Lyrics
The letting agent promised there were no ghosts in this house
The letting agent assured there were no ghosts in this house.
But it smells of smoke, and tar, and grilled sausage, and wet boots
The house has various odors like smoke, tar, grilled sausage, and wet boots.
So the dogs were going mad last night
The dogs were agitated and barking intensely the previous night.
I will perceive the smoke, the sulphur, and the filth, the rotting things
The speaker will sense unpleasant things like smoke, sulfur, filth, and decay.
I will hear the wailing, shrieking, all the blasphemies and cries
The speaker will hear distressing sounds such as wailing, shrieking, blasphemies, and cries.
But look on the bright side
Despite the negativity, the speaker suggests looking at the positive side.
Think of all the art that's sure to be inspired by this dread
Art may be inspired by the feelings of dread, turning a negative experience into a creative one.
You know, there's never been a good band from London
Repetition emphasizes the belief that no good bands have originated from London.
There's never been a good band from London
-There's never been a good band from London
-There's never been a good band from London
-The letting agent promised there were no ghosts in this house
The letting agent reiterated the absence of ghosts, implying a broken promise.
He said that not one previous tenant had complained of feeling dread
No previous tenant complained of dread, but the current occupant does.
In fact, he didn't even know the meaning of the word
The agent claims ignorance of the meaning of "dread," possibly indicating deceit.
But the rent was 17% below the market rate
The discounted rent compensates for the unsettling atmosphere.
The letting agent promised there were no ghosts in this house
Similar to line 15, the letting agent affirms the absence of ghosts.
He said that not one previous occupant had ever ended up being dead
No previous occupant ended up dead, but the speaker implies a different experience.
And just look on the bright side
Despite the dread, the speaker suggests focusing on potential artistic inspiration.
Think of all the art that's sure to be inspired by this dread
Similar to line 8, anticipating art inspired by the current state of dread.
You know, there's never been a good band from London
Repetition reinforces the speaker's negative view of bands from London and below the age of 25.
And there's never been a good band below the age of 25
-There's never been a good band from Leeds
-In fact, there's never been a good band that's ever been alive
-There's never been a good band from London
Repetition emphasizes the lack of good bands from London, below 25, and from Leeds.
And there's never been a good band below the age of 25
-There's never been a good band from Leeds
-In fact, there's never been a good band that's ever been alive
-There's never been a good band
Continued repetition underscores the speaker's strong belief that no good bands exist.
There's never been a good band
-There's never been a good band
-There's never been a good band
-There's never been a good band
-There's never been a good band
-There's never been a good band
-There's never been a good band
-Dread
Repetition of "Dread" suggests an overwhelming, persistent feeling of fear and anxiety.
Dread
-Dread
-Dread
-Dread
-Dread
-Feeling dread
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