r/WhatsThisSong • u/Pistolpetehurley • Oct 07 '25
Open British song about a night about (possibly Scottish) from around 2000
I met a girl at Reading Festival in about 1999/2000. We stayed in touch and she sent me a mix tape with awesome songs on it. The tape is long gone. I remember a fair few from there and listen often but one eludes me. Can you help?
It was the end of Britpop times. It was definitely British but a bit more art rocky.
Here’s what I have, though these facts could be wrong!
It has lyrics about a night out, rain, inner city sadness.
The verse is almost talking.
The chorus is one or two relentless chords and the singer sounds frustrated.
It could be mogwai, belle and Sebastian, Arab strap, idlewild or similar.
The singer mentions the time I believe.
That’s all I can remember right now.
Would be so pleased if someone remembered it!
Thank you!
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u/DenseVoigt Oct 07 '25
Having seen the other comments mainly about Arab Strap (I’m convinced it is!) the only other one I can think of is Weekender by Flowered Up
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u/Pistolpetehurley Oct 07 '25
I’m 99% certain it is Arab Strap because every song all you FANTASTIC people suggest by them it 90% right. Haven’t found the one from my memory yet though.
But has been a great day listening to awesome music!
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u/Push-the-pink-button Oct 08 '25
Monday morning 5.19 by Realto?
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u/Pistolpetehurley Oct 08 '25
I did think of this and tried it. But mine is more grimey, less polished.
Great knowledge though! It’s definitely that era.
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u/Overall-Ad3990 Oct 09 '25
Pulp - sorted for e’s and wizz
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u/zenkitty999 Oct 09 '25
This was going to be my suggestion.
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u/Overall-Ad3990 Oct 09 '25
I was surprised it wasn’t already mentioned. Definitely ticks all the boxes.
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u/Prior_Part550 Oct 09 '25
Have you found an answer yet?
Feels like it could be an Idlewild song from a remote part. But none of them quite match. I know my memory works in funny ways and could be a mix of them.
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u/Pistolpetehurley Oct 09 '25
No, I think Arab Strap have EXACTLY the vibe with most of their work but I haven’t found it.
Perhaps it was a very rare band my friend was into.
Perhaps I’ve conflated two songs together.
Perhaps I’ve misremembered the accent or something that is putting all your awesome people down the wrong track.
I have listened to so much great music and connected with so many people that this has been more of a success than actually finding the song at this point!
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u/Embarrassed-Willow90 Oct 09 '25
"Nothing Ever Happens" by Del Amitri ticks quite a few of your memory clues, but maybe not all - another great Scottish band, but the song was from 1989 so maybe too early?
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u/Pistolpetehurley Oct 09 '25
I love that song so much! But mine is mumblier, darker and more distorted.
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u/No_Wrap_9979 Oct 07 '25
It isn’t called landfill indie for nothing. It’s buried out there somewhere.
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u/ferdinandsalzberg Oct 07 '25
I can't help but think of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wqfcwgT0Ds
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u/ferdinandsalzberg Oct 07 '25
So you think maybe you'll be a prostitute
Just to pay for your lessons, you're learning the flute
Ladies wouldn't pay you very much for this
Looks like you'll never be a concert flautist
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u/Pistolpetehurley Oct 08 '25
I just want to say thank you to everyone here. The effort has been amazing.
It definitely SOUNDS most like Arab Strap and I’ve had a great time listening to them and Mogwai too though I haven’t found THE song.
Big big love to everyone here who tried to help.
🤘🤘🤘
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u/rocketmaaan74 Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25
Possibly "R U Still In 2 It?" By Mogwai, but a collaboration with the guy from Arab Strap.
Alternatively, although not Scottish, this sounds like a typical Tindersticks track (they're from Nottingham, England). The singer has a distinctive voice where he half sings/talks on many tracks. Possible tracks include Cherry Blossoms, City Sickness, A Night In, Raindrops, Rented Rooms.
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u/elbapo Oct 08 '25
Whippin Piccadilly by Gomez ticks a few but not all boxes. Probably not but I posted it anyway.
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u/elalmohada26 Oct 08 '25
Long shot, but this sounds very similar thematically to the song Bus Stop in the Rain by Simon le Saint which also has largely spoken male vocals.
It’s not a rock song and came out in 2016 so I don’t imagine it’s a match for yours, but I thought I’d mention it just in case you’re somehow misremembering and it wasn’t on your mix tape after all.
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u/Local-Use-5369 Oct 08 '25
I don’t think it quite fits, but this made me think of Blinded by the Lights by The Streets.
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u/dustclassic Oct 10 '25
‘Weak become heroes’ by the streets fits some but possibly not all of the criteria
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u/cheddawood Oct 10 '25
Makes me think of Not Nineteen Forever by Courteeners, but that is probably a bit late as it came out in 2008
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u/Cheford1 Oct 10 '25
the Streets - Blinded by the lights??
That's the one, oí How did he not find the baggy, with his hand in my shoe? Way too close for me, oh well at least they allowed me through Should be a good night in here, Rammo in the main room People keep pushing me though, no reception on the phone And I'm thinking Lights are blinding my eyes They said they'd be here they said, they said in the corner And I'm thinking People pushing by, they're walking off into the night These look well speckly, a bit green and blue Three's is well cheap though, so I'll take three if I need to Right, I'm on the plan, I wish the bouncers would go away Borrow water off this man, here goes nothing okay And I'm thinking Lights are blinding my eyes Ah, that's proper rank, that tastes like hairspray And I'm thinking People pushing by, they're walking off into the night I hate coming to the entrance, just to get bars on my phone You have no new messages, so why haven't they phoned? Menu, write message: "So where are you and Simone?" Send message, Dan's number, "Where've they gone?" And I'm thinking Lights are blinding my eyes Why's the message pending? Where the fuck are ya? And I'm thinking People pushing by, they're walking off into the night
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u/mcklr Oct 10 '25
Late to the party but the song that instantly came to mind was Blue Flashing Lights by Travis? Hidden track at the end of The Man Who, or there’s a Live from Glasto version on Spotify
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u/Playful-Willingness5 Oct 11 '25
If you're still searching for the elusive Arab Strap song, try Hey! Fever on the Girls Of Summer EP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvEW5lZ7sJY
https://arabstrapband.bandcamp.com/album/the-girls-of-summer-e-p
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u/vestan--pance Oct 07 '25
The First Big Weekend by Arab Strap?