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Elbow — Fly Boy Blue / Lunette
Album: The Take Off And Landing Of Everything
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2524









Released: 2014
Length: 6:14
Plays (last 30 days): 2
It's a lethal ballet
Air traffic congestion
I'm having a baby
Second thoughts
Scotch
Dinner and
Someone's dancing on the box
A former MP and no one's watching
My oldest friends are a serious habit
Fly boy blue
So bring your faces
Home to my sweet trampoline
And acres of crash site love

Presidential delays
Suppose I'm just lucky
l'm having a shindig
Me, Red Bob and The Ivory Host
And someone's shouting on the box
A chinless prefect gone Godzilla
My newest friends have forgotten my name
But so have I so far so good and home
You and me trampoline
And oceans of crash site love

What can be said of the cigarettes smoked
A prop for a joke or a mark on the clock
If I stopped would the bus ever come
Would the dawn ever kiss me forgivingly knowing what's done
Would the drivel make scribble, make sense and then song
Would the woodbines denied black another man's lungs
Perverse as it may sound I sometimes believe
The tip to my lips just reminds me to breathe

What can be said of the whiskey and wine
Random abandon or ballast for joy
That was scuppered with trust
Little more than a boy
And besides I'm in excellent company
I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liver
And I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave

But there isn't words yet for the comfort I get
From the gentle lunette at the top of the nape of the neck that I wake to
And where are the words for the leap in my chest
When mischief appears either side of the scar on your nose
Made by a rose thorn
So you claim
By a rose thorn
Comments (118)add comment
I can count the number of bands that have such complex meaningful deep lyrics on the fingers of one hand. These are one of them. A 10 from me.
I'm getting thirsty listening to this song.
Audience horns for sure!
 Greytyler wrote:

i can't understand that these guys have any popularity or serious following. They sound like a poor imitation of Coldplay and frankly I don't rate them. I do like the majority of songs I hear on radio paradise. Just my personal opinion. They appeared recently (headlining) at Saffron Walden. Wind blowing in the other direction, so fortunately we couldn't hear them.



Not much one can say to this guy.  Better just not say anything.  Poor sole.
Nice segue from Jefferson Airplane :)
 bmo wrote:

Must have another listen. 




Yes. I often wish there were a "replay" button.
excellent tune!
 Greytyler wrote:

i can't understand that these guys have any popularity or serious following. They sound like a poor imitation of Coldplay and frankly I don't rate them. I do like the majority of songs I hear on radio paradise. Just my personal opinion. They appeared recently (headlining) at Saffron Walden. Wind blowing in the other direction, so fortunately we couldn't hear them.

Wow. Just, wow.
c.

i can't understand that these guys have any popularity or serious following. They sound like a poor imitation of Coldplay and frankly I don't rate them. I do like the majority of songs I hear on radio paradise. Just my personal opinion. They appeared recently (headlining) at Saffron Walden. Wind blowing in the other direction, so fortunately we couldn't hear them.
Realy Garbage.
 SeriousLee wrote:

This band just keeps growing on me.



And with that third elbow, you could be a demon of a defenceman in hockey. 
I dig the song. Strange sounding harmony.
Sounds like one of these guys..

Cylon GIF | Gfycat
 desertbecca wrote:

Every time RP plays an Elbow I get the chills. Great band - love the voice.



Unless you watch snooker... it's John Virgo... "where's the cue ball going?"
..good Irish whiskey...so much choice, but I guess Guy is talking about 12year old Redbreast Pot Still whiskey. Bruce Springsteen's favourite tipple I believe.
Like this song, 12year old Redbreast Pot Still (with a drop of room temperature water - to your taste) is simply wonderful.
Good grief, an Elbow/ Guy Garvey song I actually like
then elbow that's why I love RP.
 gbt wrote:


One of my favourite lyrics ....


"Perverse as it may sound I sometimes believe
 The tip to my lips just reminds me to breathe"

as a former smoker, I can relate to this...
The second part of this selection is so very good...the lyrics flow, the subtle musicianship is sublime and Guy's vocals are at once powerful and yet reserved...

These guys are creating music that should be remembered for a very long time...it's pop that transcends the pop genre.  Just lovely. 
this is great music!
There is mastery of a game of rhythm and poetry going on here, and these talented, wildly inventive guys have sure got the knack. Reminds me of the magic that Squeeze used to be able to pull off with almost every effort... Love it madly!
 westslope wrote:

"I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liver

And I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave"

.
    Tobacco and alcohol:  the two most deadliest, economically destructive popular recreational drugs in the history of humankind.  Longevity versus a quick fix....

That is a pretty common theme, no?   




One of my favourite lyrics ....
 gbt wrote:

Some of my favourite lyrics in this song .....

What can be said of the whiskey and wine
Random abandon or ballast for joy
That was scuppered with trust, little more than a boy
And besides I'm in excellent company
I'm reaching the age when decisions are made
On life and liver and I'm sure last ditch
That'll I'll ask for more time
But mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave

"Scoopud with Troost",  love it when you can hear the thick accent coming through



Damn, he can write a lyric! I think he may be the best lyricist in rock.

He says 'troost' in several songs and I always listen for it. 
 westslope wrote:

"I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liver

And I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave"

.
    Tobacco and alcohol:  the two most deadliest, economically destructive popular recreational drugs in the history of humankind.  Longevity versus a quick fix....

That is a pretty common theme, no?   




Or as John Prine wrote in his song "When I Get to Heaven:"

And then I'm gonna get a cocktail
Vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette that's nine miles long

Some of my favourite lyrics in this song .....

What can be said of the whiskey and wine
Random abandon or ballast for joy
That was scuppered with trust, little more than a boy
And besides I'm in excellent company
I'm reaching the age when decisions are made
On life and liver and I'm sure last ditch
That'll I'll ask for more time
But mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave

"Scoopud with Troost",  love it when you can hear the thick accent coming through


 mermansf wrote:

That kid on the cover looks like a baby Drew Barrymore...


Good Lord it does! Never saw that and we have the CD
Sounds a bit like Paul Weller with moments of Dave Matthews. Is it just me? 
Buried more than one relative with a bottle of irish whisky and a Euchre deck with the score cards by their elbow... 
an Elbow song that I like...at long last
Sounds like an updated Genesis tune (with Peter Gabriel) although this is produced more than 20 years after. That is a compliment.
That kid on the cover looks like a baby Drew Barrymore...
One glass of 12 year old Red Breast (a very very good Irish whiskey) with a little water, every Saturday evening after a long week, will add years to your life. If RP is on the streamer, all the better for it.
There are some great BBC videos of these guys on You Tube. I wish we had Proms here in the US.
PSD'd from a disappointing "new" song from the stones to this...best PSD ever!
 westslope wrote:
"I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liverAnd I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave"

.
    Tobacco and alcohol:  the two most deadliest, economically destructive popular recreational drugs in the history of humankind.  Longevity versus a quick fix....

That is a pretty common theme, no?   


 
I reached that age at 55 when I broke my leg while passing out drunk. Nearly six months later I'm on my boat, enjoying Elbow on Radio Paradise having not touched a drop since then.
Never Quit Forever Webfoot wrote:
 westslope wrote:
"I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liverAnd I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave"

.
    Tobacco and alcohol:  the two most deadliest, economically destructive popular recreational drugs in the history of humankind.  Longevity versus a quick fix....

That is a pretty common theme, no?   


 Yes.

Cheers!

 

Imagine being buried in Bury, England?
 tinypriest wrote:
A reluctant 8.
 
Only because it reminds me too much of "Beasley Street".
A reluctant 8.
So good. Thanks for playing them RP!
 westslope wrote:
"I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liverAnd I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave"

.
    Tobacco and alcohol:  the two most deadliest, economically destructive popular recreational drugs in the history of humankind.  Longevity versus a quick fix....

That is a pretty common theme, no?   


 Yes.

Cheers!

8 to 9 now a 10, just love the misery of his voice
Elbow twice in one day.  How luck am I!  Thanks Bill!
Reminds me of Elastica 2:1
Killer bassline...and nice transition from CSN's Dark Star that was played before this.
6 to 7 .. love this!
Really...just...a fantastic album...via RP! I rolled the dice on the vinyl version (it was recorded digitally) and it is simply sublime, sonically stellar. Be forewarned, it is recorded at 45rpm and comes on 2 full LP’s, so the listener is a bit busy with flippin’ the disks, but what an eargasm!
 westslope wrote:
"I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liverAnd I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave"

.
    Tobacco and alcohol:  the two most deadliest, economically destructive popular recreational drugs in the history of humankind.  Longevity versus a quick fix....

That is a pretty common theme, no?   


 Already dead, but i'm still alive !

 lizardking wrote:

Thanks for the review...Elbow is one of the newer acts I'd LOVE to see live myself...I'll try to get to a show next time they're in SEA....Long Live RP!!
 
I've seen them. You won't be disappointed!
Every time RP plays an Elbow I get the chills. Great band - love the voice.
 legjef wrote:
I've seen them twice now, in PDX. Wow is all I can say. Last falls show was possibly the best show I've seen, and I've seen a lot, I'll be 60 in December. I have very eclectic musical taste, I only despise most pop music. Be it rock, country or urban.
 
 
Oh yeah, now I remember seeing you there.
 kevrey wrote:
Singer has hints of Peter Gabriel.
 
yes,,, Peter Gabriel,,,,, singing through a vacuum cleaner. 
 legjef wrote:
I've seen them twice now, in PDX. Wow is all I can say. Last falls show was possibly the best show I've seen, and I've seen a lot....
 
Thanks for the review...Elbow is one of the newer acts I'd LOVE to see live myself...I'll try to get to a show next time they're in SEA....Long Live RP!!
 SeriousLee wrote:
This band just keeps growing on me.
 
You said it! (I agree)
I've seen them twice now, in PDX. Wow is all I can say. Last falls show was possibly the best show I've seen, and I've seen a lot, I'll be 60 in December. I have very eclectic musical taste, I only despise most pop music. Be it rock, country or urban.
 
Singer has hints of Peter Gabriel.
This band just keeps growing on me.
Nice to hear Elbow anytime. Nicer to hear Real Life or Sad Captains or, from the new one, Magnificent (She Says)
Evidently I  previously gave this a 7 !?!? Must have been an excessive martini night because I don't remember :^ / 
I didn't know about Elbow until RP.  They're really good.
Haven't heard this in a while, really enjoyable to hear it again.
In a week where we've lost the great Leonard Cohen it's reassuring to know there are still great artists like Elbow creating music that is both musically and lyrically sublime.
 michel_zws wrote:
Beautiful song, but can someone explain me the direction of the lyrics.......... 

 
The first part: drinking in an airport lounge. The second part: a more personal story?
"I'm reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liver

And I'm sure, last ditch that I'll ask for more time
But Mother forgive me
I still want a bottle of good Irish whiskey
And a bundle of smokes in my grave"

.
    Tobacco and alcohol:  the two most deadliest, economically destructive popular recreational drugs in the history of humankind.  Longevity versus a quick fix....

That is a pretty common theme, no?   


{#Frustrated}
 gregskrtic wrote:
Love this!  

{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam} 

 
encore!
 michel_zws wrote:
Beautiful song, but can someone explain me the direction of the lyrics.......... 

 
maybe just dealing with life? how the ridicules of the outside world are driving you to not so good decisions

" I’m reaching the age when decisions are made on the life and the liver "
 Bacadiar wrote:{#Chillpill}
Ughhh! No more Elbow, Please!!{#Frustrated}

 


Love this!  

{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam} 
Beautiful song, but can someone explain me the direction of the lyrics.......... 
                                                                          Ethics,  Religion and Planchette
                                                    Whoo!  Finally, in our temple got a place for our in-house planchette.
                 Wait ! what is all about this bone defying gravity. We don't tolerate anarchist here, lunette shaped or not.
                                         This is gone to far, yakkety yack bone is now hijacking our in-house planchette.

Play it again Bill !!
 
gotta run gotta catch a boos.
 Bacadiar wrote:
Ughhh! No more Elbow, Please!!{#Frustrated}

 
A case of Lateral Epicondylitis?
 msymmes wrote:
Wonderful track !!!! 

Marley wrote:
One of my faves from this record. Love it!

 

 
 yip, guaranteed...
Probably would have never heard about this band if it wasn't for RP. Thanks Bill. 
I think they heard "If on a Winters Night" by Sting and decided they could do better.
And they did. 
Now, there is a band I haven't thought of in decades 

  ColdMiser wrote:
I hear a Godley/Creme influence with this band.

 


The lyrics fascinate me, not entirely sure what some of them mean as it is very British but it sounds poetic to me.
 ColdMiser wrote:
I hear a Godley/Creme influence with this band.

 
Qualitywise for sure!
Wonderful studio-band. Live a huge disappointment (for me)!

The singer is the prototype of a rockstar. Moving like an anti-Jagger!
I know I said this yesterday but from the department of redundancy department...

Wonderful track !!!
 
Wonderful track !!!! 

Marley wrote:
One of my faves from this record. Love it!

 


One of my faves from this record. Love it!
I hear a Godley/Creme influence with this band.
This band is OK, but RP is playing songs from this group ***WAY*** too frequently.  PSD to the rescue
Ughhh! No more Elbow, Please!!{#Frustrated}
Bill: I beg you, please give this daily rotation song a break!
 fredriley wrote:

Good interpretation. The "former MP" on Strictly might be Vince Cable? Not that I watch that sh1te myself, but it's hard to get away from the celebrity hype even if you keep the TV off. The lyrics look to be more full of references than Encyclopedia Britannica...



 
I thought the "former MP" is Ann Widecombe. Cable is still an MP...
Great song whoever it is... 
 fredriley wrote:
Good interpretation. The "former MP" on Strictly might be Vince Cable? Not that I watch that sh1te myself, but it's hard to get away from the celebrity hype even if you keep the TV off. The lyrics look to be more full of references than Encyclopedia Britannica...
 
It is possible to get away from the hype - because I do it. 

One has to 1) turn off the tv completely 2) turn off commercial radio 3) do not read any newspapers or magazines 4) do not read any MSM media on the internet. 5) avoid conversations with those who are still connected with any kind of celebrity culture.

I have been doing this for years now and wholly recommend it. 
 izycrzy wrote:
Love a song that you originally didn't like... then you kind of liked it. Then you really liked it. Those are the best. Same goes for friends and movies I think. 

 
...well said.
 Dagadog wrote:
To BillG, I'm pretty sure some of the references are satirical references to British culture.

"Someone’s dancing on the box, A former MP and no one’s watching" refers to Strictly Come Dancing which I think is the basis of your Dancing With the Stars (box = TV) and probably is a commentary on our fascination with "Celebrity", "Reality TV" and "Talent Shows" which have been produced to help lower our collective IQ.

"A chinless prefect gone Godzilla" could easily be a reference to David Cameron (chinless prefects are generally pointless upper-class boys from privileged backgrounds)

The rest of it is pretty esoteric though.  It sounds meaningful and rhymes.

 
Very interesting. Can't stand David Cameron or his *%#$&*ly obnoxious Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne. They come across as arrogant, rigid and clueless Oxbridge types. Osborne seems to have no formal education in economics.

Why are the Tories still in power? Is Ed Miliband the walking equivalent of Sominex?
I just saw Elbow at the Wiltern -- May 28th -- what a FABULOUS show!!!  {#Notworthy}
Love a song that you originally didn't like... then you kind of liked it. Then you really liked it. Those are the best. Same goes for friends and movies I think. 
 stevesaw wrote:

It was amazing.... Wonderful show at the 9:30 club. Why they aren't filling larger venues I don't know, but for my sake - let's keep it small.

 
Dang, just missed them!
 Dagadog wrote:
To BillG, I'm pretty sure some of the references are satirical references to British culture.

"Someone’s dancing on the box, A former MP and no one’s watching" refers to Strictly Come Dancing which I think is the basis of your Dancing With the Stars (box = TV) and probably is a commentary on our fascination with "Celebrity", "Reality TV" and "Talent Shows" which have been produced to help lower our collective IQ.

"A chinless prefect gone Godzilla" could easily be a reference to David Cameron (chinless prefects are generally pointless upper-class boys from privileged backgrounds)

The rest of it is pretty esoteric though.  It sounds meaningful and rhymes.

 
Good interpretation. The "former MP" on Strictly might be Vince Cable? Not that I watch that sh1te myself, but it's hard to get away from the celebrity hype even if you keep the TV off. The lyrics look to be more full of references than Encyclopedia Britannica...


 akdavey wrote:
A little too dissident for my taste, but it is growing on me.  It's like 2 or 3 songs in one. Surely amazing live.



 
It was amazing.... Wonderful show at the 9:30 club. Why they aren't filling larger venues I don't know, but for my sake - let's keep it small.
Can't deny real genius.
I don't like it, sorry.  It's a little too monotone for me.  I feel like I'm falling down in slow motion...
 
A little too dissident for my taste, but it is growing on me.  It's like 2 or 3 songs in one. Surely amazing live.


 aspicer wrote:

I've listened to it several times through and think it's excellent, one of their best albums!  It is all pretty mellow and reflective (no "rocking tunes" to speak of) but has a a very cohesive insightful flow - very nice.

 
+1
Ramsbottom's finest - 10, next please
 clive369 wrote:
Nice new addition to the RP repertoire. Anyone know what the rest of the album is like?

 
I've listened to it several times through and think it's excellent, one of their best albums!  It is all pretty mellow and reflective (no "rocking tunes" to speak of) but has a a very cohesive insightful flow - very nice.
I don't mind his voice, but I find his singing monotonous.
I just love his voice
It's nice to hear some new daily Elbow. This one grows on me more each time I hear it.
Sounds even better this time !
This voice effect will always remind me of Laurie Anderson.
Must have another listen. 
This has caught my attention instantly !
 Dagadog wrote:
To BillG, I'm pretty sure some of the references are satirical references to British culture.

"Someone’s dancing on the box, A former MP and no one’s watching" refers to Strictly Come Dancing which I think is the basis of your Dancing With the Stars (box = TV) and probably is a commentary on our fascination with "Celebrity", "Reality TV" and "Talent Shows" which have been produced to help lower our collective IQ.

"A chinless prefect gone Godzilla" could easily be a reference to David Cameron (chinless prefects are generally pointless upper-class boys from privileged backgrounds)

The rest of it is pretty esoteric though.  It sounds meaningful and rhymes.

 
Thanks.  Got the first one, definitely didn't get the second, & agree with the third. It's weird, but I like it.
To BillG, I'm pretty sure some of the references are satirical references to British culture.

"Someone’s dancing on the box, A former MP and no one’s watching" refers to Strictly Come Dancing which I think is the basis of your Dancing With the Stars (box = TV) and probably is a commentary on our fascination with "Celebrity", "Reality TV" and "Talent Shows" which have been produced to help lower our collective IQ.

"A chinless prefect gone Godzilla" could easily be a reference to David Cameron (chinless prefects are generally pointless upper-class boys from privileged backgrounds)

The rest of it is pretty esoteric though.  It sounds meaningful and rhymes.
must...buy.....now....
Awesome... I so love this band. Definitely on the "new acquisitions list". Thanks RP
 clive369 wrote:
Nice new addition to the RP repertoire. Anyone know what the rest of the album is like?

 
if you are a fan of elbow, you will  probably enjoy it very much. it is less "accessible" than SSK or BARB, but no less poetic or musically engaging. I would recommend it highly if you're interested in the band ... and in that context, i would give it an 8.5

damo 
Hey, I really like these guys.
probably forgettable, if this is the best its got to offer 
 {#Fire}clive369 wrote:
Nice new addition to the RP repertoire. Anyone know what the rest of the album is like?

 
{#Fire}  ....... the album is indispensable - just get it.   10
Nice new addition to the RP repertoire. Anyone know what the rest of the album is like?