The band's name derives from banjoist Leonard Podolak's earlier band Scruj MacDuhk (pronounced Scrugg MachDuke). MacDuhk was a warrior chieftain who fought with William Wallace, resisting English occupation of Scotland, during the reign of King Edward I. The entire name is a wordplay on the Disney character Scrooge McDuck created by Carl Barks.
In March of 2007 lead singer and budding songwriter Jessee Havey left the band to pursue other interests. Singer Sarah Dugas joined the band in July of 2007 and is on the road with The Duhks.
In late 2007, percussionist Scott Senior left the band to spend more time with his family, as his partner, Tara Beckta, was expecting their second child. Christian Dugas, Sarah's brother and a former bandmate of Leonard Podolak, has since joined The Duhks. Other members are fiddler Tania Elizabeth and guitarist Jordan McConnell.
In October 2007 The Duhks Sustainability Project http://www.greenduhks.com was launched to raise awareness about ways to live a more economically-viable and ecologically-sustainable lifestyle. In April 2008, The Duhks performed a post Earth Day benefit in Nederland, Colorado.
In spring 2016, the band announced that they would no longer be touring. They have not released any new music since 2014.
http://www.duhks.com
Dance Hall Girls
The Duhks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These dance hall girls, they don't treat you kind
They give you their bodies, but you never reach their minds
Well, they fill you up with lipstick lies
When they put you down some, don't ya be surprised
Is this the way it always is, here in Baltimore?
I held her sunshine, and I drank her rains
Well, I went so far, that I broke too fast
Thought I had me a winner picked, but I came in last again
Is this the way it always is, here in Baltimore?
(Chorus)
I must have chosen the wrong season to come down
I never realized they called this sacred ground
My sense of time, hell, I'm a week behind
I sent me a letter home but this all takes time
Gonna get some cash, gonna go back home
These dance hall girls really know how to make a man feel alone
Is this the way it always is, here in Baltimore?
(Chorus)
My sense of time, hell, I'm a week behind
I sent me a letter home but this all takes time
Gonna get some cash, gonna blow this town
These dance hall girls really know how to drag a poor boy down
Is this the way it always is, here in Baltimore?
Is this the way it always is, here in Baltimore?
The Duhks's song Dance Hall Girls is a poignant reflection on the emptiness of one-night stands with women who are overbearing and don't contribute emotionally to a relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment and frustration that the singer has been left without any meaningful connection with the women he has encountered in Baltimore. The lines, "They give you their bodies, but you never reach their minds" and "Well, they fill you up with lipstick lies, when they put you down some, don't ya be surprised" illustrate the unfulfilling nature of these encounters. Additionally, the chorus echoes the singer's sense of being out of place, with phrases such as "I must have chosen the wrong season to come down" and "My sense of time, hell, I'm a week behind."
The singer admits that he had high hopes for a relationship with a woman he met in Baltimore, but ultimately felt let down and alone. He reminisces about the geographic beauty of her home state, but this is overshadowed by the disappointment of a missed connection. He ultimately decides to leave town, recognizing that the "dance hall girls really know how to drag a poor boy down."
Overall, Dance Hall Girls provides a sobering commentary on the loneliness and frustration that can result from a string of casual encounters, and offers a wistful reflection on the search for meaningful connection.
Line by Line Meaning
These dance hall girls, they don't treat you kind
The women who dance in the halls are not nice to you
They give you their bodies, but you never reach their minds
The women may be physically intimate, but they do not connect with you emotionally
Well, they fill you up with lipstick lies
The women tell you false things to make you feel better temporarily
When they put you down some, don't ya be surprised
If the women insult you, you should not take it as a surprise
Is this the way it always is, here in Baltimore?
The artist wonders if this is a common experience in Baltimore
Well, I saw her mountains, and I kissed her plains
The singer has experienced both the highs and lows of life with this woman
I held her sunshine, and I drank her rains
The singer has experienced all aspects of her life
Well, I went so far, that I broke too fast
The artist took risks that ultimately led to disappointment
Thought I had me a winner picked, but I came in last again
The artist believed they had found the right partner, but it did not work out
I must have chosen the wrong season to come down
The artist believes that they have come to Baltimore at the wrong time
I never realized they called this sacred ground
The singer did not know that Baltimore is considered special or sacred to some people
My sense of time, hell, I'm a week behind
The artist is not keeping track of time very well
I sent me a letter home but this all takes time
The singer sent a letter, but they are not sure when they will receive a response
Gonna get some cash, gonna go back home
The singer plans to leave Baltimore and return home
These dance hall girls really know how to make a man feel alone
The women in the dance hall are skilled at making men feel lonely
Gonna get some cash, gonna blow this town
The artist plans to leave Baltimore with some money
These dance hall girls really know how to drag a poor boy down
The women in the dance hall are skilled at making men feel bad about themselves
Is this the way it always is, here in Baltimore?
The singer wonders if their experience is typical for the city of Baltimore
Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.