Dirty Pretty Things were a band fronted by former member of The Libertines … Read Full Bio ↴Dirty Pretty Things were a band fronted by former member of The Libertines Carl Barât. The formation of the band was announced in September 2005, after The Libertines had split up in 2004 due to a falling out between Barât and Peter Doherty. Barât had done some work with Vertigo Records and had previously revealed that his new project was with the label. Didz Hammond announced he was leaving The Cooper Temple Clause to join the band alongside ex-Libertines drummer Gary Powell and guitarist Anthony Rossomando, who had filled in for Doherty following his departure from the Libertines. They split in October 2008.

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.

Doctors & Dealers
Dirty Pretty Things Lyrics

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I don't believe in anything
They tell me's set in stone
They say that were together
But I'm sat here on my own
In the company of strangers
This trigger happy scene
Well if a heart do like a hind
Then there is nothing in-between

Oh no, no I don't mind
Oh no, no I don't mind

'Cause I can call someone to bring the fight on
(The doctors and the dealers)
Get someone to shed some light on
(Miracle cure, soul stealers)
Crack pot quacks with cracked up egos
(Prescribing old placebos)
Collecting junk that we dont need, no

I see them now and then
Still spitting out those lies
Strange it doesn't bother me
I've got my own disguise
And there's really not that much of me
For Jesus left to save
If savings only bartering
My soul can be his pay

Oh no, no I dont mind
Oh no, no I dont mind

'Cause I can call someone to bring the fight on
(The doctors and the dealers)
Yes someone to shed some light on
(Miracle cure soul stealers)
Crack pot quacks with cracked up egos
(Prescribing old placebos)
Collecting junk that we dont need, no

You got the ball
I was lucky to get the chain
But now I have to watch the crowds
Haphazardly chasing down the drain
So what does it do?
Nothing for me
What about you?

The doctors and the dealers
The doctors and the dealers
The doctors and the dealers
They come to you
They come to me
They come in droves
Oh one two three
They come to you
They come to me
They come in droves
Oh one two three
They come to you
They come to me
They come in droves
Oh one two three
They come to you
Oh they come to me
They come in droves

Oh one two three
They come to me

Overall Meaning

The song "Doctors and Dealers" by Dirty Pretty Things is a commentary on society's reliance on doctors and drug dealers to solve their problems, both physical and emotional. The lyrics suggest that these "experts" often prescribe ineffective and harmful treatments, but people still turn to them blindly in search of a quick fix. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer expressing his disillusionment with established ideas and institutions. He feels isolated even when surrounded by people, suggesting a sense of internal conflict and disconnection from the world around him.

The chorus of the song echoes the sentiment of the first verse, with the singer doubling down on his belief that the so-called experts are ultimately ineffective. He expresses a sort of resigned acceptance, recognizing that society will continue to rely on these experts despite their flaws. The second verse goes on to suggest that the singer himself is not exempt from this cycle. Though he sees through the charade, he admits that he, too, has put his faith in these "crackpot quacks" and "soul stealers."

Overall, "Doctors and Dealers" presents a bleak picture of modern society, where people are often more concerned with finding quick solutions to their problems than with addressing the underlying causes. The song suggests that the search for "miracle cures" and easy fixes is ultimately futile, and that real change requires a deeper examination of the issues at hand.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't believe in anything
I have no faith in anything

They tell me's set in stone
They claim that it's definite

They say that were together
They assert that we're united

But I'm sat here on my own
Yet I'm sitting here all alone

In the company of strangers
In the presence of unknown people

This trigger happy scene
This impulsive and unstable situation

Well if a heart do like a hind
If one's heart behaves like a deer

Then there is nothing in-between
Then there's nothing in common

Oh no, no I don't mind
No, I don't care

'Cause I can call someone to bring the fight on
Because I can summon someone to start a conflict

(The doctors and the dealers)
(The medical professionals and drug dealers)

Get someone to shed some light on
Obtain someone to clarify

(Miracle cure, soul stealers)
(Those who provide unproven treatments or exploit others)

Crack pot quacks with cracked up egos
Insane charlatans with distorted egos

(Prescribing old placebos)
(Giving outdated, ineffective treatments)

Collecting junk that we dont need, no
Hoarding unnecessary items

I see them now and then
I encounter them occasionally

Still spitting out those lies
Continuously telling falsehoods

Strange it doesn't bother me
Oddly, it doesn't upset me

I've got my own disguise
I have my way of pretending

And there's really not that much of me
And there's not much of me at all

For Jesus left to save
Since Jesus is the only one who can save me

If savings only bartering
If salvation only involves trade

My soul can be his pay
Then he can have my soul as payment

You got the ball
You're in charge now

I was lucky to get the chain
I was fortunate to hold the key

But now I have to watch the crowds
Now I have to witness the mobs

Haphazardly chasing down the drain
Chasing aimlessly towards ruin

So what does it do?
So what is it for?

Nothing for me
It's useless to me

What about you?
What about you?

The doctors and the dealers
The medical professionals and drug dealers

They come to you
They approach you

They come to me
They come to me

They come in droves
They arrive in large numbers

Oh one two three
Oh, over and over again

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Anthony Rossomondo, Carl Barat, David Jonathan Hammond, Gary Powell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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