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Elbow — High Ideals
Album: Build A Rocket Boys!
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1752









Released: 2011
Length: 5:33
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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There's a ladder tear in my high ideals
Like I took a chair on the battlefield
And any noble fire that was burning in my chest
Is acid in my belly at the very best

There's a bayonet in my family things
It was made in the USA to defend the King
With all the sinew, the thrust
And all the bones it splintered are dust
It's passed from hand to hand with the wedding rings

Oh, settle down little heart of mine
Oh, settle down, you do double time
You're so far away but she's right here by your side
Oh, settle down little heart of mine, ooh
Comments (164)add comment
I keep hearing Peter Gabriel
Posted 3 weeks ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
There's a trend of awesome tracks played this afternoon with low ratings, including this one from Elbow. I'm busy doing my part to correct this, imo, error;)
Posted 4 months ago by Btravelen    [ Reply ]
 Chewie wrote:

Elbow really is a cracking band



Craic-ing too!
Posted 9 months ago by NeuroJoe    [ Reply ]
Totally inventive and groundbreaking music. 
Posted 9 months ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
brilliant!
Posted 9 months ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Brilliant! They do an admirable job of setting even quite discordant, jarring sounds into jewel-like cerebral and symphonic masterpieces!
Posted 1 year ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:

Channeling Peter




True but that includes a lot of people.
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Always good. Try listening to his Sunday broadcast on BBC Radio Sounds. It is EXCELLENT!
Posted 1 year ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
Channeling Peter
Posted 1 year ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Elbow is an oasis in the desert of shit music.  Brilliant compositions and mix of classical, ancient and current musicianship.  Their ability to take the dark to the light and back again never tires.  Great tune.   
Posted 2 years ago by terryweir    [ Reply ]
I find this a really strange band.  Their music is good, and a few are exceptional (eg. Fly Boy Blue Lunette).  But I just can't identify with it.  The melodies are weird, and non-identifying.
Posted 2 years ago by acferrad    [ Reply ]
 MilesW wrote:

Beats? Really? 
 He doesn't say they improved his  opinion favourably!

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
 Nuance wrote:

Using new Beats headphones this year has changed my opinion of many songs.
 
Beats? Really? 
Posted 4 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
 lshinkawa wrote:
Don't know why I like this song so much.
 
Yeah!  This most excellent tune has been around for so long and it's really grown on me!
Posted 4 years ago by bluejay08003    [ Reply ]
 donn366 wrote:
I've always enjoyed this song while standing at my desk making a living and listening to this song on a bluetooth speaker. It wasn't until I put on a quality set of headphones that I really appreciated the song. The feathery bass drum, lightly brushed mallet toms and the buttery maracas underpinning this song are, well, sublime. Thanks Bill and thank you Sony MDRs.
 
Using new Beats headphones this year has changed my opinion of many songs.
Posted 4 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
Elbow <3 
Posted 4 years ago by kimoki    [ Reply ]
Guy writes the best lyrics.
Posted 5 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
I've always enjoyed this song while standing at my desk making a living and listening to this song on a bluetooth speaker. It wasn't until I put on a quality set of headphones that I really appreciated the song. The feathery bass drum, lightly brushed mallet toms and the buttery maracas underpinning this song are, well, sublime. Thanks Bill and thank you Sony MDRs.
Posted 5 years ago by donn366    [ Reply ]
Elbow really is a cracking band
Posted 5 years ago by Chewie    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:
 
 
Feel free to hate critical opinions, or simply deal. Bill apparently does.
Posted 5 years ago by renaultr17    [ Reply ]
 ButchCassidy wrote:
I love Elbow, but everyone has their tastes. If it's not your 'cup of tea', rather than adding a derogatory comment, why not just hit the PSD (Play Something Different) button on the screen, and move on.
 
That wouldn't serve their need to h8 on fans of the band at hand but, I do agree that using PSD and remaining mute would be a positive move on their part.
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
I disagree fundementally with the PSD button. I say trust in Bill & Rebecca, it's their show, keep your mind open, distract yourself with a real world task if you don't like Depeche Mode or JJ Cale or world music or whatever. You might change your mind, you might learn something, you might like the live version more, or the cover by Tori O'Connor.

This is not a comment related to Jolene sung by Billy Ray Jnr, which was on when i started typing. It's a comment for the forum which this site should definitely have, but which Bill or Rebecca shouldn't have to bother moderating.
Posted 5 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
I love Elbow, but everyone has their tastes. If it's not your 'cup of tea', rather than adding a derogatory comment, why not just hit the PSD (Play Something Different) button on the screen, and move on.
Posted 6 years ago by ButchCassidy    [ Reply ]
Excited: tickets to see them a second time in November. First time, about 8 rows deep on the floor, was magical.
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Elbow has been one of the bands that has renewed my faith in modern music.
There are new Steely Dan's, Who's & Pink Floyd's every decade or so.
Reigning monarchs as such.
For me, Elbow is pretty near the top of the heap these days.
Thank you!!
Posted 7 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
 lowelltr wrote:
Very good song...it's not "Lippy Kids" or "One Day Like This"...but good nonetheless!{#Cheers}

 
Good ones but my favorite has to be "Grounds for Divorce".
Posted 8 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]


     peregrin wrote:
God this song is annoying. Next.

  
prickelpit96 wrote:
Overplayed: Maybe.
Annoying? Never! C'mon, it's Beethoven, a genius. 

Hach, wäre man damals Elise gewesen. {#Hearteyes}

prickelpit96: must psychic, Für Elise just played right after Elbow {#Notworthy}
peregrin: must be .... I am lost for words, not liking an Elbow song??!!!{#Doh}
Posted 8 years ago by Vakse    [ Reply ]
 peregrin wrote:
God this song is annoying. Next.

 
Overplayed: Maybe.
Annoying? Never! C'mon, it's Beethoven, a genius. 

Hach, wäre man damals Elise gewesen. {#Hearteyes}
Posted 8 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
This is the one that turned me on to Elbow. Thanks, BillG!
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 peregrin wrote:
God this song is annoying. Next. indeed !  .. the whole band is.

 


Posted 9 years ago by Nobb    [ Reply ]
Very good song...it's not "Lippy Kids" or "One Day Like This"...but good nonetheless!{#Cheers}
Posted 10 years ago by lowelltr    [ Reply ]
God this song is annoying. Next.
Posted 10 years ago by peregrin    [ Reply ]
overplayed
Posted 10 years ago by Buddyo    [ Reply ]

Very enjoyable..


Posted 11 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
Sexy voice.....
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Ah, yes, all the critics that have not "sold out"....'tis music, kids, enjoy what you like and let go of what you don't.....
Posted 11 years ago by robbeek    [ Reply ]
Sometimes it seems we have not moved far from 1962 and Telstar.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 That_Jeff wrote:
This song sucks. And it gets such regular play! It's extremely irritating.

 
You know, there's one button called PSD. You don't like one song, you simply click it;-)!
Posted 11 years ago by mojcamojca77    [ Reply ]
 That_Jeff wrote:
This song sucks. And it gets such regular play! It's extremely irritating.
 
Nope.  This song is very good, and it doesn't get played often enough. It's quite thought-provoking. 
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
This song sucks. And it gets such regular play! It's extremely irritating.
Posted 11 years ago by That_Jeff    [ Reply ]
Ah, it's Elbow again.  Must be Radio Paradise.

Oh well, I like it anyway. 
Posted 11 years ago by motobecane    [ Reply ]
I'd love to know what went into getting that amazing "crash—boom—bang—bing" vamp. There's a couple of guitars and at least one keyboard in there. I wonder what else?
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 piñata wrote:
Memories...
 
Doesn't the song need to be a little more than 2 years old for this kind of comment?
Posted 11 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
Memories...
Posted 11 years ago by piñata    [ Reply ]
 Rotterdam wrote:

Thus, I am a musical idiot. I love this and am moved and transported by it. Am very happy in my stupidity and lack of musical taste.
 
Make it a society then, as I do like this too
Sunday grey afternoon - not cold enough to call it winter though. The ideal mood for this Elbow. His softly tired voice singing High Ideals fits the call for musical cocoon. I give it a 7 looking to grow
Posted 11 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
..this song is starting to give me ideals..ones that involve highness..

..7 >> 8..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
 stevendejong wrote:
I never thought I would say this, being a true fan of Elbow, but can we please hear another one of their excellent songs instead of this one?

The album this is from has nearly only very strong songs. This one is fine, but not incredibly so. It's being played a whole lot, and I see the ratings drop a little every time I come to this forum page.

What about Lippy Kids, for instance? Or With Love? Both have been uploaded...
 
Meanwhile, the ratings have dropped quite a lot more, so I thought I should bring my old post back up :-)
Posted 11 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a young Peter Gabriel voice withtodays musical influences, not that that's bad, just my thoughts
Posted 11 years ago by jktravl    [ Reply ]
A certain "Stingish" lack of vibrato.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 pk53 wrote:

how about once a year...that'll do; there are MUCH better Elbow tracks

 
 
I don't mind this but agree with the above sentiment.
Posted 11 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 lkovathana wrote:

Ya, it's not good.  Self-indulgent.  Thin.  Without musical merit whatsoever.  Morbidly shitty.  Ugh, please do not play this anymore.
 
Thus, I am a musical idiot. I love this and am moved and transported by it. Am very happy in my stupidity and lack of musical taste.
Posted 12 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
 adroc wrote:

Plays in last 30 days: 6

I'd prefer to hear this more than once every 5 days.
 
how about once a year...that'll do; there are MUCH better Elbow tracks

 
Posted 12 years ago by pk53    [ Reply ]
 emmidad wrote:
PLEASE reduce this in the rotation! It's played way way too often.
 
Plays in last 30 days: 6

I'd prefer to hear this more than once every 5 days.
Posted 12 years ago by adroc    [ Reply ]
 LemonSqueezy wrote:
what utter guff
 
You squeezing that lemon too hard!
Posted 12 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

You say that as if it's a bad thing, though I'm not sure if there were ever a "virile" muzak.
 
I think "Virile Muzak" would be a good name for a band...
Posted 12 years ago by lbaltz    [ Reply ]
what utter guff
Posted 12 years ago by LemonSqueezy    [ Reply ]
PLEASE reduce this in the rotation! It's played way way too often.
Posted 12 years ago by emmidad    [ Reply ]
I love Elbow, but this song - and album - is a little soft. Guy Garvey did say he was pretty happy when they were making this...it just shows to go ya that good art and happiness don't mix. Just ask Van Gogh...
Posted 12 years ago by avatar71    [ Reply ]
 countolaf wrote:
I can't hear this anymore. The track sucks.
 
Ya, it's not good.  Self-indulgent.  Thin.  Without musical merit whatsoever.  Morbidly shitty.  Ugh, please do not play this anymore.
Posted 12 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
 stevendejong wrote:
I never thought I would say this, being a true fan of Elbow, but can we please hear another one of their excellent songs instead of this one?

The album this is from has nearly only very strong songs. This one is fine, but not incredibly so. It's being played a whole lot, and I see the ratings drop a little every time I come to this forum page.

What about Lippy Kids, for instance? Or With Love? Both have been uploaded...
 
I agree with the above statements. {#Angel}
Posted 12 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
 countolaf wrote:
I can't hear this anymore. The track sucks.
 
I agree with the sentiment. 8 -> 5
Posted 12 years ago by Bacadiar    [ Reply ]
 hikinfiend wrote:
An OK track, but I agree it's being played too frequently lately!
 
Plays in last 30 days: 6 -> You call that too frequently?
Posted 12 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
An OK track, but I agree it's being played too frequently lately!
Posted 12 years ago by hikinfiend    [ Reply ]
I don't get it, and I don't like it.  
Posted 12 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
I can't hear this anymore. The track sucks.
Posted 12 years ago by countolaf    [ Reply ]
I never thought I would say this, being a true fan of Elbow, but can we please hear another one of their excellent songs instead of this one?

The album this is from has nearly only very strong songs. This one is fine, but not incredibly so. It's being played a whole lot, and I see the ratings drop a little every time I come to this forum page.

What about Lippy Kids, for instance? Or With Love? Both have been uploaded...
Posted 12 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
this is one of those bands where you go out and buy everything they've made and are not disappointed...cue Leaders of the Free World and Cast of Thousands.....
Posted 12 years ago by Arividerchi    [ Reply ]

Thanks to RP, I'm a rabid Elbow fan, and I've infected my family. Even my kids!


Posted 12 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
So I bought the freakin' album. Worth every penny.
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 Gregorama wrote:
Elbow seems to be one of the most creative bands to emerge over the past decade. They continue to amaze both in lyrics and arrangements.
 
Kinda how I feel about Alice In Chains and the 90's.

8 to 9
Posted 12 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 Gregorama wrote:
Elbow seems to be one of the most creative bands to emerge over the past decade. They continue to amaze both in lyrics and arrangements.
  

 Ya!
Posted 12 years ago by Rockit    [ Reply ]
 TJS wrote:
Sounds like an inbred cross breeding experiment between Herb Alpert, a high school band, an electronic drum machine, and castrated musak.
 
You say that as if it's a bad thing, though I'm not sure if there were ever a "virile" muzak.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Elbow seems to be one of the most creative bands to emerge over the past decade. They continue to amaze both in lyrics and arrangements.
Posted 12 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

Copy that.
 
Yoga ?!
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
They played this song 10 times this month?
cant find another Elbow song?  Keep thinking its Peter Gabriel every time...
Posted 12 years ago by Blastcat900    [ Reply ]
Keep the Elbow coming! Beautiful to my ears... :-)
Posted 12 years ago by inklingmusic    [ Reply ]
Please stop with this crappy song...
Sincerely yours!
Posted 12 years ago by Axelito    [ Reply ]
 pinnyrat wrote:
I need to buy this freakin' album already.
 
Copy that.
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 TJS wrote:
Sounds like an inbred cross breeding experiment between Herb Alpert, a high school band, an electronic drum machine, and castrated musak.
 
I guess everyone likes this more than me then...
Posted 12 years ago by toomanyollys    [ Reply ]
Sounds like an inbred cross breeding experiment between Herb Alpert, a high school band, an electronic drum machine, and castrated musak.
Posted 12 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
I need to buy this freakin' album already.
Posted 12 years ago by pinnyrat    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:
This little ditty is right on time, just what the head needed to hear right now.
 
Because your big head is why.
Posted 12 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
the begining reminds me of the movie "Trouble With Angels".  {#Innocent}
Posted 12 years ago by Patti    [ Reply ]
I like most of the Elbow stuff I've heard, but this, with it's incessant bass line and cutsie cord progressions just feels like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.  {#Stop}
Posted 12 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
the daily ear worm
Posted 12 years ago by stackarukk    [ Reply ]
Started listening to Elbow after their Live at Abbey Road episode. Great set.
Posted 12 years ago by angelomisterioso    [ Reply ]
Good, but too long
 
Posted 12 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
This little ditty is right on time, just what the head needed to hear right now.
Posted 12 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
That pretentious orchestral four-chords-of-doom thing really grates on my eardrums.
Posted 12 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
 Valley_Boy wrote:
Just now, the CD cover reminded me of Milwaukee's Beast Mode... Anyone know what I mean?
 
For some reason, I do.  That figure on the cover is a little slimmer than Prince Fielder, though.  I guess Fielder gets to go into that mode more than any of his team-mates.
Quite a likable tune..

Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 fingerpin wrote:
I've yet to hear an Elbow song I didn't like. :)
 
Ditto.

Posted 12 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
Oh, go kiss your elbow.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
These guys are pretty effing brilliant.
Posted 12 years ago by bhallmark    [ Reply ]
This is irritating to me today.  
Posted 12 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
I've yet to hear an Elbow song I didn't like. :)
Posted 12 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
 ad4tise wrote:
Off tune and in pain.  This is not my taste at all!!
 
Off tune?  Do you mean out of tune?  Not hearing that!  IMHO, he is one of the few really talented singers out there today.
Some of their music gets a little too sacharine/showtuney for me, but throughout it all Guy can SING... 
Posted 12 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
Off tune and in pain.  This is not my taste at all!!
Posted 12 years ago by ad4tise    [ Reply ]
This is interesting and pleasant.  Though, so far, I seem to like material from the Seldom Seen Kid CD much more.
Posted 12 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Don't know why I like this song so much.
Posted 12 years ago by lshinkawa    [ Reply ]
Overplayed, IMO.
Posted 13 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
Just now, the CD cover reminded me of Milwaukee's Beast Mode... Anyone know what I mean?
Posted 13 years ago by Valley_Boy    [ Reply ]
Bought it, finally.
Posted 13 years ago by Lrobby99    [ Reply ]
. halfway down my arms

Posted 13 years ago by NatureDeficit    [ Reply ]
actually I have two of these
Posted 13 years ago by NatureDeficit    [ Reply ]
I like Elbow plus I am honored to have them put my likeness on the CD cover
Posted 13 years ago by NatureDeficit    [ Reply ]
 ericeobrien wrote:
This is my first exposure to Elbow, but after the first few bars, I thought it was a new Peter Gabriel song....
 
wish lead singer's voice was as good as Peter's. love the music... singer grates on me, personally.
Posted 13 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
Saw Elbow on Sunday at Terminal 5 in NYC: a great show.  They are so good!

Build a Rocket Boys!

{#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by jersey_birdman    [ Reply ]
This is my first exposure to Elbow, but after the first few bars, I thought it was a new Peter Gabriel song....
Posted 13 years ago by ericeobrien    [ Reply ]
````````` ce wrote:
Every time I hear this intro, I think it's something of Dutch art-pop group The Nits, somewhere around the mid-'80's.
Apart from the singer's voice and (lack of) heavy Dutch accent, I think the similarities last.

Time to finally upload some of those great live tracks from Urk....
 
I have Nits CD! So they sold at least one on this side of the big pond.
I'll have to pull it out and see if I can connect to them the way I do with Elbow.
Love Elbow. I have this CD and Seldom Seen Kid

Posted 13 years ago by agkagk    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this intro, I think it's something of Dutch art-pop group The Nits, somewhere around the mid-'80's.
Apart from the singer's voice and (lack of) heavy Dutch accent, I think the similarities last.

Time to finally upload some of those great live tracks from Urk....
Posted 13 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
hear this song every day. over it.
Posted 13 years ago by gosvimmink    [ Reply ]
wow. this guy's voice is angelic
Posted 13 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
This is growing on me.  
Posted 13 years ago by coyotexxx2    [ Reply ]
Love these guys.

Posted 13 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
Don't blame commercial radio, blame the listeners.  To survive a station must cater to it's listeners, it's segment of the market and their tastes.  Innovative stations are still there, both on-air and now the internet, such as Radio Paradise.
Posted 13 years ago by Andy_B    [ Reply ]
 robh wrote:
despite me accepting that they're a damned clever band and way and above a lot of the tat out there today, they do nowt for me and leave me cold
 
Sorry to hear that. When I hear them, I immediately de-stress and suspect that my brain starts alpha-waving. I really love them.
Posted 13 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
 trissi wrote:
 Commercial radio must die.
 
I blame commercial radio for a large amount of really bad music and what few decent songs that do come out get played every few hours and people get REALLY sick of them by the time something replaces it. 

Of course, listening for something good on commercial radio is like finding a tasty meal at McDonalds.  It might be not be impossible, but it doesn't happen very often.

Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
Elbow is like Radiohead for me — overall, they straddle the divide between innovative and annoying. However, unlike Radiohead, which is usually on the wrong side of that divide (those falsetto vocals set my teeth on edge), Elbow is usually on the right side, as they are (for me) in this song. The other song on the album that has received some play, Neat Little Rows, tends to fall on the annoying side, however. And Mirrorball is one of my favorite songs. 
 
Posted 13 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
That fingersnapping thing reminds me of West Side Story.
Posted 13 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
What relief! After a 2.5 month absence from RP, I return to a song by Elbow. Commercial radio must die.
Posted 13 years ago by trissi    [ Reply ]