| Elbow – K2 Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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This whole song, as with many songs on the albums, is about Brexit and the horrible and uncertain way 2016 changed for so many. K2 is a reference to the 48% of people who voted to remain in the EU, being the only slightly second highest mountain. The 'hand' refrain in the chorus is about challenging the hatred and vitriol that engulfed the Leave campaign, and the horrible events (racial attacks, especially) that occurred in the aftermath of this vote. Guy, who is 'given to believing in love,' (note the near-reluctance, the tension in that line), is finding his natural empathy and understanding has almost deserted him, and is desperately seeking a way to bridge the divide between his own, perhaps more liberal, beliefs with those of the 52% he wholeheartedly disagrees with. It's an almost biblical challenge, but one that his humanity is striving to overcome. And the 'In a sweater made of Atacama llama wool' is such perfect poetry. Larkin-esque and utterly brilliant. I could write more. These are wonderful words. |
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