@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
There's a portrait
In a back room
Which I keep for days upon
Which I relent
And gaze for hours on
The muscle, skin and bone of some
Imaginary friend.
So how about it?
Show me please how I
Will look in twenty years
And let me please
Interpret history
In every line and scar
That's painted there in front of me.
It doesn't matter what I'm thinking
What I tell myself to do
I'll end up calling.
I stay in to defrost the fridge
Now the kid has gone to bed
A feeling of dread
At least when she's around
The trouble's there
It's worse to wake up with her
Falling round the room.
Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling
Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling
And if they come tonight
You'll roll up tight
And take whatever's coming to you next
In a back room
Which I keep for days upon
Which I relent
And gaze for hours on
The muscle, skin and bone of some
Imaginary friend.
So how about it?
Show me please how I
Will look in twenty years
And let me please
Interpret history
In every line and scar
That's painted there in front of me.
It doesn't matter what I'm thinking
What I tell myself to do
I'll end up calling.
I stay in to defrost the fridge
Now the kid has gone to bed
A feeling of dread
At least when she's around
The trouble's there
It's worse to wake up with her
Falling round the room.
Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling
Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling
And if they come tonight
You'll roll up tight
And take whatever's coming to you next
Lyrics submitted by fratboy_rick
Slow Graffiti Lyrics as written by Christopher Geddes Campbe
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Holiday
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Mountain Song
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
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"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I always saw the 'portrait in the back room' as being a mirror. He's staring at himself and being unable to recognize himself anymore after all the abuse and stress he's putting himself through taking care of this girl who seems to have serious issues (alcohol? drugs?). Yet he can't pull himself away, no matter what his friends advise him to do, he's still falling for her and with her into her own pit of despair.
This is one of my top 5 or so favorite songs of all time and I am dumbfounded that it has no comments. Lyrics don't get much better than those first 3 stanzas..
I agree 100%
Stuarts voice is amazing in this song. I also like the way it starts out with just Stuart and the instruments come in after the first verse. Of course, B&S does this a lot. (The State I'm In, It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career, I Fought In A War, Beautiful, etc.). This is just more proof that even their B-Sides are absolutely amazing.
Stuarts voice is amazing in this song. I also like the way it starts out with just Stuart and the instruments come in after the first verse. Of course, B&S does this a lot. (The State I'm In, It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career, I Fought In A War, Beautiful, etc.). This is just more proof that even their B-Sides are absolutely amazing.
i wish i could say that i understood what this song was about does anyone know?
It's a great song (for one so short). I think it's just about a lad who has to look after his volatile girlfriend. He's worried about it's effects on him if it's a long lasting relationship and he uses this portrait to explore his fars. I used to think that there was a Dorian Grey ref in the first verse but I don't think so any more. It's intersting that the imaginary friend theme re-emerges on funny little frog.
Belle and Sebastian must be one of the most underappreciated band ever. This is amazingly beautiful.
This too is my favorite Belle and Sebastian song, yet I don't have the slightest idea what it means.. I guess I agree with Sparker, about a guy looking after his gf.
I believe it should be:
Which I keep for days Upon which I relent
The first two stanzas remind me of The Picture Of Dorian Grey.