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.
Drinking Song
Rob Dougan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That leaves you unwell and thinking of me everyday
I want to play you a tune that leaves you marooned and troubled
Each time I'm away
Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullabied child led to sleep?
So for one moment in time, you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
That you call me to have the thing banned
Who's sound so endears that whole nations cheer and sigh
When you take my hand
Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullabied child led to sleep?
So for one moment in time you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
God I'm a gambler that just wants to lose and be allowed to leave
I'm a traveler - with one last mile my journey is complete
I'm like a swallow that wants one long last look, before flying east
Last on my list - and then I quit - to kiss your lips and weep
I want to play a silver note that fills you with hope
And tames you to feed from my hand
A turquoise chord that invites you to soar
And fly...to a faraway land
A symphony that gently leads you to sit and be still with me
And grief doesn't frighten me
At its worst it delights me
'Cause I want to kiss you and weep
I'm a gambler that just wants to lose and be allowed to leave
I'm a traveler - with one last mile my journey is complete
I'm like a swallow that wants one long last look before flying east
Last on my list - and then I quit - to kiss your lips and weep
Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullabied child led to sleep?
So for one moment in time you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
So for one moment in time you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
The lyrics of Rob Dougan's song "Drinking Song" tell a story of a lover who wants to weave a musical spell that captures the attention of the beloved every day. The song's lyrics describe an intense desire to create a musical masterpiece that leaves the beloved marooned and troubled every time the lover is away. The lines "Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullabied child led to sleep" are an indication of the lover's yearning to be with the beloved always, and a desire to write a song that can create a lasting connection between the two.
The lyrics also reveal the metaphorical nature of the song. The lines "God I'm a gambler that just wants to lose and be allowed to leave" and "I'm like a swallow that wants one long last look, before flying east" evoke images of fleetingness and impermanence. The lover knows that life is short and that his journey is nearly complete. Therefore, he wants to spend his remaining time with the beloved and leave behind a musical legacy that will last even after he is gone. Ultimately, the song is an ode to love, music, and the human desire to create something beautiful that transcends time.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to weave a musical spell
I want to write a song that has a powerful effect on you
That leaves you unwell and thinking of me everyday
That makes you feel sick and obsessed with me all the time
I want to play you a tune that leaves you marooned and troubled
I want to play a song that makes you feel lonely and distressed
Each time I'm away
Whenever I’m not with you
Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullabied child led to sleep?
Is there a song that would make you want to be with me?
So for one moment in time, you'd find that you're mine
For a brief period, you would feel that you belong to me
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
And I would gently kiss you and cry
I want to write a simple song that's so frequently sung
I want to create a song that is well-known and widely heard
That you call me to have the thing banned
That you ask for the song to be banned because it reminds you of me too much
Who's sound so endears that whole nations cheer and sigh
A song that is so beautiful that it makes entire countries celebrate and feel emotional
When you take my hand
When we are holding hands
God I'm a gambler that just wants to lose and be allowed to leave
I am willing to take risks even if it means losing everything and leaving
I'm a traveler - with one last mile my journey is complete
I am a person who has almost finished their travels and is nearing the end of their journey
I'm like a swallow that wants one long last look, before flying east
I am like a bird that wants to take one last look before leaving
Last on my list - and then I quit - to kiss your lips and weep
Kissing you and crying is the last thing on my to-do list before I leave
I want to play a silver note that fills you with hope
I want to create a melody that inspires hope in you
And tames you to feed from my hand
And makes you depend on me for comfort and support
A turquoise chord that invites you to soar
A musical note that motivates you to rise above your current situation
And fly...to a faraway land
And escape to a distant place
A symphony that gently leads you to sit and be still with me
A harmonious arrangement that makes you want to stay calm and close to me
And grief doesn't frighten me
And sadness doesn't scare me
At its worst it delights me
Even when you feel your worst, I am happy to be with you
'Cause I want to kiss you and weep
Because I want to kiss you and cry
So for one moment in time you'd find that you're mine
For a brief period, you would feel that you belong to me
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
And I would gently kiss you and cry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROB DOUGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@uglygreens3137
I want to weave a musical spell
That leaves you unwell and thinking of me everyday
I want to play you a tune that leaves you marooned and troubled
Each time I'm away
Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullabied child lead to sleep?
So for one moment in time, you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
I want to write a simple song that's so frequently sung
That you call me to have the thing banned
Who's sound so endears that whole nations cheer and sigh
When you take my hand
Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullabied child lead to sleep?
So for one moment in time you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
'Cause I'm a gambler that just wants to lose and be allowed to leave
I'm a traveller - with one last mile my journey is complete
I'm like a swallow that wants one long last look, before flying east
Last on my list - and then I quit - to kiss your lips and weep
I want to play a silver note that fills you with hope
And tames you to feed from my hand
A turquoise chord that invites you to soar
And fly... to a faraway land
A symphony that gently leads you to sit and be still with me
And grief doesn't frighten me
As its worst it delights me
'Cause I want to kiss you and weep
For I'm a gambler that just wants to lose and be allowed to leave
I'm a traveler - with one last mile my journey is complete
I'm like a swallow that wants one long last look before flying east
Last on my list - and then I quit - to kiss your lips and weep
Is there a melody - that could lead you to me - like a lullubied child to sleep?
So for one moment in time you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
So for one moment in time you'd find that you're mine
And softly I'd kiss you and weep
@tranceparentcycle
A hit and run artist, hit thousands of hearts and ran. A very unsung genius. No ego, just heartache and longing so beautifully phrased. Not many artists can convey a sense of honesty with no agenda. This man was, is and will always be my my muse.
@cookumms
IMO, Rob Dougan is one of the greatest musical geniuses of the past century. He has the most emotionally resonating lyrics out there, and he can create melodies that are just as powerful as his lyrics. He's a musical master. He can do what all the modern musicians of today pretend to do, and yet he doesn't ask for fame or recognition. He came out of nowhere, delivered a masterpiece, and went on his way. The man is a legend.
@elvanbasargan3067
One of the best ballads ever, Rob is a gift of God, a rare talent, a poet, a great musicion I'm in love with his unique style, his special touch and the deep feelings he express on each of his songs, I thank him everytime I hear one of his songs
@maxwellvest2667
He is channeling the inner Tom Waits present within every human being.
@crassazell
Just found this artist and I now know what perfection is
@SillyPom
I was hooked the first time I heard it. So melancholy yet so soothing. I get a tear in my eye now whenever I sing this at lounges and clubs.
@cinematicchild7286
I’ve loved Rob Dougan’s music almost my entire life. And there is nothing like his music. His music is is hidden pearl in the rough. I wish more people knew his music. I’ve never met anyone irl that knows his music. And that’s insane to me. So to me, Rob Dougan, is kind of like my music; no expenses spared, full quality in every aspect; poetic, epic, profound, and untouched.
@jtchen22
I liked this song when I was in a relationship, but now that I'm out, I love this song. It simply captures the essence of feelings that one goes through. I wish I could write and sing this well drunk.
@artzaragoza7419
Where are you, Rob? Come back to us. If for no other reason than we may heap praise on you for your amazing music.
@DrShipiro
he was running a vineyard somewhere in europe from what i read, he finally came out with a new cd last year! i enjoyed it