• Artist: Stereophonics
• Album: Language. Sex. Violence. Other? (2005)
• Released: February 28, 2005
• Writers: Kelly Jones
• Genre: Alternative Rock / Indie Rock
• Chart success: First and only UK No. 1 single for the band
Background and Inspiration
• "Dakota" marked a turning point for Stereophonics.
• Lead singer and songwriter Kelly Jones wrote the song in Los Angeles. The title came from the Dakota building in New York, which he saw while watching TV.
• The name had a certain vibe, even though the lyrics have nothing to do with North or South Dakota. It was a working title that stuck as it was originally called “Vermillion” (after a street he saw while in Santa Monica). The label thought “Dakota” sounded better, and it stayed.
What the Song Is About
• "Dakota" reflects on nostalgia, love, youth, and change.
• It’s about a relationship that had intensity and passion but faded or changed over time.
• The lyrics aren’t overly specific, which helps them stay universal. They capture that bittersweet feeling of looking back on something meaningful and wondering what went wrong—or what might’ve been.
Example:
"You made me feel like the one / Made me feel like the one, the one"
— suggests both the joy of feeling deeply seen, and the sadness of losing that feeling.
• Some interpret it as a breakup song, while others see it as reflecting on any significant chapter in life that ended too soon.
Sound and Style
• "Dakota" was a departure from the band’s earlier raw, pub-rock style.
• It’s more atmospheric, with layers of guitar, synths, and a driving beat.
• The sound is influenced by U2, New Order, and 80s rock, with a modern indie-rock polish.
Why It Still Resonates
• It’s the band’s most successful single and one of the few UK rock anthems of the 2000s.
• "Dakota" balances energy and melancholy, making it both a crowd-pleaser and an emotional listen.
• It was the first Stereophonics song to chart in the US (on alternative radio).
• Still a staple in their live sets, and a fan favorite.