| Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[Pixie_dust_tt:40512] Correct, the poem Kubla Khan by Coleridge describes a dreamy utopian world. This fits perfectly with the theme of the movie and the song. | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Loser Gone Wild Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[Scifiboy2002:40511] I think you are very close to the truth. I see evidence for bouts of depression or bipolar in other songs Jeff writes.\nIn this case he perfectly matches both the music and words to portray the feeling of each mood or stage. He has concerns that overwhelm him that are part of these bouts. Concerns like crazy fans or home invasion (lies awake for fear of strangers), and self doubt and self concern (silent voices and icy fingers). Perhaps these depressive bouts cause him to question his own identity (I am here but where are you). The accompanying music certainly reflects this mood perfectly. Then he either comes out of those bouts or is forced to be a performer once again. He has to lift himself up and go and be the performer that people expect him to be (crawl from the shadows get into town). I\'ve been a huge fan of ELO since I was a kid in the 70\'s. Jeff Lynne is a notoriously private person so I dont think we\'ll ever know for sure. | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Rockaria! Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| The other element that has always attracted me to this song (but hasn\'t been mentioned) is the parallels between all music types and what constitutes popular music. For example the opening operatic lines are singing "far away the music is playing" to exactly the same chord progression in both the rock and operatic parts. Rock was popular in the 70\'s, but back in the day opera could be considered the pop music of it\'s day. | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Rockaria! Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[Kenobi65:40510] She is literally singing Far away the music is playing in German and stumbles on the first word (weit = far). | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Rockaria! Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[Grebulous:40509] According to what I\'ve read, the singer started too early on the first take. They rerecorded it but Jeff wanted it left in, I presume to catch the listeners attention (it certainly did that)! | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Yours Truly, 2095 Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @Unka Josh I think you are 100% right here, and this is really the point Jeff Lynne is trying to make in his song. Sure he frames as a regular love song but it\'s a lot more. The girl is saying \'is that what you want\' in a subservient way, but what he is really saying is \'this is where we are headed and is it what we collectively want\'. With the growing advent of sex robots, his thinking isn\'t too far off! | |
| Tears for Fears – Pale Shelter Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[Zegonite:40151] Interesting viewpoint but I am almost certain this is not about religion or God. When we analyse texts, our own viewpoints and experiences shape our interpretation. It\'s easy to mix up adoration / addiction / love / belief of one kind for another.\r\n\r\nGiven the writers background and experiences, this song is almost certainly a \'cry of exasperation\' from someone who grew up in a dysfunctional family and then went on to have dysfunctional relationships of their own (and not understanding that).\r\n\r\nI have to admit I found your interpretation of \'cold hands\' a bit of a stretch. When I heard it all those years ago, the first thought that came my mind was the expression \'cold hands, warm heart\'. He doesn\'t understand how a normal, loving person can treat him so coldly. It\'s a pale imitation of love. It\'s a \'Pale Shelter\'.\r\n\r\nI do agree that Tears for Fears early work has great lyrics and interesting chord progressions. We get a sense of calmness and control during the verse with maj7 and 6th chords. The chorus then seems to have straight ahead major chords to drive his message home.\r\n\r\nThank you. | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Tightrope Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[rebeccafmz:40150] ELO have a lot of great songs, and although he\'s usually upbeat there are great songs there for when you\'re feeling a bit down. I\'ve also struggled with depression most of my life so I guess that\'s what gave me the power to understand the metaphor! I\'ve always found listening, playing and writing music a great way to help manage depression (that would include the violin by extension!). Cheers | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Tightrope Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[bikkieflipper:40148] \r\n\r\nThanks @[Konayim:40149] that\'s good to know. If I wasn\'t so lazy I\'d do more! | |
| Tears for Fears – Head Over Heels Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| Hi thanks for your take on the lyrics. I think the \'in love\' part you\'ve got but as another fellow has mentioned, I think it\'s really about him realizing he winds up in dysfunctional relationships.\r\n\r\nIf we take that as the premise, then it also explains his gun metaphor. To be a man (in the broad sense) you need to stand up for yourself. Standing up for yourself means, at some level, a conflict of ideas (yours and theirs) and you need to assert yourself. The \'gun in your hand\' is the unpredictable, the uncontrolled reaction waiting to go off. Aggression and behavioural problems are likely lurking if he grew up in a dysfunctional family.\r\n\r\nJust a final comment on the \'acting your age\' part, this is referring to the overt control he exerts over the way he acts and his personal issues. He\'s that used to compartmentalizing his life and emotions that it disrupts his entire life when he falls \'head over heels\' and he loses that control.\r\n \r\nJust a comment about the \'my four leaf clover\' part. I\'ve always thought he was singing about him actually writing the song. That is, a reference to him recognizing he winds up in these sorts of relationships and calling it out in the words of the song. He doesn\'t quite know what to do about it so that\'s what song writers do. Now he has done so, he\'s \'on the line\' with \'an open mind\' as to how to deal with it further.\r\nI hope that\'s helpful and thanks for taking your contribution seriously. Thanks. | |
| Tears for Fears – Head Over Heels Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[Shaku55:40147] You are 100% on the money. This is all about dysfunctional relationships. \r\n\r\nI was just listening to the song and reflecting on it\'s meaning (and relevance to me). It seemed so obvious that I thought I\'d confirm my understanding!\r\n\r\nI\'ve always thought him singing \'this is my four leaf clover\' is actually him referring to the song. That is, a reference to him recognizing he winds up in these sorts of relationships and calling it out in the words of the song. He doesn\'t quite know what to do about it so that\'s what song writers do. Now he has done so, he\'s \'on the line\' with \'an open mind\' as to how to deal with it further.\r\n\r\nSomeone was asking about the gun metaphor (and not understanding it) but I\'ll put that as a reply to their post.\r\n\r\nKeep up the good (lyrical) work! | |
| Guided by Voices – Chasing Heather Crazy Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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Temptation, put most eloquently. We have our plans, our lives and someone or something comes along and turns it all upside down. This was posted a few months back so maybe it's all resolved now (or maybe you're writing about past feelings. If it were me, my logic would say wait maybe a month, and see if the yearning was undiminished. On the other hand my heart would probably say there's no higher pursuit than true love, will I regret this decision (or lament it later), am I staying for the wrong reasons. With that, I'd make a clean break and 'go for it'. Of course, although I try to be I wouldn't categorize myself as " faithful, loving, nurturing" (although I try and aspire to be...). |
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| Verdelle Smith – Tar and cement Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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This song was originally an Italian song titled "Il ragazzo della via Gluck" (or "The Boy From Gluck Street"), performed by Adriano Celentano (who was also one of the co-writers). The original song was largely biographical in nature; Celentano was not only from Milan, but was born and grew up in the titular Gluck Street (Via Cristoforo Gluck). In essence of the original song is that Celentano (presumably) announces he's leaving to seek his fame and fortune in the city. He says this with tears in his eyes but makes it clear his heart is still there and that he plans to return. He does return after eight years but to his dismay 'progress' has removed all the grass, as well as the meadows. The song is a nostalgic reflection on his childhood, and the impacts of post-war urbanization on Italy. The Italian song made it's way to well known American songwriters Lee Pockriss and Paul Vance (who as a partnership wrote a number of hits including "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini" and "Catch A Falling Star") and they were asked to put English lyrics to the tune. Although not a direct translation, I think they did a great job of capturing the intent and spirit of the original song. The lyrics (both English and Italian) still work and are relevant today because: 1) The story told is one that is familiar to many people and relatable; a lot of us were born outside of major urban centres and when we grow up a sizeable number move to the cities largely looking for better money and better opportunities. 2) People tend to remember things from their childhood with a certain sense of nostalgia. 2) They convey the sense of desolation, isolation and loneliness people can feel, particularly in a big city, particularly if you've grown up in a country town or a close knit community. 3) There is clearly an environmental warning here. In the short term, bit by bit, changes happen. For the people 'back home' the changes are more subtle. For someone who has been absent for eight years, the changes are enormous. The more existential thoughts here are on unbridled development and what price we attach to that (and can we get it back again). Well, I hope that's helpful (and that someone other than me is listening to this song!). |
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| The Lemonheads – Buddy Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[iliketoeaticecream:37487] This is more a comment to the comment by @[tvsinesperanto:37488]. Unlikely as it seems, I am positive I read an interview with Evan where he said he was specifically referencing Sydney. I remember because up to that point I had no idea that one of the band (Nic Dalton) was an Australian or that Evan had been spending so much time in Sydney. | |
| Morcheeba – Rome Wasn't Built In A Day Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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I've loved this song from the moment I first heard it. Someone mentioned it as 'uplifting'. I'd have to agree and it's not just the music, it's the lyrics as well. This song is pretty straight forward. It's about two people who are friends, but the person singing would clearly like to make their friendship a romantic one. Let's look at the first verse which is also the chorus. The phrase 'Rome wasn't built in a day' is an old adage meaning time is needed in order to accomplish something great. Here the phrase is being used lyrically to illustrate the person wanting to take this relationship to the next level. By using this phrase it (brilliantly) tells us the person thinks they have great patience and control. They only need to wait it out and good things will happen. After all, they believe it's their destiny, they were meant to be together ("you and me, were meant to be"). The second verse gives us some clues as to why the relationship is currently a friendship and not romantic. Here the person who is target of the affection has had a few bad experiences which makes that person worry about entering into relationships ('people act strange and you can never second guess'). This is clearly affecting the singers ability to progress the relationship ("I'm caught in the cross fire, why can't we get along"). When it says 'get along' in the context of the song I don't think they mean get along with each other in a general sense, more the romantic sense of the word. The third verse at first glance is a straight forward fantasy ('I'm having a day dream') which starts off literally. The interesting part of this verse is the last line. By saying WE were wrong, WE can't give up the fight I think this shows that at some stage the two friends were romantically linked, but either it didn't work out or the singers relationship was affected by factors beyond their control. I say factors beyond because if we now revisit the line 'people act strange and you can never second guess' as talking about the singer, then that would mean something like "I acted strangely at the time we were together but for reasons I couldn't explain and/or you wouldn't have understood". If it was a previous whirlwind romance then the singer knows that not the right way. They've changed since then, learnt that these things take time and they're only a minor hurdle. This is big picture destiny stuff, we can't give up the fight! |
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| Liquido – Narcotic Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| @[crg07e:1440] I think you've nailed it. All I'd add is that there's a lovely melancholy to the verse (melody and lyrics) that seems to 'explode' into the understated rage (seething and obsessive) of the chorus. | |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Tightrope Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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I have always loved ELO and this song in particular. The song is fundamentally about depression and, ultimately, self help. The first verse of the song is a kind of 'call/answer', I imagine with the singers own conscience rather than an actual person. Negative self talk, if you like. >They say some days you're gonna win >They say some days you're gonna lose >I tell you I got news for you >You're losin' all the time you never win >If you believe that's how it's gonna be I'd better >Put you down The chorus part is an answer back to the positive part of the self conscience (or well meaning people). I guess you'd call it the chorus as it contains the title but this song doesn't really follow a conventional format. >Get off your tightrope up there come down on >The ground you gotta save me now >You better turn around. The metaphor Jeff Lynne uses is a good one... 'normal' people day to day are walking a tightrope. One false step or something unexpected and you'll plummet from 'normal' to 'depressed'. Clever. So... here the singer is saying instead of just giving me platitudes (like 'snap out of it' etc), get off your high horse (cf. high wire) and come down to the depths with me and do something about it. >When I looked around, I was heading down, >Won't somebody throw me down a line. In these two lines a sense of helplessness is conveyed. I know somethings wrong and but it's only getting worse. I'm turning to other people for the answer/solution but no one seems to be helping. >They say some days you gotta give >They say some days you gotta take >If that's the way it's gotta be >Roll it over and you will see Verse two is a play on the saying 'it give and take'. Here I take 'rolling it over' as figuratively turning the expression over. Presumably, from the tone of the song, it's all take and no give... :) >The city streets are full of people going >Nowhere making time These two lines caught my attention when I first heard them as a child many years ago. The image I had then was of walking zombies.. people who are filling their day with lots of activity but not much meaning (or perhaps deliberately superficial and avoiding looking for that deeper meaning). This also conveys how disassociated the singer is from the rest of the hoi-polloi. >The change from night to day is really only hours >It's just along the line can't you see the sign The next two lines are probably the simplest but the darkest lines in the song. Maybe touching on suicidal thoughts... hang in there and wait it out, the difference between feeling awful and wanting to kill yourself is only a matter of hours. Hang in there, there are signs that things will improve. >I want to look you straight in the eye >I want to tell you how I really feel >I can feel the wheels turnin' round >Won't somebody throw me down a line Here again is a sense of helplessness. They have to keep up an emotional facade and can't really tell someone how they're feeling. I know things are happening (wheels turning) but there's no change. Crucially, he again turns to other people for the answer/solution. >When I closed my eyes, I was so surprised >Somebody had thrown me down the line >Stopped me drownin' Ooh and here's the payoff (after some great music and lyrics!). In the end, the answer was within the person them self, 'the answer lies within' as it were. A case of 'musician heal thyself' :D |
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| Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade of Pale Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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There are so many comments that I am hesitant to add mine, but I'd like to consolidate what has already been said. The lyricist tells us in interviews the theme is a 'guy picking up a girl'. It is true to say the lyricist uses the phrase 'millers tale', something he would have no doubt heard before. He perhaps even subliminally makes the deeper connection to Chaucer's tale. That being the case, he was just as likely associating the flour covered miller (white) with someone turning pale (the title's theme). Accepting all this, the meaning is pretty straightforward. Here it is line by line: We skipped the light fandango - Clearly a play on the phrase "we tripped the light fantastic" or to dance. Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor - So instead of regular dancing and social behaviour (as usual at a party) we were all out to show off. I was feeling kinda seasick - He's nervous and feeling the peer pressure about trying to 'score' with a girl. But the crowd called out for more - His friends kept on encouraging him / applied peer pressure. The room was humming harder - A great metaphor for a party full of intense conversation. Maybe intense from everyone trying hard to pick up? As the ceiling flew away - When read with the previous line, it reenforces the intensity of the party. The normal limits (ceiling) were removed, and there were no barriers (eg behaviour, topics of conversation etc). When we called out for another drink The waiter brought a tray - The drink was flowing quickly and easily, and they are basically are getting wasted. There's also a sense of youthful arrogance / superiority to these lines (important later) from being waited upon. And so it was that later - He's set the context of the party, now here's the crux of the song. As the Miller told his tale - Someone says something inappropriate, maybe proposition's the girl. Yes the personality of the Miller from Chaucer fits but it's probably just serendipity that he used that phrase. That her face, at first just ghostly, - At first she is absolutely shocked at what's said. Turned a whiter shade of pale - Then she somewhat recovers her composure. Given what we know about the party, she is probably more naive than the more 'worldly' attendees. She said, 'There is no reason And the truth is plain to see.' - She's saying 'I won't have sex with you, and it should be obvious why'. The why might be that the Miller is too obnoxious / blunt / forward (a nice tie in for the Chaucer reference), or it could be that she isn't attracted to him. However, I favour the theory that she says this because it should be obvious to him she is a virgin and inexperienced at sex. He completely misses this. But I wandered through my playing cards - The Miller has obviously lost his chance, so the lyricist jumps in. He keeps trying different pickup lines and strategies on the girl. And would not let her be - He was dogged in his approach and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. One of sixteen vestal virgins Who were leaving for the coast - As with the Chaucer Miller reference, the first part might also be a half remembered phrase. There were actually six Vestal Virgins. But I think he uses this phrase to set this girl apart from 'regular' virgins. He also notes she is travelling to the coast, probably signifying some rite of passage for her (maybe moving to uni). For him it means whatever happens there won't be any repercussions because she won't be around. And although my eyes were open - Continues the last idea. He was trying to have sex with her, fully aware of all the aspects he's mentioned in the song. To me these lines are imbued with a sense of youthful arrogance (being young and thinking your actions are 'right' and you know all there is to know). They might have just as well've been closed - The nub of the song. Here a wiser man is reflecting back on the events of that night, and I sense a tinge of guilt or remorse. He 'deflowered' a genuinely lovely girl, but at the time his motivation wasn't love or the girl. Instead she was just a conquest for his own social standing with his peer group. To me, the last two (non repeated) lines are the most powerful in the song. |
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| DJ Tiesto – In My Memory Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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I am completely in love with this song. The subtle shift of it's chords to minors as it modulates between Eb and C, and the hauntingly beautiful lyrics. The song starts by reminiscing ('that summer') about the initial romance or honeymoon period and how they connected in an intense way (fused or fusion). The phrasing conjures great imagery for me of those newly in love couples who are very gushing, open and chatty with one another. The impression is that this type of 'connectedness' is a new experience for her ('nothing new for you') but not for him (I am writing from the perspective of a woman singing it). I see a double meaning for fusion. The development of a failed, but initially passionate relationship being analogous to the Sun burning or shining so intense and bright (via fusion of hydrogen into helium), and once it's spent all that is left is a cold inert gas. Great symbolism. The expression 'Face me sitting in my memory' is as a metaphor about not having moved on - I am trapped or living inside the memory of what happened and for you to understand my point of view you have to look at the world through my perspective (face me). Alternatively, could this be a metaphor about him not wanting to address and/or avoiding the fundamental relationship issues. Instead of avoiding the issue, come 'face me' where I'm 'sitting' waiting with all the emotions, feelings and unresolved baggage. In the second verse we hear that he was absent ('nothing new for me'), although it's not clear if this is an actual occurrence or a metaphor for his cold emotions. Either way she's had experienced this before in a relationship and it's a great word play against the first verse :) When she says 'under this thing' I think it can be taken two ways. The first is that it's just a simple follow on comment, and 'this thing' is a blanket term for all the problems she's just described. The second is that it's in some way related to the 'distance' statement - maybe it's some kind of rule, condition or convention ('thing') that they have to abide. The second statement gets more cred from the first verse where she nonchalantly say 'hey, under' (I'm happy to accept the relationship *under* those rules) and maybe didn't realise the implications of what she was getting herself into (cool breezes). Either way, her mind is racing with thoughts (thoughts away). In the last verse, while she definitely paints the picture that things are bad, I get the sense that the relationship is not completely over. The first verse is definitely a reflection on a happier time in the past, but the other language throughout points to them still being together. Things may be grim but she doesn't want to shatter the illusion ('hold me I remember'). She wants to be the very bubble of his existence (the sky), but there's still some self doubt about whether he still cares enough for her (to 'shelter' her). Lastly, she also has self doubt about whether or not she is just overreacting (cf. the fable of Henny Penny). |
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| The Temptations – Ain't Too Proud To Beg Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| Great song, eloquently articulating what I see as a psychologically codependent relationship. The guy is so besotted by this girl he demonstrates he has crossed the 'normal' level of self sacrifice and has blatant disregard for social norms. The lyrics demonstrate this over and over again (I'm 'not too proud to bed", 'Crying.. with no.. pride', 'sleeping on your doorstep...even if your friends laugh'). The message is that the relationship is now is totally one sided but at one time it wasn't, we know they were actually together (established first line where she 'wants to leave me'). What changed? Did she become bored with him, is he over needy, or indeed is is simply a stalker? I guess... but from the slightly upbeat infectious rhythm of the music and the overall feel I gain the distinct vibe that the guy is oblivious or upbeat about his prospects and naively doesn't realise his very pleading and exhortation will have an opposite effect.. Similarly I sense that the girl has 'used' him to gain his attention and affection and now she knows she has ultimate control is disinterested in him other than to add another to her (presumably) growing list of suitors. Standout song musically and lyrically from the early to mid sixties songs. | |
| Bob Dylan – It's All Over Now, Baby Blue Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| Totally agree, it's her opening a new chapter of her life. | |
| Gerry Rafferty – Shipyard Town Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| This song is clearly autobiographical. He is telling the story of (and reflecting on) how he met his wife Carla at a dance hall in 1965. | |
| Gerry Rafferty – The Right Moment Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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A beautiful song, same feel as 'Whatever is written in your heart' from City to City. This song was cited by Gerry himself (on his website bio at the time) as "among the best he'd ever written". I agree it's a great song musically, but while the lyrics are great, they're certainly not his best. According to the bio on his official website (at the time) the song reflects his feeling of being "creatively spent" and having "lost the desire to manufacture chart hits". And it's pretty clear from reading the lyrics he's ruminating about being stuck in a rut. Still a great song from his later albums and well worth a listen. |
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| Gerry Rafferty – The Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin') Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| Another catchy poignant song of travelling and goodbyes Gerry. The Royal Mile is a series of streets passing through the old part of Edinburgh. | |
| Foo Fighters – Everlong Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I am reticent to add to an extremely long thread but I would just like to tie in the various comments made. At a purely inspirational and motivational level, (as several posters pointed out) Dave wrote this song during his marriage break up. But what's he telling us? Firstly we get the sense of a man who is so totally into someone, so in love (probably his former wife) and he tells us with the great imagery in 'breathe out so I can breathe you in'. You are the very air I breathe no less. He even admits he feels like he's in 'over my head'. And (as mypeace touches on), having experienced this ultimate feeling, this epitome of love, he is having little niggling doubts about how wonderful everything is at this moment in time is (he "wonders"). The themes he's wondering about in "If everything could ever feel this real... this good again" seem to be 1) the more immediate 'will our love continue to grow and last forever?', but also 2) the deeper and more cynical 'but what if this is as good as it's ever going to get?'. He also conveys his own sense of self doubt to us... will I get scared or overwhelmed by this relationship? Push you away, run away? Well, "You've got to promise not to stop when I say when"... if I get overwhelmed by it all or if I start having self doubt, don't stop because of that, don't let it affect how you see or treat me. Mind you, the impression I get is that she probably would let it affect her... she seems oblivious to his internal angst, conveyed by way he uses the various 'she sang' phrases. She's just la la la going along in life (he even joins in at times 'Out of my head I sang'). This songs universal theme is "what if this is as good as it gets, what motivates me to go on, whats the driving force?". Life is transitory we are all looking for something to last. I think mypeace's last paragraph sums it up well and in detail. Sure, you can apply these themes to sex, love, drugs or existentialism (that takes in most of the other comments made on this song). In a way, that's what makes this such an amazing song, and what makes Dave such a great lyricist. Listeners identify and form an emotional connection to the lyrics at one, some or all of the levels mentioned. This is one of my all time fav songs and it still 'gets' me when I listen to it. My only other comment is that it also has one of the best drum rolls ever in it. Only Dave could pull off that machine gun like tom roll he does during and after "and I wonder". |
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| Gerry Rafferty – The Ark Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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Another fantastic song. The following info is from the City to City tour programme which featured an interview with Gerry. Apparently he had the melody for ‘The Ark’ back in 1971 but he kept getting stuck trying to complete it. Lyrically he was trying to summarise a book he read on the significance of the Ark (both literally and symbolically). In his words, "it suggested... that the Ark was a knowledge or a faith, a teaching, and it comes to the fore when a civilisation is going down... to help mankind". |
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| Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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You are right, most of his album is autobiographical. He was doing a lot of travelling between Scotland and London (hence the album title, City to City) and he had a lot of time for reflection and contrast. And what a powerful statement musically and lyrically. Falcon makes some great comments about the song below. All I would add is that in the song he sees a parallel between his life and that of his friend with the 'dreams about buying some land'. In a fatalistic way, he sees the 'die as cast'; that the very things that bind us are the things that define us. Like his friend, he is stuck in his own rut and despite his best intentions of things changing they never will. We are left with the feeling that he will be forever stuck in that endless cycle of work/ stress, getting drunk to numb the pain and living in hope. The only release is when he finally escapes and heads back to Scotland. Musically he transports us there with him via the fantastic outro part. |
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| Gerry Rafferty – Right Down The Line Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| He is most definitely singing 'share' both in the opening and closing verses. Even if he did sing shape, it would still fit with the tender but kinda clingy theme of he song as per 'vulnaviaon' and my comments above. | |
| Gerry Rafferty – Right Down The Line Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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Exactly. He is a person others see as successful and confident. Here he gives us a window into his nagging self doubts and lack of direction/purpose in life. As you say, she's his rock of Gibraltar. I particularly like the 'northern star' imagery - both the obvious meaning as something unfading but also as a beacon to guide his life by. The 'northern star' was used by sailors in antiquity to navigate by. Another Beautiful song by Gerry! |
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| Gerry Rafferty – Whatever's Written in Your Heart Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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A fantastic song that captures the mood of a break up / disfunctional relationship perfectly (both musically and lyrically). The song took on a new deeper meaning during my divorce, particularly "I heard us speak but all the words were dead, We talked all night and left it all unsaid" which captured the imagery of countless (pointless) late night discussions. Pure mastery. |
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| Stealers Wheel – Stuck In The Middle With You Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| This is 100% the right. I have read it in interviews with Rafferty. Its a recurring theme in his music. | |
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