This Is Tomorrow
Bryan Ferry (with Roxy Music) Lyrics


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Here in the hush of evenin'
On a night in June
Overhearin' conversations
Bayin' at the moon
Suddenly a voice I'm hearin's
Sweet to my ear

This is tomorrow's callin'
Wishin` you were here
Layin' in my hotel bedroom
Feelin' ceilin' blues
Wall to wall a TV's twitchin'
Clearly not a muse

Then flashin' through the interference
Beams a thousand tunes
This is tomorrow callin'
What have I to lose?
Truckin' by the railway station
I'm on the road again
Steerin' clear of all temptation

Unto the point of pain
When steamin' through on cue
I hear that wailin' whistle blow
If this is tomorrow callin'
Oh what a way to go!
Day to day you live old fashioned
Hi-toned, fancy free
A double take, an image-spittin'

Tailored to a T
While history is tellin' you
The same old thing
This is tomorrow callin'
Let's stick a new oar in
This is tomorrow callin'




Y'all 'n
Come on in

Overall Meaning

The song "This is Tomorrow" by Bryan Ferry (with Roxy Music) is about the feeling of being stuck in the present, and the desire to break free from it. The first verse describes a scene of overhearing conversations and feeling disconnected from the world. Suddenly, the singer hears a sweet voice calling to them, drawing them into the future. The second verse takes place in a hotel room, where the singer is feeling bored and uninspired. However, a burst of inspiration comes through the TV, in the form of a thousand tunes from the future. The third verse has the singer on the road, avoiding temptation and feeling the pain of being away from home. But then they hear the whistle of a train, and the call of the future - a call that they're eager to answer.


The song is an expression of Bryan Ferry's fascination with the future and his desire to break free from the confines of the present. It's about the feeling of being trapped in a moment in time and the excitement of looking towards what's next. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors, and the music is a blend of classic rock and futuristic synth sounds. The song captures the spirit of the time it was written in, when people were looking towards the future with a mix of hope and anxiety.


Line by Line Meaning

Here in the hush of evenin'
Amidst the quietness of the evening


On a night in June
On a specific night in the month of June


Overhearin' conversations
Listening to conversations not meant for me


Bayin' at the moon
Howling at the moon, like a wolf


Suddenly a voice I'm hearin's
I hear a voice unexpectedly


Sweet to my ear
The voice is pleasant to listen to


This is tomorrow's callin'
The voice is calling for the future


Wishin` you were here
Expressing desire for someone to be present


Layin' in my hotel bedroom
Resting in a bedroom in a hotel


Feelin' ceilin' blues
Feeling sad or lonely while staring at the ceiling


Wall to wall a TV's twitchin'
Multiple televisions flickering continuously


Clearly not a muse
The TVs are not inspiring me


Then flashin' through the interference
Suddenly, a signal cuts through the static


Beams a thousand tunes
A multitude of songs playing from the signal


What have I to lose?
I have nothing to lose by listening


Truckin' by the railway station
Driving past the station on the road


I'm on the road again
I am traveling once more


Steerin' clear of all temptation
Avoiding any potential distractions or vices


Unto the point of pain
Going so far as to experience physical discomfort


When steamin' through on cue
Speeding through exactly as planned


I hear that wailin' whistle blow
Hearing the loud whistle of a train


If this is tomorrow callin'
Wondering if the future is calling me


Oh what a way to go!
Expressing excitement about the thought of the future


Day to day you live old fashioned
Living in a traditional and outdated manner


Hi-toned, fancy-free
Living a high-class and carefree lifestyle


A double take, an image-spittin'
An image that makes me take a second look


Tailored to a T
Perfectly customized and tailored to fit


While history is tellin' you
Despite what history has told you


The same old thing
The same repeated statement or message


This is tomorrow callin'
A call for change in society and living


Let's stick a new oar in
Let's take a new approach or direction


This is tomorrow callin'
A repeated call to look towards the future


Y'all 'n
Addressing everyone and inviting them


Come on in
To join in and participate in creating a new tomorrow




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRYAN FERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@nickfisher7791

Chris Spedding deserves a special mention..

@TweedSuit

For those who are interested, Paul Thompson Is playing John Bonham's actual Ludwig drum kit.

@benjaminmarcus17

The universe made more sense to me when I learned that John Bonham used the same drum kit as Buddy Rich.

@gavanwhatever8196

I wonder how much residual coke was on that drum kit..?

@jeffratz

Im a love child of john bonhams drum kit

@226jimbo

Paul was John’s brother in law

@judisimpo3774

I was 15 when this was released and my friend was 14. She always had a thing for Bryan Ferry and his music, but I just couldn't see it. It's taken me an awful lot of years to realise she was right..

@gwaliaclassics4472

The sunglasses, the hair, the clothes _ it's almost 45 years ago! Even if the music isn't up your alley his sense of style is akin to time travel.

@FionaEm

The thing is, he was considered stylish in the 70s too - the epitome of cool, wealthy and sophisticated. That's paradoxical, given that he grew up in the north of England & his father was a labourer.

@sabinescheer7803

His look could be from 2023……. so cool and stylish … ❀

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