The band is named after a line in the BBC TV mini-series 'The Singing Detective', in which a character says that the word "elbow" is the most sensuous word in the English language (not due to its definition per se but due to how it feels to say it). Though the group came about in 1990, intially going by names such as 'Soft' and 'Mr. Soft', it wasn't until 'The Noisebox EP' came out on 1 January 1998 that they had a real release. Elbow started out specializing in "chilled funk", but the guys changed the direction of their music after unanimously deciding that they were "shit."
Their new songs picked up notice from both Island Records, but the band got dropped due to business shenanigans before anything actually came out post-singing. Elbow then released two critically acclaimed EP's on the independent Ugly Man Record label, starting with the aformentioned 'Noisebox EP'. Luckily, their work caught the attention of V2 Records.
V2 released Elbow's debut album: "Asleep In The Back." The album was a surprisingly moderate success, gaining substantial critical acclaim and, ultimately, a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize in 2001. The single "Newborn" received attention after being banned by Radio 1 for the lyric, "I'll be the corpse in your bathtub."
Word of mouth then began to work in Elbow's favor. Its 2003 album, "Cast Of Thousands," entered the UK Charts at #7 to critical acclaim. The lead single, "Fallen Angel," charted at #19.
In 2004, Elbow became the first British band to ever play a concert in Havana during an unofficial Cuban tour. The tour was made into a short film by British documentary maker Irshad Ashraf.
Elbow released its third album in 2005: "Leaders Of The Free World." Despite a continued lack of commercial notice, "Leaders Of The Free World" charted at #12, with its lead single, "Forget Myself" achieving #22 in the charts. That autumn, Elbow headlined the first of two sell-out tours.
March 17, 2008, saw the release of Elbow's fourth album, entitled "The Seldom Seen Kid." Released through Fiction, it entered the UK album chart at #5, and went on to win the 2008 Mercury Music Award. "The Fix," features guest vocals and lead guitar by Richard Hawley. April 2009 saw the release of The Seldom Seen Kid Live At Abbey Road, recorded with The BBC Concert Orchestra and Chantage. This album, recorded in Studio One of the world famous Abbey Road Studios on Saturday, January 17, 2008, is a complete run-through of the Mercury winning album. It features the band, a 52-piece orchestra, and a 20-member choir.
"Grounds for Divorce" was featured in VALVe Software game Left 4 Dead in 2008.
The band's fifth album Build A Rocket Boys! was released in the UK on March 14, 2011.
The First Steps Songfacts reports that Elbow was commissioned by the BBC to write a song for their coverage of the 2012 Olympics. The resulting tune is "First Steps". The full song lasts six and a half minutes, but it was written in such a way so that it could be divided into different minute or two long elements for use over both winning and losing footages.
In July 2015, Elbow released the Lost Worker Bee EP, which was soon followed by Guy Garvey's first solo album 'Courting the Squall' (Oct 2015).
Their seventh studio album, 'Little Fictions' was released on 3 February 2017, with Elbow's eighth studio album, 'Giants of All Sizes', released 2 years later on 11 October 2019.
Website: http://elbow.co.uk/
Can't Stop
Elbow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't stop drinking
I need that comfort
I don't need discipline
Twilight's tailing
I had self-belief
They don't compromise
That's my history
Hold this shaking frame
Pull this back together
What's your story?
I want to listen
I can't fake pity
I may not sympathize
Twilight's tailing
Try my lies for size
You might swallow them
While I fantasize
Try my lies for size
Hold this shaking frame
Pull this back together
The lyrics to Elbow's song "Can't Stop" seem to tell the story of someone who is struggling with addiction and relying on external sources of comfort to numb their pain. The first lines "Can't stop thinking, I won't stop drinking" suggest that the singer is unable to quiet their thoughts and is turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism. They admit to needing comfort, but not discipline, which suggests a desire to escape responsibility and consequences.
The line "Twilight's tailing" refers to the end of the day, when the light is fading and the darkness is creeping in. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer's state of mind, which is getting darker and harder to control. They had self-belief at one point, but it seems to have been eroded by something traumatic ("This has battered me, that's my history").
The chorus seems to be directed at someone else, perhaps a friend or significant other, asking them to share their story and open up. The singer admits that they can't fake pity or empathize, but they still want to listen. They offer up "lies" that the other person might "swallow" while they "fantasize," possibly giving into the temptation to try to manipulate the situation for their own benefit.
The final lines "Hold this shaking frame, pull this back together" suggest that the singer is aware of their own fragility and is asking for help in trying to overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't stop thinking
My thoughts are constantly racing and I cannot seem to detach from them.
I won't stop drinking
Alcohol consumption is my preferred method of escaping reality and numbing my emotions.
I need that comfort
Feeling a sense of comfort and belonging is crucial to me, otherwise I feel lost and alone.
I don't need discipline
I resist structure and discipline because they feel restrictive and oppressive to me.
Twilight’s tailing
The end of the day is approaching and darkness is setting in, signaling the end of another day of my struggles.
I had self-belief
I used to have confidence in myself and my abilities, but that has been eroded over time due to experiences and circumstances.
They don't compromise
Others are unwilling to make concessions with me, leaving me feeling helpless and without any options.
This has battered me
My experiences have emotionally and mentally exhausted me, leaving me feeling depleted.
That's my history
My past is what has shaped me into who I am today, for better or for worse.
Hold this shaking frame
I am desperately trying to hold it together, but I am struggling and feel as though I am falling apart.
Pull this back together
I am fighting to regain control and stability in my life, despite feeling like everything is falling apart.
What's your story?
I want to hear about your experiences and struggles, as it helps me feel less alone and gives me perspective on my own situation.
I can't fake pity
I am not one to pretend to care or empathize, as it feels disingenuous and insincere to me.
I may not sympathize
While I may not understand your situation or feel sorry for you, I am willing to listen and try to understand your perspective.
Try my lies for size
I am willing to deceive or manipulate others in order to get what I want, and I am testing the waters to see if it will work in this situation.
You might swallow them
Others may believe my lies or false promises, which will work in my favor and help me achieve my goals.
While I fantasize
I am mentally escaping from reality and imagining a different, more ideal life for myself, as a coping mechanism.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Peter James Turner, Richard Barry Jupp, Craig Lee Potter, Mark Potter, Guy Edward John Garvey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Russell Dooley
I've bought this album three times. You're welcome Guy an Co. Much love to thee.
Cameron Wallace
Ahh how terrifically beautiful. x
Dirk Rozendale
leedse stakker