Askew Road, with charm of napalm
A second home, with love for you all
Askew Road, with bullet proof vows
Always facing hostility and doubt

You make your beds boys, and clear your heads boys
Leave your life behind, reclaim it when you can
Like a deep loss, already restored
Humane and deeply flawed

Askew Road, with cigarette burns
A second home, with love for you all
Askew Road, with bullet proof vows
Always facing hostility and doubt

You make your beds boys, and clear your heads boys
Leave your life behind, reclaim it when you can
Like a deep loss, already restored
Humane and deeply flawed

"Most bands have no respect for us at all,
Which is fine because we didn't form a band
To get respect from other musicians, you know
That was never an important criteria to us
It's just tragic I think"

Askew Road, a place in my heart
Forever hoping we'll all make our way back


Lyrics submitted by Songmeaningsuser

Askew Road Lyrics as written by Jones Bradfield

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Askew Road song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

4 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    Named after the location of Philip and Terri Hall's house in London, where the Manics lived for a short time when they first started, Askew Road is a gentle call back to their youth. It strums very softly, James' voice almost cracking as he croons a tune that harks to an era of naivety and eagerness for success and also the intense friendship that held them so closely together. The addition of an interview clip with Richey, a small shock to the gasping listener, only serves to heighten the nostalgia and highlight his ever-presence in the band to this day.

    manic4manicson September 07, 2014   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.