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.
If You Love a Woman
Dirty Pretty Things Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Round a dirty little room
I've been lacing up my coffee
and screaming at the moon
Its no good for my health
I cant rate-rape myself
And if I can shake off this feeling
Then I'll be there with you soon
If you love a woman you mustn't beat her
And if shes got a lover I'd like to meet her
The instinct I have is to kill the thing I love
And it seems to come so natural
I can never never get enough
And I know that she is wise
And she's the apple of my eye
She's my dirty pretty lover
And I want her at my side
I need a lover a lover who's kind
If you love a woman you mustn't beat her
And if you love another I'd like to meet her
What a silly way to go
Mess up the only thing you know
And its rough it's rum
It makes me feel so numb
Oh no oh no oh no no no
La la la la
I've been chasing round my room for this dirty little dream
I've been eyeing up your cigarettes and screaming at the queen
It's not good for my health
I cant rate-rape myself
And if I don't shake off this feeling
Then I'll be there with you soon
I need a lover a lover whos kind
If you love a woman you mustn't beat her
And if you love another I'd like to meet her
If you love a woman no you mustn't beat her
And if you love another oh I'd like to meet her
If she has a brother oooh la la laaa
A lover whos kind
The song "If You Love a Woman" by Dirty Pretty Things is a complex portrayal of the artist's struggle with self-destructive tendencies and the desperate need for a loving partner who will treat them kindly. The opening lyrics reveal the chaos and frustration that the artist is experiencing as they try to navigate their own mind and emotions. The line "It's no good for my health, I can't rate-rape myself" speaks to their struggle with self-doubt and the feeling of being overwhelmed.
The chorus of the song is a plea for love and kindness, with the artist stating "I need a lover, a lover who's kind. If you love a woman you mustn't beat her, and if she's got a lover I'd like to meet her." This line shows that the artist is seeking a partner who will treat them well and not perpetuate the cycle of abuse that they may have experienced in the past. The line "The instinct I have is to kill the thing I love" is a powerful statement about the artist's struggle with self-sabotage and the fear of intimacy and vulnerability.
Overall, "If You Love a Woman" is a poignant portrayal of the complex emotions and struggles of a person who is trying to overcome their own demons while also seeking love and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been chasing a dream
I've been pursuing a goal or aspiration.
Round a dirty little room
Around a small and grubby living space.
I've been lacing up my coffee
I've been adding something to my coffee, such as sugar or creamer.
And screaming at the moon
And shouting or yelling aimlessly at the sky.
Its no good for my health
It is detrimental to my well-being.
I cant rate-rape myself
I can't assault or violate myself with criticism or negative thoughts.
And if I can shake off this feeling
And if I can rid myself of this emotion or sensation.
Then I'll be there with you soon
Then I will be able to meet with you or spend time with you shortly.
I need a lover a lover who's kind
I require a partner, who is caring and thoughtful.
If you love a woman you mustn't beat her
If you have feelings of love towards a woman, you should not physically harm her in any way.
And if shes got a lover I'd like to meet her
And if she has a significant other, I would like to know them or meet them.
The instinct I have is to kill the thing I love
The natural urge I experience is to destroy or harm the object of my affection.
And it seems to come so natural
And it appears to be instinctive or intuitive.
I can never never get enough
I am always craving more and never satisfied.
And I know that she is wise
And I am aware that she possesses good judgment and knowledge.
And she's the apple of my eye
And she is the most cherished and valued person in my life.
She's my dirty pretty lover
She is my lover who may have flaws or vices but is still attractive to me.
And I want her at my side
And I desire to have her beside me or near me.
What a silly way to go
How foolish it is to proceed in that manner or make such a decision.
Mess up the only thing you know
Ruining the sole thing that one is familiar with or has is senseless.
And its rough it's rum
It is harsh, unpleasant, and chaotic.
It makes me feel so numb
It causes me to feel desensitized or indifferent.
Oh no oh no oh no no no
Expressing alarm or concern.
La la la la
Singing sounds with no actual meaning.
I've been chasing round my room for this dirty little dream
I have been pursuing this tarnished goal within the confines of my small living space.
I've been eyeing up your cigarettes and screaming at the queen
I have been gazing at your cigarettes and senselessly yelling at an imaginary target.
And if I don't shake off this feeling
And if I am unable to rid myself of this emotion or sensation.
Then I'll be there with you soon
Then I will be able to meet with you or spend time with you shortly.
If you love a woman you mustn't beat her
If you have feelings of love towards a woman, you should not physically harm her in any way.
And if you love another I'd like to meet her
And if you harbor feelings of love towards someone else, I would like to know or meet them.
If she has a brother oooh la la laaa
If she has a male sibling, expressing excitement or interest.
A lover whos kind
A romantic partner who is compassionate and generous.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL BARAT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind