?
So when the dark times come well I will song you a good time song
I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me to act so strong
To gaze in your eyes makes all the difference to me
So
who's got the clap
Who's got the clap
Give yourself a clap now
The song "B.U.R.M.A" by Dirty Pretty Things is a melancholic reflection on a relationship that has gone sour due to circumstances beyond the control of the singer. The opening lines, "I know that you're out there/Born ready, but on the decline/To keep you from my thoughts/When we first broke the line," suggest that the singer is struggling to let go of someone from their past who they believe was once vibrant and full of life, but over time has lost their spark, leaving the singer with an unfulfilled longing.
The second verse, "Lives of imperialists/Leave me with aching wrists/So no wonder you frown when you're two world wars down," touches on the idea that societal structures and power dynamics can contribute to one's state of mind and emotional wellbeing. The singer seems to suggest that the weight of the world, with all of its violence and imperialism, has led their former lover to become disillusioned and resentful.
The chorus offers a glimpse of hope – "So when the dark times come well I will sing you a good time song/I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me twice as strong/Just to gaze in your eyes makes all the difference to me" – but it's tempered by a sense of resignation and uncertainty. The singer seems torn between wanting to move on and being unable to let go of what they've lost.
Overall, "B.U.R.M.A" is a hauntingly beautiful song about love and loss, nostalgia and regret. It's a powerful reminder of how relationships can shape our lives and our sense of self, and how the past can continue to haunt us long after we've said our goodbyes.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that you're out there
The singer is aware that the person they are addressing exists, but is not physically present with them.
Born ready, but on the decline
The addressee was capable and prepared, but now their abilities have diminished with time.
To keep you from my thoughts
The singer is actively trying to push thoughts of the addressee out of their mind.
When we first broke the line
A reference to a previous interaction between the artist and the addressee where they may have had some kind of connection or boundary that has since been broken.
Do you remember like I remember?
The artist is questioning whether the addressee remembers the same events or moments as they do.
Lost pursuits of excellence
The singer feels they have lost something valuable or worthwhile in their life.
The glory of the crowd
A reference to a past moment when the singer was recognized or celebrated by others.
Lives of imperialists
The artist may be critiquing those in positions of power who have negatively impacted others.
Leave me with aching wrists
The artist may be physically or emotionally exhausted from trying to overcome obstacles or challenges.
So no wonder you frown when you're two world wars down
A reference to the historical trauma and hardships faced by those who have experienced conflict and violence.
So when the dark times come well I will sing you a good time song
The singer suggests that during difficult moments, they will try to create a positive or uplifting atmosphere.
I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me twice as strong
The artist is pretending to move on or let go of something or someone, but it's actually quite painful.
Just to gaze in your eyes, makes all the difference to me.
The singer finds comfort or significance in the simple act of looking into the addressee's eyes.
Just be ready my angel
The singer is asking the addressee to be prepared for something, which may be metaphorical or literal.
Be ready when I call
The singer needs the addressee to be available and responsive to them when they need them.
I've been re reading letters
The artist has been going through old written correspondences, possibly to reminisce or make sense of something.
They were moving warm but bitter and I cried right through them all
The letters evoked strong emotions in the artist, possibly sadness or regret.
The days go so slow
Time seems to move slowly for the singer, who may be waiting for something or someone.
We'll never get to heaven with the artillery in tow
A reference to the negative impact of war and violence on society and the world.
So when the dark times come, it might warm your heart to know
The artist offers a suggestion that may lift the addressee's spirits during difficult times.
That I went to the crossroads but the devil never showed
A reference to the crossroads myth in which one can make a deal with the devil in exchange for something. The artist tried this but the devil did not appear, perhaps suggesting that there are no quick fixes to their problems.
They can stick their war, I'm leaving now
The artist rejects the idea of war and violence and wants to distance themselves from it.
It makes no difference to me
The singer feels indifferent towards the concept of war and violence.
I'm hoping if you know where I am
The artist is hoping the addressee can find them if needed.
Send your heart in a telegram
The singer is asking the addressee to send their love or affection through a message.
I'm praying that you know where I am
The singer is expressing a desire for the addressee to be able to locate them when necessary.
Be upstairs ready my angel
The singer is asking the addressee to be in a specific location and ready to respond to them.
And then my angel I'll be ready too and I will catch you when you fall
The artist promises to be there for the addressee in times of need or distress.
All the dirty things you said?
The artist is asking the addressee if they remember saying things that may have been inappropriate, offensive, or provocative.
Or was it all in my head?
The singer questions whether their memories or interpretations of past events are accurate.
So who's got the clap
The singer is asking who has a sexually transmitted disease.
Give yourself a clap now
The artist is being sarcastic, suggesting the person with the disease should applaud themselves for getting infected.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lphchld
I used to play this song on repeat. Can't believe it's been so long. :)
Gustavo Larios
Thanks, man!
Mogley
I've got the clap