Along with Let's Active, The dB's defined the Southern power pop/jangle pop… Read Full Bio ↴Along with Let's Active, The dB's defined the Southern power pop/jangle pop movement of the early to mid-80s. The band's music was a quirky blend of smart pop and psychedelia crossed with the more experimental side of new wave. Though they've never received widespread recognition outside of critical acclaim, they provided a key link between Big Star and 80s alternative acts such as R.E.M.. Their latest work is 2012's 'Falling Off the Sky', which has attracted serious critical praise.

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,

Judy
The dB's Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Holsapple

Judy, Judy
I didn't know what I was looking for till I lost you.

I started thinking it was terminal
My lonely life
No one in sight, it got interminable

Day after night
Then you came along and changed it all.

And then it all seemed important, it was all worthwhile
I couldn't keep my fingers from the phone to dial.

Judy, Judy
I didn't know what I was looking for till I lost you.

I took advantage of security
You gave to me
I left you nothing when I had you there
Waiting for me
And now you're gone and it's the same old sight.

And now I know what I did to you was less than fair
And once hearts are broken they can't be repaired.

Judy, Judy
I didn't know what I was looking for till I lost you.

Now all I ever do here anymore
Is sit by the phone and listen for the door
And hope it's you and we can be like we were before
But I blew it and I knew it and I know it still you'll always be my.

Judy, Judy
I didn't know what I was looking for till I lost you.

Judy, Judy
I didn't know what I was looking for

I didn't know what I was fighting for
I didn't know what I was dying for till I lost you, Judy.

Overall Meaning

The dB's song "Judy" is a heartfelt lament about love lost and regret. The song's protagonist confesses to taking his former love for granted, not realizing her true value until she was gone. The song's opening lines, "Judy, Judy / I didn't know what I was looking for till I lost you," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, which express deep sadness and a longing to turn back time.

The second verse of the song highlights the singer's loneliness and desperation before Judy came into his life. He describes his existence as "interminable" and "day after night." However, once he met Judy, everything changed. She made his life feel important and worthwhile. He couldn't wait to call her and spend time with her.

The final verse of the song is perhaps its most poignant. The singer admits that he took Judy for granted and left her with nothing when he had her. Now, he sits by the phone, hoping to hear her knock on his door and return to him. However, he also knows that he made a mistake that can't be undone. He acknowledges that he didn't know what he had until it was gone and that he'll always miss Judy.

Overall, "Judy" is a bittersweet meditation on love and loss. It's an ode to the importance of cherishing those we love while we have them, lest we lose them forever.

Line by Line Meaning

Judy, Judy
The subject addresses a person named Judy twice, possibly his former lover or partner.

I didn't know what I was looking for till I lost you.
The subject did not appreciate what he had with Judy until he lost her.

I started thinking it was terminal My lonely life No one in sight, it got interminable Day after night Then you came along and changed it all.
The subject was lonely and thought his situation would never change. However, Judy helped him change that for the better.

And then it all seemed important, it was all worthwhile I couldn't keep my fingers from the phone to dial.
After meeting Judy, the subject found the things he was doing became more meaningful, and he wanted to talk to her again.

I took advantage of security You gave to me I left you nothing when I had you there Waiting for me And now you're gone and it's the same old sight.
The subject regrets not appreciating what Judy had given him and not reciprocating her love.

And now I know what I did to you was less than fair And once hearts are broken they can't be repaired.
The subject realizes he treated Judy unfairly and that it's impossible to fix the damage he caused.

Now all I ever do here anymore Is sit by the phone and listen for the door And hope it's you and we can be like we were before But I blew it and I knew it and I know it still you'll always be my.
The subject can't stop thinking about Judy and hopes to reconcile with her. However, he acknowledges he messed up their relationship and might never get it back.

Judy, Judy I didn't know what I was looking for till I lost you.
The subject repeats the chorus, emphasizing his remorse for taking Judy for granted.

Judy, Judy I didn't know what I was looking for I didn't know what I was fighting for I didn't know what I was dying for till I lost you, Judy.
The subject reiterates that he didn't realize how important Judy was to him until he lost her and that he didn't know what was truly meaningful to him until it was gone.

Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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