The band is one of the few outfits still burning with the fire of punk, but managing to combine it with the ideals and knowledge of English folk music - a balancing act they've made into a fine art over the years. And they have deep roots in the U.K. folk scene, emerging from both the Whitstable Oyster Co. Ceilidh Band, which formed in 1975, and Fiddler's Dram, a group put together in 1973 by Dave Arbus, whose fiddle work had graced releases by East of Eden and the Who.
Prosser, Telfer, and Taylor were also in Fiddler's Dram, whose moment of fame arrived in 1979 with the British hit single "Day Trip to Bangor" - released after they'd split up. They reconvened for a last album when Kearey joined them. He also became part of the band's alter ego, the roots-oriented Oyster Ceilidh Band, as they'd now become. With Fiddler's Dram no longer extant, the members put their energies in the newly renamed Oyster Band in 1981, playing gigs around England and self-releasing albums on their own Pukka label.
The band returned in 2003 after the longest recording layoff of its career with Rise Above, which included eight originals and two English traditional numbers, and featured the work of Irish piper James O'Grady throughout.
In 1990, the band collaborated with renowned folk singer June Tabor for the album Freedom and Rain and a tour.
Current Lineup:
Chopper - bass guitar, cello, vocals
John Jones - melodeon, lead vocals
Alan Prosser - guitars, viola, vocals
Ian Telfer - fiddle, English concertina, vocals
Dil Davies - drums
http://www.oysterband.co.uk/
Valentine's Day Is Over
Oysterband Lyrics
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You'll catch a cold and you'll be on your own
And you will see that what's wrong with me
Is wrong with everyone that
You want to play your little games on
Poetry and flowers pretty words and threats
You've gone to the dogs again and i'm not placing bets
If you take me for granted then you must expect to find
Surprise, surprise
Valentine's day is over, it's over
Valentine's day is over
If you want to talk about it well you know where the phone is
Don't come round reminding me again how brittle bone is
God didn't make you an angel the devil made you a man
That brutality and economy are related now i understand
When will you realise that as above so below there is no love
For the girl with the hour glass figure
Time runs out very fast
We used to want the same things but that's all in the past
And lately it seems that as it all gets tougher
Your ideal of justice just becomes rougher and rougher
Thank you for the things you bought me thank you for the card
Thank you for the things you taught me when you hit me hard
That love between two people must be based on understanding
Until that's true you'll find your things
All stacked out on the landing, surprise, surprise
The lyrics to Oysterband's song "Valentine's Day Is Over" are about a relationship that has fallen apart due to one person's selfish behavior. The song's writer is addressing their partner who has been playing games, using pretty words and threats to manipulate the situation. The writer is tired of being taken for granted and stands up for themselves, saying that the person will reap what they've sown someday. The chorus states that Valentine's Day is over, indicating that their relationship has ended. The writer tells their partner to stop reminding them of how fragile they are and takes a jab at their brutality and lack of empathy. The song ends with a sarcastic thank you for the gifts and the hard lessons learned, and the singer is ready to move on to a relationship based on understanding.
This song is a commentary on the harsh realities of modern relationships and how people can use others to get what they want. The writer is frustrated with the idea of love being used as a bargaining chip, and the song warns against playing games because eventually, everyone will get hurt. The lyrics are cleverly written and convey a sense of bitterness and disappointment, but also a sense of strength and empowerment as the singer takes control of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Some day boy you'll reap what you've sown
One day you will face the consequences of your actions
You'll catch a cold and you'll be on your own
You will face hardships alone
And you will see that what's wrong with me
You will understand the problems I am facing
Is wrong with everyone that
The issues are not just with me, but with everyone you hurt
You want to play your little games on
You enjoy manipulating others
Poetry and flowers pretty words and threats
You try to win me over with romantic gestures and intimidation tactics
You've gone to the dogs again and i'm not placing bets
You have lost your way and I cannot trust you to change
On you coming home tonight anything but blind
I cannot depend on you coming home safe and sound
If you take me for granted then you must expect to find
If you mistreat me, there will be consequences
Surprise, surprise
It should not be surprising that I am angry when you hurt me
Valentine's day is over, it's over
The holiday is over and our relationship is too
If you want to talk about it well you know where the phone is
If you want to discuss our problems, you have my number
Don't come round reminding me again how brittle bone is
Do not try to manipulate me with fear tactics
God didn't make you an angel the devil made you a man
You are not perfect and you have flaws, but you choose to act on them
That brutality and economy are related now i understand
I realize that the way people treat each other is tied to the economy and society as a whole
When will you realise that as above so below there is no love
You need to understand that the lack of love in society affects everyone
For the girl with the hour glass figure
This is directed towards a woman who is perceived as beautiful by society's standards
Time runs out very fast
Time is precious and fleeting, and you cannot waste it
We used to want the same things but that's all in the past
Our goals and desires have changed and we are no longer compatible
And lately it seems that as it all gets tougher
As things become more difficult, you become more ruthless and cruel
Your ideal of justice just becomes rougher and rougher
You have become more callous in your pursuit of what you believe is right
Thank you for the things you bought me thank you for the card
You use gifts and gestures to try and make up for your wrongdoings
Thank you for the things you taught me when you hit me hard
You have taught me to stand up for myself and not tolerate abuse
That love between two people must be based on understanding
A healthy relationship is built on trust, communication, and mutual respect
Until that's true you'll find your things
Until you can treat me with the love and respect I deserve
All stacked out on the landing, surprise, surprise
You should not be surprised when I ask you to leave and take your things with you
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.