Over the duration of Squeeze's first hiatus, from approximately 1983 to 1985, Tilbrook wrote, recorded, and toured with Difford as an act called Difford & Tilbrook.
Since Squeeze's second breakup in 1999 (they reformed in 2007 for a series of shows, possibly not permanently), Glenn has pursued a solo career, often touring around the UK and U.S. in an unreliable RV, playing small venues to audiences of faithful and highly supportive fans. He currently has two solo albums, The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook and Transatlantic Ping-Pong. Tilbrook co-wrote some of the songs for his solo recordings with artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Chris Braide and Aimee Mann. In 2006, the documentary "Glenn Tilbrook: One for the Road" was released. The film follows Glenn on his November 2001 tour across America.
Neptune
Glenn Tilbrook Lyrics
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You tried it alone now the big idea
Is to see if we're in a similar dimension
You always talked a terrific game
But the results turned out just the same
So what's different now to get my attention?
Oh, here you come here you come now
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
Your folksy noodling has petered out
It didn't raise pulses or your bank account
An insomniac's dream it's best not to mention
You thanked me for turning out the light
Well thanks to you maybe you were right
So what's turned you around for this resurrection?
Oh, here you come here you come now
Oh, where are you coming from now?
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
I got so tired of wondering
I couldn't distinguish the truth
And then I'd find myself wondering about you
Oh, here you come here you come now
Oh, where are you coming from now?
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
Uranus and I'm here
In Neptune
The lyrics of Glenn Tilbrook's song "Neptune" are an exploration of the complexities of human relationships and how individuals can change over time. The opening lines suggest that the singer and the subject of the song have not interacted in a while and that the subject has been going through a personal transformation. However, despite this transformation, the singer is skeptical of the subject's motives, questioning what has changed to make the subject worthy of attention.
The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Uranus and I'm here in Neptune," is open to interpretation. It could be seen as a metaphor for the distance between the two individuals, with Uranus representing the subject's past life, and Neptune representing their current state. Alternatively, it could be taken more literally as a reference to the planets, with the subject having traveled a great distance to be with the singer.
In the second verse, the singer criticizes the subject's previous efforts and suggests that they were unsuccessful both artistically and financially. However, the subject seems to have had a change of heart, which has led to their "resurrection." The final verse echoes the first, with the singer feeling lost and unsure of what the subject's true intentions are.
Overall, "Neptune" is a song that explores the complexities of human relationships, and how individuals can change over time. It touches on themes of distance, skepticism, and personal transformation, and leaves the listener with a sense of uncertainty about what the future may bring.
Line by Line Meaning
With several years worth of air to clear
After a period of time apart, with lots to think about and reflect on
You tried it alone now the big idea
You tried to make it on your own, but are looking for a new direction
Is to see if we're in a similar dimension
You want to reconnect to see if you're still aligned with each other
You always talked a terrific game
You talked a big game before, but never really followed through
But the results turned out just the same
Your actions didn't match your words, and the outcome was not what you hoped for
So what's different now to get my attention?
Why should I pay attention to you now, what has changed?
Oh, here you come here you come now
You're back, and I'm not sure what to make of it
Oh, where are you coming from now?
What changed to bring you back into my life?
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
You're from somewhere else, and now we're in a different place entirely
Your folksy noodling has petered out
Your previous attempts to impress with your music have stalled
It didn't raise pulses or your bank account
Your music didn't have the impact you hoped for, either in terms of popularity or revenue
An insomniac's dream it's best not to mention
Your music wasn't even good enough to help someone fall asleep
You thanked me for turning out the light
You recognized my help in a difficult time
Well thanks to you maybe you were right
I'm starting to see that your advice might have been helpful
So what's turned you around for this resurrection?
What inspired you to make a comeback?
I got so tired of wondering
I was tired of not knowing what was going on
I couldn't distinguish the truth
I didn't know what to believe
And then I'd find myself wondering about you
You were always on my mind, even when I was trying to move on
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
You're still from somewhere else, but now you're with me in my world
Uranus and I'm here in Neptune
Repeated line to emphasize the merger of two different worlds
Uranus and I'm here
Final line to punctuate that you have arrived
Contributed by Aubrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.