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.
Speed Me Towards Death
Rob Dougan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I just can't wait for her
I want her to come
I want to embrace her
I've decided it's life
That I don't like
That I don't like
Cause I think she'd go for me
They say time is the cure
I can't wait, he's too slow for me
I've tried all the rest
Now I want to try the best
And I'd die for some company
I'd die for some company
I don't want to die slowly
I don't want to decay
I want to be chosen
I want to be made
I don't want to die lonely
And weary of life
I will not be earthbound
I'm going to fly
So speed me towards death
You know I want her to taste me
My senses are dead
I want her to awaken me
I've realized that this world at its best
Is just a prelude to the next
And it's not what I want to hear
It's not what I want to read
I don't want to die slowly
I don't want to decay
I want to be chosen
I want to be made
I don't want to die lonely
And weary of life
I will not be earthbound
I'm gonna fly
For life is a game
Fit only for fools
It's a horse than can't win
In a race rigged to lose
So speed me towards death
The lyrics to Rob Dougan's song "Speed Me Towards Death" tackles the subject of death head-on. The singer, who is presumably tired of life, asks to be taken to death's doorstep as soon as possible. He longs for death to come swiftly and embrace him. He doesn't want to die slowly or fade away, but rather he wants to be "chosen" and "made" by death. The singer is unhappy with life and believes that it's not worth living. He feels that the world is a prelude to the next and death is the only path that makes sense to him.
In the second verse, the singer continues with his existential rant, admitting that his senses are dead, and death is the only thing that can awaken him. He believes that life is a game rigged to be lost, and it's only for fools. He desires to fly, to escape his life on earth which he deems as earthbound. The tone of the lyrics is bleak, and the singer seems to be in despair, looking for freedom from life.
Overall, "Speed Me Towards Death" showcases the perception of an individual who is suffering silently and wants an end to their suffering by welcoming death with open arms. It reflects the mindset of somebody who questions the very purpose of existence and the fragile nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Speed me towards death
The singer desires to hasten their own death
Cause I just can't wait for her
The singer is eagerly awaiting death's arrival
I want her to come
The singer desires death to arrive
I want to embrace her
The artist wants to welcome death with open arms
I've decided it's life / That I don't like / That I don't like
The artist dislikes life and has concluded that death is preferable
Cause I think she'd go for me
The singer believes that death would take them
They say time is the cure / I can't wait, he's too slow for me
The singer is impatient and does not believe that time will heal their perceived problems
I've tried all the rest / Now I want to try the best / And I'd die for some company / I'd die for some company
The artist has explored solutions other than death and is now certain that death is the superior option
I don't want to die slowly / I don't want to decay / I want to be chosen / I want to be made
The artist does not want to slowly deteriorate and wants to be chosen by death or made to pass quickly
I don't want to die lonely / And weary of life / I will not be earthbound / I'm going to fly
The artist fears dying isolated and exhausted by their poor quality of life, and desires to transcend the limitations of their mortal form
You know I want her to taste me / My senses are dead / I want her to awaken me
The singer wants to be revived from their numb, unfeeling state by death
I've realized that this world at its best / Is just a prelude to the next / And it's not what I want to hear / It's not what I want to read
The artist believes that the afterlife is superior to life on Earth and rejects the notion that the best parts of life are a mere precursor to death
For life is a game / Fit only for fools / It's a horse than can't win / In a race rigged to lose
The singer views life as a pointless, rigged endeavor with no potential for lasting success or fulfillment
So speed me towards death
The singer repeats their plea for death to come more quickly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROB DOUGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gerard Beaubrun
Speed me towards death is a marvelous production which puzzles us with the marriage of an instrumental which seems to narrate the hero's journey with lyrics which suggests the summoning of a quick death.
This quick death which is beckoned represent the pyre in which the greatest high of life is attained. Not to die slowly, not to experience the limits and decline of human energy and potential but to throw oneself to the burning arms of death as one plunges oneself in cool seawater also capable of engulfing one in its vastness.
Many things are hinted. Was it a full life or one full of recklessness? Was if a life in which adventure brought satisfaction or was one in which each high only lessened the pleasure felt. I'd die for some company. What a puzzling remark from one who seeks death? What is clear that with all sense dulled by the previous high or life's lack of meaning, only facing death in its purity, vastness, frightening irreversibility and awe inspiring portal to the nether-realm can blow sense or new life to those cells which call for life. And here come the paradox, the narrator wants to experience life in its fullest as death icy fingers cradles his soul slowly to eternal slumber but off course after having been ignited by fear, joy, terror, excitement, meaning... something.
Now even more puzzling is the instrumental. While the lyrics by themselves could be seen as the cry of a defeatist being or the last laughter of an hedonist seeking his ultimate overdose, the instrumental is rousing, cinematic, full of drama. Featuring piercing strings(the whole introduction ), ethereal voices (3:06), super hero inspiring trumpets and brass, the instrumental which deserves its own set of comments suggest a journey...
Maybe that's what it is. A rapid descent towards death but possibly not physical but the death of one's former self. In that sense, at 3:06 you have a sense of glory being attained as one faces death. Such as phoenix needing to burst in flame, just like a hero desirous to give sacrifice himself or herself in order to ensure the safety of loved one...
This death must be the portal to one's higher self or simply the glorification of one's ultimate high. But as the author says: "That's not what I want to hear"
Tahitianpearl75
I love his music so much and would die to hear new compositions by him...please, Rob, if you ever read this....please come back.
Mr_Jones
+Lican Kaya Rob released new album "The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sessions"
KRN
+Mr_Jones YEAH!!!!!
Mr_Jones
+Tahitianpearl75 He's back! :)
Julia T
This guy is the bomb. What a legend. I can't event count how many times I've listened to this and how many more times I will. Love it +++++
silverado5469
Oh how I agree. Brilliant. John in Ohio
horseseldocumental
Como te amo Rob, la perfección existe y lleva tu nombre, Speed me towards death Rob!!
Maryanne Twain
Wow what a voice....
J
“Life is a game, fit only for fools. It’s a horse that can win, in a race rigged to loose.
So speed me towards death!”
What a line!!
Ani3t
Yes I love the music he produces as well! I wish he would create some new stuff soon!There just isn't enough!