Together with its introduction Inch-Blue, this is
the single most impressive song ever recorded by
This Mortal Coil. It is the pinnacle of their
1989 release filigree & shadow.
Many times, it has been my shelter from a
painful reality.
The credits list Gary Ogan as the author of this song.
A quick web search give Bill Lamb as a co-author.
I've never heard the original version of this song, so
I can't gauge how different TMC's
rendition is -- but, judging them by their previous
efforts, it's probably a noticable distance, while
still retaining the soul of the original.
As a performance, this piece pulls together all of
TMC's strengths:
soundscaping, heart-rending female
vocals, evocative lyrics, and beautiful
instrumentation. It simultaneously has words that are
uplifting and music that is ominous, as well as
offering dark words and a transcendent melody.
I've gathered all my lifetime, memories of you
My lusty sentiments, they made life seem true
I'm rather selfish and I mean to be unkind
You can't imagine what it does to me inside
[Chorus:]
But where am I? I want to die!
I want to live... I want to die.
Oooh...
If I were someone, I would like to be the fool
No one would know me, and I think that would be cool
I'd paint a picture of my life upon your walls
And use the colors that have made life seem small
[Chorus]
But you've got a way of understanding me
And I'll just call it one of your mysteries
But you know you've got to stay close to me
Oooh, close to me
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
I spent many evenings in
college using
this album (and this song
in particular) as a self-medicating
form of therapy. Some people hear this song and
think it's depressing; others are uplifted by
it. I hear both, simultaneously, and that's why I'm
so fascinated by it.