Around 1990, his friend Rollo Armstrong brought Rob Dougan from Australia to London. From 1991 to 1995, "Rob D" was a DJ and remix artist. In 1994 his remixes started charting in the UK. He also released his first own single, "Hard Times".
In 1995, his hit single "Clubbed To Death" gave him a recognized name in the UK dance club scene. He produced almost a dozen remixes of it, including the fan-favourite "kurayamino mix". His label Mo'Wax Records was so pleased they commissioned him the follow-up "Clubbed to Death 2" (later the bonus track on the album).
But in 1996, his new track "Furious Angels" (which should have heralded his first album) didn't please his then label; Dougan eventually released it as a single in 1998 with his new label Cheeky Records, just a few months before Cheeky went bankrupt, stopping the production on the album about to be released. Dougan toiled six more years, doing remixes and licensing his tracks, in order to self-produce the album exactly like he intended it: backed by a full orchestra and a full choir.
In 1999, his exposure increased dramatically when his "Clubbed To Death (kurayamino variation)" was featured on the soundtrack of The Matrix, but this hit remained the only public face of then "Rob D". He has also provided remixes of songs by U2, Moby and Kylie Minogue, and contributed two more tracks to the soundtrack of the 2003's Matrix sequel The Matrix Reloaded.
In 2002 in the UK, and 2003 in the rest of the world, he eventually released his debut album Furious Angels to mixed responses and some surprise from the new tone of his work, as well as from his own Leonard Cohenesque gravel-voiced vocals. Later in 2003, a two-disc re-release of Furious Angels featured all-instrumental versions on the second disc.
Dougan's music is difficult to pin down into a single genre. He obviously composes with a significant dance club-influenced beat, but with major symphonic elements such as full-sized string orchestras, and his own, rough, alternative-rock-like lyrics. When asked, Rob Dougan's usual response is that the album is "antigenre".
Currently Rob Dougan is working on two new releases - a classical album of "some gems (often obscure), own favorites and pieces that he like a lot" (a sort of cover-album), and album of orchestral pieces which he has written by himself (a follow-up album to Furious Angels).
Dougan returned in 2015 with a 5-track EP known as The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sessions, available exclusively via his website, consisting of classical/symphonic pieces. An accompanying video captures the performance of the EP. In 2016 he released a second EP Misc. Sessions which includes new songs five of which feature vocals and seven songs that are completely instrumental.
Born Yesterday
Rob Dougan Lyrics
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She thinks that I go out with the tide and fade at the end of the day
She thinks my hairs aren't numbered
And when pricked I don't cry in pain
Just 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday
And she thinks that I was born in another age
She thinks that I get up with the sun and dream my life away
And she thinks that I'm going nowhere
And 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday
She thinks that I was born yesterday
She thinks that I came into this world (born without a name)
And thinks 'cause I'm saying nothing that I've got nothing to say
Just 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday
The lyrics to Rob Dougan's "Born Yesterday" paint a picture of a protagonist who is perceived as naive and inexperienced by those around him. The lines "She thinks that I was born yesterday / She thinks that I go out with the tide and fade at the end of the day" suggest that some see him as someone who is easily influenced, someone who doesn't have a strong hold on his own beliefs or principles. The idea that he "fades" also connotes a lack of agency or power. Similarly, the line "She thinks my hairs aren't numbered / And when pricked I don't cry in pain" implies a lack of depth or complexity in the singer's character, as if he is seen as someone who is not able to experience emotions or think critically.
The line "Just 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday" is particularly resonant, as it suggests a certain innocence or naivety. It implies that the singer is viewed as someone who is not well-versed in the ways of the world or socially intelligent. The repeated refrain "And she thinks that I was born yesterday" further drives home this idea. The final line of the song, "Just 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday", suggests that even though the singer might be perceived in a certain way, he is still capable of experiencing joy and wonder like anyone else, regardless of his past experiences or level of knowledge.
Overall, Dougan's lyrics in "Born Yesterday" explore the tension between how we are perceived and who we really are. The image of a "child born yesterday" suggests a lack of experience or knowledge, but the repeated refrain shows that this perception is not necessarily accurate or fair.
Line by Line Meaning
She thinks that I was born yesterday
She thinks that I am naive and inexperienced.
She thinks that I go out with the tide and fade at the end of the day
She thinks that I am easily swayed and will not stand up for myself.
She thinks my hairs aren't numbered
She thinks that I have no idea what is going on around me.
And when pricked I don't cry in pain
She thinks that I am emotionless and do not care about anything that happens to me.
Just 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday
She thinks that I am innocent and do not know the ways of the world.
And she thinks that I was born in another age
She thinks that I am out of touch with modern times.
She thinks that I get up with the sun and dream my life away
She thinks that I am lazy and aimless.
And she thinks that I'm going nowhere
She thinks that I have no ambition or goals.
'Cause I stay in one place
She thinks that I am content with staying where I am and not trying to move forward in life.
And 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday
She thinks that I am innocent and not aware of the darker side of life.
She thinks that I came into this world (born without a name)
She thinks that I have not made a name for myself and am not known for anything.
And thinks 'cause I'm saying nothing that I've got nothing to say
She thinks that I am quiet and have nothing of value to contribute to a conversation.
Just 'cause I smile like a child born yesterday
She thinks that I am innocent and not aware of the darker side of life.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROB DOUGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind