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 “big, bold and even, at times, heroic…both inspiring and anthemic,”adding “[The Dunwells] have the tenacity and spirit to become a very big band.”
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 dad’s Bob Dylan and Beatles records, as well as hearing their mum singing along to Motown. Bassist Rob Clayton has been Dave’s best friend since childhood—in fact it was the Dunwell brothers’ 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, “When 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.”
The Dunwells’ songwriting has grown over the years since school, enriched by extensive US and UK touring in support of the band’s 2013 debut, Blind Sighted Faith. “There were so many euphoric moments on tour, and we’ve tried to capture those feelings in the new songs,” 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 “Lucky Ones.” 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. “Being away from home re-affirmed our identity,” remembers Dave. This sentiment was reinforced in Harris’ studio, an hour north of Leeds. “We felt at home there,” recalls Joe. “That northern feel was important. Not because we’re ‘a northern band,’ but there’s something about Stephen’s production that gives our songs a sense of place.” That strong sense of local pride shines through in songs like “Lucky Ones,” whose sentiment is universal but which is underpinned by a very English-strutting sound. “It’s about saying ‘Yeah, we are the lucky ones, come over here and look at us,’” explains Dave. “It’s not arrogance, but a reminder of how lucky we all are to be alive and how great life can be.”
The Best Is Yet To Come
The Dunwells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've all been a little scared of pain.
Here I stand in front of you; I'm exactly the same…
Listen up, if you've had enough
stand up and seize the day.
Take whatever happened to the old you
and throw it away with your old shoes.
Well I'm telling you, it's time for something new…
The best is yet to come when you least expected it - shout it out loud!
You think you've had enough and you just want to give up - start again!
We're all waiting for our real lives to begin…
I had it all, so I thought,
but I knew things had to change.
I took a chance, here I stand
I'm satisfied I'm ok
What ever happened to the old you?
Was it taken away with your old shoes?
Well I'm telling you, it's time for something new…
The best is yet to come when you least expected it - shout it out loud!
You think you've had enough and you just want to give up - start again!
We're all waiting for our real lives to begin…
Breathe in, breathe in … deep
Screaming, screaming… but we're all the same…
We're all waiting for our real lives to begin…
In "The Best Is Yet To Come," The Dunwells encourage listeners to let go of their fears and past selves and to start anew. The first verse acknowledges that everyone is afraid of pain, but the lead singer stands in front of the listener, assuring them that he is just like them - human and scared. He then urges them to stand up and seize the day, to let go of their past selves like old shoes and embrace a new beginning. The chorus emphasizes that the best is yet to come, and encourages the listener to shout it out loud and start again. The second verse describes the lead singer's own journey of letting go of his past and taking a chance, which led to his satisfaction with his present self. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus and a plea to breathe in deeply and accept that everyone is the same and waiting for their real lives to begin.
Overall, "The Best Is Yet To Come" is an uplifting song that encourages listeners to embrace change and to let go of their fears and past selves. It emphasizes the idea that life has the potential to improve and become even better than it is now, if we are willing to take the chance to make it so.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's take it down, all the way
Let's slow things down and approach this with a more peaceful mindset.
We've all been a little scared of pain.
We have all experienced pain and it can sometimes scare us, but we can overcome it.
Here I stand in front of you; I'm exactly the same…
I am who I am, and I will not change myself to please anyone else.
Listen up, if you've had enough
Pay attention and take action if you have reached your limit.
stand up and seize the day.
Take control of your life and make the most of every opportunity.
Take whatever happened to the old you
Let go of your past and move forward without letting it hold you back.
and throw it away with your old shoes.
Get rid of it completely so that it no longer has any influence on you.
Well I'm telling you, it's time for something new…
It's time to make a change and try something different.
The best is yet to come when you least expected it - shout it out loud!
Your greatest moments are still to come and they will come unexpectedly, so celebrate loudly when they happen.
You think you've had enough and you just want to give up - start again!
Even if you feel like giving up, don't! Start again and keep pushing forward.
We're all waiting for our real lives to begin…
We may be living now, but there is more to come and we are all waiting for it to happen.
I had it all, so I thought,
I thought I had everything I ever wanted, but I was wrong.
but I knew things had to change.
I realized that things needed to be different in order for me to truly be happy.
I took a chance, here I stand
I took a risk and it paid off. Now I am where I am today because of it.
I'm satisfied I'm ok
I am content with where I am in life and I am doing alright.
Was it taken away with your old shoes?
Did you leave behind your old self with your old shoes?
Breathe in, breathe in … deep
Take a deep breath and calm yourself.
Screaming, screaming… but we're all the same…
We may express ourselves differently, but we are all human and we all feel the same emotions.
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
maxi1crawf
I could play this again, and again, and again!
63LouiseF
Listening to this Beautiful.song , believing there is light at the end of this Covid tunnel , sending love to all💕👍🇨🇮
Scott Stirling
Awesome track from an awesome band , they don't get the credit they deserve