Gary Watson, the frontman of rising Scottish band the Lapelles, has died after falling into the river Clyde in Glasgow. The singer was due to celebrate his 22nd birthday the day after the accident occurred.
According to a post on the band’s Facebook page, Watson died “as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident” on Saturday 13 August 2016. He had been rescued from the river after falling in, but died the following morning at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Police said the death was not suspicious.
In a statement, the Lapelles said: “It’s with shock, heavy hearts and sadness that we have to let you know the news that Gary sadly passed away this morning as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident last night. Today was his 22nd birthday. We are lost for words and struggling to process such a tragedy.
They added: “Gary was a creative force, a man who without his vision this band wouldn’t exist. We have lost a friend, a brother, a hero. At the moment it doesn’t seem real. We send our deepest condolences to Gary’s family and would appreciate your respect in allowing them & us some peace whilst we grieve. Forever in our hearts, with peace you go. X.”
Franz Ferdinand paid tribute to the group on Twitter, with a post that read: “We’re so sad to hear of the tragic passing of @TheLapelles Gary Watson, a lovely, talented man. Thoughts are with his family, friends & band.”
The Lapelles had been set to embark on a UK tour in October 2016.
Snakehips
The Lapelles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd better call me up
You'd better call me up
You'd better pick me up
Gave away my number
But you didn't write enough
You didn't write enough
Don't know what to do sometimes
Cause my mind keeps running away
Maybe if you called me back
I'd stay for a couple of days
You wrote down my number
And walked away
Open mouthed i didn't know what to say
You whisper in my ear and say
You've always got my back
you've always got my back
you never had my back
Jealousy kicks in and then
You're ready to attack
You're ready to attack
My hands behind my back
In comes lady snakehips now
With her eyes as blue as the moon
Drinks 15 tequila shots
And passes out in my room
You wrote down my number
And walked away
Open mouthed i didn't know what to say
You wrote down my number
And walked away
Open mouthed i didn't know what to say
The Lapelles’s “Snakehips” is about the frictions and complexities that arise within relationships. The singer of the song is waiting by the phone for the subject of their affection to call them back. They feel frustrated because they have given out their phone number, but the subject of their affection did not write down enough of their number. The waiting and anxious tone of the song sets up the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity that are unlocked when relationships face challenges. The singer’s mind keeps running away because they do not know what to do when the one they love is not communicating.
In the second verse, the singer reveals that jealousy has kicked in. They feel threatened and ready to be attacked. The challenge of maintaining a healthy relationship is exposed with this verse. At the end of the verse, the song introduces the character of “lady snakehips,” who represents the temptations and distractions that can threaten relationships. The line, “Drinks 15 tequila shots and passes out in my room” shows that distractions can be significant and can cause harm to relationships.
In the chorus of the song, the singer laments that they did not know what to say. This line is repeated twice at the end of every verse, showing that the singer is still trying to decipher what went wrong in the failed attempts to connect. The song’s melody is filled with longing and tension, which captures the feeling of being lost and left behind when love fails.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting by the telephone
I'm waiting for you to call me.
You'd better call me up
I want you to call me soon.
You'd better call me up
I really want you to call me.
You'd better pick me up
I want you to come get me.
Gave away my number
I gave you my phone number.
But you didn't write enough
You didn't call me enough.
You didn't write enough
You didn't call me enough.
You didn't write enough
You didn't call me enough.
Don't know what to do sometimes
I feel unsure of myself at times.
Cause my mind keeps running away
I tend to overthink things.
Maybe if you called me back
If you called me, I might feel relieved.
I'd stay for a couple of days
I would be happy to spend time with you.
You wrote down my number
You made note of my phone number.
And walked away
You left without saying anything else.
Open mouthed I didn't know what to say
I was surprised and didn't know how to react.
You whisper in my ear and say
You spoke softly to me.
You've always got my back
You support me.
You've always got my back
You support me.
You never had my back
You never supported me.
Jealousy kicks in and then
I start feeling envious.
You're ready to attack
You're prepared to fight.
You're ready to attack
You're prepared to fight.
My hands behind my back
I feel restrained and powerless.
In comes lady snakehips now
A woman with alluring hips has entered the room.
With her eyes as blue as the moon
Her eyes are a beautiful shade of blue.
Drinks 15 tequila shots
She consumed a lot of tequila quickly.
And passes out in my room
She became unconscious in my room.
You wrote down my number
You made note of my phone number.
And walked away
You left without saying anything else.
Open mouthed I didn't know what to say
I was surprised and didn't know how to react.
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Turn Up The Volume
Just brilliant !
Ellie fabuloosonooso
i bloody love this
Digital-Scratch
Awesome tune
Craig Lane
RIP Gary, wish I had got into your music earlier :(
Gentle Anglesite
amazing
Dinis Contente
Where can I find the lyrics to this song?
Por Belawulf
meus meninos
Jack McEleny
Unreal band
Ashley Stacey
RIP Gary 😢
Hugo Arrouy
and the guitar part..? :)