Mornington Crescent

This is my second favourite B&S song (after Asleep on a Sunbeam).

It took me a while to understand this song, because I grew up in London and have travelled on the Northern Line for as long as I can remember, so when I hear him sing "Mornington Cresent", all I hear is that recording of the woman that pronounces "Highgate" funny. But then I thought of what the name might sound like to someone that's not from London and realised that the sound of it is actually really strange, and maybe even romantic. And that's the key to understanding this song; this part of North London around Camden is full of afluence ("dogs wearing hats and jackets") and romance ("old punk posters") at first sight, but once you get to know it better you realise it's really a bit of a mundane shithole ("next to the broker, the nurse and the drunk"..."life became fruitless" etc.). Of course, it's an analogy for life in general, and thus the perfect ending to The Life Pursuit- like so many songs on that album, it's about going out and.. well... "Pursuing".. meaning and adventure in life, finding so much possibility and promise but ultimately finding that our optimism is misplaced. The last line sums it all up really, "we're a little too free"- modern life gives us so much choice and "possibility", that we just end up spending our entire lives in this pursuit...and failing... kindof depressing really...

For all you non-londoners, Mornington Crescent is the notorious underground station that's perpetually closed for rennovation. Not sure what goes on above ground there.

Just an idea but mornington crescent has got UCH (university college hospital) to the south of it (the nurse), camden town to the north (the drunk) and on the south of regents park (next to mornington) there's a big investment banking tower. UCH seems like a sitter for me (why else nurse?) but the others I'm a little hazy on

It's difficult to understand that while so many of the other song's on 'The Life Pursuit' receive so much comment and attention, 'Mornington Crescent' resides here with only one (albeit entirely factually correct!) comment. As an exiled Scot and one time metropolitan commuter, I connect with this song and the slightly regretful feeling about becomming immersed in the melting pot that is London. I know Stuart has laboured with this song for some time and the result is an absolute classic. Perhaps running as the last track of the 'The Life Pursuit' is a stroke of genius for the piece of understated genius that this song is. It's a slow burner guys, but will shine in the long term. Just listen to liltening turns of phrase in Beans' keyboards, or the gentle twang of Stevie's guitar. It's one of their finest achievements. Thanks guys!

I agree with curious boy. The best track on Life Pursuit and one of the greatest songs of their career.

..."Lust and want and need just caved in "Is it wise?" The answer’s no It never is but since you ask We pause thoughtfully For twenty seconds reprieve Then it’s off with the briefs"...

This part reminds me of a realtionship I once had with my boss...

Sounds more like; Morning Glory?

I've been listening to this song since the album came out but I'd never really listened to the lyrics anyway I'm not from the UK (though I do realize that Mornington Crescent is an underground station) and just yesterday I heard of the game Mornington Crecsent and I right away connected it to this song... then I listened to the lyrics and realized that is not in fact what this song is about. Yeah anyway.

i love this song.

I love this melancholy song. The album is "The Life Pursuit" (whose name suggests "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness", from America's Declaration of Independence). This song is about the mechanical meaningless of modern life, centered on the pursuit of instant happiness. My favorite line is the last one: "The possibilities suggest themselves to me we’re a little too free."