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Tom Baxter — Skybound
Album: Skybound
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2998









Released: 2008
Length: 6:28
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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tom's the name that you know me by
and i'm 5'11, brown eyes
otherwise i'm just like you
see i've made my mistakes like we all do

but i'm skybound, i don't look down
i've got too much to live for

and i've learnt how to play it
with one foot in front of the other
there's no way to win it
just spin around and around

people walk with their heads down low
too afraid to be more
people talk with their voices low
too afraid to say more

but i'm skybound, no i don't look down
i've got too much to live for

and i've learnt how to play it
with one foot in front of the other
and there's no way to win it
we all just spin around and around

(instrumental)

learn how, learn how, learn how, learn how

you can learn how to play it
with one foot in front of the other
and there's no way to win it
we just spin around and around

round and around, round and around,
round and around, round and around....
Comments (236)add comment
I really like the production on this song.
Posted 6 days ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Sorry Tom, you need some weights if you are going to compete with Seal on your CD cover.
Posted 1 month ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I just love this song . Its an earworm for me.
Posted 2 months ago by jallywine    [ Reply ]
 beearraydee wrote:

Very Robert Plant-esque!


Thankfully not. I actually like Tom Baxter.
Posted 2 months ago by Talus1    [ Reply ]
Curious - I woke up at 4:30am and this song was in my head and has been all morning and trying to remember the words. Now here it is! 
Posted 3 months ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 beearraydee wrote:

Very Robert Plant-esque!



briefly, very briefly I thought it was Robert Plant singing...this is a great song
Posted 3 months ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Soooo good.
Posted 3 months ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
This totally encapsulates my feelings at the moment 
Posted 5 months ago by Peyote    [ Reply ]
fitting my Sunday morning vibe, thanks RP
Posted 5 months ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
Birdy!
Posted 5 months ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
Stunningly beautiful song
Posted 8 months ago by molson    [ Reply ]
Well, isn't this lovely!  Wow--love it!
Posted 8 months ago by cbazinet    [ Reply ]
Let's get rid of all the pompous pretentious over-produced orchestral stuff that floods up by the end and this tune would be highly better.
Posted 9 months ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
very radiohead sounding
Posted 10 months ago by brentjamesmills    [ Reply ]
Bruce Cockburn could learn something from this guy. Bruce attempts to play lead guitar as rhythm, but you can barely hear a single note. SMH
Posted 1 year ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
This and everything I've heard by him is very moving, very vulnerable, touching, and very well done. Bravo!
Posted 1 year ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Not entirely my thing but I can definitely see the appeal! If this was instrumental I would have loved it probably. Not that I don't like the voice, I just think I'd like this more as instrumental. Great music.
Posted 1 year ago by Thebitchcunt    [ Reply ]
A bit of Paul Weller reminiscence, which is a good reference. 
Posted 1 year ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
7>8 I love the uplifting lyrics
Posted 1 year ago by tm    [ Reply ]
what I beautiful buildup to the end. I always have to turn up the volume. I can just imagine this playing live. 

 
Posted 1 year ago by hightail    [ Reply ]

sorry. difficult situation cause
cheers to my beautiful friends
Posted 2 years ago by luisaa72    [ Reply ]
This has definitely nothing to do with Radiohead. Stop comparing. This is Tom Baxter. Period.
Posted 2 years ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
6>7
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

I went 8 to 9 at some point...this tune get's me feeling good afterwards, a great way to spend 6.5 minutes at work!  LLRP!!

Really enjoy this piece. Going up to an 8 rating. 
Posted 2 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
I'm pretty good at guessing what the average ratings are for RP's trove of musical excellence.. I was was way off on this one .
Posted 2 years ago by Btravelen    [ Reply ]
 Will62 wrote:

Not sure I understand the reference to 'suits the channel'. The very essence of RP is to provide a panoply of world music, irrespective of the listener's taste. If the good folk of RP were to be 'choosy' with the content, they defeat the purpose of this station entirely. Note the 'PSD' button is provided for any and all who find a track that is not 'suitable'.
Sorry to sound snide but I find RP to be an oasis in a sea of mediocrity that purports to promote 'music'. Long may it stay this way. 


Only on RP,  you learn words too! Panoply.  Thanks Will. 
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Lovely. 
Posted 3 years ago by maureennet    [ Reply ]
OMG, he's from my (small) home town!! Never heard of him. Nik Kershaw also from around there. Easy listening.
Posted 3 years ago by SnapDragon66    [ Reply ]
 Will62 wrote:

Not sure I understand the reference to 'suits the channel'. The very essence of RP is to provide a panoply of world music, irrespective of the listener's taste. If the good folk of RP were to be 'choosy' with the content, they defeat the purpose of this station entirely. Note the 'PSD' button is provided for any and all who find a track that is not 'suitable'.
Sorry to sound snide but I find RP to be an oasis in a sea of mediocrity that purports to promote 'music'. Long may it stay this way. 
 
Maybe they were listening to the Rock Mix at the time.
Posted 4 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
Skybound reminds me of Radiohead but its more grounded and personal. ---- sounds like it was recorded using analog (real) instruments and voice. Now I have to go back and relisten to Radiohead: do they mix in digitally created sounds, or are they all analog sounds, too? Anyway, I am really am enjoying hearing Bonobo and I don't think I've ever heard this performer before. How did that happen?
Posted 4 years ago by heymull    [ Reply ]
Upon first listen, an easy 7. 
Posted 4 years ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
really digging this tune.  Builds similar to a Glen Hansard song would.
Posted 4 years ago by djanecek    [ Reply ]
Love the guitar, love the lyrics. Not nearly as fond of the soaring violins - they seem to actually weigh the song down. 
Posted 4 years ago by KitKatKeno    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
Maybe it's lockdown but the instrumental break just made me cry.  


 

Posted 4 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
The ultimate song to chill to. A strong 7!
Posted 4 years ago by njswede    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
Maybe it's lockdown but the instrumental break just made me cry.  
 
Quite understandable. Glad you still have your human spirit and emotion. 
Posted 4 years ago by SnapDragon66    [ Reply ]
Maybe it's lockdown but the instrumental break just made me cry.  
Posted 4 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
 testpilot wrote:
A poppy tune, the elitist attitude in lyrics... I wonder if this guy might be a hipster...

...and sure enough - he is. Down to the bloody fauxhawk.

I'm no racist but I'd be more comfortable if he sat at the back of the bus.
 
He is actually a really nice guy, not sure what that says about you.
Posted 5 years ago by NickB    [ Reply ]
Was loving it, then he opened his gob.
Posted 5 years ago by crispynz1    [ Reply ]
Thanks for this one RP - first heard it a little while ago and it's totally under my skin now and a firm favourite in our house.
Posted 5 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

triple Amen then!!  And that's why I say "LONG LIVE RP!!"

I also just bumped my 7→8 - I love the personal lyrics, the gentle feel of the piano and the mood I'm in when the song ends, which I believe BillG will add to when he plays (another 8 rated track) Heaven by the Rolling Stones.  Thanks BnR for the musical oasis as well described by Will62!!

 
I went 8 to 9 at some point...this tune get's me feeling good afterwards, a great way to spend 6.5 minutes at work!  LLRP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
somewhat overproduced but still a big 7 for me
Posted 5 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
 amatura3 wrote:
Would be nice if was instrumental only.
 
Yes, there really is a lush orchestral backing.
Posted 5 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
Would be nice if was instrumental only.
Posted 5 years ago by amatura3    [ Reply ]
Good stuff!
Posted 5 years ago by Davie    [ Reply ]
Really enjoyed this piece of music.
Posted 6 years ago by oldhipsjackson    [ Reply ]
Very nice
Posted 6 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Radiohead :)
Posted 6 years ago by Mahirefe    [ Reply ]
I love this song !
Posted 6 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
Love Tim Finn!
Posted 6 years ago by davekave    [ Reply ]
Wonderful segue from Sphongle.
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Lifts my spirit! Very nice tune. 
Posted 6 years ago by alisathegreat    [ Reply ]
Very interesting, and quite wonderful......... 10   .....from this great Naugatuck town in Connecticut ......    :o)
Posted 6 years ago by Libra48    [ Reply ]
 Will62 wrote:

Not sure I understand the reference to 'suits the channel'. The very essence of RP is to provide a panoply of world music, irrespective of the listener's taste. If the good folk of RP were to be 'choosy' with the content, they defeat the purpose of this station entirely. Note the 'PSD' button is provided for any and all who find a track that is not 'suitable'.
Sorry to sound snide but I find RP to be an oasis in a sea of mediocrity that purports to promote 'music'. Long may it stay this way. 
onemorebyte wrote:

Amen and AMEN!

 
triple Amen then!!  And that's why I say "LONG LIVE RP!!"

I also just bumped my 7→8 - I love the personal lyrics, the gentle feel of the piano and the mood I'm in when the song ends, which I believe BillG will add to when he plays (another 8 rated track) Heaven by the Rolling Stones.  Thanks BnR for the musical oasis as well described by Will62!!

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Nice piano work. 

 
Yes, in fact the whole orchestral arrangement is excellent.
Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
I love how this grows, and grows on me too.  7 for starters.
Posted 6 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is absolutely delightful!
Posted 6 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Nice piano work. 
Posted 7 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
 I agree, I gave it an 8. The poetry is beautiful, the music and vocals are wonderfull.

 
I agree, 8 for the same reason !
Posted 7 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
I ran the PA system for Tom Baxter whilst he toured supporting Jamie Cullum in the UK. I get shivers every time I hear his music, it gripped every audience and venue we visited. He's amazing. Not only because he and the band gave me a bottle of whiskey at the end of the tour!
Posted 7 years ago by Wazzario    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
 I agree, I gave it an 8. The poetry is beautiful, the music and vocals are wonderfull.

 
Totally agree - the piano is beautiful, the song keeps moving and crescendoing...
Posted 8 years ago by bmccaul    [ Reply ]
 joseasun wrote:
No idea why this song is so low rated. Love it.

  I agree, I gave it an 8. The poetry is beautiful, the music and vocals are wonderfull.


Posted 8 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
 Will62 wrote:

Not sure I understand the reference to 'suits the channel'. The very essence of RP is to provide a panoply of world music, irrespective of the listener's taste. If the good folk of RP were to be 'choosy' with the content, they defeat the purpose of this station entirely. Note the 'PSD' button is provided for any and all who find a track that is not 'suitable'.
Sorry to sound snide but I find RP to be an oasis in a sea of mediocrity that purports to promote 'music'. Long may it stay this way. 

 
Amen and AMEN!
Posted 8 years ago by onemorebyte    [ Reply ]
No idea why this song is so low rated. Love it.
Posted 8 years ago by joseasun    [ Reply ]
 czukowski wrote:
Not sure this suits the channel.

 
Not sure I understand the reference to 'suits the channel'. The very essence of RP is to provide a panoply of world music, irrespective of the listener's taste. If the good folk of RP were to be 'choosy' with the content, they defeat the purpose of this station entirely. Note the 'PSD' button is provided for any and all who find a track that is not 'suitable'.
Sorry to sound snide but I find RP to be an oasis in a sea of mediocrity that purports to promote 'music'. Long may it stay this way. 
Posted 8 years ago by Will62    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a mix between Low and Elbow, could be worse....
Posted 9 years ago by frank_eindhoven    [ Reply ]
A poppy tune, the elitist attitude in lyrics... I wonder if this guy might be a hipster...

...and sure enough - he is. Down to the bloody fauxhawk.

I'm no racist but I'd be more comfortable if he sat at the back of the bus.
Posted 9 years ago by testpilot    [ Reply ]
Expressed what I am feeling {#Laughing}
Posted 9 years ago by frolic4rp    [ Reply ]
 parnoldo wrote:
I like this one a lot. The piano, strings and acoustic guitar picking blend really nicely. Good driving on a lonely road tune.
 I was too lazy to write my own appraisal so I sought one opinion I agreed with regarding this track. I must agree with the exception of the lonely road reference...


Posted 9 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Nice.  I think I want this one. 
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Thought this might be a new Willy Porter tune...
Posted 9 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
Not sure this suits the channel.
Posted 9 years ago by czukowski    [ Reply ]
nice!
Posted 9 years ago by Link84    [ Reply ]
Very Robert Plant-esque!
Posted 9 years ago by beearraydee    [ Reply ]
Enthusiastic
{#Good-vibes}
Posted 11 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
Thought this was Elbow...briefly

 
So did I—he and Garvey share some timbral characteristics.
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
Thought this was Elbow...briefly

 

Silly me.  For 2 seconds, I thought it was Radiohead.  David Gray is much closer.

 

As another poster said: whimsical.


Posted 12 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
My, now rather big, tube amp loves this.
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
I like it...fluttery.
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
First time I've heard this. Decided I like it, even if the production is a little too pedestrian in places.
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Love TB, and he's brilliant live. Prefer the "Feather & Stone" album to Skybound, but it's all good! He's got a very talented brother as well - check out Charlie Winston on YouTube.
Posted 12 years ago by ncarus    [ Reply ]
I like this one a lot. The piano, strings and acoustic guitar picking blend really nicely. Good driving on a lonely road tune.

Posted 12 years ago by parnoldo    [ Reply ]
Sounds llike a Tiny Tim want-to-be.   I had enough of Tiny Tim when he walked through the tulips.....
Posted 13 years ago by ad4tise    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:
Like a more intense David Gray maybe.  It's safe, but pretty good in a whimsical way.
 
I like David Gray, but I like this better.  David sounds a little too much like a piano with lite electronica thrown in.  While there's some of that with Tom, I find that the two elements blend together better.  In David's case, it sounds too much like two elements thrown together.  I like David, but at least based on this one song, I think Tom's sound is more natural and less forced.

Posted 13 years ago by MLavender    [ Reply ]
 plaid wrote:
Sounds like Damon Albarn. Am I the only one that hears his voice?
 
That's what I thought! I had to click in to see why he was singing such a different tune...

Posted 13 years ago by victoryluna    [ Reply ]
No Sir, don't like it.{#No}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
Sounds like that guy that's always asking for Candy...Paolo Nutini. Not a good thing in my book. They should do a collaboration project...ugh. Sorry I thought of it. {#Embarassed}
 
I had to reply because I like Paolo Nutini but I loathe this.  This just feels like a "smooth jazz" station song, really overproduced.

Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
He's got a nice piano thingy going on there.
Posted 13 years ago by iam_overlord    [ Reply ]
Just cranked it up. That must mean I like it.
Just rated it 8. That means I'll have to go out and buy it.

Posted 13 years ago by agkagk    [ Reply ]
 helgigermany wrote:
I am in the mood for this!
Me, too!  {#Sunny} 


Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Like a more intense David Gray maybe.  It's safe, but pretty good in a whimsical way.
Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
pretty good
Posted 14 years ago by russellkanning    [ Reply ]
I like this. Has kind of a Tamba 4 Jazz feel in the middle section.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 soulcollision wrote:
6 < 7... intricate and unique.
 
I agree. Bump.
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
First time I've heard it and it really doesn't do much for me.
Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
I am in the mood for this!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 Wilmshurst wrote:
Apparently, i didnt particulalry care for this when i first heard it - rated 4.  However, this time around, I listened with headphones.  Sounds a lot better.  There is a lot going on in the song that was lost on the speakers i heard it on.  I am still not fond of the very high notes and the "round and around" ad infinitum.  anyway, bumped to 5.
 

This one's growing on me too. I rated it as a 4 at first. Today I bumped it to a 6. Someone else said that it was a good rainy day song. True dat. Rainy day Sunday, looking out the window with a mug of coffee in my hand....
Posted 14 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Tedious.
Posted 14 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]
6 < 7... intricate and unique.
Posted 14 years ago by soulcollision    [ Reply ]
Apparently, i didnt particulalry care for this when i first heard it - rated 4.  However, this time around, I listened with headphones.  Sounds a lot better.  There is a lot going on in the song that was lost on the speakers i heard it on.  I am still not fond of the very high notes and the "round and around" ad infinitum.  anyway, bumped to 5.
Posted 14 years ago by Wilmshurst    [ Reply ]
 bieze wrote:
guitar & piano parts are very likeable indeed! voice could be better
 
If the vocalists could learn to hit the note at the same time, I'd be pleased.
Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Thought this was Elbow...briefly

Posted 14 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
This song is lovely in a rainy day kind of way, but his voice reminds me oddly of Nina Simone, who I like even better. So now I would just rather hear Nina Simone.
Posted 14 years ago by donna_birichina    [ Reply ]
more please {#Hungry}
Posted 14 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
guitar & piano parts are very likeable indeed! voice could be better
Posted 14 years ago by bieze    [ Reply ]
Is this Art Garfunkel? He sure let his voice go. I mean that in a bad way.

Posted 14 years ago by gutboy    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
Sounds like that guy that's always asking for Candy...Paolo Nutini. Not a good thing in my book. They should do a collaboration project...ugh. Sorry I thought of it. {#Embarassed}
 
At least Paolo can hit the high notes, unlike this guy. I had to mute once his voice tried to reach them as it was too painful to hear.


Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Love it!
Posted 15 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]

really well done. I wish the strings had a more raw middle eastern thing like the guitar intro. the first piano chord kills! but the piano solo is very elevator jazz.


Posted 15 years ago by chrispmcd    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Damon Albarn. Am I the only one that hears his voice?
Posted 15 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:

Except that (A-ha's) Hunting High and Low is actually good.

 
Huh.  Well how about that.  Based on my memories of A-ha as an 80s pop band, my preconcieved notion would have been that you would skewer anything by them.  (You're typically a pretty tough customer there Doc.)  This comment though makes me want to give it a listen, and give A-ha a re-think.

As for this song, it's not doing it for me.

Posted 15 years ago by smdeeg    [ Reply ]
Sounds like that guy that's always asking for Candy...Paolo Nutini. Not a good thing in my book. They should do a collaboration project...ugh. Sorry I thought of it. {#Embarassed}
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:

Except that Hunting High and Low is actually good.

 
I dig the "ether mining" part.  {#Clap}

Posted 15 years ago by cochlear    [ Reply ]
 eve_silver wrote:
Reminds of A-ha's "Hunting high and low" in some parts
 
Except that Hunting High and Low is actually good.

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Wonderful song,great piano at the end.
Posted 15 years ago by alperna    [ Reply ]
 Kappy wrote:
Say what you want.  I like it.

Tom Baxter is Tom Baxter and Jeff Buckley is Jeff Buckley.  Tom is similar but he is his own artist and still has a right to have a different sound than Buckley.  Imagine that!

I don't think this song is anywhere close to deserving of the volume of negative comments.  Maybe ppl are trying too much to compare him to Buckley.  No, he's not Buckley, because he is Baxter.
 
It's a 2. I'd give it a 1 but you don't want me lumping him in with Jeff Buckley.

 
But really if JB were alive today he'd be all "so this is what I sound like to other people." 
Posted 15 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Sounds good, esp. the pianosolo.
Posted 15 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Reminds of A-ha's "Hunting high and low" in some parts
Posted 15 years ago by eve_silver    [ Reply ]
Tom Baxter or Thom Yorke??
Posted 15 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]