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,
Nothing Is Wrong
The dB's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see love as something that
Either works or it doesn't, it's as simple as that
I think you just don't see
What your love has done to me.
Nothing I say could be wrong
With you, girl.
Say goodbye, it's time to go
Just don't tell me that you didn't know.
Nothing I say could be wrong
Nothing I think about is wrong
With you, girl.
I see love as something that
Either works or it doesn't, it's as simple as that.
Nothing I say could be wrong
What will you do with me gone ?
I'm just thinking about you
I'm just thinking about you.
The dB's's song Nothing Is Wrong is a commentary on love and the confusion it can bring. The opening lines of the song, "I see love as something that/Either works or it doesn't, it's as simple as that," suggest that the singer views love as a binary concept- something that is either successful or a failure. The following lines, "I think you just don't see/What your love has done to me," imply that the singer's love has been unrequited or even damaging.
The chorus of the song, "Nothing I say could be wrong/Nothing I think about is wrong/With you, girl," further emphasizes the singer's confusion and desperation. The repetition of the phrase "nothing is wrong" seems to be a denial of reality- the singer is trying to convince themselves that everything is okay, even if it isn't. The line "Say goodbye, it's time to go/Just don't tell me that you didn't know," suggests that the singer is leaving a relationship that was never fully formed in the first place.
Line by Line Meaning
I see love as something that
Love is either successful or unsuccessful and nothing in between.
Either works or it doesn't, it's as simple as that
Love has no gray area, it's either a success or a failure, black and white.
I think you just don't see
Your perception of what love is, blinds you to the reality of the situation.
What your love has done to me
Your love has affected me greatly yet I don't think you acknowledge or realize it.
Nothing I say could be wrong
I am confident in what I am saying and believe in the truth behind it.
Nothing I think about is wrong
My thoughts on love and the situation are valid and logical.
With you, girl.
I still have deep feelings for you despite everything.
Say goodbye, it's time to go
This is the end of our relationship, it's time to part ways.
Just don't tell me that you didn't know.
I don't want to hear any ignorant denial or any last minute explanations from you.
What will you do with me gone?
I am curious and wondering what your next steps are now that I'm out of the picture.
I'm just thinking about you
Despite everything that has happened, you are still on my mind and in my thoughts.
Contributed by Oliver R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jim Marcucci
Big star fans unite over this slice of heaven from the DB’s. This is as close to a big star track as it gets. Imagine a track written for both #1 record and third and you get this!
Nick Perkins
I heard this song once, many years ago -- and never forgot it. THANKS for posting!!
Stefanzine
This is really Chris Bell-esque
fenwyfrnk
Maybe the saddest song ever
Rupert Hughes
S A Reyners, I was just thinking "big star/Bell" when I was listening to this.