Friday, October 23, 2009

It's Friday, I'm In Love.....With 'London'



This one's been lurking for a good few weeks now, popping up in pub conversations and iPod shuffles, making a cameo appearance in this post, breaking the surface in this book and yesterday its opening line running through my head on the southbound train from New Street (along with Dexy's - 'I'm on the train from New Street to Euston, I'm going back to Harrow again...').

I used to think the lyric was 'train creep on to Euston', but how much greater is 'heave' ? I suppose that's why he's Morrissey and I'm.....not.

I love how that opening squeal of feedback seems like the inertia-breaking brakes and suddenly we're off, fast fast fast down the tracks.

Smoke lingers 'round your fingers
Train heave on to Euston
Do you think you've made
The right decision this time ?

You left your tired family grieving
And you think they're sad because you're leaving
But did you see jealousy in the eyes
Of the ones who had to stay behind ?

And do you think you've made
The right decision this time ?

You left your girlfriend on the platform
With this really ragged notion that you'll return
But she knows that when he goes
He really goes

And do you think you've made
The right decision this time ?

A whole world, a whole drama, in two minutes, two seconds.

That's a lovely, affectionate fan video too.

The Smiths - 'London' (1987)

18 comments:

  1. I was never really a fan of The Smiths, but do love the lyrics.

    Have you read Billy Liar On The Moon, it's even better than first book - honest!

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  2. Oh yes, absolutely loved it: in fact, I've had a pub conversation about that too recently...

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  3. really better ? honest ? i'm just off to the library and all. super.

    oh billy...

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  4. I'm with you Mondo, I was not as fanatical as some friends of mine. But the stuff I do like I like a lot and this track is one of them.

    No place like home, Mr H.

    Have a good weekend

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  5. Loved the Blackberry Way in your absence but glad you're home safe & sound.

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  6. Cos we'll give all we've got to give, for the folks back home.








    Hic

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  7. Bless him, he's up to his neck in 'garbage'...!

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  8. someone tried to get me to listen to the smiths but i didnt like it. I am a fin. I like harder stuff. maybe its a cultural thing. I want the music to be dark. but a enlish freind says that morrisey is dark. here in sweden things are dark.

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  9. Here in England things are mostly temperate; but we have moments of Finnish darkness, and moments of Mediterranean light. No wonder we are confused. And 'ironic'.

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  10. Leeds is well smelly since September. Full of hairy vermin puking and crapping and wading through rubbish.

    Bloody students.

    Whereas

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGWqtwhS2KY

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  11. What was ironic about that? Top song and post by the way

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  12. PS: Just heard Mozzer's been taken ill on stage - hope matron'll sort him out.

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  13. I just popped in to catch up with you, and check on dear Morrissey, who appears to be home now. And here you've got a post on the Smiths, of course.

    That's how you are, darling. Always anticipating what's next, aren't you? Unlike me, who's completely let your third birthday slip by without a word of congratulations! Forgive me, xoxo

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  14. But you're not well, are you? Bless x

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  15. One of Johnny's best tunes without doubt.....

    Oh and his mucker's lyric aint too shabby either.

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