On My Playlist: Top 5 Desmond and the Tutus songs

Desmond & the Tutus are as South African as a band can get. You only have to look at their name to get this indication with an ode to the well known Archbishop and Nobel Prize winner. Strangely enough, this band has not yet won a Nobel prize, but they might just get there, especially if there is ever an award for the band who has the most fun on stage, ever.
Hailing from Pretoria, this band consisting of Shane Durrant (vocals), Craig Durrant (drums), Nicholas Dinnie (bass) and Douglas Bower (guitar), sure knows how to throw a party on stage. They are known for their upbeat sound and quirky lyrics and have entertained fans for over a decade with their eclectic and shape-shifting songs. The next time you go to a Desmond & the Tutus show, make sure to wear your dancing shoes.
Honourable mentions:
“Car Guard Tan” and “Pretoria Girls”.
Here is my choice of top 5 songs from this indie-rock outfit.
5) Pictures
We start the countdown with an oldie but a goodie from the Tutus, where the band’s infectious melodies and lyrics take centre stage. “Pictures” starts off with a simple drum beat with a tinge of cowbell to add some flavour before lead vocalist, Shane Durrant asks the question, “Why are you putting them up if you are just going to take them down?” Here, Durrant refers to pictures that the girl in question hangs on her wall as a reminder of different moments. The music video also has an interesting Wizard of Oz theme with an interesting storyline that has to be seen to be appreciated. A thumbs up must be given to the catchy guitar riffs that complement the song throughout.

4) Future
This song from the band’s second album, Mnusic has a different vibe to the rest of the band’s musical material with a more mature take on the lyrical content. The instrumentation is also brilliantly worked and adds a more atmospheric approach to the music. The main theme of this song is to appreciate the moments and memories. In this way, one can enjoy the future by looking back to the days gone by.

3) Teenagers
“Teenagers” is one of the band’s biggest hits that turns up the nostalgia with imagery reminiscent of high school years and one’s first love. The song has a comical and relevant storyline of high school love with lyrics such as “My poetry’s really bad, I’m just quoting Boyz to Men” is a classic line that defines the band’s spot on songwriting. “Let’s act like teenagers” is one of the great refrains in this song and this is complemented by a solid bass rhythm and guitar melody that will stick in your head for days.

2) Peter
This is one of the band’s earliest and most loved hits with interesting lyrical content that gets your attention from the outset. The intro drum part from Craig Durrant sets the song on its way with an upbeat guitar riff and melody from Bower that will get anyone moving their feet to the beat. The song, in short, focuses on a girl who has the unfortunate name of Peter. The name is given to her, as her dad desperately wanted a son. This is a fun song where the main chorus sums up the dilemma of the narrator “Peter, I can’t love you the way you need me to,” even though she is everything he wants in a girl.

1) Tattoo
If you want all the boxes ticked in a Desmond & the Tutus’ song, then look no further. Great guitar melody? Check. Fun and energetic lyrics? Check. Great drumming? Check. Funky bass? Check. Catchy sing-along chorus? Double check! The song opens with a signature guitar melody and pounding drums before the guitar switches to a muted riff with “ooh ooh who oohs” to lead the listener to the first verse. “I am changing my hairstyle, I’m quitting the band… If I can’t buy the right suit I’ll just get one made,” sings Durrant before leading off with the well-known “On a Friday night I’m getting a tattoo!” The second verse focuses on the different choices of tattoos before the singer chooses to combine every choice in one “big ole scroll.” The chorus is where this song truly shines and highlights what makes Desmond & the Tutus such a fun band to listen to. A big high five to this SA band that is flying the flag high!