Del Amitri: How I wrote 80s hit Nothing Ever Happens | Off The Record

Justin Currie, lead singer and principal songwriter in the Scottish band Del Amitri, who are about to release Fatal Mistakes, their first studio album in 19 years, talks through the story behind their 80s hit, Nothing Ever Happens.
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[@marcomazotti]

One of the greatest Songs EVER WRITTEN! Thank you for that Del Amitri

[@DavidBrown-bs7gg]

agreed, have you heard No Surrender by lead singer Justin Currie ? Similar themes

[@ShizukuSeiji]

Its a stunning commentary on modern life and glorious to listen to - but so few listened to it :( Del Amitri have to be one of the most underrated bands ever. I wonder if their "American" style videos just confused people into thinking they were American, while the American market they must have been aiming at was very hard for British bands to break into in the late 80s and 90s. If so, a massive marketing error by someone.

[@Trancegirl1966]

For years I’ve been thinking that Del Amitri was an American band. I had never googled them. I’m surprised to hear Justin’s Scottish accent. Great band and great music…❤

[@catsven1973]

same here

[@BassPlayerNcl]

Still one of my absolute favourite bands 😊🎵🎶❤️

[@Thelegendhaha]

“A bit less ‘throwaway’ “ is a great description of your music in general….. some people understand that some music ‘means something’ or ‘says something’, while bland pop relies on a shallow hook. Your music lives in my heart.

[@travislivengood2744]

I appreciate everything Justin and Del Amitri put out. I had no formal introduction to the music as no stations in Kansas really put any of it on the air. My mom was the one who got me hooked. My brother is a fan now as well and we are all the better for it. Signed, Forever a fan in Kansas.

[@nice1kid]

..... It's a song for the ages and really sends a big message out about what's going in in the world. It fits in every time line, in every generation and it never gets old. It's as relevant to day as it was 30 years ago because of the simple truths that are told in it and are held together by a catchy score and a great chorus....Del Amitri definitely left an indelible mark with this one... 💥👏👏👏

[@KennyEvansUK]

'Trying to do something a bit less throwaway' You certainly did Justin, all of your published songs are stellar examples of heart felt songwriting, they have stood the test of time and you are the absolute king of the middle 8.

[@MemskiBobSki]

Brilliant songwriter and singer. What is Love For is a perfect album.

[@Juliet04738]

Thanks for the tip!

[@seanbarry7378]

No day for me is a Del Amitri free day way over here in Brisbane. And this song is always still way up there. Ah, to see the guys live this year. Sigh.

[@anthonybrookes9013]

What a fantastic band 👍👍

[@robinweeden4851]

Justin Currie is a great lyricist His follow on to nothing ever happens No Surrender is brilliant as well

[@michaelhein5455]

Don't forget the comma. You have great taste in bands.

[@myalfie]

Seen them live 3 times absolutely brilliant live such fantastic memories.

[@Pixelatedworld-iu2dd]

Justin Currie is a genius, his ability to capture real life issues and feelings, and put them into songs was just amazing. This was one of my favs, along with Move Away Jimmy Blue...They deserved far more recognition... Del Amitri......One of the all time greats!

[@bcoldwell1]

Great interview. Justin, comin' from a Yank here....saw you at Barrowlands when I was living in Central belt in 1989-90. This song was on the charts at the time. Took me a couple more years of living in Scotland, to really understand where you were coming from and why it was such an anthem for your fans. I subsequently learned the lyric to "Flower of Scotland," and thus, came to appreciate the Scots' fierce independent streak. Thanks for the song.

[@brightphoebus]

For my friends Steve in Buckinghamshire, it was about how life just slogged on for him and his mates. It was their anthem, going to work, going out for beers, never anything changing, some had girlfriends, some did not, none were happy anyway. This is the song I think of when I think of my friend. And I think it was brave that they soldiered on, despite the boredom, disappointment, and directionlessness, just hoping for something better to happen one day.

[@UnoHoo1]

Nothing Ever Happens is one of my favorite Del Amitri songs. I live in the US, and I have every CD you put out. I remember in the 90’s, I saw you guys in Philadelphia. I was so excited, I bought a bunch of tickets, and brought my friends who were not as familiar with you. They loved the concert, not surprisingly. I thank my sister for turning me onto your band. I have never looked back!

[@TheOutlando]

i love them so much

[@dharrison9248]

I am an eternal Del Amitri fan. So glad to see the band is back together & really enjoying the album. Already pre ordered F.M. B-sides too. Justin if your reading comments🤞 PLEEEEEEEASE re-release the original Del Amitri recordings on VINYL here in the U. S. to include waking hours, change everything, twisted and some others suckers parade. Thank you for all the great music✌

[@temphold1]

Amazing song and a great insight into its story. Thank you so much for this and to the band for performing it.

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks. A band and song definitely worth a little coverage.

[@davidreid2301]

What a coincidence! After over 30 years of listening to this, I'm just learning to play and sing it now... Fabulous song!

[@halemcdan]

So am I!

[@finneyoconnor8027]

Great song,great band, great memories

[@highcompressionhead7940]

Such an underrated band.

[@jimmast09]

Justin, we love you and your music! Thank you so much for your heart!❤️❤️❤️

[@charliestafford9978]

A great song from a massively underrated band

[@mikewoollard667]

I love how he is using a tape recorder in all this tech savvy world its good to just get back to basics ✌️

[@geoffcurtis9890]

It’s a brilliant song start to finish. Meaningful and memorable, one of my all time favourites.

[@mycross1]

This Guy is a legend.........

[@rickmessagefromrick4971]

And so underappreciated. He should be up there with Dylan, Springsteen, etc.

[@robjj1000]

It's a wonderful song , from a huge talent & a great band - they have so many good songs, but this one is right up there & people will be listening to this one for generations

[@josiebobs]

Absolutely fantastic Del Amitri, loved them from the beginning, also love the different sounding first album.

[@markorollo.]

randomly got Del Amitri recommended again, i love when that happens, theyve been on repeat.

[@andrewj8774]

Excellent insight into this most amazing song! Was brilliant to see you in Stirling, 2022. Thank you. 😜🙏

[@kaisersozay99]

Wonderful

[@franbruce6998]

Broke my dads record of this in 1989 from over playing it, I was 5.

[@theshogunstein6475]

Best band ever! Amazing song writing

[@cjtdup5395]

Looking forward to seeing you live in December and the new album this month.

[@Micjoh]

I have that vinyl with the original cover. The album was the soundtrack of my life at that time and like many, I put my own spin on the meaning of the lyrics. Great to see them back at it again.

[@ramsayfamily4625]

This song just says it all. Even my teenagers these days can relate....timeless!!

[@glasschroeder1353]

In my Mind, one of the best singer-songwriters to ever walk the face of the earth! 🙏

[@jamesdsvid276]

Still one of my favourite Del Amitri songs.

[@floridaLise]

AWESOME. He is so talented.

[@ddellwo]

Pumped for the new album......🤘

[@caseyjones9716]

Thank you for posting this gem from Justin Currie. This song always resonated with me, the changes that were all around us, but nobody wanted to actually examine for the damage to people and our culture at large. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

Lol.n

[@karmicselling4252]

Justin, It is a wonderfully crafted song. I've always called it the anthem of the pessimistic optimist. Or was it the optimistic pessimist? Oh Well. Take you pick. Much love from The Land Down Under.

[@catsven1973]

that album wow

[@isyt1]

Amazing bloke. Chatted to him many times in the old buff club in the early 2000s

[@davidganning8699]

Huge respect

[@cairo678]

Great songwriter.Brilliant band!

[@backinhumanform]

Great track

[@jamescat2386]

I thought it was a quirky and interesting song and then at the end "They'll burn down the synagogues at six o'clock, And we'll all go along like before" and it's like a lyrical kick in the guts, underated doesn't come close, possibly still the most relevant political song of the last 30 years

[@lrrw66]

I enjoyed that x

[@davey2054]

Love del amitri.

[@jamiefoyers2800]

And the message of the song still resonates like it did back then. Still a Scottish classic and always will be. Now that there's an election looming...it's the perfect protest song.

[@soggypaws4944]

I loved watching that video years ago not just because of the song but I loved Justin's shiny floppy hair lol

[@noelduggan72]

Good Stuff!!! - 👍

[@debbaz7476]

❤❤❤

[@patrickbobbin9789]

Hi im aussie These blokes are thought provoking , love thier country , love thier proud culture of politics , union movement and HONESTY OF PEOPLE thats what i see Here in Australia we had/have a band with a human culture . Thier name is cold chisel Look em up scottie there brilliant . My boy married a Scottish girl and shes a credit to your culture ( i mean love of country ) MY son and daughter inlaw (daughter) have a little lady now and im wrapped. May GOD BLESS BOTH OUR COUNTRIES

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

Lol.

[@samsonpug]

I used to find the song nihilistic and depressing. Nowadays I find it comforting. When life throws all its crap at you it doesn’t really matter. The world just carries on as before. Nothing really happens and nothing really matters.

[@anjamaciossek3640]

💓

[@darwinbeagle9394]

Best protest song ever written!

[@pinknblues1]

Up there with the best is Justin Currie

[@nikk3251]

It's not Flying Without Wings though is it.

[@debbiemoore2747]

I did wonder what this song was about.

[@JackSlider-hf1jb]

their first album was, and still is, excellent, then for some reason they went all american rock and were never the same again.

[@mauriceortiz8817]

The song rafting of DA is just not found these days.

[@marguskiis7711]

still played in radios. but the name of band sounds odd and nobody remembers it. it sounds latin.

[@madandy3176]

He starts by saying that it comes from a time when the Tories had destroyed half the industries in the central base in Scotland then at 1.13 he sys it was written in 1968. I'm puzzled. In 1968 he would have been four years old, four years of his life during which there had been a Labour government throughout.. ????

[@MrSimonj1970]

He said it's written in 6/8 - the time signature (rhythm, kinda)

[@madandy3176]

@@MrSimonj1970 Ouch!

[@busytoday]

This is ironic, seeing as how the Times is part of the problem.

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

Absolute nonsense.