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Richard Thompson — Walking The Long Miles Home
Album: Mock Tudor
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1267









Released: 1999
Length: 4:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Oh the last bus has gone
Or maybe I'm wrong
It just doesn't exist
And the words that flew
Between me and you
I must be crossed off your list
So I'm walking the long miles home
I don't mind losing you
In fact I feel better each step of the way
In the dark I rehearse all the right things to say
I'll be home, I'll be sober by break of day
Walking the long miles home

Not a soul is around
As I put more ground
Between me and you
And the whole town's asleep
Or maybe they're deep in the old "voulez vous"
So I'm walking the long miles home
And I don't mind losing you
Got the moon there for company each step of the way
And the rhythm in my shoes keep the blues all away
When you ride Shanks's Pony you don't have to pay
Walking the long miles home

Oh the party was grand
But I hadn't quite planned on staying so long
And while you accused me
The hours confused me and my friends had all gone
So I'm walking the long miles home
And I don't mind losing you
Ah there's nobody out but the cop on the beat
He's snoring so loud I don't hear my feet
I just laugh to myself and move off down the street
Walking the long miles home
I'm walking the long miles home
Oh walking the long miles home
Comments (141)add comment
 Grayson wrote:


Meh. I saw Richard Thompson on the 13th floor of the New Orleans Masonic Lodge during Jazz Fest. Once. One of his kids was on guitar. No clue how I got there, but I sure did.  There are witnesses.  He'll go out with his guitar strap on, that one. Like Nick Lowe will. Too. 


As incoherent posts go, this is a winner. Somehow, a musician of his stature and brilliance really should not be assessed as you have done. Although I'm not sure of your point.
 Hannio wrote:

Lucas, Prince of Darkness.
It likewise amused me that the Italian motorcycle speedometers were made by Veglia...

 reallylost wrote:

Saw Richard Thompson with Eliza Gilkyson opening for him in San Francisco a few months before the pandemic hit. Amazing concert.

Hope he comes back soon. But he's getting up there in years. Love ya Richard. 



Meh. I saw Richard Thompson on the 13th floor of the New Orleans Masonic Lodge during Jazz Fest. Once. One of his kids was on guitar. No clue how I got there, but I sure did.  There are witnesses.  He'll go out with his guitar strap on, that one. Like Nick Lowe will. Too. 
Saw Richard Thompson with Eliza Gilkyson opening for him in San Francisco a few months before the pandemic hit. Amazing concert.

Hope he comes back soon. But he's getting up there in years. Love ya Richard. 
Very nice to hear RT here. More, please! I’ve seen him a couple times in person. Always rousing.
The oldest comments on this tune are 18-years old. RP's been around that long? Damn. Time indeed flies. 
This is the perfect Sunday song. Circa 1982. Dragging club-ass to Waffle House. 

My second day listening to Radio Paradise and not only do they play Richard Thompson, my favorite songwriter, but one of my favorite songs of his. I'm hooked already. Very typical of his songwriting style- telling details, dark humor, fully realized story in only three minutes.  
 Hannio wrote:

Lucas, Prince of Darkness.
 
As a Triumph and BSA owner, I recall and relate to that old adage. I was also similarly amused at the idea of Italian 'Veglia' instrumentation of that time, especially re speedos...
 Hannio wrote:

Lucas, Prince of Darkness.
 
I know that feeling well, with an old Austin Mini we had.
 Hannio wrote:

Lucas, Prince of Darkness.
 
Joseph Lucas once appeared before Parliament to have Ohm's Law repealed...
OMG
That picture of Richard Thompson looks like Harry Manx.  Maybe it's the hat.
Not my favorite RT song.
Sounds more like a strut than a walk
7 to 9 today.....i'm really liking the vibe on this (I'm doing OK without you) song, and Long Live RP!!
 Hannio wrote:


In other motorcycle news, 80% of all Harley Davidsons ever made are still out on the road, which is truly an amazing number.  The other 20% were able to make it back home.
 

In fairness, I hired a Harley Davidson Road King and rode Route 66 last year. It was heavier than an ocean-going vessel and had the cornering of a road roller. However, it was 100% reliable and after 3,000mls of riding, I didn’t have a single ace or a pain!


pleas let mi listen Under the Bridge. Thanks.{#Cheesygrin}
 Hannio wrote:

In other motorcycle news, 80% of all Harley Davidsons ever made are still out on the road, which is truly an amazing number.  The other 20% were able to make it back home.



 
{#Roflol}
 kiwipete wrote:

Joe says "You can motorcycle all day, as long as you're home by nightfall!"

 

In other motorcycle news, 80% of all Harley Davidsons ever made are still out on the road, which is truly an amazing number.  The other 20% were able to make it back home.


 easmann wrote:
I guess his Vincent broke down again. Curse that Lucas magneto.
 
 Hannio wrote:
Lucas, Prince of Darkness.
  

Very good, it took me a second or two to get these ones. I do so love cerebral jokes!


 Hannio wrote:

Lucas, Prince of Darkness.

 
Joe says "You can motorcycle all day, as long as you're home by nightfall!"
 easmann wrote:
I guess his Vincent broke down again. Curse that Lucas magneto.

 
Lucas, Prince of Darkness.
I guess his Vincent broke down again.
Curse that Lucas magneto.
Great segue from the Pogues!
Richard Thompson after the Pogues.  We're well rooted in the British Isles this morning.  Two great songs.
My first ever rating of 1.

Please kill it before it breeds.. 
Love RT   --  and when he occasionally performs with Loudon Wainwright III ("Rich and Loud") it is an odd and wonderful pairing.




He's better up close and personal.
I really wanted to say 'as the clergyman said' but that's wrong on many levels, so I won't.
His voice went well with Linda but solo... so,so... When was it, 30 years ago?
We all have our favorites and no, it doesn't always make sense. Bob Dylan sounds like a squeaky, rusted door hinge to me, but I can't get enough of Neil Young. Turn up the ones you like, and turn down the ones you don't. Who needs rules? 

grungepuppy wrote:
I can't get into his stuff. His voice just grates on me, the way Dave Matthews', Geddy Lee's, and Eddie Vedder's grate on others.
 


Was this before he met Red Molly?
 calypsus_1 wrote:

Suzanne Vega - Gypsy, Live:
https://youtu.be/XKTzUBvPV3w

Songwriter's Circle, with Richard Thompson on Guitar.


 

Wow.  Thanks for that.  Awesome.  I just saw RT, and as expected, can't get enough of him.  Been listening to him for many years and finally got off my fat a$$ and went and saw him.  Thank god!
 redmachine wrote:
A brilliant artist who actually uses humour and irony in his lyrics. He's funny and meaningful, another man that fake tools like Bono should take note of.

 

what's hilarious to me is the tools that LOVE RT and HATE DB...
silly, non?
Just about my fave RT song on just about my fave RT album!!!  Thanks Bill!!!
Another musically challenged comment.
congratulations.
RT formed Fairport Convention in 1967 and has been writing brilliant music ever since.
I think you'll find that David Byrne heard him.
Why dont you people do any research before you make stupid comments?
 
superfido wrote:
Think he ever heard David Byrne {#Think}
 


A brilliant artist who actually uses humour and irony in his lyrics. He's funny and meaningful, another man that fake tools like Bono should take note of.


Suzanne Vega - Gypsy, Live
Songwriter's Circle, with Richard Thompson on Guitar.

 grungepuppy wrote:
I can't get into his stuff. His voice just grates on me, the way Dave Matthews', Geddy Lee's, and Eddie Vedder's grate on others.
 
Agree totally. His voice along with the others you mention above. Geddy Lee definitely wins the prize for worst voice ever.

I can't get into his stuff. His voice just grates on me, the way Dave Matthews', Geddy Lee's, and Eddie Vedder's grate on others.
Love RT.  I've seen him many times in a small venue, doing requests in a semi-organized way.  So good, and funny too.

Richard Thompson  by Bryan Ledgard
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ledgard/

This photo was taken on February 6, 2006 in St. Luke's, London, England, GB, using a Nikon D70.



Oh dear. Didn't like this one at all.


Proud to be a big RT fan.  He's got a new album of electric songs and a tour coming in the fall.
For the record, Byrne and RT have performed together on several occasions. Most notably was a show in New Brunswick, NJ. It's out there on the bittorrent sites. Byrne also cut a solid version of "Just the Motion" for the RT tribute record Beat the Retreat.
Nice segway from Pogues to Richard Thompson!
 xkolibuul wrote:


DB couldn't even mow RT's lawn.
 
Touche!


Have to agree, go see him live, he is such an accomplished guitarist, saw him with Danny Thompson in Bristol. They were phenominal. All of his fingers were playing at the same time, bogglin.
Don't ever pass up a chance to see RT live - I'm wasn't even a fan, and was blown away.
 superfido wrote:
Think he ever heard David Byrne {#Think}
 
Richard Thompson was an established brilliant musician before David Byrne enrolled in RISD. I appreciate both musicians, but one is a phenomenal guitarist; the other not. You determine which.
 superfido wrote:
Think he ever heard David Byrne {#Think}
 

DB couldn't even mow RT's lawn.
 FlatCat wrote:
  I never ever use these things, but I noticed that this one goes EXACTLY at the beat of this song, at least on my computer. 

Wait! It's the same for the next song (Cath - Death Cab for Cutie). Is this Bill's set of "songs that have a beat of exactly 80 bpm"?
 
hah

that´s funny. Now I can´t stop looking
Think he ever heard David Byrne {#Think}
I log on like once a year, but I gotta say this song f**kin ROCKS.  I've walked that walk home and man this song just hits the button.  RP is hittin on all cylinders right now.  Great job, solid-stand-up-tube ride-like.
  I never ever use these things, but I noticed that this one goes EXACTLY at the beat of this song, at least on my computer. 

Wait! It's the same for the next song (Cath - Death Cab for Cutie). Is this Bill's set of "songs that have a beat of exactly 80 bpm"?

Wow...Los Lobos, The Cure, The Pogues, now Richard!  Should I be scared RP has somehow plugged into my psyche?

Odyzzeuz wrote:
Like knives being driven into my brain through the ear canal. Pure agony.

{#Lol}

this comment stands out to a lot of us, doesn't it?

i can't quite agree, but i normally would. honestly, i really want to like RT better than i do, and this song i don't hate so much...kinda actually like it.

Odyzzeuz wrote:
Like knives being driven into my brain through the ear canal. Pure agony.
That was a rather satisfying image, for me, of you in agony. You take this shite too seriously! ROTFLMAO
Great follow on from the Pogues....
Richard Thompson, an emissary from God, and Leo Fender (one in the same?) were sent here to make y'all smile. Enjoy the ride.
One of the things I really, really like about RP is the flow of one song into another. Yeah, there are some artists that taken alone I wouldn't cross the street to listen to but, they fit well into the mix that Bill pulls together and because they fit, they sound pretty good. Besides, I've always liked a little "EU flair" to some music 'cause after a while Amy Winehouse and the Shins start to wear a little thin.
I know there is a God. I've heard Richard Thompson play the Stratocaster.
ScottishWillie wrote:
In our studio nobody is allowed to mute anything or turn any song up. Otherwise we have huge arguments about whether a song is crap or not and trying to find a consensus is like trying to herd kittens.
In my studio I occasionally have to herd kittens... really. And some people think photography is easy!
Genius
In our studio nobody is allowed to mute anything or turn any song up. Otherwise we have huge arguments about whether a song is crap or not and trying to find a consensus is like trying to herd kittens.
robco1 wrote:
Hate to be a hater, but this guy is always muted immediately in our studio.
In our studio, Richard Thompson always gets turned up. Thus does the universe remain in balance.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I was going to say "I'm not much of a Richard Thompson fan" but I'll let your slightly less "delicate" comments cover it.
Hate to be a hater, but this guy is always muted immediately in our studio.
new RT album out soon. Single on Itunes now.
laozilover wrote:
I thought he sounded like Warren Zevon!
I think he sounds better than Zevon.
meydele wrote:
Here's a nice playlist. . . three of my favorites. Richard Thompson - Walking The Long Miles Home Tom Waits - Long Way Home Ani Difranco - As Is Awesome, Bill.
And again today.
Fantastic guitar player/singer/songwriter/band leader.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Like knives being driven into my brain through the ear canal. Pure agony.
I was going to say "I'm not much of a Richard Thompson fan" but I'll let your slightly less "delicate" comments cover it.
meydele wrote:
Here's a nice playlist. . . three of my favorites. Richard Thompson - Walking The Long Miles Home Tom Waits - Long Way Home Ani Difranco - As Is Awesome, Bill.
hmmm it's now Feb 23rd
Here's a nice playlist. . . three of my favorites. Richard Thompson - Walking The Long Miles Home Tom Waits - Long Way Home Ani Difranco - As Is Awesome, Bill.
What a great voice. Sounds amazing.
Anybody heard his son (Teddy)? Amazing resemblance, yet with his own character. Check out his most recent release, Separate Ways, you won't be disappointed.
I love the duet he does with his father--sublime
Isn't RT just great?
Farquwaar wrote:
Richard Thompson....Hooray Richard Thompson!!!!
Nope.
I'm a big fan of RT but this track is WAY overplayed.
This must be the Complicated Bass Line Set. Actually not that bad a tune, I just couldn't resist.
Richard Thompson....Hooray Richard Thompson!!!!
Decent RT cut, though there are so many gems from his 34-year career, this one pales in comparison. Anybody heard his son (Teddy)? Amazing resemblance, yet with his own character. Check out his most recent release, Separate Ways, you won't be disappointed.
bigeclecticcat wrote:
Always great to hear Richard Thompson..."Cooksferry queen" is the strongest tune for my money on the album.
I agree, but the whole album is great.
Always great to hear Richard Thompson..."Cooksferry queen" is the strongest tune for my money on the album.
Ravensign wrote:
Every few words he warbles sound so much like David Byrne, it causes me to have a mini-freak-quake.
I thought he sounded like Warren Zevon!
Deronius wrote:
Richard Thompson is an incredible song writer and an even more amazing guitar player. I've seen him play many times and the things he does on the guitar while singing would be a challenge for many guitar players focussed only on playing. Thanks for playing RP.
Personally, I'm pretty well convinced he has an extra hemisphere in his brain. Agreed on the amazing playing while singing.
Like knives being driven into my brain through the ear canal. Pure agony.
Richard is always a welcome listen! Finally something to wake me up after the the past 5 sleepers...
earthbased wrote:
Just upped my rating to 10!
Just lowered mine to 1
Just upped my rating to 10!
RT is always a great choice!
ob2 wrote:
RT is one of the most mezmirizing live musicians i've ever seen. seen him solo and with a band and, either way...he is a force!! his band is unreal too.
I agree. I saw him only once.Wouldn't mind seeing him again! A great guitarist and songwriter-as well as the most underrated.
RT is one of the most mezmirizing live musicians i've ever seen. seen him solo and with a band and, either way...he is a force!! his band is unreal too.
Marr wrote:
Man what a great set. Cowboy Junkies, Ani, Tom Waits, capped off with Richard Thompson. This has got me really smiling. Thanks RP.
same set again tonight...very nice indeed!
4. Get back together with Linda, please?
Saw RT Saturday night. Great concert.
Good stuff RP! Keep it comming!
You LUCKY dog!!< quote="flandersdog wrote:
I had never heard of Richard Thompson until 1991, when I went to a Crowded House concert in Detroit. my friend and I debated whether to show up early for the support act, some guy named Richard Thompson. we decided to go early (mainly because it was a mostly standing show and we wanted to get a table so we wouldn't have to hold onto our beers all night). RT walked out onto the stage with his acoustic...he was wearing a beret...we were all, "who IS this guy?" he proceeded to bring the house down. I went out the next day and bought some of his CDs. I've been a fan ever since.
"In fact I feel better each step of the way In the dark I rehearse all the right things to say I'll be home, I'll be sober by break of day" Such a marvelous picture of an evening that went wrong...
Not my favorite RT tune, but enjoyable nonetheless.
sergeant_x wrote:
It just occurred to me that the male lead from "A Mighty Wind" may have been inspired by Richard Thompson. Hmmm... didn't he have a much publicized break up with his wife who was also sang with him? The voice is vaguely similar as well. No disrespect, its a good song. Just a thought.
Nice idea, but Mitch and Mickey in "A Mighty Wind" weren't married. They just sang together. Great flick, tho', eh? Especially Harry Shearer at the end, "I found that I had to go through life as a blonde..."
Just about anything this guy does is worth listening to. Great guitarist, great songwriter.
I had never heard of Richard Thompson until 1991, when I went to a Crowded House concert in Detroit. my friend and I debated whether to show up early for the support act, some guy named Richard Thompson. we decided to go early (mainly because it was a mostly standing show and we wanted to get a table so we wouldn't have to hold onto our beers all night). RT walked out onto the stage with his acoustic...he was wearing a beret...we were all, "who IS this guy?" he proceeded to bring the house down. I went out the next day and bought some of his CDs. I've been a fan ever since.
Richard Thompson is an incredible song writer and an even more amazing guitar player. I've seen him play many times and the things he does on the guitar while singing would be a challenge for many guitar players focussed only on playing. One of his shows is where he does music from the middle ages to the present. It's over 2 hours of non stop music that flies by way too fast. Often he ends it with an incredibly halarious and technically impressive version of Whoops I Did it Again. This an amazing talent that flies just under the radar. Thanks for playing RP.
dango wrote:
Sucko-barfo exactly.
This from someone who rates U2's All Because of Yooooouuuuuuu (ouch, my ears are bleeding) a 10.
Sucko-barfo exactly.
Ravensign wrote:
Every few words he warbles sound so much like David Byrne, it causes me to have a mini-freak-quake.
Woa! I also thought this was David Byrne. I pride myself in identifying voices in songs I'm hearing for the first time, and this one tricked me, totally.
This is one BMF (thats a compliment in hip-hop). Knows how to play that strat.
Beastie wrote:
Actually, I meant this comment for the dreadful Dirty Old Town from The Pogues.
that's what the "edit" and "delete" links are for!
Man what a great set. Cowboy Junkies, Ani, Tom Waits, capped off with Richard Thompson. This has got me really smiling. Thanks RP.
kerr wrote:
Heard an interview with RT recently when he scotched rumours that he'd ever been asked to join the Rolling Stones but did confirm he had been approached to join the Eagles at some point... :-k
I think I remember seeing him touring with Traffic once. I think the warm-up band on that tour was Fairport Convention (post-RT). (And I've seen RT 3 or 4 times solo.)
Aw, it ain't that bad! I don't need to hear it again in a hurry, but it was tolerable.
Beastie wrote:
Oh, My God! What the hell is this? Please stop!
Actually, I menat this ocmment for the dreadful Dirty Old Town from The Pogues.
Oh, My God! What the hell is this? Please stop!
I like it!
He can walk right off of this rotation. It was almost like listening to to the endless "El Paso".
Miles wrote:
totally dig it.
Totally don't dig it...
GolfRomeo wrote:
This is the dude that the critics at Rolling Stone and Vox love, and every other soul in the universe views with apathy. He's like a male Linda Rhonstadt.
Dammit, GR! This soul and many others I know love Richard's music. Listen again and pay attention, please. Linda who?
Every few words he warbles sound so much like David Byrne, it causes me to have a mini-freak-quake.
Heard an interview with RT recently when he scotched rumours that he'd ever been asked to join the Rolling Stones but did confirm he had been approached to join the Eagles at some point... :-k