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Elbow — Charge
Album: The Take Off And Landing Of Everything
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2373









Released: 2014
Length: 5:15
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I am electric
With a bottle in me
Got a bottle in me
And glory be these fuggers are ignoring me
I'm from another century
I am a preacher
When I've got it on me
And I've got it on me
And glory be these fuggers are ignoring me
We never learn from history

Hey
I am the beau who loved her so in every song
And I designed that little mystery on your tongue
I've broken jaws protecting laws to keep you free
I made your day so take a seat by me

I am an old tree
Gonna talk my jaw free
Someone come and get me
Another night beside myself would finish me
Give us G & T and sympathy
I am the diehard with an empty dance card propping up a young bar
I'm pouring oil in double time upon the troubled rising tide inside of me
Upon my history
Comments (110)add comment
Doesn't get much better than Elbow, and this strong song!
Elbow played at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London. All the acts had to observe a strict booze ban. Not Elbow - Guy Garvey later revealed he had smuggled in several cases of beer and spirits. Word spread around backstage and they became even more popular than they already were.
Harry DuBois vibes...
Every time I hear Guy Garvey, I think he's about to say "where's the cue ball going?".  I think he really is John Virgo under wraps.
Rated everything I have heard from them so far an 8 or up. Form and content so in sink every single time, touching, and impressive, to me at least. Also often makes me wanna dance around in circles
 srv9863 wrote:

Sounds like Peter Gabriel


Completely different accents though - Guy Garvey is unashamedly Lancastrian, while Peter Gabriel is RP (Received Pronunciation - aka "posh").
The Take Off ( i gave a 7) and Landing (i gave an 8) off Everything.
Fabulous lyrics! I listen to his BBC Radio 6 Sunday show. Love him.
 weedyjoe wrote:

I doubt I would know Elbow existed without Radio Paradise


I thunk that is why we have all given up on commercial music radio 
i didn't know how i felt about this one originally. after taking a break from this record (and band) for a few years, i came back to it and i really, really like this song now. i'm not sure what changed for me, but i dig it.
Hearing a bit of early/mid 1980s Gary Numan in these piano riffs.
Sounds like Peter Gabriel
I like how they don't compromise on their fookin' Manc accent, much like how the Arctic Monkeys remain defiantly Sheffield, 'appen :o)
The transition into the bridge is sweet... 
I doubt I would know Elbow existed without Radio Paradise
"Give us G & T and sympathy..." I love this band's genius turns of phrases, their withering spot-on social commentary, and creative, melodic delivery of multi-layered expressions of musical talent!
Dudes have been listening to their Coltrane records, expanding their minds... Good song.
 sfyi2001 wrote:




Kazoo-ish kazoo komment, typickal of most kazookial kommentary here.
Karry on, lol.


I'm sad to say Kazoo isn't Karrying on - and what helps me to do so is finding his comments. We really loved this album and Build A Rocket Boys

 DaidyBoy wrote:

Best lyricist in the business. To my ears, of course.


I'd posit that Gordon Downie with the Tragically Hip is an equally talented lyricist, God rest his soul.
Violins sounds like Middle Eastern-which I like. 
 kazoo wrote:


He's playing a character. Sounds like an alcoholic, maybe a veteran or retired police officer. Someone who didn't come through it all too well. 




Kazoo-ish kazoo komment, typickal of most kazookial kommentary here.
Karry on, lol.


See how good your timing is to join in with the "hey!"
 ziggytrix wrote:

I get more a vibe of a military veteran. One who feels disrespected and forgotten.
 

That's how I read it too.
 jacopo777 wrote:
Why Elbow? Why not knee, fingernail, knuckle, eyeball, ear, or even gluteus maximus?

Why? Why? Why?
 
"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" - The Singing Detective

The British rock band Elbow took their name from a line in the series that declared elbow the "loveliest word in the English language". 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singing_Detective

 crogers wrote:
I see nothing pretentious in a song about a guy getting tanked, whining about his idiotic contemporaries and questioning his own self-worth.  Seems pretty real-world and first-person to me. 

Folks should listen before forming opinions — that's the price of entry for a mature human in a social context.  Or, at least it fugging should be.
 
 
"fugging"? Channeling Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead...

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
Hearing this just a few days after the Remembrance Sunday services and parades here in the UK makes the lyrics all the more poignant, especially considering the poor treatment that our servicemen and women continue to receive when they leave the forces.

My friend's step-brother was an Gulf veteran Army cook who, on the surface, was a happily-married man and father to a young son. He took his own life not long after he re-joined civvy street.

"We never learn from history."
Why Elbow? Why not knee, fingernail, knuckle, eyeball, ear, or even gluteus maximus?

Why? Why? Why?
 SurfDoc wrote:
This song is starting to bother me more and more over the years of listening to RP.  As a health care professional and hearing him speak of breaking jaws, that's messed up.  Is he for real?  A broken jaw really sucks, he's a jerk if he's truthful.

Let the onslaught of nasty comments begin...
 

He's playing a character. Sounds like an alcoholic, maybe a veteran or retired police officer. Someone who didn't come through it all too well. 
 SurfDoc wrote:
This song is starting to bother me more and more over the years of listening to RP.  As a health care professional and hearing him speak of breaking jaws, that's messed up.  Is he for real?  A broken jaw really sucks, he's a jerk if he's truthful.

Let the onslaught of nasty comments begin...
 
I thought the singer was a cop.
This song is starting to bother me more and more over the years of listening to RP.  As a health care professional and hearing him speak of breaking jaws, that's messed up.  Is he for real?  A broken jaw really sucks, he's a jerk if he's truthful.

Let the onslaught of nasty comments begin...

hempmandan wrote:

Peter Gabrieleque
 

 
nutrod42 wrote:

Yep, I hear that too.
 

G.G. has said many times that Genesis with P.G. were a big influence on the band from their early days.
 floydpink wrote:

Pretentious? Moi?

 
 passsion8 wrote:
Is he a cop? "Breaking jaws protecting laws..."?

 
I get more a vibe of a military veteran. One who feels disrespected and forgotten.
 tulfan wrote:

I can feel the pretentiousness through the phones...

 
Pretentious? Moi?


Is he a cop? "Breaking jaws protecting laws..."?
they have a new album coming in 2017, "Little Fictions"
 jbuhl wrote:
I like Elbow macaroni 

 

I like to listen to Elbow on the Marconi.
I like Elbow macaroni 
i love this ...    
Guy's collaboration with Massive Attack left a mark.
Elbow; sometimes they annoy me, sometimes I like 'em.
Tonight, this song is workin' for me.
I guess they're just one of those "you gotta be in the mood" bands.
 hempmandan wrote:
Peter Gabrieleque
 
Yep, I hear that too.
good song, lyrics are,...um, I like them
 crogers wrote:
I see nothing pretentious in a song about a guy getting tanked, whining about his idiotic contemporaries and questioning his own self-worth.  Seems pretty real-world and first-person to me. 

Folks should listen before forming opinions — that's the price of entry for a mature human in a social context.  Or, at least it fugging should be.
 

 



Yep, met a couple of lads like that in my younger years, they seem to have disappeared somehow from the bars...as cigarette smoke. Embarrasing, sometimes quite interesting moments. At least, you knew what they were Loaded with... brillant Song! Watch out for the iTunes Festival version!
 westslope wrote:
The song is a tad plodding but the lyrics are terrific.

 
Best lyricist in the business. To my ears, of course.
The song is a tad plodding but the lyrics are terrific.
Solid Elbow! {#Sunny}
 Gegenschein wrote:


If one imagined he sang about flowers it is a real nice one...


 


 crogers wrote:
I see nothing pretentious in a song about a guy getting tanked, whining about his idiotic contemporaries and questioning his own self-worth.  Seems pretty real-world and first-person to me. 

Folks should listen before forming opinions — that's the price of entry for a mature human in a social context.  Or, at least it fugging should be.
 

 


been here....it wasn't fun.
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
I'm with Stingray on this one.

 
I'm with lord_byron
I see nothing pretentious in a song about a guy getting tanked, whining about his idiotic contemporaries and questioning his own self-worth.  Seems pretty real-world and first-person to me. 

Folks should listen before forming opinions — that's the price of entry for a mature human in a social context.  Or, at least it fugging should be.
 
Far out!
Elbow following Radiohead! Brilliance  {#Good-vibes}
Instant 7
I'm with Stingray on this one.
Bought the CD and I like it but find it rather ordinary compared to Seldom Seen Kid.
Peter Gabrieleque
Love the moody atmosphere Elbow creates...
Kinda thought we might hear this after hearing Coldplay's Midnight earlier.  Clever boy, our Bill...
I like Elbow in small doses. Seems that RP overplay them tho. Bit like U2 (overplayed) and Bowie a few months ago.
Brilliant piece ...and sits beautifully in its position within the whole album as an entity... applause Elbow  {#Clap} {#Daisy} ..and flowers too..why not
 Pioneer_Sing wrote:
Nice strings though even if the rest of the song is a bit weepy...

 
BULLSHIT!
Certainly 10!
Nice strings though even if the rest of the song is a bit weepy...
Definitely a live band. It sounds like it's just one soliloquy from a very long play.
Still not on-board with this new record.
 tulfan wrote:

I can feel the pretentiousness through the phones...

 
None meant whatsoever.  I'm an Elbow fan that finds this song utter devoid of any worth.  

Sorry, but I'm entitled to my opinion, and as a financial supporter of RadioParadise.com, am also entitled (and even encouraged) to post my rather humble opinions about the music played here.

But please, do act like an ass whenever someone's musical tastes differ from yours...which is quite...pretentious...is it not?

 
 Bacadiar wrote:

Look at you, poking holes in any comment that isn't absolutely positive toward this song or the band.
That being said, Elbow is way overrated.

 
Nah, it wasn't that; I only referenced one 'non-positive' comment (far from "any"), and I addressed its vocabulary (I am really tired of reading and hearing the word "methinks"), not the opinion it expressed.  I like this tune okay but I'm not posting here to 'defend' this band.
lil to much Elbow on this Broadcast last few years
Nice to hear a chord organ again...

otherwise... a 1 
 Slipstream wrote:

THIS.  Plodding...going absolutely no where.

 
I can feel the pretentiousness through the phones...
 Sloggydog wrote:
Another Elbow song I could really do without

 
THIS.  Plodding...going absolutely no where.
Great tune from a wonderful album (probably my favorite from them).  7.5, but 8 given the overall strength of the album and fact have to make a choice. 



 Proclivities wrote:

Methinks some folks are way too eager to use archaic English words (specifically "methinks") in everyday communication.

 
Look at you, poking holes in any comment that isn't absolutely positive toward this song or the band.
That being said, Elbow is way overrated.
Another Elbow song I could really do without
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
These guys just seem to be getting better and better and they were already damned fine.

 
What he said! {#Arrowu}
 stegokitty wrote:
Methinks some folks are way too eager to press the "Godlike" button.

 
Methinks some folks are way too eager to use archaic English words (specifically "methinks") in everyday communication.
 hencini wrote:
"Glory be, this song it is annoying me..." 

 Apparently, though, I'm in the minority based on the other comments.................. 

 
God damn the band that dares to get popular.
"Glory be, this song it is annoying me..." 

 Apparently, though, I'm in the minority based on the other comments.................. 
am I hearing that "i can ride my bike with no handlebars" melody in there?
Methinks some folks are way too eager to press the "Godlike" button.
This album splits down the middle for me.

Tracks 1,4,7,10 are excellent - the rest a tad boring (to be polite) and I'm a big Elbow fan.

The Blanket of Night is superb.
Not bad, but like a lot of other elbow songs: to long , often the same , that is boring at the end!
 socalhol wrote:
Woohoo! I am concert-bound, excitement building -- seeing Elbow @ Wiltern this Wed night!! {#Good-vibes}

 
ENJOY - the dc show at 9:30 Club was exceptional!  A very good collection of everything.
 
"Very nice new album." from Bill.      I agree !!!
 
Woohoo! I am concert-bound, excitement building -- seeing Elbow @ Wiltern this Wed night!! {#Good-vibes}
 Slipstream wrote:
I apologize to my fellow Elbow fans, but I think this song is particularly plodding, frankly.  Perhaps multiple listens will change my mind, but this just isn't tripping my trigger.

 
10, next
I apologize to my fellow Elbow fans, but I think this song is particularly plodding, frankly.  Perhaps multiple listens will change my mind, but this just isn't tripping my trigger.
 stevesaw wrote:
Yes on both

ckcotton wrote:
Nice to hear these guys back with a STRONG effort.... now if only the Doves would do the same

 

  Doves are overdue!



 


it took some time but this song grew on me {#Good-vibes}
Yes on both

ckcotton wrote:
Nice to hear these guys back with a STRONG effort.... now if only the Doves would do the same

 

 


 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
These guys just seem to be getting better and better and they were already damned fine.

 
Plus, they created their own beer.
Nice to hear these guys back with a STRONG effort.... now if only the Doves would do the same

 
I think without Radio Paradise I would have never heard Elbow.
10
 {#Clap}
I dunno, love Gabriel, just can not wrap my ears around these guys.  This is one of the less annoying tunes of theirs, to me any ways.  

Can't like everything RP plays. 
Loving this album ... can anything match "Seldom Seen Kid", though? Fly Boy Blue from here is also excellent!
Sweet song! Vocals aside, this band is a kindred spirit to PG musically. 
These guys just seem to be getting better and better and they were already damned fine.
Amazing song.
Regular álbum. 
a magnificent album, this is.
in case you don't know, Peter Gabriel covered Elbow's "Mirrorball", and Elbow covered Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street".
The video for Elbow's "Fly Boy Blue/ Lunette" was filmed at Realworld ( Peter's ) studio.
 
Liking almost everything RP is playing from this disc...gonna have to purchase some / all
 Stingray wrote:

10! 

Agree the voice is close to St. Peter - absolutely!

 

The "Muslim-strings" are exceptional!

 



 
I disagree.  9.95
for a split second i thought i heard Sting...

10! 

Agree the voice is close to St. Peter - absolutely!

 

The "Muslim-strings" are exceptional!

 


 IrishLass wrote:
Kind of reminds me a bit of Peter Gabriel....his vocals a bit.

 
Yeah... no.
{#Clap} .... Wonderful album - must be 10
Kind of reminds me a bit of Peter Gabriel....his vocals a bit.
10+