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Elbow — Grounds For Divorce
Album: The Seldom Seen Kid
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3747









Released: 2008
Length: 3:34
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Mondays is for drinking to the seldom seen kid

I've been working on a cocktail called grounds for divorce
Polishing a compass that I hold in my sleep
Doubt comes in on sticks, but then he kicks like a horse
There's a Chinese cigarette case and the rest you can keep
And the rest you can keep
And the rest you can keep

There's a hole in my neighbourhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall
There's a hole in my neighbourhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall

Mondays is for drinking to the seldom seen kid

There's this whispering of jokers doing flesh by the pound
To a chorus of supposes from the little town whores
There'll be twisted karaoke at the Aniseed Lounge
And I'd bring you further roses but it does you no good
And it does me no good
And it does you no good

There's a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall
There's a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall
There's a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall

Someday we'll be drinking with the seldom seen kid
''(Ooh, ooh)''
Comments (308)add comment
Elbows lyrics are some of the finest, most meaningful and profound there has ever been in the entire history of music
Posted 4 days ago by Devaplan    [ Reply ]
One of RP's go-to bands. And now mine as well 
Posted 1 month ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
 stevesaw wrote:


The man can write a lyric.


Word
Posted 1 month ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Last night England were useless and dull at the Euros. Bill must have read my mood, He played Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, King Crimson and Elbow back-to-back. There are some things England can do after all!   Thanks Bill!
Posted 5 months ago by EffjayUK    [ Reply ]
A lot of Dylan going on with this one. Highway 61 revisited,

A cool tune
Posted 8 months ago by doktorkev    [ Reply ]
God, I love this, and how it reminds me how FUN it was to live in Akatsutsumi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, for TEN wild years, '02-'12! where there were quite a few holes in my neighborhood to fall into, night after night, YEAH!, and dozens of even bigger ones, in nearby Shimokita-zawa, Kichijoji, Sangenjaya, NiKo-Tama...
Posted 9 months ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Hey!  This is pretty good!  I think... I think... I...like it!

I usually can't get very far through an Elbow song before needing to PSD, but I like this one.  (The vocal seems different, and that's what usually bugs me on everything else Elbow, for whatever reason.)
Posted 9 months ago by QuantumShaman    [ Reply ]
GOOD TUNE!  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 jmkate wrote:

Not even kidding-received an unwelcome email from the equally divorced other party just as the song opened in the background... timing, RP..



bill/william and his ever-present psychic playlist is at it again!
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Love Guy G. Listen to him every Sunday on BBC Sounds. May have already mentioned this. 😘
Posted 1 year ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
I like Elbow because I hear early  Genesis among their influences. This song not so much. But it's excellent.
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
sublime
Posted 2 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
Love Elbow front man. He does a pretty amazing BBC Sounds gig, Radio 6, every Sunday morning. Excellent. No disrespect, RP. X
Posted 2 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
Now this, this, is a jam.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
Showing a little elbow and little else might be grounds for divorce...
Posted 2 years ago by jef    [ Reply ]
good segue from 'Love is the Drug' (though that has little to do with marriage)
Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 frisbeepilot wrote:

Too much "whoa-oa-oa-oa"-ing for my tastes. It's an epidemic these days.



Ignoring all the other lyrics, and the music, I guess. Please enlighten us with all the other songs that are infected with this epidemic. And you know what they say about opinions... I'll gladly inform you of that if you aren't aware.
Posted 3 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
Well just ROCK MY BRITCHES why don't you Bill and Rebecca?!?!
       
Posted 3 years ago by DanielHLloyd    [ Reply ]
Too much "whoa-oa-oa-oa"-ing for my tastes. It's an epidemic these days.
Posted 3 years ago by frisbeepilot    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
There's a hole in my neighborhood down which of late I can not help but fall...

The pub.


Yes! 
Posted 3 years ago by (former member)    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
There's a hole in my neighborhood down which of late I can not help but fall...

The pub.


The man can write a lyric.
Posted 3 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]


Not to mention a bad taste in music
Posted 3 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Nice follow up to Big Sugar!
Posted 3 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
He has a show in BBC Radio 6. Love the man.
Posted 3 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
Vocals: More like Jack Bruce
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Vocal has a Peter Gabriel sound.
 

Nope but it's great anyway.
Posted 3 years ago by whatsupdude    [ Reply ]
Wake and bake. Is this track not the coolest ever groove? So basic so powerful.
Posted 4 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Clapton and the Yard Birds. Or maybe I'm just getting old(er).
Posted 4 years ago by turbofun    [ Reply ]
Have always enjoyed this tune, especially the trudge section, but after reading the lyrics for the first time, OMG, I'm having a sad.
Posted 5 years ago by DavidSwannanoa    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
Best. Opening. Line. Ever.
 
What follows is pretty darn good too
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
A band with flashes of genius. Watch the live session at Abbey Road with orchestra. Amazing.
Posted 5 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
jmkate wrote:
Not even kidding-received an unwelcome email from the equally divorced other party just as the song opened in the background... timing, RP.. unclehud wrote:

Condolences.
 
I'm fond of saying "Congrats" to recently divorced people....if it wasn't working, for whatever reason, why continue the suffering?  And I'm going to +1 this to a 9...Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
definitely growing on me...
Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
One of the best songs on radio Paradise, what a great vibe!
Posted 5 years ago by chasmen    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by Aikau    [ Reply ]
Still one of my favourite Elbow songs.
Posted 6 years ago by Eric_Denison    [ Reply ]
 jmkate wrote:
Not even kidding-received an unwelcome email from the equally divorced other party just as the song opened in the background... timing, RP..
 
Condolences.
Posted 6 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Vocal has a Peter Gabriel sound.
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
There's a hole in my neighborhood down which of late I can not help but fall...

The pub.

 


gif from Elbow's video for "Grounds for Divorce"
Posted 7 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Not even kidding-received an unwelcome email from the equally divorced other party just as the song opened in the background... timing, RP..
Posted 7 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}

Love this track and ELBOW!!!
Posted 7 years ago by RBarberio    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
Excellent CD from start to finish.  Not too impressed with the follow up CD.  
 
Totally agree.
For some reason I marked this song as only a 9. Goes all the way to 10. Just like the volume when I listen to it.
Posted 8 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Excellent CD from start to finish.  Not too impressed with the follow up CD.  
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
There's a hole in my neighborhood down which of late I can not help but fall...

The pub.
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
{#Crown}
Posted 9 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
 cdysthe wrote:
Now that inspires a double espresso! Great song! 

 
Certainly a double something!
Posted 9 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
We have gone from Love is the Drug to Grounds for Divorce? Bill, what are you trying to say?
Posted 9 years ago by beeblebrocks40    [ Reply ]
 kilroyjoe3 wrote:
Love the song, love the band.  But does anyone agree that Guy Garvey has NO lung capacity.  Time to kick the smokes dude.

 
I smoke, and when I sing along I try hard to breathe when he does in the neighborhood with tripping hazards bit. He has better lung capacity than I!! Must smoke a little less....
Posted 9 years ago by subgyro    [ Reply ]
Yet another band I would not know about were it not for RP. Thanks Bill. 
Posted 9 years ago by OlderGentleman    [ Reply ]
This sounds scratchy and mildly destructive in all the right ways. But then, I am still working on coffee this morning, so it could just be me.
Posted 9 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
Now that inspires a double espresso! Great song! 
Posted 9 years ago by cdysthe    [ Reply ]
There we go, tags run a little behind. :) Great song.
Posted 10 years ago by root0    [ Reply ]
Best. Opening. Line. Ever.
Posted 10 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
Such a HUGE, mind blowing song - an instant classic to me. I feel like if I've known it for decades. That guitar/synth bridge, that huge sound, wow.

And yes: it's *really* worth it listening to the whole album from beginning to end. I didn't do it right away, but when I finally did, it really made a lasting impression on me.

A strong band I wouldn't know if not for RP. One more {#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
This song is simply incredible, just cannot do much with the rest of the album - not that I have heard it too often (maybe I should)!

 
Listened start to finish, it's the story of a relationship - from infatuation, to starry-eyed love, through temptation, and (via the eyes of others) the relationship's failure and regrets.  Superb.
Posted 10 years ago by Clarentine    [ Reply ]
Whoa! I just heard Big Sugar loud and clear, before I noticed that it was, in fact, Elbow. But, c'mon, although this may not be hallowed ground, this is definitely Big Sugar turf!

Hint, hint, Bill...
Posted 10 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
Excellent opening show of their US tour at 9:30 Club Sunday night - if you have an opportunity see this band live - GO.
 
Posted 10 years ago by arlvatom    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Guy Garvey has a similar (hoarse) singing style, but musically, Elbow's music doesn't sound very much like Mr. Gabriel's, to me.

 
Guy Garvey has spent some time writing at Real World Studios ( owned by Gabriel ).
Elbow has covered "Mercy Street" by Peter Gabriel and Peter Gabriel has covered Elbow's "Mirrorball".

 
Posted 10 years ago by damo    [ Reply ]
Meaty beaty big and bouncy..............oh, did somebody already invent that?
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]


Cool Video - Cool Band + Little Hurricane cover is Cool too.
Posted 10 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
    "O U T S T A N D I N G"
     {#Clap}                       {#Clap}  
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Still looking for the recipe for a cocktail called 'Grounds For Divorce' - closest I've come is from place in St. Louis:
"it's made from a base of Black Maple Hill Bourbon and amaro, vermouth, Campari, two kinds of bitters, and topped with a bloody maraschino cherry."  An English bloke wouldn't be having one of these in a Missouri bar, sorry.  *wink*
Posted 10 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
Bill was way ahead of the curve on Elbow.  I impressed my son in college several years ago as he had never heard of them. 
Awesome song and album.
Posted 10 years ago by maxjboxer    [ Reply ]
chunky guitar....love it.
Posted 10 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 jktravl wrote:
sounds alot like peter gabriel

 
Guy Garvey has a similar (hoarse) singing style, but musically, Elbow's music doesn't sound very much like Mr. Gabriel's, to me.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
this one is a Block Rocker.
Posted 11 years ago by RichardArthur    [ Reply ]
sounds alot like peter gabriel
Posted 11 years ago by jktravl    [ Reply ]
Freakin awesome song!
Posted 11 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
This song is simply incredible, just cannot do much with the rest of the album - not that I have heard it too often (maybe I should)!

 
Keep listening -- the whole album just flows incredibly!
Posted 11 years ago by esacconcia    [ Reply ]
This song is simply incredible, just cannot do much with the rest of the album - not that I have heard it too often (maybe I should)!
Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 peregrin8 wrote:
Elbow's album "Build A Rocket Boys" belongs in the same category of albums where the title comes from a line in one song. 

LPCity wrote:


Add in "Nevermind" and "Stop Making Sense" and we're off!

 



 
Lets not forget Momentary lapse of reason.
Posted 11 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Love the song, love the band.  But does anyone agree that Guy Garvey has NO lung capacity.  Time to kick the smokes dude.
Posted 11 years ago by kilroyjoe3    [ Reply ]
Elbow's album "Build A Rocket Boys" belongs in the same category of albums where the title comes from a line in one song. 

LPCity wrote:


Add in "Nevermind" and "Stop Making Sense" and we're off!

 


Posted 11 years ago by peregrin8    [ Reply ]
"There's a hole in my neighborhood, down which of late I cannot help but fall." Often, Elbow's lyrics make my inner geeky English major grin.
Posted 11 years ago by deanna404    [ Reply ]
Brilliant music I guess KristianGregory wrote:
I just don't get it, what do people see in this band that I'm missing?

 


Posted 11 years ago by kretinburger    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:

You could have found 100 songs to say the same thing about, interesting that you chose "Crossroads." Now all I want to do is listen to that gem of a tune.

If music reflects the many facets of the human condition than Elbow's music reflects the part of the human condition where I want to take meat thermometers and jam them into my ears.

 
Actually, I picked it because it's one my all time favourites, but which seems, undeservedly, to have fallen off most people's radar.

I've gotta say, I'm pleased for people who like Elbow.  They certainly vastly out number you and me.

I suppose I should try to understand the popularity of their music, but for me it'd be as gratingly miserable as sitting on the steel mesh steps of a mobile home in a sleet storm trying to admire the tenant's plastic flower collection.
Posted 11 years ago by Hasan    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:

I know, way too high. ;)

 
7.7 Way too low   ;)
Posted 11 years ago by onelittlemoose    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:
Well, Mrs Poacher and I are going to get married very soon (it's a long story - don't ask). We are choosing music and we have to have one for going out of the ceremony. . . I am going to suggest this and see how it goes down with her. 

Any more good suggestions please PM me :) 

 

Congratulations to you both - did you get your choice of music or did Mrs Poacher choose something like the Boxer?
Posted 11 years ago by Mank_Harvin    [ Reply ]
Thank you Bill. Today's my birthday and I've been waiting for an Elbow song. Was hoping for One Day Like This, but this is another favorite. Thanks for making my night and turning me on to my favorite band, Elbow. RP is the best thing out there for music! {#Music}
Posted 11 years ago by Marley    [ Reply ]
 DearDM wrote:
7.7? Wha?

 
I know, way too high. ;)
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
 Hasan wrote:
I just noticed that "Crossroads" by Cream has not had a single moment of air time since Nov 2011, but this dismal droning misery seems to be on every week!



 
You could have found 100 songs to say the same thing about, interesting that you chose "Crossroads." Now all I want to do is listen to that gem of a tune.

If music reflects the many facets of the human condition than Elbow's music reflects the part of the human condition where I want to take meat thermometers and jam them into my ears.
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
Grounds for coffee
Posted 11 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
Well, Mrs Poacher and I are going to get married very soon (it's a long story - don't ask). We are choosing music and we have to have one for going out of the ceremony. . . I am going to suggest this and see how it goes down with her. 

Any more good suggestions please PM me :) 
Posted 11 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 Hasan wrote:
I just noticed that "Crossroads" by Cream has not had a single moment of air time since Nov 2011, but this dismal droning misery seems to be on every week!



  Perfect, considering I've heard "Crossroads" about a thousand times in my life and this only about twenty.
Posted 11 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
 When it drops, it's so good.
Posted 11 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
I just noticed that "Crossroads" by Cream has not had a single moment of air time since Nov 2011, but this dismal droning misery seems to be on every week!


Posted 11 years ago by Hasan    [ Reply ]
 ceicilbee wrote:
heard this on a jcpenny tv commercial last night.  made me ill....

 
NeuroGeek wrote:
I about fell off of my couch last night when I heard this song as the background for a JC Penney commercial. Fortunately no wine was spilled.

 
You two had a mine meld there...
Posted 11 years ago by Stephenater    [ Reply ]
heard this on a jcpenny tv commercial last night.  made me ill....
Posted 11 years ago by ceicilbee    [ Reply ]
I about fell off of my couch last night when I heard this song as the background for a JC Penney commercial. Fortunately no wine was spilled.
Posted 11 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
 peregrin8 wrote:

So do I.  Let's create a community ;-)

I love "Jagged little pill" for example.
 
 

Add in "Nevermind" and "Stop Making Sense" and we're off!
Posted 11 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 stevendejong wrote:
Lyrically and musically excellent.
 
Yes - absolutely!
Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 ingrizek wrote:
and now some Black Keys ...
 
or BLACK RM CLUB
Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
and now some Black Keys ...
Posted 11 years ago by ingrizek    [ Reply ]
I just don't get it, what do people see in this band that I'm missing?
Posted 11 years ago by KristianGregory    [ Reply ]
 colt4x5 wrote:
What The Beatles would have sounded like with Peter Gabriel at the helm.
 
 
Not far off the mark!  I've noticed a number of times that Peter Gabriel channeling....
Posted 11 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
7.7? Wha?
Posted 11 years ago by DearDM    [ Reply ]

ooH!  Cool


Posted 11 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
I hear Gordie Johnson's Big Sugar all over this!
 
Posted 11 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
Lyrically and musically excellent.
Posted 11 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
colt4x5
(under the scree field.)
Posted: Nov 03, 2012 - 13:45 < Reply >
What The Beatles would have sounded like with Peter Gabriel at the helm.
 

{#Think}   {#Yes}  Add in a bit of the Black Keys signature crunch, driven guitar sound in this particular song, and bingo!  {#Roflol}


Posted 12 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
What The Beatles would have sounded like with Peter Gabriel at the helm.
 
Posted 12 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
One of the most underrated bands.
Posted 12 years ago by joerw    [ Reply ]
 Clarentine wrote:


I'd written:  "Total disconnect between that singing beat and the lyrics, but I love it."  What I meant to write was "that swinging beat," which might resolve your curiosity.  Otherwise, does it clarify if I say that the song's beat, that superbly motion-inducing percussion in particular, serves as a neat counterpoint to (my understanding of) the lyrics and makes me love the entire package all the more? 
 

Nicely done.
Posted 12 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:

i don't get what you mean by this...and i'm curious.
 

I'd written:  "Total disconnect between that singing beat and the lyrics, but I love it."  What I meant to write was "that swinging beat," which might resolve your curiosity.  Otherwise, does it clarify if I say that the song's beat, that superbly motion-inducing percussion in particular, serves as a neat counterpoint to (my understanding of) the lyrics and makes me love the entire package all the more? 
Posted 12 years ago by Clarentine    [ Reply ]
OK, for my money, Little Hurricane's cover is more entertaining!  Thanks CC ;-)


Posted 12 years ago by clickfaster    [ Reply ]
I was watching an episode of Rescue Me and this song was used in a bar room scene, very effective I thought. Good series btw.
Posted 12 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
.....the more i hear the more i like.........8...going to grow....
Posted 12 years ago by rockpommel16    [ Reply ]
 Clarentine wrote:

Total disconnect between that singing beat and the lyrics, but I love it.  {#Yes}

 
i don't get what you mean by this...and i'm curious.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]

Total disconnect between that singing beat and the lyrics, but I love it.  {#Yes}


Posted 12 years ago by Clarentine    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
I love when the album title comes from a line in a song.  Don't ask me why I just do.
 
So do I.  Let's create a community ;-)

I love "Jagged little pill" for example.
 
Posted 12 years ago by peregrin8    [ Reply ]
new elbow album coming out soon. they say it's not b-sides, but...hey.
i can't wait, regardless! 
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I love when the album title comes from a line in a song.  Don't ask me why I just do.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
They've been quite disappointing for me since this album. Heard them first here on RP, love this album, by far. But since? Not so much.
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
10
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 q4Fry wrote:
So they were live streaming the Isle of Wight festival yesterday... This song was so excellent.

I hope Elbow tours this side of the pond sometime soon.
 


Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
So they were live streaming the Isle of Wight festival yesterday... This song was so excellent.

I hope Elbow tours this side of the pond sometime soon.
Posted 12 years ago by q4Fry    [ Reply ]
 neuticle wrote:

Sooooo, it is about alcoholism ?
 
Who cares....it's a good song.
Good video too 
Posted 12 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
Oh my - giving me the chills - on a friday no less.
Posted 12 years ago by briannotz    [ Reply ]
 Jackson_Feelgood wrote:
Has an early Clapton feel about it. (Yardbirds / Cream) sort of. Love it !
 
What JF said
Posted 12 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]