* Ben Hudson (vocals & guitar)
* Joy Joseph (vocals & steel drum)
* Torville Jones (piano)
* Raphael Mann (Bass guitar)
* Wilkie Wilkinson (electric drums)
Ask The DJ
Mr Hudson & The Library Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High on the shelves of this tall library
They teach me how to think
But now I think too much
Much too much
Something's not right, there's a hole in my life
So I wander the clubs
All I find is you
But you make me laugh
And that's a start
You ask me
"What tune is this?"
I don't know but I like it
If you ask the DJ
On Monday I'll buy it
"What tune is this?"
My neighbours won't like it
So don't, don't darling leave
Roll down the steps for the annual ball
See how b-boys divide and heads line the wall
But all I see is you
So I drink too much, and then I talk too much
Something's not right, there's a hole in my life
So I wander the clubs
Looking for some soul, looking for some life
All I find is you
But you make me laugh
And that's a start
You ask me
"What tune is this?"
I don't know but I like it
If you ask the DJ
On Monday I'll buy it
"What tune is this?"
My neighbours won't like it
So don't, don't darling leave
Don't, don't darling leave
"What tune is this?"
I don't know but I like it
If you ask the DJ
On Monday I'll buy it
"What tune is this?"
My neighbours won't like it
So if you'll ask the DJ
On Monday I'll buy it
And then we'll dance through the yard
'til the neighbours decide they don't like it
We're gonna dance through the yard
'til the neighbours decide they don't like it
The lyrics to Mr. Hudson & The Library's song "Ask The DJ" showcase the singer's inner turmoil as he tries to escape his mundane life by losing himself in the music at clubs. He opens by acknowledging his intelligence, admitting that he has read many books from the tall shelves of the library that teach him how to think. However, he feels that he thinks too much and is missing something in his life. He seeks out clubs and bars, hoping to find some meaning, and while he meets someone who makes him laugh, he knows deep down that he needs more.
Throughout the song, the singer keeps asking the DJ which tune is playing, and he makes a promise to buy it on Monday. He does not know the name of the song, but he likes it and wants to keep it as a part of his life. He admits that his neighbors may not like his music choices, but he does not want his companion to leave. By the end of the song, he and his companion dance through the yard, ignoring the disapproving neighbors and reveling in their newfound happiness.
Overall, "Ask The DJ" is a song about searching for meaning and happiness in life, and about the power of music to provide these things. The lyrics are poignant and relatable, and the upbeat tempo of the song contrasts with the singer's inner turmoil, creating a beautiful paradox that makes the music all the more enjoyable.
Line by Line Meaning
I've read quite a few of the books that you see
I have read multiple books from the high shelves of this library that you observe
They teach me how to think
These books impart upon me the knowledge and understanding necessary to think critically
But now I think too much
As a result of reading these books, I now find myself over-analyzing and over-thinking situations
Much too much
This over-thinking is excessive and problematic
Something's not right, there's a hole in my life
I feel as though there is something missing from my life, a void that needs to be filled
So I wander the clubs, looking for some soul, looking for some life
To try and fill this void, I go to various clubs and venues in search of happiness, energy, and inspiration
All I find is you
Despite my efforts to find something fulfilling, the only thing I seem to be drawn to is you
But you make me laugh
Fortunately, being around you makes me happy and brings joy into my life
And that's a start
While this may not be a solution to my problems, it is at least a step in the right direction
You ask me, "What tune is this?"
At the club, you inquire about the name of the song that is currently playing
I don't know but I like it
Even though I do not know the name of the song, I am enjoying it nonetheless
If you ask the DJ, on Monday I'll buy it
If you ask the DJ for the name of the song and I am able to purchase it, I will do so on Monday
My neighbours won't like it
I anticipate that the song may be too loud or disruptive for my neighbors to appreciate
So don't, don't darling leave
Please do not walk away from me or abandon me now
Roll down the steps for the annual ball
We descend the staircase together to attend the yearly ball
See how b-boys divide and heads line the wall
As we observe, some crowd members break into breaking/hip-hop routines, while others stand along the walls
But all I see is you
Despite the lively atmosphere, my attention is once again drawn to you, the one person who makes me feel happy and fulfilled
So I drink too much, and then I talk too much
To help alleviate my emotional struggles, I consume excessive amounts of alcohol, which causes me to become talkative and more expressive
Don't, don't darling leave
Once again, please do not walk away from me
And then we'll dance through the yard, 'til the neighbours decide they don't like it
Assuming that the DJ gives us another good song to dance to, we will dance outside in the yard until the neighbors inevitably complain or turn in for the night
We're gonna dance through the yard, 'til the neighbours decide they don't like it
This repeated line drives home the fact that we will continue to dance and celebrate our happiness together despite what others may think
Contributed by Sydney R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.