The Damnwells are the subject of a documentary feature film called 'Golden Days,' which is also the name of a track on their 2006 record 'Air Stereo.' Taking a hiatus after touring and being dropped from their label, front man Alex Dezen completed and released an album in April 2009, 'One Last Century.'
This album included Damnwells tunes exclusive to unreleased demos such as "Soundtrack" and "Bastard of Midnight." and many new songs Most importantly about that the album was that it is a free online download. The explanation given to fans and listeners:
"I have never worked so hard or put so much of myself into a collection of recorded songs. It is for just this reason that I want to give it away. To me it makes perfect sense. I just want people to hear this music, and I don’t want them to have to enter into some kind of contractual agreement with a third party to do so." - Alex Dezen, Damnwells
The Lost Complaint
The Damnwells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not till I've gone away
When you gonna take the blame
Oh when your love has strayed
When you gonna taste the same
Go and perform again
When you gonna call the game
Chorus:
I just want the focus on you
My photograph won't disappoint you
I just want the focus on you
Marie Claire's /Mademoiselle's /Seventeen's
got nothing on you
I just want the focus on you
When you gonna change your name
To one that we can say
When you gonna keep the take
That's when the crime has paid
Chorus
The lyrics in The Damnwells' song "The Lost Complaint" suggest a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with someone who is not staying the same and taking responsibility for their actions. The singer is waiting for this person to change and take ownership of their mistakes, but it seems that they are not willing to do so until it is too late. The repetition of "when you gonna" emphasizes the waiting and anticipation, creating a sense of urgency.
The chorus suggests that the singer just wants the focus to be on this person, emphasizing their value and importance above others. The line "Marie Claire's /Mademoiselle's /Seventeen's got nothing on you" further emphasizes this, suggesting that magazines known for highlighting beauty and fashion are not as important as the person they are addressing. The frustration seems to come from the fact that this person is not recognizing their own worth and value.
Overall, the lyrics in "The Lost Complaint" suggest a plea for someone to take responsibility for their actions and recognize their value. The song's sense of urgency and frustration creates a feeling of wanting to help and understand the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
When you gonna stay the same
When will your personality be unchanging?
Not till I've gone away
It won't happen until I leave.
When you gonna take the blame
When will you acknowledge your faults?
Oh when your love has strayed
Only when you've been unfaithful in love.
When you gonna taste the same
When will you return to your previous state?
Go and perform again
Resume your previous activities.
When you gonna call the game
When will you conclude this conflict?
This is the lost complaint
This is the lament of something that has been lost.
Chorus: I just want the focus on you
I want all attention directed toward you.
My photograph won't disappoint you
My picture will not let you down.
Marie Claire's/Mademoiselle's/Seventeen's got nothing on you
Those publications do not compare to you in my eyes.
When you gonna change your name
When will you alter your identity?
To one that we can say
To a name that can be pronounced.
When you gonna keep the take
When will you retain the money?
That's when crime has paid
That's when you've benefitted from breaking the law.
Chorus
Refrain from chorus.
Contributed by Sadie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.