The Dualers are street performing brothers Si and Tyber.

The Dualers… Read Full Bio ↴The Dualers are street performing brothers Si and Tyber.

The Dualers perform a unique blend of ska, soul and reggae that appeals to all ages with members of their database ranging from 1 to 91. They have a fan base of approaching 10,000 members but have probably been seen by in excess of 4 million whilst busking around the south east and performing at private functions, for the last 8 years. They have sold over 35,000 copies of their first two cd's on the streets alone.

As children they were brought up on ska and soul, the music their father Bill Cranstoun was instrumental in introducing to London, with his Savoy Sound System at several locations in the 60’s including regular nights at the Swan & Sugar Loaf in Croydon, The King Alfred in Sydenham and The Bedford Arms in Balham. Their mother Jacqueline, born in Sierra Leone, who met Bill at the Locarno Ballroom in Streatham, was pulled into work the cloakrooms and to keep an eye on him!

Si and Tyber remember “Growing up in our house we were listening to The Blues Busters, Lord Creator, Stranger Cole, Bob Marley, The Skatalites, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding to name a few”

The family lived all across the south east whilst the boys were growing up including Bromley, Canterbury, Croydon, London and Penge as such all these places feel like their home town. Tyber currently lives in Greenwich, London and Si in Caterham, Surrey.

Music has always been Si and Tyber’s first love and upon leaving school Simon pursued music as a career and he enjoyed some success. Tyber attended the elite Guildhall School of Music and Drama also attended by Orlando Bloom and Ewan McGregor and after some television success Tyber decided to join his brother singing on the streets.

Whenever they have performed they have had a phenomenal response whether on the streets or in clubs their lively and charismatic performance has blown audiences away.

Their debut single “Kiss On The Lips” entered the charts on Sunday 24th October 2004 at number 21 ahead of established artists such as Bjork and Slipknot and this has sent a shockwave throughout the music industry. Despite no national coverage or airplay, the single stayed in the charts for a second week at number 33.

Amazingly, they did this with only the help of a small group of friends. They had no record contract, no distributor, no agent, no manager and no promoter!

Puppet on a String
The Dualers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now people say I'm wasting my time on you
And everything that you desire
Thuo I'm not the emotional kind i know
How your making me so inspired

Had no distraction till i met you girl
Now i'm stirring up my hands we're tied since the day that i found you

You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now
Tell me did i do something so wrong
You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now

No i won't believe what they say i'll stay
And i won't put up any fight for sure
I could never break away i know
Even with a little open door

Had no distraction till i met you girl
Now i'm stirring up my hands we're tied since the day that i found you

You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now
Tell me did i do something so wrong
You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now

Had no distraction till i met you girl
Now i'm stirring up my hands we're tied since the day that i found you

You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now
Tell me did i do something so wrong
You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now

You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now
Tell me did i do something so wrong
You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now

Oh tell me did i do something so wrong
Something so wrong
Yeah now something so wrong

Something so wrong yeah
Something so wrong

Overall Meaning

The Dualers’ song “Puppet on a String” is a tale of a man who has been caught up in a love that has taken over every aspect of his life. The lyrics explain that the people around him have been critical of his choice of partner, and have suggested that he is wasting his time with someone who is not worth it. Despite their reservations, the singer is unable to resist this woman who has captured his heart, and is now his source of inspiration.

Furthermore, the lyrics describe how the singer was once meaninglessly going through life until he met this woman, who has now become a constant distraction to him. He claims their hands are tied together, and he feels like a puppet on a string being controlled by her every move. He is willing to put up a fight for her and despite the negative statements from outsiders about their romance, he is committed to her.

The song is an expression of the power of love and how it can change people. It illustrates how love can be all-consuming and can cause people to behave in ways that they never thought possible. Overall, the song is a call to follow your heart and take a chance on love even if others disagree with your decision.

Line by Line Meaning

Now people say I'm wasting my time on you
Others believe that I'm using my time fruitlessly on you

And everything that you desire
Whatever you want, you get without any resistance.

Thuo I'm not the emotional kind i know
Although I'm not one to express my feelings, I'm aware of what you're doing to me.

How your making me so inspired
You ignite something in me that other people or situations don't. I am feeling energized and stimulated by you.

Had no distraction till i met you girl
Before you came into my life, there was no diversion or alteration to my routine.

Now i'm stirring up my hands we're tied since the day that i found you
My hands move erratically now; it seems we're inseparable since the day I stumbled upon you.

You've got me hanging like a puppet on a string baby now
You have complete control over me; I feel helpless and powerless to your wishes.

Tell me did i do something so wrong
Is my behavior offensive and causing you to act in such a manner, or is it something else?

No i won't believe what they say i'll stay
I have no intention of leaving you, regardless of what others say about our relationship.

And i won't put up any fight for sure
I don't want to argue with you; I'm willing to acquiesce to your demands.

I could never break away i know
It is impossible for me to break away from you, despite the fact that it might be the best thing for me.

Even with a little open door
Even if there's a slight chance of freedom, I don't have the strength to take it.

Oh tell me did i do something so wrong
Is my behavior so terrible that this is the only way you know how to treat me?

Something so wrong
It seems like there's something off-kilter about this relationship.

Yeah now something so wrong
It feels like something isn't right now.

Something so wrong yeah
It seems like things have taken a wrong turn with us.