The band, which con… Read Full Bio ↴Duels are a five piece band from Leeds, England.
The band, which consists of core members Jim and Jon Foulger (guitar and vocals respectively), drummer James Kirkbright and bassist Jon Maher, have recently been joined by ¡Forward, Russia! guitarist Whiskas. Additional Duels members include, or have included, Katherine Botterill on keyboards and backing vocals and violinist Lesley Turner.
They create dark and often anthemic new-wave pop with sinister undercurrents to craft a unique, vibrant sound, while recalling legendary artists such as Wilco, Robert Wyatt, David Bowie and Pulp along the way.
Their first album, 'The Bright Lights & What I Should Have Learned' was released in August 2006 to widespread critical acclaim and after extensive touring, Duels commenced work on their second full-length release, the self-produced 'The Barbarians Move In'.
Recorded in a converted barn on the North Sea Coast and showcasing a darker, more organic sound, Jon Foulger suggested the album is about "nature fighting back". It was digitally released via duelsmusic.com on Valentine's Day 2008, with a UK physical release on This Is Fake DIY Records on April 28th.
The band are currently working on their third full-length album, details of which can be found on www.duelsmusic.co.uk
Duels have opened for Kaiser Chiefs and former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon, and have toured the UK and Europe with The Rakes.The band played the Radio1/NME Stage at the Leeds/Reading Festivals and opened the main stage at T In The Park in 2006.
Brothers & Sisters
Duels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She sighs, another evening is killed
All this I see brothers, now at night
The horrors return bright lights
And what I should've learned by now
I should see, sisters
We have not lied, we have not loved
All my brothers, all my brothers
All my sisters, all my brothers
The heart it quickens its stride
I try to believe she has lied
All this will be brothers, now she cries
The horrors are true, quite right
They're growing inside of you
All this is real, sisters
We have not lied
We have not loved
All my brothers, all my sisters
All my brothers, all my brothers
All my sisters, all my brothers
The sound wakes you up
In the middle of the night
She still sleeps, hoping
That tomorrow will be different
Please, I did not mean it this way
The ghosts are there
In the corner of the room
They just vibrate until you
Cannot take it anymore
I never knew you felt so alone
The sound wakes you up
In the middle of the night
She still sleeps, hoping that
Tomorrow will be different
All this I see
Brothers & Sisters by Duels is a poetic and emotional song that touches upon themes of dread, regret, and loneliness. The song portrays a narrator who is lying still as his partner sighs next to him, signifying boredom or a lack of passion in the relationship. As he lies there, the singer begins to dwell on the horrors of the world, which manifest as bright lights and ghosts in the corner of the room. The singer is haunted by these visions, and he wishes he could learn from them and see the truth that his sister sees.
The second half of the song takes a different approach, as the singer's partner is now crying and expressing her fears. The singer still hears the same horrors, but now he sees them as real and true, growing inside of his partner. He acknowledges that he and his partner have not lied or loved, and that their relationship is devoid of passion or meaning. The sound of the horrors wakes him up in the middle of the night, and he realizes that his partner is hoping for a different future, though he doesn't know how to provide it.
Overall, Brothers & Sisters is a poignant and introspective song that explores the dark side of relationships and the human experience. It's a reminder that sometimes we need to confront the horrors of the world and our own shortcomings if we hope to move forward and find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
As I lie perfectly still
The singer is lying still, possibly in bed
She sighs, another evening is killed
Someone else (presumably a partner) sighs, hinting that the night was wasted or disappointing
All this I see brothers, now at night
The singer sees disturbing images or memories at night, possibly related to past trauma
The horrors return bright lights
The disturbing memories or images are very vivid and overwhelming
And what I should've learned by now
The artist reflects on something they should have learned already
I should see, sisters
The singer suggests that women (sisters) may be better equipped to understand or cope with the horrors they experience
We have not lied, we have not loved
The singer and their group have not been dishonest or loving towards each other
The heart it quickens its stride
The artist's heart rate increases, indicating anxiety or fear
I try to believe she has lied
The artist attempts to convince themselves that their partner lied about the wasted evening
All this will be brothers, now she cries
The disturbing memories or images are affecting the partner, possibly causing them to cry
The horrors are true, quite right
The partner confirms that the disturbing memories or images are indeed real and valid
They're growing inside of you
The disturbing memories or images are becoming more intense or overwhelming
All this is real, sisters
The singer reiterates that what they are experiencing is genuine and valid, once again suggesting that women (sisters) may be better equipped to handle it
The sound wakes you up in the middle of the night
A noise interrupts the singer's sleep
She still sleeps, hoping that tomorrow will be different
The partner is still asleep, possibly indicating a sense of detachment or avoidance towards the problems they face
Please, I did not mean it this way
The artist pleads for understanding and forgiveness
The ghosts are there in the corner of the room
The disturbing memories or images are personified as ghosts in the room
They just vibrate until you cannot take it anymore
The disturbing memories or images become more and more intense until they cannot be ignored or suppressed
I never knew you felt so alone
The singer expresses surprise or regret that their partner feels isolated or unsupported
Contributed by Alaina G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Depthcharge
Roberts you magnificent writer! You have a great taste in music!
LonelyTurret
Thank you Roberts, though I'm becoming increasingly certain that you're about to rip my heart out.
Bambiitree
This song ties my stomach in knots after knowing what Overlord did. I love it.
Wesley Vane
There is no this album on Spotify, no on Deezer. Strange.
I found out this amazing band and 2008 LP of theirs blew my mind. They are brilliant. I went to wiki and saw that they have also 2006 LP. And it's not on Spotify not on Deezer. Really freaks me out.
PhoenixFighter97
"The receiving end, Overlord....how does it feel to be on it?"
The Fox In A Box
Slaggit, Roberts! You're killing me with this!
Sprite Anansi
Guess this song is More Than Meets The Eye now, eh? Chalk up another one for the James Roberts fanclub!
CANDEEIRO
How can I buy this album, please?
Daniel Tunnard
Great post! Could you post What We Did Wrong too?
evilkudos81
Here because of Roberts. Till all are one!