Consisting of two siblings and two close school friends, the hardworking quartet from Leeds released their EP, LUCKY ONES, which Record of the Day has called βbig, bold and even, at times, heroicβ¦both inspiring and anthemic,βadding β[The Dunwells] have the tenacity and spirit to become a very big band.β
Indeed, that tenacity and spirit have brought the band members a long way since their school days. Joe Dunwell and his elder brother Dave grew up in a musical household and fondly recall flipping through their dadβs Bob Dylan and Beatles records, as well as hearing their mum singing along to Motown. Bassist Rob Clayton has been Daveβs best friend since childhoodβin fact it was the Dunwell brothersβ dad who taught Rob how to play bass. Drummer Adam Taylor met Joe at college, where they bonded over their love of music. Joe explains, βWhen you put us together, our music becomes bigger than the four of us. There are moments when it stops being about how to put a song together, and we get a sudden feeling that something magical is happening around us.β
The Dunwellsβ songwriting has grown over the years since school, enriched by extensive US and UK touring in support of the bandβs 2013 debut, Blind Sighted Faith. βThere were so many euphoric moments on tour, and weβve tried to capture those feelings in the new songs,β says Dave. Those memorable moments included an appearance on Late Night With Jay Leno and performances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Fest and the Bonnaroo Festival, as well as sold out shows across the UK.
Helping The Dunwells capture their best ideas on the new songs were producer Stephen Harris (U2, Kaiser Chiefs and The Wombats), songwriters Blair MacKichan (Sia) and James Flannigan (Kodaline), and Manny Marroquin (Kanye West, Rihanna, Pink), who mixed title track βLucky Ones.β After being on tour for such a long stretch of time, the band had a renewed sense of self, which inspired much of their writing for this new EP. βBeing away from home re-affirmed our identity,β remembers Dave. This sentiment was reinforced in Harrisβ studio, an hour north of Leeds. βWe felt at home there,β recalls Joe. βThat northern feel was important. Not because weβre βa northern band,β but thereβs something about Stephenβs production that gives our songs a sense of place.β That strong sense of local pride shines through in songs like βLucky Ones,β whose sentiment is universal but which is underpinned by a very English-strutting sound. βItβs about saying βYeah, we are the lucky ones, come over here and look at us,ββ explains Dave. βItβs not arrogance, but a reminder of how lucky we all are to be alive and how great life can be.β
Hurts
The Dunwells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to offload you your grief,
You can't get out the words that you wanna say
Said it once said it twice, but you never take my advice
You falter and repeat never own your mistakes
Never own your mistakes
When you fade right there in front of me
It hurts sometimes
When you fall apart it's killing me
It hurts sometimes
Yeah I know it hurts sometimes
It hurts!! It hurts!!
I show no remorse,
Hoping that you prove me wrong
There's still time to heal
There still time for what you deserve
There still time for what you deserve
When your standing there in front of me
It hurts sometimes
Yeah I know it hurts sometimes
When you fade right there in front of me tt hurts some times
But everything will be alright
It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!
Don't ever think you can't come clean,
'cause one day I'll be the one in need when I'm hurt some time
We all hurt some times
When you fade right the in from me It hurts some times
Yeah it hurts sometimes
It hurts!
When you fall apart it's killing me
It hurts sometimes
But everything will be alright
It hurts! It hurts!
Yeah I know it hurts
Oh it hurts!
OoooohOooh...
The Dunwells "Hurts" is a heartfelt ballad that speaks about a person trying to confront their deep-seated grief but is struggling to find the words. The song implies that we must learn to take ownership of our mistakes and accept our flaws, while eventually striving to heal ourselves. The listener hears a compassionate voice urging the person to speak out and offers support when they are finally ready to do so. The chorus suggests that it's painful to watch someone suffer, but ultimately, everything will be alright.
The lyrics suggest that we all go through difficult times, and it's okay to ask for help when it's needed. The line "Don't ever think you can't come clean 'cause one day I'll be the one in need when I'm hurt sometime" reveals that the person singing the song considers themself available to help their friend and will also need help at some point. The song's overarching message is the importance of developing meaningful relationships, which offer emotional support and compassion, in our lives as we navigate our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Here you are on your knees,
You are feeling vulnerable and trying to cope with your pain.
Trying to offload your grief,
You are attempting to express and share your emotions.
You can't get out the words that you wanna say
You struggle to articulate your feelings and get them out.
Said it once said it twice, but you never take my advice
I have given you advice before, but you don't follow it.
You falter and repeat never own your mistakes,
You struggle to take responsibility for your actions and learn from your errors.
When you fade right there in front of me
When you are breaking down emotionally in front of me.
It hurts sometimes
Witnessing your pain is difficult for me to bear.
Yeah it hurts sometimes
I am acknowledging the discomfort I feel.
When you fall apart it's killing me
Watching you self-destruct is distressing and overwhelming for me.
It hurts!! It hurts!!
The pain is intense and all-consuming.
I show no remorse,
I am not sympathizing with your struggles.
Hoping that you prove me wrong
I am holding onto hope that you will overcome your challenges.
There's still time to heal
It's not too late for you to recover and move forward.
There still time for what you deserve
You can still achieve what you desire if you work towards it.
When your standing there in front of me
When you are still struggling in my presence.
But everything will be alright
I am offering comfort and reassurance.
Don't ever think you can't come clean,
You don't have to keep your struggles to yourself and can be honest with me.
'cause one day I'll be the one in need when I'm hurt some time
I may also need your support and compassion in the future when I am also struggling.
We all hurt some times
Everyone experiences emotional pain at some point in their life.
Yeah it hurts sometimes
Acknowledge the shared experience of pain and struggle.
Oh it hurts!
Expressing the pain and difficulty of facing emotional challenges.
OoooohOooh...
A continuation of expressing the struggle and pain of emotional difficulties.
Contributed by Carter I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brendandunne7375
The Dunwells are still one of my all time favourite bands.Great guys.π»
@Blueforlifefry
Saw these guys on Vintage TV a couple of years ago, cant understand why they havent been bigger in UK
@RogerGoodgroves
I was there for the recording, from the moment I heard their songs I was hooked
@MikeGledhill
Holy crap, that was amazing.....
@kingalex100
Their acoustic set in Wetherby 4th Nov brought me here..first time I've seen them...great band! Looking forward to Leeds in Dec.
@davidrobertson5996
Brilliant track. Superb performance and great video!
@justflora7677
beautiful!
I love this song so much!
it's like feels trip...
you guys rock!
@abbalillie6382
The harmonies, oh the harmonies
@hannahchesnutt9812
yes!!
@abbalillie6382
Hannah Chesnutt have you heard of the "Milk Carton kids"