Gavin Friday (b. Fionan Hanvey, 8 Oct 1959, in Dublin, Ireland). In early l… Read Full Bio ↴Gavin Friday (b. Fionan Hanvey, 8 Oct 1959, in Dublin, Ireland). In early life, he survived a Christian Brothers education to become a singer, composer & painter. His latest release is "catholic" (22 April 2011, Rubyworks).

In 1977, Friday was a founder of Virgin Prunes (legendary avant-garde post-punk group). 1987-2005 he composed & performed with, musical partner, Maurice Seezer. He released his 4th solo album CATHOLIC in April 2011.

Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer albums (with Maurice), inc: "Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves" (1989), "Adam 'N' Eve" (1992) & "Shag Tobacco" (1995).

Film scores & soundtracks include Get Rich or Die Tryin', In America, In the Name of the Father, The Boxer, Disco Pigs, Short Cuts and Romeo + Juliet. Gavin worked with producer Hal Willner on the music for director Abel Ferrera's movie Chelsea on the Rocks (2008). He has also collaborated with the English composer Gavin Bryars, setting Shakespeare's sonnets to music.

Stage Shows include the Kurt Weill Extravaganza Ich Liebe Dich, the one man show I didn't come up the Liffey in a bubble and Gavin's tribute to German music, Tomorrow belongs to me.

Gavin Friday played the character Billy Hatchet in Neil Jordan's film Breakfast in Pluto (2006). He recorded three songs for the film, two of which are featured on the soundtrack album: 'Sand' and 'Wig Wam Bam'.

Sites: Discogs, YouTube and Official Site

Perfume
Gavin Friday Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

La Da Da, La Da Da
By the way of conclusion I saw that nothing was there
So amongst the confusion I go get me a beer
Cha Cha Cha Cha – Paolo Conte / Cha Cha Cha Cha – Padre Pio
Stop the lights we play truth or dare
She awaitin’ to kill me a wantin’ to snare
Cha Cha Cha Cha –Mea Culpa / Cha Cha Cha Cha – Paolo Conte

I Know, What I like, I Know… Know… La Da Da, La Da Da… Perfume

By the look in her eyes you could see the surprise
The intent is not cruel me a bendin’ the rule
Cha Cha Cha Cha – Dolorosa / Cha Cha Cha Cha – Padre Pio
Here the men get to choose so she falls off the chair
Her engines are burning and waiting to flare
Cha Cha Cha Cha – Mea Culpa / Cha Cha Cha Cha – Paolo Conte

I know, what I like , I know …know… La Da Da, La Da Da…

From these dizzy heights, tonight’s the night
She slips her tongue inside my head
I know my guilt, I never lie
Betrayal takes more than two
The heart melts, the lips hot, a sad sigh, the sweet smell of… you

I know what I like… I know… know… La Da Da, La Da Da, Da Da

In the Church of love we kneel and pray
Holy! Holy!
Oh! Valentine! Valentine!
I touched his bones in a place near home
La Da Da, La Da Da… Da Da… Da Da
The sin is hell, the kiss and tell.
The sweet smell of …perfume

Perfume… Mea Mea Culpa Via Dolorosa
Perfume… Mea Mea Culpa Via Dolorosa

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Perfume" by Gavin Friday seem to narrate the story of a man who is indulging in a night of passion with a woman. The lines "By the way of conclusion I saw that nothing was there / So amongst the confusion I go get me a beer" give the impression that the situation is not entirely meaningful or fulfilling for the man. He then describes how he selects a woman while playing truth or dare and later mentions her "engines are burning and waiting to flare," implying that she is eager for the encounter. However, he also admits that there is guilt involved and that betrayal takes more than two.

As the night progresses, the tempo and the melody of the song become more intense and seductive, with the lines "From these dizzy heights, tonight’s the night / She slips her tongue inside my head" suggesting a deeper level of intimacy. The mention of Valentine's Day and the line "I touched his bones in a place near home" may allude to the man's spiritual conflict regarding his actions. The repeated use of "Mea Culpa Via Dolorosa" and "Perfume" in the ending lines add a layer of Catholic imagery, emphasizing the man's sense of remorse and a connection to religion.

Overall, "Perfume" seems like an exploration of the themes of desire, guilt, and religion. The sense of conflict and ambiguity of the situation suggested by the lyrics and music give the song an intriguing depth that demands multiple listens.

Line by Line Meaning

By the way of conclusion I saw that nothing was there
After considering everything, I realized that there was nothing there

So amongst the confusion I go get me a beer
To calm my confusion and anxiety, I grab a beer

Stop the lights we play truth or dare
Let's stop and play truth or dare

She awaitin’ to kill me a wantin’ to snare
She is waiting to trap and kill me

By the look in her eyes you could see the surprise
The surprise was evident in her eyes

The intent is not cruel me a bendin’ the rule
Her intention is not to be cruel, but to bend the rules

Here the men get to choose so she falls off the chair
Here, it's the men who get to choose and she falls off the chair in excitement

Her engines are burning and waiting to flare
Her excitement is building and waiting to burst

From these dizzy heights, tonight’s the night
From this great excitement, tonight is the night

She slips her tongue inside my head
She kisses me passionately

I know my guilt, I never lie
I am aware of my guilt and I don't lie about it