Dislocation Dance's first EP, Slip That Disc!, launched their reputation and gained them a session with John Peel. Their debut album Music Music Music (1981) set a new benchmark for eclecticism, with styles ranging from funk (Stand Me Up), bubblegum pop (Don't Knock Me Down), and be-bop (Take a Chance on Romance) to ersatz movie soundtracks (Vendetta). It earned a clutch of good reviews from the UK rock weeklies. In March 1982 the band supported like-minded Glasgow indie-popsters Orange Juice on a full tour of the UK, and in April completed a successful string of dates in North America.
That Dislocation Dance were hovering on the pop periphery is borne out by the fact that they were voted "band most likely to succeed" in a 1983 Smash Hits poll. However, their second album Midnight Shift failed like its predecessor to sell in large numbers. The band were dropped by Rough Trade, who judged their eclecticism too tough to market, preferred to put their money behind fellow Mancunian signings The Smiths. Feeling they had already peaked, and that their best days might already be behind them, the band began to lose momentum. Paul Emmerson left for an academic career, Kathryn Way focussed on acting, and Andy Diagram found himself increasingly busy as a session player and with the Pale Fountains. Ian, Andy and Richard carried on with new singer Sonja Clegg and shopped around for a new deal, but although RCA and Polydor expressed interest, nothing came of these overtures, and the band finally dissolved in 1987.
n 2000 the band reformed for a tour of Japan. The original members Runacres, Way, Harrison and Diagram were joined by Phil Lukes (previously in The Mancinis and Dutch Uncle). Lukes had also worked with Runacres on a project under the name 'Brightside'.
A new album, Cromer, was released by Vinyl Japan in 2005. This featured Runacres, Lukes, Diagram, and several other performers. The BBC sessions were released on CD by Vinyl Japan in 1999.
In 2007 Dislocation Dance played a couple of gigs in Manchester, at the Carlton Club in Whalley Range. The line-up consisted of Runacres, Lukes, Way and Harrison again. They were joined by Jon Board (trumpet) and Andrew Weaver (keyboards). Runacres, Lukes, Board and Weaver have been working on some new material during 2009. In 2009 they were joined by Chris Gravestock (drums). They have played a few low key gigs in late 2009/early 2010 and are currently working on a new album.
Show Me
Dislocation Dance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A bright new day in early April or May.
Show me.
An autumn moon, with winter coming too soon.
I know a place where instinct clings .
To each desire that love brings
I know a place where reason ends
In every moment love sends
Show me.
A capital II' that knows a truth from a lie
Show me.
The Sunday walk, where we got twisted by talk
There is a point where wisdom starts
Losing the contest with the heart
There is a point where impulse rides
All of the fears that love hides
Show me, your cool side.
I'll show you a phantom at your yuletide.
So good, if you feel warm too.
We could make a summer that lasts all year through.
We could make it last.
Show me.
Show me.
An alphabet.
Show me.
Something to forget.
Show me.
A calender.
Show me. Something to remember.
Show me.
A miracle.
Show me. Something natural.
Show me.
The metaphysical
Show me. Something physical.
Show me.
An alphabet.
Show me. Something to forget.
Show me.
A calender.
Show me. Something to remember.
Show me.
A miracle.
Show me. Something natural.
Show me.
The metaphysical.
Show me. Something physical.
In Dislocation Dance’s song “Show Me,” the artist pleads to be shown various things that evoke different emotions and feelings. The artist starts by asking to be shown a bright new day in April or May or an autumn moon that signals the onset of winter. These contrasting scenarios evoke a sense of longing for different times, seasons, and experiences. The artist then asks to be shown a place where they can give in to their desires and instincts, and another place where reason fades away in the midst of love.
The second half of the song sees the artist asking to be shown different things and moments, such as a capital letter “I” that knows the truth from a lie, a Sunday walk that got “twisted by talk,” and a phantom at your yuletide. Each of these things represents a different facet of human experience, where wisdom starts to lose to the heart, impulsive behavior takes over, and memories are made. The artist then asks to be shown an alphabet to forget, a calendar to remember, a miracle, something natural, and the metaphysical and physical aspects of life.
Overall, Dislocation Dance’s “Show Me” is an introspective song that explores various facets of human experience and emotion. It speaks to the human desire to be shown different emotions, experiences, and feelings and the artist’s longing for different things at different times of the year.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
A bright new day in early April or May.
Display a positive, hopeful outlook for the future in the springtime.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
An autumn moon, with winter coming too soon.
Express a sense of sadness and foreboding as the seasons change and winter approaches.
I know a place where instinct clings .
Have knowledge of a place where natural urges hold onto and dictate behavior.
To each desire that love brings
Where every desire that love brings is indulged.
I know a place where reason ends
Be aware of a place where the logical mind ceases to hold sway.
In every moment love sends
Where every moment is dedicated to feeling love.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
A capital II' that knows a truth from a lie
Want to see someone who can differentiate between truth and the falsehood.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
The Sunday walk, where we got twisted by talk
Refer to a conversation on a casual Sunday walk that became complicated and emotional.
There is a point where wisdom starts
Acknowledge that there is a point at which knowledge and understanding begin to guide behavior.
Losing the contest with the heart
Where the heart wins over logic and reasoning.
There is a point where impulse rides
Refer to times when impulsive emotions are in control.
All of the fears that love hides
Acknowledge the hidden fears that may come with strong emotions of love.
Show me, your cool side.
Express the desire to see someone's more composed and detached demeanor.
I'll show you a phantom at your yuletide.
Promise to reveal a projection or illusion connected to the holiday season.
So good, if you feel warm too.
Imply that it is pleasant when both parties share emotions and connection.
We could make a summer that lasts all year through.
Propose the idea of maintaining a feeling of summer's warmth and energy throughout the year.
We could make it last.
Suggest that the connection and affection can be sustained.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
An alphabet.
Express curiosity for something as mundane as the alphabet.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
Something to forget.
Express a desire to forget something unpleasant or unwanted.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
A calender.
Express a hope for something more organized and routine-like in life.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
Something to remember.
Express a desire to hold onto and cherish something special or meaningful.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
A miracle.
Express a hope or wonder for the extraordinary or the impossible.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
Something natural.
Express a desire for simplicity and au naturel experiences.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
The metaphysical.
Express a hope or fascination with the abstract, beyond what is knowable by science and rationality.
Show me.
Express a desire to be shown or presented with something.
Something physical.
Express a desire for the tangible, material aspects of life that can be experienced with the senses.
Contributed by Taylor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.