I've long frequented this site, but I signed up just so I could leave my own insights on this specific song.
Firstly, I completely agree that this is a hugely underrated album. I'm 21 and American so I had to find the Stone Roses on my own, and I'm very glad I did. I was initially very timid of hopping on Second Coming because of all the negative chatter I've heard towards it, but I love it dearly. This track is definitely a standout.
For me, this song is about love (obviously), but I think the one part that all the other posts left out is that Squire is implying that he's bound to fall. Apologies if I'm wrong in assuming that Squire wrote this tune.
"Won't someone tell me my love's real?" - Whether it's your girlfriend, some girl you've been wooing and finally scored on, Squire looks to others to validate that this is indeed love he's experiencing. He's chuffed, absolutely ecstatic, and he wants everyone to nod and agree that he is indeed in love.
"Are we etched in stone or just scratched in the sand?" - A bit of uncertainty here. Reminds me a bit of R U Mine by the Arctic Monkeys where Helders sings "Are you mine tomorrow or just mine tonight?" In essence, is this shag out of love or lust? Is this a one night stand or is there a legitimate foundation for something more?
Lastly the chorus,
"I'm on a tightrope, baby, nine miles high
Striding through the clouds on my ribbon in the sky
I'm on a tightrope, baby, one thing I've found
I don't know how to stop
And it's a long, long, long, long way down"
I can definitely relate to the chorus. You've gone gaga for the girl, on cloud nine, "nine miles high," some far-removed, feeble voice is telling you to be wary because of the last time your heart was broken, but you just don't know how to stop, "I don't know how to stop," because the feminine presence is just infectious. But sadly enough, you're soon to face that long way down when she moves on in another direction. But until then...you're on top of the world.
So to me, this song really captures the power of love, and beyond that, the grave nature of it. It can lift us up high and absolutely destroy us from the inside out.
@brojaysimpson well said! I don't think any two people should ever feel totally complacent about their love, ergo a level of uncertainty is a healthy part of even the best relationship. For if do not fear losing your lover and you become complacent, are you really giving all you can to the one you love?
@brojaysimpson well said! I don't think any two people should ever feel totally complacent about their love, ergo a level of uncertainty is a healthy part of even the best relationship. For if do not fear losing your lover and you become complacent, are you really giving all you can to the one you love?
@brojaysimpson great explanation, we used to sing back at our house after being out at the pub all day, ended up being my first dance song when I got married. everyone sang there heats out . Great song I’ve no explanation about the lyrics so hey ho. My fave line is “ my cup it runnth over I’ll never get my fill” absolute poetry
@brojaysimpson great explanation, we used to sing back at our house after being out at the pub all day, ended up being my first dance song when I got married. everyone sang there heats out . Great song I’ve no explanation about the lyrics so hey ho. My fave line is “ my cup it runnth over I’ll never get my fill” absolute poetry
I've long frequented this site, but I signed up just so I could leave my own insights on this specific song.
Firstly, I completely agree that this is a hugely underrated album. I'm 21 and American so I had to find the Stone Roses on my own, and I'm very glad I did. I was initially very timid of hopping on Second Coming because of all the negative chatter I've heard towards it, but I love it dearly. This track is definitely a standout.
For me, this song is about love (obviously), but I think the one part that all the other posts left out is that Squire is implying that he's bound to fall. Apologies if I'm wrong in assuming that Squire wrote this tune.
"Won't someone tell me my love's real?" - Whether it's your girlfriend, some girl you've been wooing and finally scored on, Squire looks to others to validate that this is indeed love he's experiencing. He's chuffed, absolutely ecstatic, and he wants everyone to nod and agree that he is indeed in love.
"Are we etched in stone or just scratched in the sand?" - A bit of uncertainty here. Reminds me a bit of R U Mine by the Arctic Monkeys where Helders sings "Are you mine tomorrow or just mine tonight?" In essence, is this shag out of love or lust? Is this a one night stand or is there a legitimate foundation for something more?
Lastly the chorus,
"I'm on a tightrope, baby, nine miles high Striding through the clouds on my ribbon in the sky I'm on a tightrope, baby, one thing I've found I don't know how to stop And it's a long, long, long, long way down"
I can definitely relate to the chorus. You've gone gaga for the girl, on cloud nine, "nine miles high," some far-removed, feeble voice is telling you to be wary because of the last time your heart was broken, but you just don't know how to stop, "I don't know how to stop," because the feminine presence is just infectious. But sadly enough, you're soon to face that long way down when she moves on in another direction. But until then...you're on top of the world.
So to me, this song really captures the power of love, and beyond that, the grave nature of it. It can lift us up high and absolutely destroy us from the inside out.
@brojaysimpson well said! I don't think any two people should ever feel totally complacent about their love, ergo a level of uncertainty is a healthy part of even the best relationship. For if do not fear losing your lover and you become complacent, are you really giving all you can to the one you love?
@brojaysimpson well said! I don't think any two people should ever feel totally complacent about their love, ergo a level of uncertainty is a healthy part of even the best relationship. For if do not fear losing your lover and you become complacent, are you really giving all you can to the one you love?
@brojaysimpson
@brojaysimpson
@brojaysimpson great explanation, we used to sing back at our house after being out at the pub all day, ended up being my first dance song when I got married. everyone sang there heats out . Great song I’ve no explanation about the lyrics so hey ho. My fave line is “ my cup it runnth over I’ll never get my fill” absolute poetry
@brojaysimpson great explanation, we used to sing back at our house after being out at the pub all day, ended up being my first dance song when I got married. everyone sang there heats out . Great song I’ve no explanation about the lyrics so hey ho. My fave line is “ my cup it runnth over I’ll never get my fill” absolute poetry