Elbow — K2
Album: Little FictionsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1873
Length: 5:12
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I'm imagining rippling fingers on keys
Miming it wild on a cold stone table
Picturing and wishing for home and jiggling my knees
Send an urgent cable
Dickhead's done a runner and he's wondering
If anyone cares
Is the landing light on
Back to the pebbles that mum's eggs hatched in
Give me her perfume
Give me her prayers and advice
Hands up if you've never seen the sea
I'm from a land with an island status
Makes us think that everyone hates us
Maybe darling they do
But they haven't met you
They only know the villains at the tiller
And they gambled the farm on a headline
Jesus, getting harder to see what they're doing 'til it's done
And they're never gonna make an arrest on Fleet Street
Yes and I'm given to believing in love
I've written the word in my blood
And I perch on a shelf of the K2
Made of the believers that
Love, opens the fist just enough for a hand
To slip into the hand
I've been asleep in the woods with a mother to be
Planning on a static caravan in the Andes
Making a break with the steel magpie on the rise
Defeat in our time or do we
Meet on the street again due to the few?
Batter it out and refresh vendetta
Better surely to pause
Consider the path
It's full of blood, snot and teeth and the glory of no one
Hands up if you've never seen the sea
We're from a place with an island status
Queuing round the corner for a pencil and paper
Again
Come the virus of virii
God send us to a digital end
With following strangers and swiping at friends
I'll send you a postcard
See you in Hull
In a sweater made of Atacama llama wool
Yes and I'm given to believing in love
I've written the word in my blood
I've seen it make a heaven of
Backstreet, bedsit and bomb site living room
Love, opens the fist just enough for a hand
To slip into the hand
Yes and I'm given to believing in love
I've written the word in my blood
I've seen it make a heaven of
Backstreet, bedsit and bomb site living room
Love, opens the fist just enough for a hand
To slip into the hand, to slip into the hand
Miming it wild on a cold stone table
Picturing and wishing for home and jiggling my knees
Send an urgent cable
Dickhead's done a runner and he's wondering
If anyone cares
Is the landing light on
Back to the pebbles that mum's eggs hatched in
Give me her perfume
Give me her prayers and advice
Hands up if you've never seen the sea
I'm from a land with an island status
Makes us think that everyone hates us
Maybe darling they do
But they haven't met you
They only know the villains at the tiller
And they gambled the farm on a headline
Jesus, getting harder to see what they're doing 'til it's done
And they're never gonna make an arrest on Fleet Street
Yes and I'm given to believing in love
I've written the word in my blood
And I perch on a shelf of the K2
Made of the believers that
Love, opens the fist just enough for a hand
To slip into the hand
I've been asleep in the woods with a mother to be
Planning on a static caravan in the Andes
Making a break with the steel magpie on the rise
Defeat in our time or do we
Meet on the street again due to the few?
Batter it out and refresh vendetta
Better surely to pause
Consider the path
It's full of blood, snot and teeth and the glory of no one
Hands up if you've never seen the sea
We're from a place with an island status
Queuing round the corner for a pencil and paper
Again
Come the virus of virii
God send us to a digital end
With following strangers and swiping at friends
I'll send you a postcard
See you in Hull
In a sweater made of Atacama llama wool
Yes and I'm given to believing in love
I've written the word in my blood
I've seen it make a heaven of
Backstreet, bedsit and bomb site living room
Love, opens the fist just enough for a hand
To slip into the hand
Yes and I'm given to believing in love
I've written the word in my blood
I've seen it make a heaven of
Backstreet, bedsit and bomb site living room
Love, opens the fist just enough for a hand
To slip into the hand, to slip into the hand
Comments (69)add comment
Again - fantastic tune, and record.
MrStatenIsle wrote:
oh, i hope not! though, i compare everything they've done to their Seldom Seen Kid album (never gets old), so...much after doesn't stack up as well IMHO, but i still love Elbow.
I like some of their stuff, but it sounds like their important work as a band is done.
oh, i hope not! though, i compare everything they've done to their Seldom Seen Kid album (never gets old), so...much after doesn't stack up as well IMHO, but i still love Elbow.
tm wrote:
AGREED
Elbow is one of the greatest bands in the past 20 years… amazing stuff
AGREED
Overall this is a pleasant, dreamy song. But that driving echo gets old.
stevehughes1976 wrote:
I'm in the UK and almost everyone I know loves Elbow (though I am a musician so most of the people I've asked are also musicians - I don't know if that's a factor).
Please! No more Elbow! I assume they did better in the USA than the UK, as I've never met anyone in the uk who likes them.
I'm in the UK and almost everyone I know loves Elbow (though I am a musician so most of the people I've asked are also musicians - I don't know if that's a factor).
Please! No more Elbow! I assume they did better in the USA than the UK, as I've never met anyone in the uk who likes them.
Elbow were, of course, named after the famous Spanish archer.
Elbow is one of the greatest bands in the past 20 years… amazing stuff
This went from 6 to 8 while listening.
I listen to Guy Garvey’s BBC Radio 6 programme. It is very good.
h8rhater wrote:
Marlow: ‘What’s the loveliest word in the English language, officer? In the sound it makes in the mouth? In the shape it makes in the page? “E-L-B-O-W”’
Marlow: ‘What’s the loveliest word in the English language, officer? In the sound it makes in the mouth? In the shape it makes in the page? “E-L-B-O-W”’
I think it was Baudelaire who thought "cellar door" were the most
beautiful words in English (compare to "ceil d'or" in French)
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
They're just never in a rush :)
I love the bass line in this track.
Oh man, sweet, satisfying minor chord change in there. Love the flowing lyrics too.
h8rhater wrote:
Marlow: ‘What’s the loveliest word in the English language, officer? In the sound it makes in the mouth? In the shape it makes in the page? “E-L-B-O-W”’
Aha! Someone else has watched the great Michael Gambon in The Singing Detective!
Marlow: ‘What’s the loveliest word in the English language, officer? In the sound it makes in the mouth? In the shape it makes in the page? “E-L-B-O-W”’
Aha! Someone else has watched the great Michael Gambon in The Singing Detective!
serstad wrote:
Agree. The Take Off and Landing of Everything (2014) was a surprise hit for me. Follow-up (Little Fictions) was definitely a let down...
I believe he had a child (sounds like they were expecting at this point)...that and sobriety seem to change focus for some. The lyrics are still there and the tunes are...sweeter? Not the end for this band, I'm thinking.
Agree. The Take Off and Landing of Everything (2014) was a surprise hit for me. Follow-up (Little Fictions) was definitely a let down...
I believe he had a child (sounds like they were expecting at this point)...that and sobriety seem to change focus for some. The lyrics are still there and the tunes are...sweeter? Not the end for this band, I'm thinking.
This is the most beautiful thing ever... <3 
Gänsehaut 
"... Come the virus of virii
God send us to a digital end
With following strangers and swiping at friends ..."
God send us to a digital end
With following strangers and swiping at friends ..."
markybx wrote:
Says your husband.
Boring AND annoying
Says your husband.
Pilsenaaa wrote:
Perhaps just maybe this was done to affect; a perfect juxtaposition.
I like best the album cover , the oversized lettering is distracting though
Perhaps just maybe this was done to affect; a perfect juxtaposition.
Ace, !!!Poignant lyrics ?....( right word ? ):.
I like best the album cover , the oversized lettering is distracting though
love this i do
MrStatenIsle wrote:
Agree. The Take Off and Landing of Everything (2014) was a surprise hit for me. Follow-up (Little Fictions) was definitely a let down...
I like some of their stuff, but it sounds like their important work as a band is done.
Agree. The Take Off and Landing of Everything (2014) was a surprise hit for me. Follow-up (Little Fictions) was definitely a let down...
I like some of their stuff, but it sounds like their important work as a band is done.
Webfoot wrote:
Hey, thanks for the idea!
NOOOO, don't - will slip out of your hand...
Hey, thanks for the idea!
NOOOO, don't - will slip out of your hand...
Clyde_Bedow wrote:
Hey, thanks for the idea!
First notes made me look around and see if someone had a dumb ring tone......
No, unfortunately the explanation wasn't that good.....
No, unfortunately the explanation wasn't that good.....
Hey, thanks for the idea!
First notes made me look around and see if someone had a dumb ring tone......
No, unfortunately the explanation wasn't that good.....
No, unfortunately the explanation wasn't that good.....
Now for something completely different.
The first few times I heard this, I had to double check that my squeeze players were in sync in the various rooms. When they're not in sync, you get that echo effect which works on this song, but is annoying when not intentional.
I like this song, but it's pretty hard to top their 2008 album, The Seldom Seen Kid.
Michael_Dean wrote:
Yes it is..that is if you were referring to a local pub with over 50 real beers on tap called the Elbow Room.
Really like it, the words seem some kinda dream state, the music and voice sew into it just fine. It's nice to have Elbow room.
Yes it is..that is if you were referring to a local pub with over 50 real beers on tap called the Elbow Room.
eliaspace wrote:
That appears to be your default opinion.
this song is terrible
That appears to be your default opinion.
eliaspace wrote:
How could I have been so wrong?
this song is terrible
How could I have been so wrong?
Really like it, the words seem some kinda dream state, the music and voice sew into it just fine. It's nice to have Elbow room.
this song is terrible
This reminds me of Wynton Marsalis doing his PBS radio jazz program in which he has school kids clap to keep keep time, while his band play. Freaking cool, except when his throws them a curve ball and does 9/8 time (ala Brubek).
redmachine wrote:
Funny, I agree with him about Brexit, but think his band is one of the worst bands in musical history. jgriffin56 wrote:
LOL, so we can't agree on this.
Funny, I agree with him about Brexit, but think his band is one of the worst bands in musical history.
LOL, so we can't agree on this.
Also LOL....I agree with redmachine on Elbow's take on Brexit and I also like the band! So I agree with both of you and disagree with both of you. 
Just as long as I'm allowed to openly state my opinion, and others can express theirs, without censorship. PEACE & LONG LIVE RP!!
redmachine wrote:
Funny, I agree with him about Brexit, but think his band is one of the worst bands in musical history.
LOL, so we can't agree on this.
Funny, I agree with him about Brexit, but think his band is one of the worst bands in musical history.
LOL, so we can't agree on this.
jgriffin56 wrote:
Funny, I agree with him about Brexit, but think his band is one of the worst bands in musical history.
I like this song even though I disagree with their take on Brexit. We can disagree on somethings and agree on others, how about that in this day and age.
Funny, I agree with him about Brexit, but think his band is one of the worst bands in musical history.
I like this song even though I disagree with their take on Brexit. We can disagree on somethings and agree on others, how about that in this day and age.
lizardking wrote:
heck, I was only in 4th grade when we went to DW, and the ride operator is who made the "one of the tallest peaks in FL joke" - damn sarcasm doesn't come out easily when typing!
Garvey has come out and said the song is about Brexit and how nationalism is destroying GB and the US. The lyrics (at least the ones that I can decipher) confirm this: “I’m from a land with an island status – everyone hates us.”
Now, can we get Firebrand and Angel from this album on Radio Paradise? That song is like a musical magic trick.
heck, I was only in 4th grade when we went to DW, and the ride operator is who made the "one of the tallest peaks in FL joke" - damn sarcasm doesn't come out easily when typing!
agreed, it's a great tune, although my "interpretation" of the song K2 being about Brexit is only a guess....what do you think it's about?
as far as the president I must have reacted to the news of his approval rating dropping even more...whatever, he'll be gone soon enough.
Garvey has come out and said the song is about Brexit and how nationalism is destroying GB and the US. The lyrics (at least the ones that I can decipher) confirm this: “I’m from a land with an island status – everyone hates us.”
Now, can we get Firebrand and Angel from this album on Radio Paradise? That song is like a musical magic trick.
jgriffin56 wrote:
Highest point in Florida is 345' above sea level, space mountain is not even close. Panarama Tower in Miami is the tallest man made structure in Florida, 868 feet.
None of that has anything to do with a rather nice song. Regardless your feelings or opinion on Brexit or Trump. I am not even sure that is what this song was intended to be about.
Highest point in Florida is 345' above sea level, space mountain is not even close. Panarama Tower in Miami is the tallest man made structure in Florida, 868 feet.
None of that has anything to do with a rather nice song. Regardless your feelings or opinion on Brexit or Trump. I am not even sure that is what this song was intended to be about.
heck, I was only in 4th grade when we went to DW, and the ride operator is who made the "one of the tallest peaks in FL joke" - damn sarcasm doesn't come out easily when typing!
agreed, it's a great tune, although my "interpretation" of the song K2 being about Brexit is only a guess....what do you think it's about?
as far as the president I must have reacted to the news of his approval rating dropping even more...whatever, he'll be gone soon enough.
lizardking wrote:
It's a Brexit poem, but like you said...my American self doesn't quite get it. K2 being the "2nd highest peak" would be the "minority" vote to remain in the EU (i.e. 48% stay vs 52% leave) - great poetry I guess!
Highest point in Florida is 345' above sea level, space mountain is not even close. Panarama Tower in Miami is the tallest man made structure in Florida, 868 feet.
None of that has anything to do with a rather nice song. Regardless your feelings or opinion on Brexit or Trump. I am not even sure that is what this song was intended to be about.
It's a Brexit poem, but like you said...my American self doesn't quite get it. K2 being the "2nd highest peak" would be the "minority" vote to remain in the EU (i.e. 48% stay vs 52% leave) - great poetry I guess!
For the 45th president (see...I can't say that guy's name....I call him chump instead) - I think the poem would include reference to "Space Mountain" in Disney World, which I recall was the 2nd highest peak in the entire FLAT state of Florida coming in at 97 feet. But I'm no poet and I know it! I can say LONG LIVE RP for playing this wonderful music!
Highest point in Florida is 345' above sea level, space mountain is not even close. Panarama Tower in Miami is the tallest man made structure in Florida, 868 feet.
None of that has anything to do with a rather nice song. Regardless your feelings or opinion on Brexit or Trump. I am not even sure that is what this song was intended to be about.
user4176 wrote:
It's a Brexit poem, but like you said...my American self doesn't quite get it. K2 being the "2nd highest peak" would be the "minority" vote to remain in the EU (i.e. 48% stay vs 52% leave) - great poetry I guess!
LONG LIVE RP for playing this wonderful music!
Strange lyrics, make sense and don't make sense at the same time. I guess it's called poetic, but I never got poetry. 
It's a Brexit poem, but like you said...my American self doesn't quite get it. K2 being the "2nd highest peak" would be the "minority" vote to remain in the EU (i.e. 48% stay vs 52% leave) - great poetry I guess!
LONG LIVE RP for playing this wonderful music!
Strange lyrics, make sense and don't make sense at the same time. I guess it's called poetic, but I never got poetry.
Sam_Chucklestone wrote:
Motto
Be careful of that for which you wish.
Up with which we shall not put.
"Villains on the tiller" and press ganged poor boys. We were slaves below decks. What a great phrase, it sums up the Empire and the British Establishment perfectly. Like "lions led by donkeys". It's been a thousand years of this psychopathic bullshit now, time for change.
These guys (no pun intended) get better and better, G.G. is turning into a modern Chaucer or Shakespeare.
These guys (no pun intended) get better and better, G.G. is turning into a modern Chaucer or Shakespeare.
Motto
Be careful of that for which you wish.
Up with which we shall not put.
Boring AND annoying
Cool song - nice instrumentation and production too. I wonder how many songs have been written which mention K2?
love this guy's voice, very P. Gabrielesque. like what I heard of his solo material too. more please. 2 thumbs up!!
jazz_in wrote:
First what?
First
First what?
A new Elbow album! Just what I needed. 
First
passsion8 wrote:
Hahaha! That sounds like the best stoner explanation I've ever heard. Kinda like,"Wow! This marshmallow pickle soup is really sublime!!"
Marlow: ‘What’s the loveliest word in the English language, officer? In the sound it makes in the mouth? In the shape it makes in the page? “E-L-B-O-W”’
Hahaha! That sounds like the best stoner explanation I've ever heard. Kinda like,"Wow! This marshmallow pickle soup is really sublime!!"
Marlow: ‘What’s the loveliest word in the English language, officer? In the sound it makes in the mouth? In the shape it makes in the page? “E-L-B-O-W”’
i love these guys!!!!
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Lol, I have more trouble getting 'out' of this band's sound.
Just can't get "into" this band's sound...
Lol, I have more trouble getting 'out' of this band's sound.
I got it on PSD already, cool
Wow, these drums...
Just can't get "into" this band's sound...
Liking this more on subsequent listens.
passsion8 wrote:
Hahaha! That sounds like the best stoner explanation I've ever heard. Kinda like,"Wow! This marshmallow pickle soup is really sublime!!"
Huh?
Lemme see.... passsion8 is a "stoner"?
Or is it that regular non-artistic, unimaginative people cannot imagine creativity and originality without an artificial boost?
—————————-
Like the song on the first listen.
Hahaha! That sounds like the best stoner explanation I've ever heard. Kinda like,"Wow! This marshmallow pickle soup is really sublime!!"
Huh?
Lemme see.... passsion8 is a "stoner"?
Or is it that regular non-artistic, unimaginative people cannot imagine creativity and originality without an artificial boost?
—————————-
Like the song on the first listen.
Emwolb wrote:
Hahaha! That sounds like the best stoner explanation I've ever heard. Kinda like,"Wow! This marshmallow pickle soup is really sublime!!"
Agreed...but at least there's a reason
"They changed their name a third time to 'Elbow' in 1997, inspired by a line in the BBC TV drama The Singing Detective in which the character Philip Marlow describes the word "elbow" as the loveliest word in the English language" .....from WikipediA
Hahaha! That sounds like the best stoner explanation I've ever heard. Kinda like,"Wow! This marshmallow pickle soup is really sublime!!"
I am liking this the more it plays.
Agreed...but at least there's a reason
"They changed their name a third time to 'Elbow' in 1997, inspired by a line in the BBC TV drama The Singing Detective in which the character Philip Marlow describes the word "elbow" as the loveliest word in the English language" .....from Wikipedia
Vocals remind me a lot of Peter Gabriel, with a beat
Awful name. Great band. iconic voice
Each song has its pacing and measured delivery.
Each song has its pacing and measured delivery.
It's a Brexit poem, but like you said...my American self doesn't quite get it. K2 being the "2nd highest peak" would be the "minority" vote to remain in the EU (i.e. 48% stay vs 52% leave) - great poetry I guess!
LONG LIVE RP for playing this wonderful music!
I bumped it up to a 10.