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Elbow — The Only Road
Album: Flying Dream 1
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 997









Released: 2021
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 3
The open road unrolling
And you in reach beside me

And a very chatty monkey
Fast asleep behind me

And the mountains rose before us
Noble brass for the chorus

And we talk of country kindness
As we put some miles behind us

And I guess we'll get to Inverness tonight
And I've lined a piper up just to make you cry
And the moon shows up to roll around our sky
And I've never been so sure
That I was right where I should be
In my whole life

Oh, I didn't see you coming
But now I'm nowt without you

You're the cooling glassy water
That feeds the trees about you

And the only road I know now
Is you and I together

And the little heart we started
Picks up that beat forever

And I guess we'll get to Inverness tonight
And I've lined a piper up just to make you cry
And the moon shows up to roll around our sky
And I've never been so sure
That I was right where I should be
In my whole life
And I've never been so sure
That I was right where I should be
In my whole life
Comments (31)add comment
 ZenAce wrote:


Wife and Son?  I wish nobody had any.


Make the first step in that direction and all is possible
 SpinyNorma wrote:
Mr Garvey, as usual melting my stony old heart with this gorgeous love song to his wife and son 


Wife and Son?  I wish nobody had any.
Most of the new music on RP is mumble/whisper singing with some weak musical background padding. Or maybe some generic blonde girl singing factory produced pop.

It's refreshing to hear Elbow is still in town making good music. Same goes for The Smile. They give me hope for the future of music.
They are such a great band.
 Exebeche wrote:

Divorced 4 years ago. The decision was good, the relationship was bad, the love utterly gone. Now more of a father to my kids then I ever would or could have been in that mutually toxic environment. The kids enjoy that, I enjoy that. There’s much love going around. Perhaps we will become part of blended family. In any case, all is pretty well, considering.

But, every time this song comes on, I literally cry my heart out. It is unstoppable, try as I might. It’s as if the music and the words touch upon what seems to be a very real and very basic human need. A need that will go forever unfulfilled because of the divorce. Mind you, this comment is not a lament or a wallow in self-pity. Just trying to describe why it is that every single time I hear this, I am in total awe of how deep it goes, in all its beautifully crafted simplicity, right to the core of my (or maybe the?) human heart.

Hell, I don’t even have a driver’s license… 😉


So, 9 --> 10, also unstoppable


I know exactly how you feel. 😰 But don't give up hope friend.  Found the love of my life 6 years ago at the age of 71 🙂
 Exebeche wrote:

Divorced 4 years ago. The decision was good, the relationship was bad, the love utterly gone. Now more of a father to my kids then I ever would or could have been in that mutually toxic environment. The kids enjoy that, I enjoy that. There’s much love going around. Perhaps we will become part of blended family. In any case, all is pretty well, considering.

But, every time this song comes on, I literally cry my heart out. It is unstoppable, try as I might. It’s as if the music and the words touch upon what seems to be a very real and very basic human need. A need that will go forever unfulfilled because of the divorce. Mind you, this comment is not a lament or a wallow in self-pity. Just trying to describe why it is that every single time I hear this, I am in total awe of how deep it goes, in all its beautifully crafted simplicity, right to the core of my (or maybe the?) human heart.

Hell, I don’t even have a driver’s license… 😉


So, 9 --> 10, also unstoppable

Strength to you, friend. To be true to yourself – to be truly human, even – you sometimes need to make decisions that are difficult but 'right', and then feel all the feelings that ensue. I think Guy is a particularly sensitive lyricist, so it's no wonder this song is so cathartic for you, and doubtless others. He's also a true gent. I was lucky enough to meet him at Glastonbury festival 15 years ago and it was like chatting to an old friend – not a hint of pretension. But perhaps that is not so surprising 😊

Divorced 4 years ago. The decision was good, the relationship was bad, the love utterly gone. Now more of a father to my kids then I ever would or could have been in that mutually toxic environment. The kids enjoy that, I enjoy that. There’s much love going around. Perhaps we will become part of blended family. In any case, all is pretty well, considering.

But, every time this song comes on, I literally cry my heart out. It is unstoppable, try as I might. It’s as if the music and the words touch upon what seems to be a very real and very basic human need. A need that will go forever unfulfilled because of the divorce. Mind you, this comment is not a lament or a wallow in self-pity. Just trying to describe why it is that every single time I hear this, I am in total awe of how deep it goes, in all its beautifully crafted simplicity, right to the core of my (or maybe the?) human heart.

Hell, I don’t even have a driver’s license… 😉


So, 9 --> 10, also unstoppable
Bumped to 10.
Perfection.
So tender it hurts.
As soon as I hear those soft opening beats, my scalp tingles...
Hub and I love long, 1,000 mile road trips. I'll have to play this for him.
Sheer bliss. 
Perfection.
 ScottishWillie wrote:


I've liked this a little more each time I've listened to it. Then I read the lyrics, which took the song to a new level for me. When I got the context from SpinyNormas comment, I was blown away. Thanks, Radio Paradise.



  
Moonkey! Love this band.
A grower not a shower   Upping to 9!
 slugore wrote:

Hearing this band in regular rotation here on RP and I 100% approve. Yet another band introduced to me by RP!!!


Totally agree!
Just. Brilliant. 
Bumped to a 9.
Fab photo. Smooth sound. Sweet words. Plus, great BBC Radio 6 radio on which I depend. Mr Guy Garvey.
 slugore wrote:

Hearing this band in regular rotation here on RP and I 100% approve. Yet another band introduced to me by RP!!!

Yes indeed. I jumped over to post the same sentiment - you beat me to it.
c.

Hearing this band in regular rotation here on RP and I 100% approve. Yet another band introduced to me by RP!!!
 SpinyNorma wrote:
Mr Garvey, as usual melting my stony old heart with this gorgeous love song to his wife and son 


I've liked this a little more each time I've listened to it. Then I read the lyrics, which took the song to a new level for me. When I got the context from SpinyNormas comment, I was blown away. Thanks, Radio Paradise.
 not heard this understated, glorious little love song before. This Monday morning is now a warm and fuzzy one
I've only recently discovered this extraordinary band. Thank you RP
 sqqqrly wrote:

+ 1 for using "nowt", Middle English for "nothing".



Still widely used by almost everyone in the northern half of England (Yorkshire, Manchester, Lancashire, etc.)
 sqqqrly wrote:

+ 1 for using "nowt", Middle English for "nothing".




Cool observation! 
Note: this word still exists in the modern English "naught".
 SpinyNorma wrote:
Mr Garvey, as usual melting my stony old heart with this gorgeous love song to his wife and son 


Yeah!
Gentle to my ears and soul.
Somehow sounds age-wise.
Melting my old ❤ too:)
Mr Garvey, as usual melting my stony old heart with this gorgeous love song to his wife and son 
New Elbow, Nice
Lovely
+ 1 for using "nowt", Middle English for "nothing".