Nothing But Thieves’ origins lie in schoolmates Conor, Joe and Dave’s efforts in a variety of bands in their hometown of Southend, Essex. They gained valuable experience on the local live circuit, even if they weren’t going to change the world. Then Dom joined their school in the sixth form and everything went up a notch. A classically trained guitarist from the age of six, Dom brought a musicality and learning to the table which made everyone sit up and take notice. Not that this puts him on a pedestal with his bandmates. They all agree that it’s the mix of his formal training with Joe’s self-taught chops which lies at the heart of the Nothing But Thieves sound.
They released their debut ep, "Graveyard Whistling" on July 18, 2014. The band's single "Itch" picked up Hottest Record and Track Of The Day accolades on Radio 1 and also made it onto the Radio 1 playlist, as well as being added in regular rotation of Sirius XM new hard-rock channel Octane. The same year they signed to RCA Records.
They released their self-titled debut album on October 16, 2015. Frontman Conor Mason said in an interview about the album: Since this record was our first album we especially wanted to make each song stand out in the best way possible. I guess there are tones, lyrics and themes that tie in throughout the album; however, we generally wanted each song to have its own space and world. Overall, I think we achieved the variety we were after and it’s nice that our fans feel the same way too.
They released their sophomore album, called "Broken Machine", on September 8, 2017. The concept for the album came alive soon after the band had written and demoed “Broken Machine,” the 4th track, which became the centerpiece of the album. Lead singer Conor Mason describes it as a metaphor for systems that seem perfect on the surface but cracked underneath, whether that’s mental health, love, religion, or even politics. The singles leading up to the album’s release are “Amsterdam,” released on May 2, 2017, “Sorry” released on August 14, 2017, “Broken Machine” released on August 21, 2017, “I’m Not Made By Design” released on August 26, 2017, and “Particles” released on January 11, 2018.
They released a new ep, titled "What Did You Think When You Made Me This Way?" on October 19, 2018. The lead single of the ep, "Forever & Ever More", was supported by a music video. On October 23, 2020, the band released Moral Panic. Which then followed with a tour in 2021 with Yonaka and Airways.
The band released three singles in 2023, "Welcome to the DCC" on March 15, "Overcome" on May 10 and "Keeping You Around" on June 23, before finally releasing their fourth studio album, "Dead Club City" on June 30, 2023, which peaked number 1 in the U.K Official Album Charts. They then released the single "Oh No :: He Said What?" on January 29, 2024 before dropping the deluxe edition of "Dead Club City" on March 15, 2024, this included the addition of new songs such as "Time :: Fate :: Karma :: God" and "Pure You" as well as the stripped edition of beloved songs from the original album.
Amsterdam
Nothing But Thieves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Need a whiskey crutch
To think of something new
Hey you watching me
Lookin' through a screen
I'm here in front of you
Sometimes the days, they feel so long
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again, and again
People piss you off
Some you say you love
Those you call a friend
Walking through a crowd
Then you look around
See there's no one left
We live and then we die as one
Yeah, we all live under the same sun
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again, and again
I left my heart in Amsterdam
Where I could dream and nights were long
I left my heart in Amsterdam
I hit my head against the wall
Over, over, over
Again and again and then over
Over, over
Again and again and then over
Over, over
Again and again and then over
Over, over
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again
And again, and again
Oh, I left my heart in Amsterdam
I left my heart in Amsterdam
Oh, I left my heart in Amsterdam
I really need that feeling back, yeah
The song "Amsterdam" by Nothing But Thieves delves into the common struggles of feeling disconnected and alone within a world that is consumed by technology and superficial relationships. The first verse sets the stage, describing how people often use alcohol as a crutch to escape their daily mundane lives and come up with something new or interesting. The singer seems to be calling out to someone through a screen, highlighting how technology is used as a barrier to true human connection.
The chorus talks about hitting one's head against the wall repeatedly, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for trying to get through to people who are too caught up in their own lives to notice. The singer doesn't want to be like them, but he also feels frustrated and isolated because he can't seem to break through. The second verse continues with this theme, describing how friends and loved ones can sometimes be the source of disappointment and heartbreak, leaving the singer feeling lost and abandoned.
The bridge brings a glimmer of hope, acknowledging that no matter how much people may feel disconnected from each other, we are all fundamentally the same, living and dying under the same sun. The repetition of the phrase "over and over and over and over again" signifies the endless cycle of frustration and hopelessness, but the repetition of the phrase "I left my heart in Amsterdam" offers a reminder that there is still love and desire for a deeper sense of connection.
Overall, "Amsterdam" captures the sense of alienation that many people feel in an increasingly disconnected world, pointing to the need for more genuine human relationships and reminding us that we all share the same basic human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
People don't know much
Most people are uninformed
Need a whiskey crutch
Some need alcohol to cope
To think of something new
To come up with fresh ideas
Hey you watching me
Someone is observing
Lookin' through a screen
Watching through a device
I'm here in front of you
Someone is physically present
Sometimes the days, they feel so long
Occasionally it feels like time is dragging on
Yeah, we all live under the same sun
We share the same world
So I hit my head up against the wall
The repetition of actions to avoid conformity
Over and over and over and over again, and again
To the point of exhaustion
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
Rejection of social norms
People piss you off
People can annoy or offend
Some you say you love
You can have positive feelings towards some
Those you call a friend
Friendships are established
Walking through a crowd
Navigating through a large group of people
Then you look around
Observation of one's surroundings
See there's no one left
Everyone has dispersed
We live and then we die as one
Collective mortality
I left my heart in Amsterdam
Emotional attachment to a specific location
Where I could dream and nights were long
A place where dreams could turn into reality
I hit my head against the wall
Metaphorical self harm to avoid conformity
Again and again and then over
Repetitive behavior that has ended
Oh, I left my heart in Amsterdam
Emphasis of emotional separation from a place
I really need that feeling back, yeah
Desire to feel a certain way again
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: CONOR MASON, DOMINIC CRAIK, JOSEPH LANGRIDGE-BROWN, MICHEL CROSSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jesseliikamaa1753
People here thinking how the vocalist is so damn emotional, I'mma tell ya.
1. The correct technique. Twang, open throat, proper breathing and good "lean" (lean means pulling your muscles around your diapgrams inside, I mean things like abs and the muscles in ur back and lower back, PULL not locking them) give u so much freedom and vocal ability.
2. Second of all, PASSION, EMOTION. He loves to sing about these feelings and it actually sparks u to sing better and u just find the right style to sing with PASSION. Something that popular singers like Ariana Grande are missing. She actually had it but not anymore.
3. Last but not least, his actual overall vocal style is pretty underrated. He uses a little bit darker voice. If u need better examples of dark voice in rock/pop-music I guess Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage, novadays Light The Torch) is pretty dark even compared to this solist right here. I heard it better when I looked up the live video of this.
EXPLANATION OF VOICE COLOUR: Voice colour means that u use either light, dark or something between these two, u can adjust it a little bit by for example singing nasally (full light) or not at all nasally (full dark) also different strenghts of twang adjust your voice colour.
Hope this helps!!
@ingritramirez701
People don't know much
Need a whiskey crush
To think of something new
Hey you watching me
Lookin' through a screen
I'm here in front of you
Sometimes the days, they feel so long
Yeah, we all live under the same sun
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again
And again and again
People piss you off
Some you say you love
Those you call a friend
Walking through a crowd
Then you look around
See there's no one left
We live and then we die as one
Yeah, we all live under the same sun
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again
And again and again
I left my heart in Amsterdam
Where I could dream and nights were long
I left my heart in Amsterdam
I hit my head against the wall
Over, over, over
Again and again and then over, over, over
Again and again and then over, over, over
Again and again and then over, over, over
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again
And again and again
Oh, I left my heart in Amsterdam
I left my heart in Amsterdam
Oh, I left my heart in Amsterdam
I really need that feeling back
Yeah
@_ana_9419
Amsterdam- lyrics
Nothing But Thieves
People don't know much
Need a whiskey crutch
To think of something new
Hey you watching me
Lookin' through a screen
I'm here in front of you
Sometimes the days, they feel so long
Yeah, we all live under the same sun
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again, and again
People piss you off
Some you say you love
Those you call a friend
Walking through a crowd
Then you look around
See there's no one left
We live and then we die as one
Yeah, we all live under the same sun
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again, and again
I left my heart in Amsterdam
Where I could dream and nights were long
I left my heart in Amsterdam
I hit my head against the wall
Over, over, over
Again and again and then over
Over, over
Again and again and then over
Over, over
Again and again and then over
Over, over
So I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again, and again
'Cause I don't wanna be like them
I hit my head up against the wall
Over and over and over and over again
And again, and again
Oh, I left my heart in Amsterdam
I left my heart in Amsterdam
Oh, I left my heart in Amsterdam
I really need that feeling back, yeah
@nikitatoottoot3000
I will not hide the fact that I just had a full SLAPPER of a concert in my room, but with headphones on and lip syncing cause its 1am. Im living my best life.
@drkrueger1
GO GO GO
@c_p1858
That’s literally what I’m doing, it’s 1:04 am
@nothinghere32
Haha I’m doing exactly that but it’s 12:56
@untitled2638
so I'm not alone, that's when I feel aliveee
@rphanmurphy8385
Cum again?
@Jasmine_1308
I did not expect that big voice from that tiny person omg....this is my new favorite song.
@michelleobama6669
Jasmine hussain this comment makes me scREAm
@faithfriesen1655
I don't know why this made me laugh so hard
@lanagopong
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA