Dave Curl’s latest single, “Zueri,” is firmly in the latter category. First drafted thirty years ago when he was a student in Zürich, the song has been revisited and released in 2026, and its message feels more relevant than ever.
It’s a compelling piece of music, a snapshot of a city’s duality, and a confirmation of the enduring power of a simple, honest observation.
For those unfamiliar with Dave Curl, he’s an independent singer-songwriter with a fascinating background. With English-Australian roots but born and raised in Switzerland, he brings a unique perspective to his music.
He’s been a fixture in the Swiss music scene for years, having played over 300 concerts and amassed over 1.5 million streams on Spotify. He’s also a middle school teacher, a husband, and a father, and this grounding in everyday life gives his songwriting a relatable, down-to-earth quality.
His music is a mix of folk, acoustic, indie rock, and pop, all held together by his soulful voice and a commitment to authentic storytelling.
The story behind “Zueri” is a powerful one. As a young student, Curl would walk past an elderly man playing Bob Dylan songs for coins on the streets of Zürich, just a stone’s throw from the luxury storefronts of the Bahnhofstrasse.
The image stuck with him, a clear reminder of the city’s hidden poverty amidst its immense wealth. Three decades later, that gap has only widened, and Curl felt compelled to finally record the song.
The result is a track that’s both a time capsule and a contemporary social commentary, a personal reflection that speaks to a universal issue.
The song itself is a raw, edgy piece of indie folk-rock. The production is clean and direct, letting the song’s message take center stage. Curl’s vocals are earnest and impassioned, and the band, featuring Antonio D’Amato on bass, Dario on drums, and Mathias Lunde on guitars, provides a tight, energetic backdrop.
The decision to sing the verses in Swiss-German and the chorus in English is a brilliant one, perfectly reflecting the song’s theme of local roots and international character.
It’s a bold choice that pays off, creating a song that’s both deeply personal and universally accessible.
Thematically, “Zueri” is a powerful statement about wealth inequality. It’s a topic that’s often discussed in abstract, political terms, but Curl’s song brings it down to a human level.
By focusing on the image of the lone musician playing for coins, he makes the issue personal and immediate.
It’s a reminder that behind the statistics and the headlines, there are real people struggling to get by. The song doesn’t offer any easy answers, but it does force the listener to confront an uncomfortable truth.
It’s a bit like looking at a painting by the Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler; on the surface, you see a beautiful scene, but underneath, there’s a sense of unease, a feeling that something is not quite right.
What makes “Zueri” so effective is its honesty. This isn’t a preachy, self-righteous song. It’s a simple, heartfelt observation from a man who loves his city but is not blind to its flaws.
It’s a song that asks us to look a little closer, to see the people who are often invisible, and to question the systems that allow such disparities to exist. It’s a song that reminds us that even in the most prosperous of places, there is still work to be done.
I once saw a pigeon in a park try to eat a discarded piece of chewing gum. It was a strange, sad little moment, and it reminded me of this song. Sometimes, the most profound truths are found in the most unexpected places.
In a music industry that often feels dominated by fleeting trends and manufactured pop stars, Dave Curl is a breath of fresh air.
He’s a true original, a songwriter who is not afraid to tackle difficult subjects and to speak his mind. “Zueri” is a powerful addition to his already impressive body of work, a song that is both of its time and for all time.
It’s a song that will make you think, and it’s a song that will stay with you long after the music has music stopped playing is over.
