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!"
Never Known
The Durutti Column Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes you stay
Sometimes you stay
You never know why
Please say my name
Don't turn away
[chorus]
The pain is bright
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is bright
Then I awake
And in the half light
Watching my movements
Through half closed eyes
You're touching me
As a priest loves pornography
We played beneath the patterns[?]
Don't turn away
[chorus]
Kissed by the years
Caresses of time
Marking the lines
The lines of expression
The patterns of place
The patterns of youth
The patterns of love
Don't turn away
Say my name
Say my name
[chorus)
The Durutti Column's song "Never Known" expresses a deep sense of longing and pain, both physical and emotional. The lyrics suggest a sense of confusion and uncertainty, as the singer cries in their sleep and sometimes their love interest stays, while other times they do not. The lines "the pain is black, the pain is bright" convey a mix of conflicting emotions that the singer is experiencing.
The second stanza describes a dream-like state, where the singer is half-awake and being touched by their love interest, likening it to the controversial relationship between a priest and pornography. The imagery of watching their movements through half-closed eyes lends the scene a voyeuristic quality, heightening the sense of intimacy and taboo.
The final stanza speaks to the passage of time and its effects on our bodies and relationships. The singer reflects on the marks left by the years, both physically and emotionally, and begs their love interest not to turn away from them or forget their name. Overall, the song seems to be about the intense emotions and uncertainty that come with loving someone deeply, while acknowledging the pain and impermanence that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I cry in my sleep
Sometimes I am so hurt that I cry even when I'm asleep
Sometimes you stay
Sometimes you comfort me and stay with me
Sometimes you stay
Sometimes you comfort me and stay with me
You never know why
It's hard to understand why someone hurts so much
Please say my name
I need to hear that you care for me and acknowledge me
Don't turn away
Please don't ignore me or walk away from me
The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark
The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense
The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark
The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense
The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense
Then I awake
I wake up from my sleep
And in the half light
In the dim light of the morning
Watching my movements
Observing my actions
Through half closed eyes
With my eyes half open
You're touching me
You are physically comforting me
As a priest loves pornography
Your care and comfort is unexpected
We played beneath the patterns[?]
We had good times together in the past
Don't turn away
Please don't ignore me or walk away from me
Kissed by the years
The passage of time has affected me
Caresses of time
The touch of time has changed me
Marking the lines
Visible effects of age on my body
The lines of expression
Wrinkles that show my emotions
The patterns of place
Memories of places I have been
The patterns of youth
Memories of my youthful days
The patterns of love
Memories of my past relationships
Don't turn away
Please don't ignore me or walk away from me
Say my name
I need to hear that you care for me and acknowledge me
Say my name
I need to hear that you care for me and acknowledge me
The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark
The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense
The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark
The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense
The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense
Contributed by John H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@-dimitris
Maria Diaz
I cry in my sleep, sometimes you stay
Sometimes you stay, you never know why
Please say my name, don't turn away
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is bright
Then I awake and in the half light
Watching my movements through half closed eyes
You're touching me as a priest loves pornography
We played beneath the patterns [unverified]
Don't turn away
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is bright
Kissed by the years, caresses of time
Marking the lines, the lines of expression
The patterns of place, the patterns of youth
The patterns of love, don't turn away
Say my name, say my name
@philippetrape9295
Vini Reilly is a giant of post-punk. ''Never Known'' is a jewel. Universal respect.
@cdspecialist1
Criminally overlooked- proof music industry is shallow - thank you Vini for your masterful brilliance
@cardigan3000
In January 2013, Reilly's nephew made an Internet appeal on his behalf for donations because the guitarist had debts for unpaid rent from the time between his strokes and his assessment for disability benefit. Fans sent £3,000 within a day and Reilly was reported to feel that their generosity had "lifted the weight of the world off his shoulders"
@keithbentley6081
That's right.
@cardigan3000
@@keithbentley6081 i just wish i had known so i could have helped out
@pixelfrenzy
Thanks — Where do we go for updates on Vini's current health, do you know? Cheers.
@vincenzopastore4585
I don't understand why a such song haven't had success and was in a concealment. From the first listening I was captured by atmosphere a little dark, a little magical, that projects me in an another level of music
@EnkiDenki7
What I don't understand why there's no damn covers or even live performance of this on youtube.
@xTrengo
it's not mainstream :) it's only appealing to a chosen few shrug
@darrendodd6674
Wasn't meant to be shared by everyone. What is this - Ed Sheeran? Give me a break.👍