Herbert began creating music with found objects whilst at Exeter University (UK) in the 1990s, where he studied Drama. From bottles, books, and pepper pots he progressed to recording places and experiences, effectively using the sampler as an instrument on many of his Doctor Rockit and Herbert releases. This style evolved into the overtly political when he began sampling objects from McDonald's and The Gap as a protest against corporate globalism on the The Mechanics Of Destruction album. The CD was distributed free at concerts and available as a free download and has never been available in stores.
His 2003 Big Band album, Goodbye Swingtime combined the political commentary of Radioboy with the song structure of his Herbert albums. Recorded with sixteen musicians from the British jazz world, including saxophonists Dave O'Higgins and Nigel Hitchcock and bassist Dave Green, the band is complemented on stage by long-term vocal partner Dani Siciliano and occasionally Arto Lindsay and Warp recording artist, Jamie Lidell. Recently he has provided music for a number of films, including Dogme director Kristian Levring's The Intended along with original music for TV. Herbert's newest album Plat du Jour addresses world famine.
Something Isn't Right
Herbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(vocals by dave okumu, dani siciliano and neil thomas)
I don't buy the thing you said
You hit the nail and not the head
Tried to chain me to the floor
Took the handle from the door
Won't you look me in the eye?
Start by admitting now
Something isn't right
Something isn't right
Look me in the eye
Tell me something isn't right in here
No that something isn't right
Not right
I won't pander to it all
Join an army not a school
Fit the handle to the door
Something isn't right
Look me in the eye
Tell me something isn't right in here
No that something isn't right
Cover up, when expose you ought to
Wise up to the things they taught you
Cover up, it's an allied slaughter
Pucker up, it's a friendly torture
I won't follow you in to the night
I won't use your torch for a light
Chop down trees just to set them alight
I won't follow your scent in the night
There must be something wrong
I don't feel love
There must be something wrong in here
I don't feel love
There must be something wrong
I don't feel love
Because I ain’t felt like this
Felt like this before
There must be something wrong
I don't feel love
Something isn't right
There must be something wrong
Something isn't right
I don't feel love
Because I ain't felt like this
Felt like this before
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
What d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
Do you remember?
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
Do you remember?
What d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
Something isn't right
There must be something wrong
Because I ain't felt like this
Felt like this before
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
What d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
Do you remember?
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
Do you remember?
What d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
Do you deny all the goodness in everything?
Can you describe all the wonder in me?
And if the details are too much to comprehend
An e-mail's there on your laptop to see
I'm all over this world
I'm all over this
I'm all over this world
I'm all over this
Come on to me
And try and take me down
I'm all over this, I'm all over this
I'm all over this, I'm all over this
I'm all over this, I'm all over this
I'm all over this, I'm all over this
I'm all over this
The lyrics of Herbert's song "Something Isn't Right" express an underlying feeling of dissatisfaction and distrust. The opening lines "I don't buy the thing you said, you hit the nail and not the head" suggest a lack of honesty and clarity, which is further emphasized by the line "something isn't right". The chorus repeats this phrase, with an added emphasis on looking the singer in the eye and admitting that something is wrong. The verses delve into themes of control, conformity, and environmental destruction, with lines like "Tried to chain me to the floor, Join an army not a school, Chop down trees just to set them alight". The repeated use of "d-d-d-d-do you think? Do you remember?" creates a sense of urgency and questioning, as if the singer is trying to get others to wake up and see what they see.
The use of different vocalists throughout the song creates a sense of intensity and multiple perspectives, as if each voice is adding their own take on what isn't right. Dave Okumu's deep and soulful tone adds weight to the lyrics, while Dani Siciliano's higher pitched vocals create a sense of urgency and passion. Neil Thomas's spoken word sections provide a contrast and add a sense of spoken truth to the song.
Overall, "Something Isn't Right" is a political and environmental statement about the current state of the world and the singer's dissatisfaction with it. The lyrics are open to interpretation but express a general sense of distrust in those in power and a desire for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Something isn't right
Herbert perceives that something is amiss and not functioning properly.
I don't buy the thing you said
Herbert doesn't believe the things being told to him by someone.
You hit the nail and not the head
Herbert suggests that someone is misinterpreting or misunderstanding something.
Tried to chain me to the floor
Someone attempted to restrict or hinder Herbert's activities.
Took the handle from the door
Herbert suggests that someone has prevented him from leaving a situation.
Won't you look me in the eye?
Herbert wants someone to face him honestly and truthfully.
Start by admitting now
Herbert is requesting that someone confess to something.
No that something isn't right
Herbert reiterates that something is not functioning properly.
I won't pander to it all
Herbert refuses to comply with the entirety of a certain situation.
Join an army not a school
Herbert wants to take an action that is decisive and resolute.
Fit the handle to the door
Herbert suggests that something must be fixed or repaired for a proper solution.
Cover up, when expose you ought to
Herbert thinks someone is misleading or concealing the truth.
Wise up to the things they taught you
Herbert suggests that someone should be aware and informed of certain teachings.
Pucker up, it's a friendly torture
Herbert implies that someone is enduring an emotional or physical pain.
I won't follow you in to the night
Herbert intends not to participate or follow someone else's lead.
I won't use your torch for a light
Herbert suggests not being dependent on someone else's means to steer oneself.
Chop down trees just to set them alight
Herbert perceives that someone is destructive and wasteful in their work.
There must be something wrong
Herbert feels that something is not working properly.
I don't feel love
Herbert is expressing his emotional state of not feeling love.
Because I ain't felt like this
Herbert doesn't feel love the way he has felt it before.
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-do you think?
Herbert is curious about someone's thoughts on a situation.
Do you remember?
Herbert is requesting that someone remembers something from the past.
Do you deny all the goodness in everything?
Herbert is questioning whether someone is unwilling to believe in any positive aspects of things.
Can you describe all the wonder in me?
Herbert is inquiring if someone is able to acknowledge his positive attributes.
And if the details are too much to comprehend
Herbert suggests that if someone is unable to comprehend things, there are means to clarify them.
An e-mail's there on your laptop to see
Herbert hints that someone can look up for explanations or inquire through an email.
I'm all over this world
Herbert is widely present in different parts of the world.
Come on to me
Herbert invites someone to come forward to him.
And try and take me down
Herbert is prepared for a fight and wants to face an opponent.
Contributed by Liliana Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mainefrenchie
One of his BEST albums of all time. I love Herbert.
john noble
Can u tell him I'm writing his musical
john noble
I'm writing Dimensions
mod9137
When Scale came out 5 years ago, I was blown away... it still does.
flako927
0:22 omfg i love this part her voice is sublime
john noble
I really fell in love with this album.
briedank
The orchestration is out-of-control amazing.
Barry Kelly
album is unique but in a good way, easy on the ears kinda stuff!
Dizcinger
This song is timeless
Open Ears
Herbert so multitalented