The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner Lyrics

Lyric discussion by mookundi 

Cover art for The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner lyrics by Belle & Sebastian

Having slept on this I think I kind of missed the point in the post above. The song really relates a lot more closely to the book/ film Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, with Stuart/ the band in the role of the protaginist - the non-conformist who is content to suffer for the sake of his own freedom, and finds exhileration in cross country running, but will only do it on his own terms.

The railway ticket states the destination But it doesn't mean that we will show

The band have jumped on the indie rock train, but it doesn't mean they will follow the conventional route.

The future's looking colourful

In comparison to the grainy black and white of British New Wave cinema

A happy soul will ride in the fields

The joy of cross country running

Dreaming of the time when we're on stage

This conjures up ABBAs Glasgow referencing anthem Super Trouper, which also examines the onstage offstage machinations of band life.

Have you seen the loneliness of a middle distance runner As he stops the race and looks around? I like the stage I've seen it now

Spoiler alert, but you have to watch the film/ read the book to get this. The band are happy to be in the race, but on their own terms...

Its a stretch but I still think the closing line might be a Dylan ref... considering the bands media stance 'like Dylan in the Movies'... Don't Look Back also being an excellent film and ahead of its time, in its observation of the media...

I change my response. This is what America is. A middle distance runner. Not sustainable and they've forgotten that at the start, but if that's true, why aren't we just like China? Communists. Sounds sustainable. Maybe we'll "stop the race and look around, and like the 'stage' because they've seen it(the light/spotlight where they can shine) now." Our lesson to learn as a whole is to remember who we are, free and brave. Be brave enough to realize we don't have to do what it is we're doing right now. It is lonely but....

Yes the...