Gare du Nord kicked off early 2001 when producers Doc (Lancee, Ferdi) & Inca (Fransen, Barend) were asked by a French promotor to deliver the soundtrack for a fashion & lifestyle event in Brussels labeled Excellence. Instead of going just for moody sounds and lounge atmospheres the twosome decided to go beyond synths and beats and composed a songcycle to express their contemporary interpretation of traditional delta blues. Excellence became Excellounge, excellounge became lounge and that kept Western Europe busy for quite a while. The debut album (in search of) Excellounge featured the hit single Pablo’s Blues, dominated by the dobro rif of Lancee and the voice of legend Robert Johnson. The album was released worldwide with special editions in Canada, Australia and Russia and was certified gold. Follow up Kind Of Cool was built around the title track, a grooving jazzy blues track in the Miles Davis mode. That track and another key track of the album, Sold My Soul, found its way to American tv series and movies. The album was certified gold upon re-release in 2009. After a Russian Tour in the slipstream of the second album the third Gare du Nord album, Club Gare du Nord, hit the streets by the end of 2005. Featuring trumpeter Erik Truffaz the album captured the now typical non-traditional sound scape structure that became the Gare du Nord sound. Although the album was released to high critical acclaim and generated a hit single (the Steely Dan-tribute Go Back, Jack) sales were only modest. Nevertheless, Club is a precious pearl in the catalogue not in the least because of its key track We Still Grow that would become a highlight of the live shows in later years.
2006-2010
In the fall of 2006 Fransen & Lancee wrote a song for a US- biopic in the making based upon the life and times of Soul legend Marvin Gaye. The song, Marvin & Miles, was sung by singer Dorona Alberti. The Marvin link triggered the two and a second song, You’re My Medicine, was written for the movie. Medicine featured the original Marvin Gaye vocal track from the classic track Sexual Healing, recorded in 1982 in Belgium. A third song, Somethin’ In My Mouth, again with Alberti, was written by means of a soundtrack to the bestselling book Stout by Heleen van Royen and Marlies Dekkers. Dekkers, then already a famous Dutch lingerie designer was asked to design the iconic cover for the new Gare du Nord-album, to be titled Sex ‘n’ Jazz. The album also featured the song Ride On, sung by British singer Paul Carrack.
Sex ‘n Jazz was a smash; the Top Ten-album spent a stunning 100 weeks in the Dutch album charts and was certified multi platinum. New York based jazz label offered Gare du Nord a record deal for a new album and for two mix albums. The 2009 album Love For Lunch was certified platinum and both the mix albums, Jazz In The City (2007) and Let’s Have A Ball
(2010) mixing Blue Note tracks from the likes of Donald Byrd, Andrew Hill and Bobby Hutcherson were certified gold. A round up of the first ten years of Gare du Nord was presented on the compilation album Greatest Hits, released by the end of 2010.
The year 2011 marks a new perspective. A more intimate, direct approach of producing and songs that cross borders in the direction of white soul, ska and even a little touch of country. The lyrics of the new songs reflect the great feelings and little mysteries of (Dorona Alberti’s) pregnancy as a metaphor for new life. Lilywhite Soul is a new episode in the ever changing moods of Gare du Nord.
Dish Of The Day
Gare du Nord Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine a little light
On anyone who's coming your way
'Cause every morning after
A never ending night
Will bring another dish of the day
Johnny was a sailor
He loved to play the double-cross game
Little johnny sailer
Barely seventeen
Almost at the height of his fame
Picured with his boyfriends in paris '99
Butterflies from heaven for a while
It's paradise forever
Let's lay it on the line
That's fine
So bring a little laughter
Shine a little light
On everything that's coming your way
'Cause every morning after
A never ending night
Will bring another dish of the day
Tommy was darling
Darling double screen
Tommy was so glad to be gay
Pretty tommy darling
A hero in his teens
Twenty-seven blowjobs a day
He blew a few too many
The camera never lies
As some of you will surely understand
He's twenty-nine forever
Let's lay it on the line
That's fine
So bring a little laughter
Shine a little light
On anyone who's coming your way
'Cause every morning after
A never ending night
Will bring another dish of the day
It's paradise forever
Let's lay it on the line
That's fine
So bring a little laughter
Shine a little light
On anyone who's coming your way
'Cause every morning after
A never ending night
Will bring another dish of the day
The lyrics to "Dish of the Day" by Gare du Nord are a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, urging listeners to spread joy and light to everyone who crosses their path. The song opens with the simple yet powerful message to "bring a little laughter" and "shine a little light" on those around you. This call to action is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of kindness and positivity in a world that can oftentimes feel bleak and overwhelming.
The second half of the song tells the stories of two individuals - Johnny and Tommy - and their experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Johnny is described as a sailor and a queen who loved to play the "double-cross game." Despite his eventual death, he is remembered as a person who brought light and butterflies into the lives of those around him. Tommy, on the other hand, is a more tragic figure, described as a "darling double screen" who became addicted to the fame and attention he received as a porn star. Both characters are presented as complex individuals who deserved to be loved and celebrated for who they were.
Throughout the song, the lyrics emphasize the cyclical nature of life - the idea that every "never-ending night" will eventually give way to a new day, bringing with it new opportunities and new "dishes of the day." The final lines of the song - "It's paradise forever/Let's lay it on the line/That's fine" - further underscore the idea that, despite its many challenges and tribulations, life is ultimately a beautiful and wondrous experience.
Overall, "Dish of the Day" is a poignant and uplifting song that encourages listeners to be kind, compassionate, and accepting of others, no matter their background or orientation.
Line by Line Meaning
Bring a little laughter
Add some joy to your interactions
Shine a little light
Bring some positivity to each situation
On anyone who's coming your way
This attitude should apply to everyone you encounter
'Cause every morning after
After every night's darkness, there's a new day
A never ending night
Refers to the struggles and challenges we face in life that seem to go on forever
Will bring another dish of the day
However, every new day also brings something positive, like a new opportunity
Johnny was a sailor
Introduces a character named Johnny
Johnny was a queen
Johnny is associated with femininity/extravagance
He loved to play the double-cross game
Johnny was cunning/manipulative
Little johnny sailer
Refers to Johnny's job in the navy
Barely seventeen
Johnny was young/inexperienced
Almost at the height of his fame
Johnny was popular/successful
Picured with his boyfriends in paris '99
Johnny was in a romantic relationship with multiple men and this picture was taken in 1999
Butterflies from heaven for a while
Their relationship was beautiful for a short period of time
Tommy was darling
A new character named Tommy is introduced
Darling double screen
Tommy was an actor
Tommy was so glad to be gay
Tommy was happy with his sexuality
Pretty tommy darling
Tommy was attractive and popular
A hero in his teens
Tommy was successful at a young age
Twenty-seven blowjobs a day
Tommy engaged in sexual activity frequently
He blew a few too many
Tommy may have engaged in risky sexual behavior
The camera never lies
Photos/videos can capture the truth of a situation
As some of you will surely understand
The audience may relate to or understand this situation
He's twenty-nine forever
Tommy died at a young age
It's paradise forever
Although Tommy is gone, he is remembered fondly
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BAREND FRANSEN, FERDINAND FERDI LANCEE, FERDINAND LANCEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wistbacka
Excellent stop motion work! Mad respect for putting this together. The song is so nice. I found it just a few days ago. I'm only 11 years too late to the party...
TimothyDutch
Wat een heerlijk nummer zeg, het is niet onder woorden te brengen hoé lekker!
Clara Silva
Muito Bom... \o/
tjardaschiphof1
Love it!
Jeffreeey
Topmuziekje! Heerlijk!
Javi Pan
very nice, awesome vibe
indobesar
Great song!
Craving4Travel
Oh god this tune is awesome !!
Oh Crêpe
heerlijk in de vroege ochtend dit
J Alberti
perfect !!!!