"Who are Britain's most important guita… Read Full Bio ↴Dum Dums; A Brief History...
"Who are Britain's most important guitar band ? JJ72? Coldplay? Muse? But look at that list and tell me whether those bands are really changing peoples lives? Because, believe it or not, Dum Dums are. ...where others preach to the converted, they are leading an increasingly significant segment of the pop massive up the dark slopes of indie" - MELODY MAKER
From their formation in 1997 to their farewell show in August 2001, Dum Dums went from early years of intensive gigging around the UK toilet circuit to rock stardom and chart success. Their one and only album, "It goes without saying", recorded with producer Steve Power (Feeder, Robbie Williams, Babybird, Blur) was the "Ferris Bueller" for its generation. Sonically influenced by other British bands such as the Police and the Jam, it spoke of dead end jobs, the pressures of finding your own way, and struck a chord in the hearts of anyone faced with having to decide what to do with their lives.
Released at a time when radio was saturated with manufactured pop acts, Dum Dums were one of the few British guitar bands to breakthrough in 2000, having four chart hits in and around the official top 20, a hit album, and a constant residency on MTV, VH1, and CD:UK. They sold out tours in the UK and abroad, had top 20 chart success in Japan and a major record deal with MCA in the USA.
But still none of this accounts for their continuing popularity. Three years after the band parted ways, the Dum Dums website still attracts thousands of hits weekly from all over the world. The message bored(sic) is a thriving community active 24 hours a day. There is at least one Dum Dums cover band, many reports of bands starting because of them, and record companies have even manufactured acts to be new versions of the Dum Dums - ironically one of the things the band railed against.
I Can't Stand It
Dum Dums Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it,
But I’m so numb there’s nothing I can say, (doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it,
And I’m dancing to a song that I can’t stand, (doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it,
And I need a drink to make it all seem grand, (doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it.
And the grey-haired men in business suits,
Shoot up behind their walls, to suit it all,
And the kids get stoned to pass the time,
When I’m too sad to cry,
I can’t stand being alive.
Oh, something heavy's going down at home, (doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it,
And I hang out with my friends so I’m not alone, (doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it,
And there’s no guard outside the gates of hell, (doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it,
And if I’m so free why does it feel like a prison cell, (doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it.
I’m so bored and something’s wrong inside,
A pain I'm trying to hide, with a phoney smile,
Alone with you talking about stupid things,
Under a fading sun,
But before I think we’re getting drunk again.
(doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, ahhhhh,
(doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, ahhhhh,
Oh, I can’t stand it, ahhhh,
Oh, I can’t stand it, ohhhhh.
The Dum Dums’ song “I Can’t Stand It” presents a bleak picture of a society where people are alienated and disconnected, and the only way they can cope with their pain and boredom is by drinking and doing drugs. The opening lines suggest that the singer and his friends have wasted their lives away by constantly indulging in such vices. The use of the repeated phrase “I can't stand it” throughout the song highlights the sense of frustration and despair that the singer feels.
Furthermore, the lines about the “grey-haired men in business suits” who “shoot up behind their walls, to suit it all” suggest that even those who are supposed to be successful and in control of their lives are ultimately trapped and helpless. This is contrasted with the depiction of young people who “get stoned to pass the time” and the sense of hopelessness that pervades the song.
The final lines about the singer and their friends drinking again highlight the cyclical nature of their behavior and suggest that they are unable to break free from their destructive patterns. Overall, the song conveys a sense of disillusionment and hopelessness, with the repeated refrain emphasizing the sense of suffocation and entrapment that the singer feels.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems my friends we’ve drunk our lives away, (doodoo doodoo)
We have spent too much time drinking with our friends and wasted our lives
But I’m so numb there’s nothing I can say, (doodoo doodoo)
I am too numb and apathetic to express my feelings
And I’m dancing to a song that I can’t stand, (doodoo doodoo)
I am pretending to enjoy something that I hate
And I need a drink to make it all seem grand, (doodoo doodoo)
I turn to alcohol to cope with my dissatisfaction with life
And the grey-haired men in business suits,
Shoot up behind their walls, to suit it all,
Those in power are corrupt and take drugs to maintain their control
And the kids get stoned to pass the time,
When I’m too sad to cry,
I can’t stand being alive.
Young people turn to drugs to numb their pain and escape reality
Oh, something heavy's going down at home, (doodoo doodoo)
There is a serious problem happening in my personal life
And I hang out with my friends so I’m not alone, (doodoo doodoo)
I spend time with my friends to distract myself and avoid being alone
And there’s no guard outside the gates of hell, (doodoo doodoo)
There is no protection from the horrors of life
And if I’m so free why does it feel like a prison cell, (doodoo doodoo)
Despite having freedom, I feel trapped and unhappy
I’m so bored and something’s wrong inside,
A pain I'm trying to hide, with a phoney smile,
I am suffering inside but pretending to be happy to avoid confrontations
Alone with you talking about stupid things,
Under a fading sun,
But before I think we’re getting drunk again.
I engage in meaningless conversations, but we will most likely end up drinking again
(doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, ahhhhh,
(doodoo doodoo)
I can’t stand it, ahhhhh,
Oh, I can’t stand it, ahhhh,
Oh, I can’t stand it, ohhhhh.
Repeated chorus expressing the frustration and dissatisfaction with life
Contributed by Jordan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nicsta1983
one of my fave b sides!
@ricfootball
Mine too! :D