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Badly Drawn Boy — Once Around the Block
Album: The Hour of Bewilderbeast
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1662









Released: 2000
Length: 3:39
Plays (last 30 days): 2
You quiver like a candle on fire
I'm putting you out
Maybe tonight we could be the last shout
But I'm fascinated by your style
Your beauty will last for a while

You're feeling instead of being
The more that I live on the inside
There's nothing to give
I'm infatuated by your moves
I've got to search hard for your clues

I want to repair your desire
And call it a gift
That I stole from just wanting to live
Now I see the vision through your eyes
Your innocence no longer fuels surprise

Trying to outrun your fear
Running to lose
Heart on your sleeve and your sole in your shoes
Take a left,
A sharp left
And another left, meet me on the corner
And we'll start, again.
Comments (108)add comment
i thought elliot smith, too.

question: is that a wawa i'm hearing? regardless, i like this.
Never got into Badly Drawn Boy at the time but this makes me realised I missed out!
This song holds so much emotions for me. And not even for a once specific event.
For me it radiates a measure of nostalgia that dives deep into my gut and makes me stop to feel the dread.
And then in comes the second part of the song and there is more layers, positive tonal background singing, 'lighter' accompaniments and the we'll start, again...
It's a song about trying, failing, loving and trying again, in any order for that matter. At least it is for me, and it always results in a new focus, be it for my wife, my family, my job or my social life.

Another vote for the possibility of giving a few songs/year  a 10+, Bill please  ;-)
Unique and lovely album.


I've
Been pissing in the wind
I chanced a foolish grin
And dribbled on my chin
 jules44 wrote:
Back in Rochester we had a pretty good high school station WBER They played these guys bad in the day. Actually they still are on the air.
 

The only station that matters...
Musically not bad - but as an assemblage artist it's the cover art I'm drawn to (er... so to speak). Need to go find a clearer image.
I love the rich, layered sound on this song.
Back in Rochester we had a pretty good high school station WBER They played these guys bad in the day. Actually they still are on the air.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Elliot Smith or The Smiths.

 

I'm hearing Ben Folds...
 ceicilbee wrote:
for some reason i always thought this was Elliot Smith.
 
Elliot Smith or The Smiths.
 markybx wrote:
This reminds me over something much older, not sure what, maybe Stevie Wonder?

 
during the intro I thought that it was something from around 1970
 Timbo080 wrote:
Love the guitar!

 
Exactly what I was thinking.
The rest is very nice too.
This reminds me over something much older, not sure what, maybe Stevie Wonder?
Love the guitar!
album   i remember
 
 Stingray wrote:

 

 

Not even WAS (NOT WAS) was accepted, when I tried to upload - real weird!



 
Really, Was Not Was isn't played here on RP?!?
 Hey Bill, get their "Are You OK?" album, you won't regret it.

(I know, I'm way off topic.) 
that auto wah sound on the guitar only works on two songs.     This one, and Edie Brickells What I am.   anywhere else it sounds cheap.
Digging this very cool and quirky tune.
 WonderLizard wrote:

Just a little. "Gold and Silver" from their eponymous debut album has the same time signature—5/4. So does "Take Five." See the discussion on RP's "Gold and Silver" page.

 
I hear this and immediately think back to that era. Having had both QMS and DBQ etched into my RAM, it must be the time signature that does it for me.
for some reason i always thought this was Elliot Smith.
 Proclivities wrote:
I believe this song is in a very rapid (170bpm +/-?) 6/8 time, not 5/4.
 
Yes.  Either 3/4 or 6/8.  It has a waltz rhythm: 1-2-3--1-2-3--1-2-3 etc.  (or 1-2-3-4-5-6--1-2-3-4-5-6)
 WonderLizard wrote:

Just a little. "Gold and Silver" from their eponymous debut album has the same time signature—5/4. So does "Take Five." See the discussion on RP's "Gold and Silver" page.

 
I believe this song is in a very rapid (170bpm +/-?) 6/8 time, not 5/4.
Anyhow, cool tune.
 meinthecorner wrote:

Hell yes! Love me some Prefab Sprout! In fact, I'm surprised I've never heard them here..."Johnny, Johnny, Oh!"

 

Lots of good music missing here (aside from the good).

 

Not even WAS (NOT WAS) was accepted, when I tried to upload - real weird!


 JonnyBase wrote:

Agreed! Really nice flow to this album...great on a Sunday afternoon.

 

Every day is a Sunday afternoon...

Ask Romeo!


Everyone in my shirt loves this.
Already 13 years old? Hard to believe...
still sounds good!
 jonno_norton wrote:
one of those albums I love to hear front to back every time 

 
Agreed! Really nice flow to this album...great on a Sunday afternoon.
one of those albums I love to hear front to back every time 
Cracking album this was! Enjoying this one RP!
..has some Stranglers similarities..the offbeat syncopation (or whatever you'd call it) smacks of Golden Brown, no?..(sorry if previously mentioned..didnt read thru all)..
Must have heard this song played at least a dozen times prior, and without incident.  For some reason this morning I find it particularly indigestible.  
 TerryS wrote:
Yes, but let's add some Pre-fab Sprout - WTH,  no-one will notice....
 
Hell yes! Love me some Prefab Sprout! In fact, I'm surprised I've never heard them here..."Johnny, Johnny, Oh!"
 Randomax wrote:
Anyone else reminded of Quicksilver Messenger Service?  Just a little?
 
Just a little. "Gold and Silver" from their eponymous debut album has the same time signature—5/4. So does "Take Five." See the discussion on RP's "Gold and Silver" page.
 StoneyG wrote:
Kings of Convenience did a sweet cover of this one.  Heard it on the Ricky Gervais XFM show.  Yep.
 
I used to listen to that show, too. Every Saturday between 1pm-3pm (or was it 12pm?). Stephen Merchant was also part of it. Ahhh... the glorious days of Xfm! To me it went downhill when Lauren Laverne left her breakfast slot years ago.

Greetings from London. 
Didn't know anyone even knew of this album, and one of the best songs on it... thanks Bill and Rebecca!  Hadn't come across it on RP yet, nice to hear, hope to hear some of the others from it as well.
One of my first albums for the student years. Most excellent.
that's fun
Kings of Convenience did a sweet cover of this one.  Heard it on the Ricky Gervais XFM show.  Yep.
Tuune!
Family favourite that never sounds tired. Brilliant.
Yes, but let's add some Pre-fab Sprout - WTH,  no-one will notice....
- "Hey guys, what if we use some Dave Brubeck's Take Five arranges in our stuff?"

- "Dont know this Dave, but I liked!"

- "Yep, gonna write down the lyrics..."

 
 Randomax wrote:
Anyone else reminded of Quicksilver Messenger Service?  Just a little?
 
Sorry, but no.  Not even a little.  Like this, and like lots of Quicksilver ... but I think they're aimed at very different listeners.
Anyone else reminded of Quicksilver Messenger Service?  Just a little?
 mrcookieface wrote:


I love the skippy little beat of this song.
  

      Wasn't this one of the Partridge Family's "bright shiny people" songs? {#Rolleyes}
The standout track from his first album (for me anyway). I loved it when it came out. . . love it now. . . it still tingles my lugholes and thus can only be a rare 10.
 esotericderek wrote:

Um...the best period of your life? Being a man, I have no basis upon which to rate menstruation, but I've always been assured that it sucks.



 

Ha!
 Papernapkin wrote:
This is good. I give a slight edge to the About A Boy soundtrack which is great.
 

Just watched that last night!  Love the soundtrack.
This song has taken up permanent residence in my mind.
Yea, this whole album is very good.{#Clap}
I played this song directly after my wedding ceremony! Very happy times.

Film clip is funny too.
Gets you in a good mood. Great song.
This is fantastic album by the way...

Highly recommend a listen, real gem
Reminds me of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. There was a song playing during the scenes of them robbing all the banks while in Bolivia that had a very similiar vibe.
I like how this drives forward and sounds happy.
 EssexTex wrote:
He wears a hat....is all I could think of to say.
 
actually, he wears a tea-cosy. Good tune, though.

 . . . New Bohemians to follow?   Has that pace
{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}
 greener wrote:
Magic in the Air is a song that needs to be included in the RP library from this album.
 
I'm on it...!

Magic in the Air is a song that needs to be included in the RP library from this album.
 EssexTex wrote:
He wears a hat....is all I could think of to say.
 
Yeah, what's with him wearing a woolly hat all the time? He must sweat buckets at gigs with all those hot lights focussed on him.

Yah I can groove to this. {#Dancingbanana}
Nice set got most of them on my mp3 in same order....
Uncle Alvarez, anyone?
eh.  yawn.
Checking out the song (so far so good) but I love the name of this band. :)
This is good. I give a slight edge to the About A Boy soundtrack which is great.
I like this song, I can't help it...
He wears a hat....is all I could think of to say.
I first thought it was The Sea & Cake, which is high praise from me.
esotericderek wrote:
Um...the best period of your life? Being a man, I have no basis upon which to rate menstruation, but I've always been assured that it sucks.
Haven't read the lyrics. But this song "sounds" likeable.
flyingcement wrote:
This song reminds me of the best period of my life.
Um...the best period of your life? Being a man, I have no basis upon which to rate menstruation, but I've always been assured that it sucks.
This song reminds me of the best period of my life.
oh yeah!
I just pulled this one out this morning to listen to after not hearing it for many, many months. Apparently so did Bill. Great minds....
I love the skippy little beat of this song.
meydele wrote:
I can totally see some kind of late 60's montage showing a couple tooling around in a tiny foreign convertible with bad hair and go go boots set to this . . .
Awesome imagery!
exciter76 wrote:
actually it's not a band... it's the "nick" of a single artist...singer, eclectic musician, composer... pretty talented!
Although interestingly Doves used to be his backing band and recorded a few of the songs on the debut album (as did Alfie and some people called Mum and Dad who i've never heard of) Awesome tunage
That was incredible! good change over MMW - New Planet to Badly Drawn Boy - Once Around the Block
I can totally see some kind of late 60's montage showing a couple tooling around in a tiny foreign convertible with bad hair and go go boots set to this . . .
this song makes me happy ! ! !
rosedraws wrote:
best band name ever
actually it's not a band... it's the "nick" of a single artist...singer, eclectic musician, composer... pretty talented!
best band name ever
h2o wrote:
I really like this song, but I find the rest of BDB not as interesting.
I agree with you in 100%. This is the BEST song!
I really like this song, but I find the rest of BDB not as interesting.
stickittotheman wrote:
this is cool because it is unique, groovy, and original without being obtuse. much better than that franz ferdinand hum drum
now, now....
flyfree wrote:
Reminds a little of the Stranglers..Golden Brown.
Yah, kinda does. Probably has a lot to do with the 3/4 (or 6/8?) time signature. Great song!
Reminds a little of the Stranglers..Golden Brown.
Hey, what's going on? My favrorite Badly Drawn Boy song is on!!!! February 2004, whatta nice month! Thank you for making my workday perfect, I am out now, with a smile on my face :))
another cute one la la la la
freeone1 wrote:
Hooray for BDB!
HIP HIP hooray in fact! This one is snappy.
oh yeah, this rocks
Hooray for BDB!
gntlemanartist wrote:
If you like this, check out the rest of the About a Boy soundtrack. Good stuff!
This is from Hour of Bewilderbeast, which is one of my all time favourite albums. I've only heard a couple of songs from About A Boy Soundtrack, but have heard good reports. It's gotta be better than the actual movie anyway...
great stuff... too bad there's nothing from BDB's newest album on RP yet.
this is cool because it is unique, groovy, and original without being obtuse. much better than that franz ferdinand hum drum
If you like this, check out the rest of the About a Boy soundtrack. Good stuff!
#3 in a great set -- i'm digging this groove.
first listen... cool, baby.
JBH wrote:
I think this song is a remake of a Kings of Convenience track. Very groovy. If you've never heard of KoC, they are a mellow acoustic duo from Europe. Check out their album "Quiet is the New Loud."
it's the other way 'round -- the KoC (who are GREAT, btw) version is a cover of the Boy's original. who else out there dares to play electric banjo?
mikedill wrote:
I wish this one got played more often. One of BDB's best.
i SO second this emotion. i love this song.
I wish this one got played more often. One of BDB's best.
I think this song is a remake of a Kings of Convenience track. Very groovy. If you've never heard of KoC, they are a mellow acoustic duo from Europe. Check out their album "Quiet is the New Loud."
Say, this is pretty groovy!
BDB on RP, this makes my day
Yet another terrific band introduced to me by RP. 8)