The basic idea behind Durutti Column’s music is to break with whatever structure supports the foundations of musical formalism, in order to try and create a kind of music which really can belong to everyone.
The Durutti Column partly derives its name from the struggle of revolutionary anarchist Buenaventura Durruti to liberate Spain during the bloody civil war of the 1930s. A legendary anarchist, he fueled a libertarian communist movement with lofty ideals and eventually led a formidable column of 6,000 men towards Zaragoza during the summer of 1936. His aim was to liberate the city, defeat Fascism and declare a free commune but his plan failed when the column became entrenched just outside the city. Later he was persuaded to go to Madrid with his men and take on Franco's Moroccan militia. During this escapade he was shot in the back.
The second source for the title comes from the activities of the Situationists Internationale in Strasbourg in 1966. In a grand gesture of anarchism they papered the walls of the city with a comic strip titled "The Return of the Durutti Column". (Note the change of spelling of Durruti's name). Vini Reilly explains: "I was always interested in the Situationists Internationale -- an anarchist group in Europe who published a book with a sandpaper cover so that it would destroy all the other books on the shelves. In the Sixties they were very radical and through their slogans, criticisms and ideas, wanted to change something. They used the title 'the Return of the Durutti Column' many times in their manifestos. So you can see that I saw the production of a very tranquil music in 1979 as an anarchic gesture!"
For Belgian Friends
The Durutti Column Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All Mode Lyrics
Behind The Wheel -- Music For The Masses
My little girl
Drive anywhere
Do what you want
I don't care
Tonight I'm in the hands of fate
Over on a plate
Now
Oh little girl
There are times when I feel
I rather not be
The one behind the wheel
Come
Pull my strings
Watch me move
I do anything
Please
Sweet little girl
I prefer
You behind the wheel
And me the passenger
Drive
I'm yours to keep
Do what you want
I'm going cheap
Tonight
You're behind the wheel, tonight
The Durutti Column's song For Belgian Friends is an instrumental piece that invites listeners to indulge in their imagination and create their own storylines. However, the beauty of music lies in its ability to provoke different emotions, triggers diverse feelings and attitudes, and evoke unique interpretations. Therefore, different people can give distinct insights into what this song means to them, depending on their life experiences, cognitive and affective reasoning, and current moods. However, the absence of lyrics means that the audience uses their interpretation to decode, decipher, and formulate lyrics that make sense to them.
Although For Belgian Friends has no lyrics, the lyrics to Depeche Mode's Behind The Wheel -- Music For The Masses can shed some light on what the song means to some of the people who listen to it. The lyrics convey sentiments of giving up control to someone else, trusting them to drive, and allowing them to take the lead. The song's invitation to hand oneself on a plate, acknowledging the vulnerability that comes with that gesture, suggests the surrender of power dynamics, a prevalent theme in human relationships, particularly romantic ones. The idea of 'tonight I'm in the hands of fate' is an allusion to the unpredictable nature of life and the exhilaration that comes with taking risks, facing unknown outcomes, and stepping out of comfort zones. All in all, For Belgian friends is a melancholic yet nostalgic piece that inspires reflection, introspection, and appreciation for art's subjectivity and multifaceted nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Depeche Mode
This song is by the musical group Depeche Mode.
All Mode Lyrics
This song is one of the lyrics belonging to Depeche Mode.
Behind The Wheel -- Music For The Masses
This song is a part of the album called Music for the Masses, and it's called Behind The Wheel.
My little girl
The singer is addressing someone who is important to him by calling them 'my little girl'.
Drive anywhere
The singer is telling the girl that she can drive wherever she wants.
Do what you want
The singer gives the girl permission to do whatever she wants.
I don't care
The singer is emphasizing that he doesn't care what the girl does.
Tonight I'm in the hands of fate
The singer believes that, tonight, his destiny is in the hands of fate.
I hand myself
The singer is metaphorically handing himself over to the situation.
Over on a plate
The singer is giving himself up, as if he is an offering.
Now
The singer is emphasizing that these actions are applicable to the present moment.
Oh little girl
The singer is addressing the girl again using the same term of affection.
There are times when I feel
The singer is expressing that there are moments when he feels a certain way.
I rather not be
The singer is saying that he doesn't want to be in a certain position of power or influence.
The one behind the wheel
The singer is referring to the person who is in control of the situation.
Come
The singer is inviting someone to take action.
Pull my strings
The singer is using a metaphor to convey the idea of manipulation or control.
Watch me move
The singer is indicating that he is willing to act or perform for someone else's pleasure.
I do anything
The singer is willing to do anything that is asked of him.
Please
The singer is asking for the other person's approval or satisfaction.
Sweet little girl
The singer is addressing the girl again, using a new term of affection.
I prefer
The singer is indicating that he has a preference in this situation.
You behind the wheel
The singer is indicating that he wants the girl to be in control of the situation.
And me the passenger
The singer is willing to let the girl take the lead, and he will follow.
Drive
The singer is giving the girl the instruction to drive, since she is in control.
I'm yours to keep
The singer is saying that he is willing to give himself to the girl completely.
Do what you want
The singer is telling the girl that she can do whatever she wants with him.
I'm going cheap
The singer is indicating that he is not worth much, and is willing to give himself away at a low cost.
You're behind the wheel, tonight
The singer is indicating that the girl should be in control of the situation for the evening.
Contributed by Lillian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AJ-nf9rg
So much souvenir in Brussels.... at the Plan K concert with Alain, Thierry, Dudley....
@brucegelman5582
Vin is a brilliant miniaturist like Satie.Compact and beautiful.Never over extended.
@wiliamviera6249
Viny reilly is my favourite guitar player i ever heard music and illness together in one person forgetting his physical conditions excelent
@LaVerticaleBete
intemporel, la classe ultime !
@alanthomson6162
Sublime!
@christopherwest4580
Just excellent
@polreamonn
Formidable
@brunobernard333
Trop Bien
@CrunchyBiscuitsBand
Cool stuff :)
@saidker
C est construit... riche... cool.. parfait.. du boulot de haute volée... avec viny a la gratte..simple... limpide... oui.. parfait