Dulli and Lanegan have regularly contributed to each other's projects since 2000; of the duo's origins, Dulli said "I think Mark told a journalist we were doing it, and then the journalist called me, and I didn't know we were doing it." On Christmas Day 2003, Dulli and Lanegan began work on the collaboration, titled Saturnalia.
In July 2007, the music website Pitchfork Media announced that the duo, "two of the alt-rock era's greatest frontmen," had signed to Seattle label Sub Pop. Soon thereafter, Sub Pop reported a 4 March, 2008 release date for Saturnalia. Dulli and Lanegan plan to tour in the United States and abroad to promote the album.
On September 2, 2008, The Gutter Twins released their eight-song EP Adorata exclusively through iTunes. The EP was mostly recorded during sessions for their first album, Saturnalia. Adorata features two previously unreleased originals ("Spanish Doors" and "We Have Met Before") alongside covers of "Down the Line" (José González), "Deep Hit of Morning Sun" (Primal Scream), "Duchess" (Scott Walker), "Belles" (Vetiver), "Flow Like a River" (Eleven), and "St. James Infirmary" (traditional). A portion of the proceeds from the release of Adorata will go to the Natasha Shneider Memorial Fund. Shneider, a long-time friend of the band, was the lead singer for Eleven and a member of Queens Of The Stone Age.
Their official web presence is located at http://www.theguttertwins.com.
Duchess
The Gutter Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your children alive and still breathing
And your look of loss when you're coming across
Makes me feel like a thief when you're bleeding
Duchess Duchess
Light up your candles for me
Duchess Duchess
I come listening I touch touching
With the Persian sea running through your veins
You shed your names with the seasons
Still they all return with the last remains
And they lay them before you like reasons
With your shimmering dress it says no it says yes
It says I've nothing left for conceiving
Its your shiftless flesh and your old girl's grace
Its your young girl's face that I'm breathing
Duchess Duchess
Light up your candles for me
Duchess Duchess Duchess
Put all the love back in me
I am lying she is crying
The lyrics of The Gutter Twins's song Duchess are filled with picturesque, evocative imagery that convey a sense of loss, longing, and perhaps even guilt. The song is powerfully moving, with lyrics that capture the essence of a relationship that has been deeply scarred by past regrets, misunderstandings, and heartbreak.
The opening lines of the song paint a picture of someone who is deeply attached to their past, expressed through the imagery of bicycle bells and Rembrandt swells. The second line is particularly poignant, as it speaks of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have with those we love. The sense of guilt and remorse that runs throughout the song is reflected in the line "Makes me feel like a thief when you're bleeding", which speaks to the pain that comes with knowing you've hurt someone you care about.
The chorus of the song is perhaps the most emotionally charged, with the repeated refrain of "Duchess Duchess/Light up your candles for me/Put all your love back in me" conveying a sense of desperation and longing. The third line, "I come listening I touch touching", suggests that the singer is trying to connect with the Duchess in a deeper, more meaningful way. The final lines, "I am lying she is crying", are particularly heartbreaking, as they suggest that the singer may have been unfaithful or deceived the Duchess in some way.
Overall, The Gutter Twins's song Duchess is a powerful exploration of the complex emotions that accompany intimate relationships. The song's poetic lyrics and haunting melody work together to create an unforgettable listening experience that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
It's your bicycle bells and your Rembrandt swells
You have possessions that signal both your normalcy and your wealth.
Your children alive and still breathing
You have living children and this brings you joy and relief.
And your look of loss when you're coming across
Your expression of sadness when we see each other makes me feel guilty for causing you pain.
Makes me feel like a thief when you're bleeding
I feel like I am stealing something from you when you are vulnerable and hurting.
Duchess Duchess Light up your candles for me
Please provide a comforting environment for me.
Duchess Duchess Put all your love back in me
Please show me love and compassion, and help me heal.
I come listening I touch touching
I am here to listen and interact with you in a genuine way.
With the Persian sea running through your veins
You have a connection to your heritage and culture, which is important to you.
You shed your names with the seasons
You change with time in response to your environment and life circumstances.
Still they all return with the last remains
Your past and origins continue to shape who you are, even when you try to leave them behind.
And they lay them before you like reasons
Your history and background are presented to you as explanations for your thoughts and actions.
With your shimmering dress it says no it says yes
Your clothing and appearance are purposely ambiguous and don't give a clear message.
It says I've nothing left for conceiving
Your appearance suggests that you have nothing more to give, and perhaps nothing more to hope for or expect.
Its your shiftless flesh and your old girl's grace
You have a sense of freedom and relaxation in your body, but also dignity and maturity.
Its your young girl's face that I'm breathing
You have a youthful, lively energy that is attractive and invigorating to me.
Duchess Duchess Light up your candles for me
Please provide a comforting environment for me.
Duchess Duchess Duchess Put all the love back in me
Please show me love and compassion, and help me heal.
I am lying she is crying
I am being dishonest or misleading, and someone else is suffering as a result.
Contributed by Wyatt V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.