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Badly Drawn Boy — Once Around the Block
Album: The Hour of Bewilderbeast
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1719









Released: 2000
Length: 3:36
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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 (110)add comment
A golden oldie.
Posted 3 months ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:


I'm hearing Ben Folds...



I'm hearing Badly Drawn Boy.
Posted 8 months ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
i thought elliot smith, too.

question: is that a wawa i'm hearing? regardless, i like this.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Never got into Badly Drawn Boy at the time but this makes me realised I missed out!
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
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  ;-)
Posted 3 years ago by fforgetso__    [ Reply ]
Unique and lovely album.


I've
Been pissing in the wind
I chanced a foolish grin
And dribbled on my chin
Posted 4 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
 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...
Posted 4 years ago by cbrandtbuffalo    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 5 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
I love the rich, layered sound on this song.
Posted 5 years ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 5 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Elliot Smith or The Smiths.

 

I'm hearing Ben Folds...
Posted 6 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 ceicilbee wrote:
for some reason i always thought this was Elliot Smith.
 
Elliot Smith or The Smiths.
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 Timbo080 wrote:
Love the guitar!

 
Exactly what I was thinking.
The rest is very nice too.
Posted 7 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
This reminds me over something much older, not sure what, maybe Stevie Wonder?
Posted 7 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
Love the guitar!
Posted 8 years ago by Timbo080    [ Reply ]
album   i remember
 
Posted 8 years ago by ilibjorn    [ Reply ]
 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.) 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 9 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Digging this very cool and quirky tune.
Posted 9 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
for some reason i always thought this was Elliot Smith.
Posted 10 years ago by ceicilbee    [ Reply ]
 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)
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 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!


Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 JonnyBase wrote:

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

 

Every day is a Sunday afternoon...

Ask Romeo!


Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Everyone in my shirt loves this.
Posted 11 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
Already 13 years old? Hard to believe...
still sounds good!
Posted 11 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 11 years ago by JonnyBase    [ Reply ]
one of those albums I love to hear front to back every time 
Posted 11 years ago by jonno_norton    [ Reply ]
Cracking album this was! Enjoying this one RP!
Posted 11 years ago by JonnyBase    [ Reply ]
..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)..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
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.  
Posted 11 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
 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!"
Posted 11 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 11 years ago by cubaninlondon    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 12 years ago by domreo    [ Reply ]
One of my first albums for the student years. Most excellent.
Posted 12 years ago by Sobient    [ Reply ]
that's fun
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Kings of Convenience did a sweet cover of this one.  Heard it on the Ricky Gervais XFM show.  Yep.
Posted 12 years ago by StoneyG    [ Reply ]
Tuune!
Posted 12 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Family favourite that never sounds tired. Brilliant.
Posted 12 years ago by Chelshite    [ Reply ]
Yes, but let's add some Pre-fab Sprout - WTH,  no-one will notice....
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
- "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..."

 
Posted 13 years ago by arieviln    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Anyone else reminded of Quicksilver Messenger Service?  Just a little?
Posted 13 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
 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}
Posted 13 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 13 years ago by RideMaine    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 14 years ago by osbyec    [ Reply ]
This song has taken up permanent residence in my mind.
Posted 14 years ago by rationibus    [ Reply ]
Yea, this whole album is very good.{#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I played this song directly after my wedding ceremony! Very happy times.

Film clip is funny too.
Posted 15 years ago by elementary    [ Reply ]
Gets you in a good mood. Great song.
Posted 15 years ago by Razz    [ Reply ]
This is fantastic album by the way...

Highly recommend a listen, real gem
Posted 15 years ago by JonnyBase    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
I like how this drives forward and sounds happy.
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 EssexTex wrote:
He wears a hat....is all I could think of to say.
 
actually, he wears a tea-cosy. Good tune, though.

Posted 15 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 . . . New Bohemians to follow?   Has that pace
Posted 15 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 16 years ago by jakewhite77    [ Reply ]
 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...!

Posted 16 years ago by ZedLeppelin    [ Reply ]
Magic in the Air is a song that needs to be included in the RP library from this album.
Posted 16 years ago by greener    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 16 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Yah I can groove to this. {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 16 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
Nice set got most of them on my mp3 in same order....
Posted 16 years ago by jools    [ Reply ]
Uncle Alvarez, anyone?
Posted 16 years ago by skepticus    [ Reply ]
eh.  yawn.
Posted 16 years ago by Bad_Art    [ Reply ]
Checking out the song (so far so good) but I love the name of this band. :)
Posted 16 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
This is good. I give a slight edge to the About A Boy soundtrack which is great.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
I like this song, I can't help it...
Posted 16 years ago by nu-GFX    [ Reply ]
He wears a hat....is all I could think of to say.
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
I first thought it was The Sea & Cake, which is high praise from me.
Posted 17 years ago by Wallis    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
This song reminds me of the best period of my life.
Posted 17 years ago by flyingcement    [ Reply ]
oh yeah!
Posted 17 years ago by misterclaw    [ Reply ]
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....
Posted 17 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
I love the skippy little beat of this song.
Posted 17 years ago by mrcookieface    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 17 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 17 years ago by thenearlyman    [ Reply ]
That was incredible! good change over MMW - New Planet to Badly Drawn Boy - Once Around the Block
Posted 17 years ago by GChevy410    [ Reply ]
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 . . .
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
this song makes me happy ! ! !
Posted 17 years ago by bodhisattva1031    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 17 years ago by exciter76    [ Reply ]
best band name ever
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 18 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
I really like this song, but I find the rest of BDB not as interesting.
Posted 18 years ago by h2o    [ Reply ]
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....
Posted 18 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 18 years ago by d-mac    [ Reply ]
Reminds a little of the Stranglers..Golden Brown.
Posted 18 years ago by flyfree    [ Reply ]
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 :))
Posted 18 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
another cute one la la la la
Posted 18 years ago by gorgeousgussie    [ Reply ]
freeone1 wrote:
Hooray for BDB!
HIP HIP hooray in fact! This one is snappy.
Posted 19 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
oh yeah, this rocks
Posted 19 years ago by snurfer    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
Hooray for BDB!
Posted 19 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 19 years ago by ZedLeppelin    [ Reply ]
great stuff... too bad there's nothing from BDB's newest album on RP yet.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
this is cool because it is unique, groovy, and original without being obtuse. much better than that franz ferdinand hum drum
Posted 19 years ago by stickittotheman    [ Reply ]
If you like this, check out the rest of the About a Boy soundtrack. Good stuff!
Posted 19 years ago by gntlemanartist    [ Reply ]
#3 in a great set -- i'm digging this groove.
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
first listen... cool, baby.
Posted 19 years ago by lotus_65    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
mikedill wrote:
I wish this one got played more often. One of BDB's best.
i SO second this emotion. i love this song.
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
I wish this one got played more often. One of BDB's best.
Posted 20 years ago by mikedill    [ Reply ]
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."
Posted 20 years ago by JBH    [ Reply ]
Say, this is pretty groovy!
Posted 20 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
BDB on RP, this makes my day
Posted 20 years ago by msaez    [ Reply ]
Yet another terrific band introduced to me by RP. 8)
Posted 20 years ago by indigo_xia    [ Reply ]