Six60 is a New Zealand pop-rock band formed in Dunedin, Otago, in 2008 comp… Read Full Bio ↴Six60 is a New Zealand pop-rock band formed in Dunedin, Otago, in 2008 comprising Matiu Walters (lead vocals, guitar), Ji Fraser (lead guitar), Chris Mac (bass guitar), Marlon Gerbes (synthesiser), Hoani Matenga (bass guitar) and Eli Paewai (drums).

The band members bonded over a shared love of NZ music and a passion for making their own and formed after meeting at a Kora concert in 2006. Three members flatted together as Otago University students, spending countless hours in their "recording studio" (Eli Paewai's room) at 660 Castle St; hence the band name.

Six60's debut EP, released in 2008, features a track called "Someone to Be Around" that was left off their debut album but continues to be one of their most popular songs.

The band's self-titled debut album was released on 10 October 2011 on their own label Massive Entertainment. The album was produced and mixed by Tiki Taane and debuted at number one in the New Zealand charts and was certified gold within its first week of release. Their first two singles "Rise Up 2.0" and "Don't Forget Your Roots" reached number one and number two respectively on the RIANZ singles chart and were both certified double and triple platinum.

In 2018 the band won five Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards and were the most streamed artist by New Zealanders on Spotify. On 23 February 2019, Six60 became the first New Zealand band to play a sold-out concert at the Western Springs Stadium, to a crowd of 50,000 fans. On 24 April 2021, Six60 played the first concert at Auckland's Eden Park Stadium, to a crowd of 50,000 fans. It was the closing of the Six60 Saturdays country-wide tour and the largest concert of 2021.

Desperado
Six60 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Chur! Woo! Mmm

So you brush up your stuff too as they take him higher
But they always try to water out his fire
He was a desperado, whoa
Trying to kill my flow - No! Mmm
He was a desperado, whoa
Trying to grab a hold - Woo! Mmm

And so the single man, he looks out from his window
As he takes another swig from his whiskey bottle
He was a desperado, whoa
Trying to grab a hold - Woo! Mmm
He was a desperado, whoa
Trying to kill my flow - No, no, yeah

Say, whoa, what is there left to do, yeah - Ooh! Oh, yeah, yeah
Maybe his luck, it will change through - Ooh!
Well, he took-a one step forward, two steps back
Well, they're mad that we said that he ain't worth jack - Oh, no, no
Well, he took-a one step forward, two steps back
Well, they're mad that we said that he ain't worth
jack - No, no! Ooh! Chur!

And so the single man, he looks out from his window
As he takes another swig from his whiskey bottle
He was a desperado, whoa
Trying to kill my flow - No, you don't
He was a desperado, whoa
Just trying to grab a hold - Yeah, ooh

Say, whoa, what is there left to do, yeah - Ooh! Oh, yeah
Well, maybe his luck will change through - Ooh!
Well, he took-a one step forward, two steps back
Well, they're mad that we said that he ain't worth
jack - Oh, no, jack-sh*t! Whoa, yeah
Well, he took-a one step forward, two steps back
Well, they're mad that we said that he ain't worth jack - Oh, no, no, yeah

Woo!

I'd like to take this opportunity to duce the band,
At first, on the drums is the prophet, the silent assassin,
Coming at you from Dannevirke - it's Eli Paewai! (Woo!)

Chur! Mmmmm Hmm!
One more time please!

Eli! Yeah, boi!

Next up, all the way from Christchurch (Yeah, boi!)
It's the big man on the bass, Mr Hoani Matenga! (Woo!)

Heh!

Hoani!

Chur, boi! Next up, originally from Gisborne, now in Kinloch,
It's the Ji, the auburn destroyer on lead guitar, Mr James Fraser!

Woohoo! Yeah, baby!
Now coming from Napier on the synthesizer, it's the 'Woop Woop',
Mr Marlon Gerbes!

Yeah, woohoo!
Hit me one more time please, Marlon! Yeah, we love this stuff!

Woo-hoo!

My name's Matiu all the way from Auckland and lead vocals.
We are Six60 coming live from Dunedin. Cheers everybody! Woo!

Whoa

Oh, yeah, yeah
Whoa, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Desperado by Six60 are a depiction of a man who is struggling to succeed in life. He has been called a desperado, someone who is reckless or dangerous, because of his persistent efforts to become successful. However, despite his hard work and dedication, he has not been able to achieve his goal. The singer acknowledges that the man has been criticized and judged harshly by those around him, but he continues to persevere nonetheless. The song highlights the frustration and disappointment that comes with striving for success and the need for support and encouragement from those around us.

The lyrics of Desperado by Six60 are relatable for anyone who has been on the path of pursuing their dreams. The song's message resonates that it is not easy to achieve success; it requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and sometimes, people who do their best still fail. However, it is essential to keep trying and remain perseverant in the face of failure. The song highlights that we all need support and encouragement, especially when we are down, and these are the things that help us stay on course and achieve our goals.

Line by Line Meaning

So you brush up your stuff too as they take him higher
As people continue to succeed around him, the desperado tries to improve himself to reach their level.

But they always try to water out his fire
Despite his efforts, the desperado is constantly met with impediments preventing his success.

He was a desperado, whoa Trying to kill my flow - No! Mmm He was a desperado, whoa Trying to grab a hold - Woo! Mmm
The desperado struggles to find his place, alternating between trying to stand out and fit in with others.

And so the single man, he looks out from his window As he takes another swig from his whiskey bottle
The desperado turns to drinking and isolating himself from others when faced with hardships.

Say, whoa, what is there left to do, yeah - Ooh! Oh, yeah, yeah Maybe his luck, it will change through - Ooh!
The desperado wonders what he can do to change his situation, hoping for a stroke of good fortune.

Well, he took-a one step forward, two steps back Well, they're mad that we said that he ain't worth jack - Oh, no, no
The desperado tries to progress but faces opposition from others who don't believe in him.

I'd like to take this opportunity to duce the band, At first, on the drums is the prophet, the silent assassin, Coming at you from Dannevirke - it's Eli Paewai! (Woo!) ...
Introducing the band members: Eli Paewai on drums, Hoani Matenga on bass, James Fraser on lead guitar, Marlon Gerbes on synthesizer, and Matiu Walters on lead vocals.

My name's Matiu all the way from Auckland and lead vocals. We are Six60 coming live from Dunedin. Cheers everybody! Woo!
Matiu Walters, the lead singer of Six60, greets the audience and celebrates the band's performance in Dunedin.

Whoa Oh, yeah, yeah Whoa, yeah
The chorus repeats, highlighting the desperado's struggle and questioning what he can do to change his situation.

Writer(s): FRASER JAMES, WALTERS MATIU JOHN ANDERSON, GERBES MARLON ALEXANDER, PAEWAI ELI

Contributed by Jackson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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