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Try Whistling This Lyrics
Tales from my head
Can't buy the book
No one's listening but I guess you could
Try whistling this
You say you're tired
Liquid as water
But you'll succumb now as I stroke your back
I'm the best that you know
And every time you think of me
I hope you think of true romance
And every time you want to leave
You give us both another chance
Warmest welcome
Violent stranger
He said come here as he pushed me down
Impossible to do
In high heels walking into walls
Ever wonder if you're here at all?
Try whistling this
And my words are ringing in you eyes
Drawing your attention to all the thing that you ignore
And if I can't be near you I would rather be adrift in space
And if the god deserts us now I'll turn this chapel into flames
And if someone tries to hurt you I would put myself in your place
Can't buy the book
No one's listening but I guess you could
Try whistling this
You say you're tired
Liquid as water
I'm the best that you know
And every time you think of me
I hope you think of true romance
And every time you want to leave
You give us both another chance
Violent stranger
He said come here as he pushed me down
Impossible to do
In high heels walking into walls
Ever wonder if you're here at all?
Try whistling this
And my words are ringing in you eyes
And if I can't be near you I would rather be adrift in space
And if the god deserts us now I'll turn this chapel into flames
And if someone tries to hurt you I would put myself in your place
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I think this song is quite dark and has many conjured and ambiguously tailored meanings as metaphors. I think it is about as someone noted - A two person view of being abused and the abuser answering each other. 'Tales from the head, can't buy the book, no one's listening, but I guess you could' sounds like someone trying to reach out to tell someone but no one is listening and the person they are trying to tell isn't too interested saying they're tired and liquid as water means I think like 'well, you're reaction is crystal clear as normal, it's as liquid as water'. It could also mean they are trying to talk to their abusive partner about it but they don't want to know and get an arrogant and expected reply (2nd verse)
The third verse about walking in high heels is definitely a well known incident with Paul Hester drunk whilst wearing heels and having an altercation with Neil. The final coda is as if the abusee cannot let go and walk away because they love the person too much, OR it is the abuser saying it? It's a vague and thought provoking song leaving you to wonder. I have read somewhere that the song has a double meaning and is about Neil's relationship with CH under the guise of a relationship based story. I think a lot of Try Whistling This's album deals with endings with an era of his life and reflections (CH)
I think that there are 2 POV's here, a smarmy abuser, and the abusee. It's interesting to set such dark, ambiguous lyrics to such a spare, beautiful melody.
I'm really not sure about the meaning at all, but the last minute is amazing.
There's a line missing, though-it should be: "drawing your attention now to all the things that you ignore / if i can't be with you i would rather have a different face"
yeah the last minute of this song is in the movie the land of women.. i heard it and completely fell in love with it. but then i downloaded the song and found the rest of the song sounded completely different and kind of bad. so now i just listen to the last minute on repeat, how sad is that?