I like the imagery of rainy fields and railway stations, which places the listener into the landscape of kitchen sink drama (the genre which spawned 'The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner')
When this came out, I always associated the verse about a 'sulky afternoon spent in dispute' with the vitriolic cover article in the NME by the late 'angry young man' Steven Wells, which sort of marked the end of B+S period of not engaging with the media. A strange article where B+S were attacked for somehow betraying 'rock n roll' I somehow doubt there is any connection, could just as well allude to Stuart Murdoch or anyone else's wasted afternoon debating things in their own head.
I would also read this as a reflection on the daily life of a musician... spending so much time in solitude, preparing for those short times when you're 'on stage'. Also the juncture that B+S had reached, following an apparantley tumultous period, 'it doesn't mean that we will show'; the song seems to reflect the adventure of being a successful band, the uncertainty of its future, and its engagement with the commercial world, 'businessman's conspiracy to sell you wares' Less obvious now, but at the time B+S seemed to embrace a DIY ethic and shun the business side of music business. I thought the line was 'I left the stage, I've seen it now'.
Also, always thought the closing line was 'Won't you follow me down?' as in the Dylan song.
It seems obvious but I will add that this song is surely also inspired by Stuart's love of cross country running.
This song is a real grower...
I like the imagery of rainy fields and railway stations, which places the listener into the landscape of kitchen sink drama (the genre which spawned 'The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner')
When this came out, I always associated the verse about a 'sulky afternoon spent in dispute' with the vitriolic cover article in the NME by the late 'angry young man' Steven Wells, which sort of marked the end of B+S period of not engaging with the media. A strange article where B+S were attacked for somehow betraying 'rock n roll' I somehow doubt there is any connection, could just as well allude to Stuart Murdoch or anyone else's wasted afternoon debating things in their own head.
I would also read this as a reflection on the daily life of a musician... spending so much time in solitude, preparing for those short times when you're 'on stage'. Also the juncture that B+S had reached, following an apparantley tumultous period, 'it doesn't mean that we will show'; the song seems to reflect the adventure of being a successful band, the uncertainty of its future, and its engagement with the commercial world, 'businessman's conspiracy to sell you wares' Less obvious now, but at the time B+S seemed to embrace a DIY ethic and shun the business side of music business. I thought the line was 'I left the stage, I've seen it now'.
Also, always thought the closing line was 'Won't you follow me down?' as in the Dylan song.
It seems obvious but I will add that this song is surely also inspired by Stuart's love of cross country running.