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,
The Fight
The dB's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I woke up in bed, it was the middle of the night
And we were still involved in a great big fight
She said: 'I'll give you five minutes to get out of here'
I said: 'I'll give you five minutes just to change your mind'
She said: 'Don't hold your breath, it won't happen this time'.
Did you see the way she looked right through me?
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight
It was a fight, yeah, we were involved in a fight
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight
Well, I went downstairs, it was the middle of the night
And we were still involved in a great big fight
She said: 'You never give me loving, think of how I feel'
I said: 'You never give me money, you're so bad to me'
She said: 'You never give me nothing, don't you talk to me'.
Well, I went outside, it was the middle of the night
And we were still involved in a great big fight
She said: 'Don't take the car, don't go away from here'
I said: 'You never give me nothing, think of how I cried'
She said: 'You shouldn't have come along if you didn't wanna ride'.
Did you see the way she looked at you?
Did you see the way she looked right through you?
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight
It was a fight, yeah, we were involved in a fight
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight.
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight.
The dB's's The Fight is a straightforward song that captures the intensity of a lovers' quarrel. The song begins with the singer waking up in bed in the middle of the night while still in the midst of an argument with his lover. She demands that he leaves, and he pleads for her to reconsider but gets shut down. Throughout the song, the singer argues with his lover and tries to reason with her but to no avail. In the end, he leaves the house still angry and hurt.
The song's lyrics are relatively simple but capture the raw emotions associated with a fight, making it relatable to anyone who has ever been in a similar position. The song's chorus, "It was a fight, we were involved in a fight," is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the intensity of the argument and the sheer futility of the singer's efforts to reason with his lover. The song's lyrics are accompanied by jangly guitar riffs and a driving beat, creating a sense of urgency that perfectly complements the song's emotional intensity.
Overall, The Fight is a captivating song that captures the raw emotions of a lovers' quarrel. It's a powerful reminder of just how intense and destructive fighting with someone you love can be, making it a relatable and memorable addition to The dB's's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I woke up in bed, it was the middle of the night
The singer woke up in bed in the middle of the night
And we were still involved in a great big fight
The singer and their partner were still fighting
She said: 'I'll give you five minutes to get out of here'
The partner threatened the singer to leave within five minutes
I said: 'I'll give you five minutes just to change your mind'
The artist offered their partner five minutes to change their mind
She said: 'Don't hold your breath, it won't happen this time'.
The partner rejected the artist's offer, indicating a lack of faith in their relationship
Did you see the way she looked at me?
The singer questioned if anyone else saw how their partner looked at them
Did you see the way she looked right through me?
The singer felt ignored and unseen by their partner
Well, I went downstairs, it was the middle of the night
The artist went downstairs in the middle of the night
She said: 'You never give me loving, think of how I feel'
The partner complained that the artist doesn't show them enough love
I said: 'You never give me money, you're so bad to me'
The artist countered their partner's complaint by highlighting their own grievances about the relationship
She said: 'You never give me nothing, don't you talk to me'.
The partner dismissed the singer's argument and refused to talk to them
Well, I went outside, it was the middle of the night
The artist went outside in the middle of the night
She said: 'Don't take the car, don't go away from here'
The partner tried to stop the singer from leaving
I said: 'You never give me nothing, think of how I cried'
The singer expressed their hurt and frustration to their partner
She said: 'You shouldn't have come along if you didn't wanna ride'.
The partner blamed the singer for the situation, despite their own role in the fight
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight
The artist summarizes that they were fighting throughout the song
It was a fight, yeah, we were involved in a fight
The artist repeats that they were fighting
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight
The singer reiterates that they were fighting
It was a fight, we were involved in a fight.
The singer concludes the song with the acknowledgment that it was a fight
Contributed by Sophie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
lyonslaforet
Oddly, this song reminds me of the B-52's!
antione debusei
This whole album gives me a faint Nomeansno vibe, can't really explain it.
The cattywompus on fire
Weirdly reminds me of Sid Barrett