Formed in 1978 in Winston-Salem, NC, the original lineup of the band featured Chris Stamey (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Gene Holder (bass), and Will Rigby (drums). All three members had spent time in Stamey's legendary group, Sneakers. After relocating to New York, the dB's released their debut single, "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know," b/w "If and When" for Stamey's Car label. Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Peter Holsapple, who had worked with Stamey in the band Rittenhouse Square in the early '70s, joined the band by the end of 1978. Holsapple and Stamey shared the songwriting chores during the band's early years.
The dB's were unable to secure a U.S. recording contract, so they signed to the British Albion label. They released two albums on Albion: Stands for Decibels (1981) and Repercussion (1982). Both records received rave reviews but little sales. Stamey left in 1983 to resume a solo career. Rick Wagner was added on bass but was replaced shortly by Jeff Beninato. With Holsapple fronting the group, they signed to Bearsville in 1984 and released Like This, a more conventional jangle pop album with strong country leanings. Bearsville's internal problems doomed the album despite its obvious hit potential. They eventually left to sign with I.R.S. Records in 1987, where they released The Sound of Music. The album managed to break the Top 200 and college radio support was strong. The dB's received some crucial exposure when they opened for R.E.M. on their Document tour in the end of 1987, but by the end of 1988, the band decided to break up. In 1994, Paris Avenue, a collection of demos for the band's never-recorded fifth album, was released on Monkey Hill.
Holsapple and Stamey reunited in 1991 for a duo project, releasing Mavericks later that year. Mavericks was the only album the duo ever released (although they have been working sporadically on a followup in recent years). Following its release, Stamey continued with solo projects; he also continued to contribute to the Golden Palominos, work as a sideman for Bob Mould, and become an acclaimed producer for bands like Whiskeytown and Le Tigre and artists like Caitlin Cary. Holder went on to join the Wygals and worked as a producer and guest musician for other artists. Will Rigby released one solo album, Sidekick Phenomenon, in 1985, and a second, Paradoxaholic, in 2002. He also joined Steve Earle's band as drummer. Holsapple joined R.E.M. as an occasional touring member in 1991 and formed his own band, the Continental Drifters, with then-wife Susan Cowsill. He went on to serve as a sideman to Hootie and the Blowfish.
In late 2004, the original lineup of the dB's reformed. They have been playing occasional shows while working on a new album, and have released a couple of new songs through their web site, www.thedbs.com.
The band's latest work is 2012's 'Falling Off the Sky', which has attracted serious critical praise. For example, 'The Chicago Tribune' ran an article stating that he release "sounds like the work of a band still very much at the top of its game." 'Falling Off the Sky' was created by the group's classic line-up of Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Gene Holder, and Will Rigby,
In Spain
The dB's Lyrics
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Circular system in a tailspin
Hear come those final words
How could I have said what I just heard
Here comes the long goodbye
Pretend you forget, pretend you're alive
Here come those tears again
Here come those tears again
In Spain they call a ghost
One ? between hell and the heavenly host
I got off at the port of call
Now I'm taking instruction in how to crawl
Here come those tears again
Imagine a stop, imagine an end
Here come those tears again
Here come those tears again
I know what could have been cannot be
I know it can't be you and me
Here come those tears again
Imagine a stop, imagine an end
Here come those tears again
Here come those tears again
I know what could have been cannot be
I know it can't be you and me
I know what might have been may not be
I know it won't be you and me
Here come those tears again
Here come those tears again
Here come those tears again
Here come those tears
The dB's's song In Spain is a mournful reflection on lost love and the feeling of helplessness that comes with it. The song describes a circular system of emotions that the singer seems to be trapped in, leading to a tailspin. They hear final words that hurt them deeply and ultimately lead to the "long goodbye." The sense of despair is palpable as the singer asks themselves how they could have said what they just heard.
The second half of the song brings in a new setting, Spain, where the singer seems to be running away from their problems. They reference a ghost that is caught between hell and the heavenly host, perhaps representing their own feelings of being in between worlds. They describe getting off at a port of call, suggesting they are seeking refuge or escape. However, they find themselves taking instruction in how to crawl, indicating a sense of powerlessness and defeat.
The chorus repeats the line "here come those tears again" repeatedly, emphasizing the cyclical nature of grief and the inevitability of pain resurfacing. The final verse acknowledges that what could have been cannot happen and that what might have been is no longer possible. The lyrics end with a final repetition of "here come those tears again," driving home the idea that this emotional cycle is ongoing and that the singer is stuck in it.
Line by Line Meaning
Here come those tears again
The singer is about to cry again, likely over something painful that they have experienced before.
Circular system in a tailspin
The singer feels stuck in a repetitive cycle of sadness or pain, unable to break free.
Hear come those final words
The singer is anticipating hearing something important or impactful.
How could I have said what I just heard
The artist is questioning their own ability to communicate or understand what has just been said to them.
Here comes the long goodbye
The artist is preparing for a prolonged farewell or ending.
Pretend you forget, pretend you're alive
The singer is encouraging a form of self-deception or detachment from reality as a coping mechanism.
In Spain they call a ghost
The singer is referencing a cultural belief or practice in Spain, possibly about supernatural entities or death.
One ? between hell and the heavenly host
The artist is describing a liminal state between two opposing forces, which may have spiritual connotations.
I got off at the port of call
The artist has reached their destination or a stopping point in their journey.
Now I'm taking instruction in how to crawl
The artist is learning how to cope or move forward in a difficult situation, possibly with a sense of humiliation or weakness.
I know what could have been cannot be
The singer recognizes that some opportunities or possibilities have passed and are no longer attainable.
I know it can't be you and me
The artist acknowledges that a certain relationship or connection is not possible or has ended.
I know what might have been may not be
The singer recognizes that some hypothetical scenarios may never come to fruition or are now unlikely.
I know it won't be you and me
The singer is accepting that a certain relationship or connection is not possible or has ended.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: STAMEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind