Critics have likened their musical style to Modest Mouse, although band members cite their influences as The Flaming Lips, Joel Plaskett, and Weezer. (which are probably more accurate comparisons)
The Dudes gained popularity in Calgary both for their lo-fi approach to recording and releasing albums and for their live stage-show. On their album, Brain Heart Guitar, they worked with Calgary producer Russ Broom, and released the album in 2006 on the LoadMusic record label.
Their music has been played on university radio and CBC Radio 3, and the group has played at South by Southwest and Canadian Music Week.
Their song "Dropkick Queen of the Weekend" was heard across Canada in 2006, having been featured in a Rogers Wireless advertising campaign.
On January 12, 2007 they released a new single from Brain Heart Guitar, "Do the Right Thing". Its video was filmed at Webber Academy, a private school in Calgary, in the summer of 2006.
Do The Right Thing
The Dudes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I let anyone in
And now my carnal sins
Have got ginger beef so boring
My heart's wide open
I sure was hoping you could close it down
It seems I'm finding out
And you strike me like gas and ligtning
Love me, don't just spend the night
You can't count on me to do the right thing
And help me do the right thing
And you steel my nerve and you strike me
Love don't like me
Don't just spend the night
You can't count on me to do the right thing
I've made time with girls
From every walk of life
And line of work
It's fine, I'm sure there must be something more
Because when we touch I swear
I think I think too much
I still remember every minute if you were in it
And you strike me, smite me
Ladies like me
Love me, don't just spend the night
You can't count on me to do the right thing
Say my name and I will give you anything
Kiss my face and I'll kiss yours anyway
Walk my way and watch me lose my mind
And do the right thing
Hold my hand and I will tell you everything
Say you'll wait and I will get you anything
Just don't go or watch me lose control
You steal my nerve and you've struck my life
Don't love me for just one night
You can't count on me to do the right thing
The Dudes’s song "Do The Right Thing" tackles the complexities and pitfalls of love and relationships. The opening lines of the song, “My bedroom's worse than the Catholic church, I let anyone in…” suggest that the singer has a history of casual sexual relationships, and as a result, is struggling to make a deeper connection with someone. The line “And now my carnal sins have got ginger beef so boring” uses food as a metaphor to convey the idea that casual sex has lost its appeal and left the singer feeling unfulfilled.
The singer then speaks directly to the object of his affection, expressing his vulnerability and hesitance to fully open up for fear of being hurt. The line “It seems I'm finding out that loving you girl can be so frightening” suggests that love is scary and unpredictable, but also exciting and worth pursuing. However, the singer acknowledges that he is not always reliable and struggles to do the right thing: “You can't count on me to do the right thing, and help me do the right thing.”
Overall, the song captures the complexities and challenges of modern love and relationships, using humor and wit to explore the pitfalls of casual sex and the uncertainty of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
My bedroom's worse than the Catholic church
My bedroom is not clean, and I let anyone in without considering consequences, just like the Catholic church who harbored abusers within their walls
And now my carnal sins have got ginger beef so boring
My bad habits have left me unsatisfied, just like eating the same boring food all the time
My heart's wide open, I sure was hoping you could close it down
I am vulnerable and open to love, but afraid of being hurt and hoping you can protect me
It seems I'm finding out that loving you girl can be so frightening
Being in love can be scary, and I am realizing this as I fall for you
And you strike me like gas and ligtning
Your presence has a powerful impact on me, like being struck by an unexpected force
Love me, don't just spend the night
I want a genuine connection with you, not just a one night stand
You can't count on me to do the right thing
I am not always reliable when it comes to making the right decision or doing the right thing
And help me do the right thing
I need your guidance and support to make better choices
I've made time with girls from every walk of life and line of work
I have had relationships with many different types of women
It's fine, I'm sure there must be something more
Even though I have experienced a lot, I believe there is something deeper and more meaningful waiting for me
Because when we touch I swear I think I think too much
When we are intimate, I overthink things and get in my own head
I still remember every minute if you were in it
I have strong feelings for you and every moment we have spent together is memorable to me
Say my name and I will give you anything
I am willing to do anything for you if you acknowledge and appreciate me
Kiss my face and I'll kiss yours anyway
We don't have to be in a committed relationship for us to show affection to each other
Walk my way and watch me lose my mind
Just being near you drives me wild and makes me crazy for you
Hold my hand and I will tell you everything
I am willing to open up and share everything with you if you show me affection
Say you'll wait and I will get you anything
If you promise to wait for me, I will do anything to show my commitment to you
Just don't go or watch me lose control
If you leave me, I will feel helpless and out of control
You steal my nerve and you've struck my life
Your influence has affected me deeply and shaken up my world
Don't love me for just one night
I want a love that is deeper and longer-lasting than just a one night encounter
You can't count on me to do the right thing
Once again, I am admitting that I am not always reliable when it comes to making the right decision or doing the right thing
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@epicmanatee592
This was one of my favourite songs as a kid and inspired my love of alternative music, still jam out to it to this day!
@wellallright
I love this Band! the Dudes are Rockin' n' Rollin', cannot hear any of their songs without smiling, without wanting to sing & dance, thank you the Dudes for Brightening up the planet!!!
@carll.e.borchardt9470
Awesome. The Dudes are one of my favorite artists and this video is one example why.
@astrobeans
They have the best concert showmanship of any band imo.
@afamiliarmelody
the drummer is from my hometown! he was a year ahead of me in high school... his name is Scott Ross and he used to play in a local punk band called Wishing Well... everything he has ever done is gold...
@JokerMr13
i love when the guy beats the kid at snakes and ladders and flips it over than the next scene is him rubbing it in his face so awesome, Thank god for The Dudes
@Tr33hugg3r88
Pumped to rock out with the Dudes at the Calgary Stampede this Friday!
@kaflooey
Top video, top tune, top Band. Bought the CD Brain Heart Guitar and love it. Not a bad song on it, they're all great tracks.
@CharlieHipHop
Good shit! Fun, catchy, somethin' to say without takin' urself too seriouslike.
@pibs1510
Love u guys