Strongly interested and outspoken about green anarchism issues the band have built up a strong and devoted fanbase, despite being nearly universally ignored by mainstream critics. The band have been spokespeople for a number of issues including campaigning against the Criminal Justice Act (and its measures against rave parties) and various anti-capitalist and environmental issues. They continue to tour extensively around Britain and Europe but maintain a mutual dislike with the music press which stems from their early days.
Miles Away
Levellers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or do you see the world in such a different way?
It seems that parties, raves and lazy summer days
Have now all gone
And if you're old or young
Just wanna have a little fun
Then you're outta line
So tell me once again the real cause of all this pain
Weren't you once young before?
Didn't you try to change the score?
I can't believe it was so many years ago
Have you forgotten how it feels
To run naked in the field?
I hope it's not so
I always hope this place might stay the same
But you reached the point of no return again
Another face is being burnt and raped
For a moment away
Well, it's the price you say
That we all have to pay
For a minute's say
I just can't believe
It's really worth the bloody grief
With the money that you save
You just take a life away
The blood you steal
From all the people that you fear
I know that it's so
The song "Miles Away" by Levellers is about the disconnect between people of different ages and lifestyles. The first verse asks if the singer and the person they are addressing see the world in the same way. They lament the loss of carefree youth and the decline of parties and summer days. The chorus suggests that anyone who wants to have fun, regardless of age, is seen as "outta line," illustrating the disconnect between generations.
The second verse asks the person to explain the cause of their pain, and argues that they too were once young and tried to change things. The bridge asks if the person has forgotten the feeling of running "naked in the field," a metaphor for the freedoms of youth. The third verse points out the destructive consequences of pursuing wealth and power at any cost, at the expense of human life and happiness.
Overall, the song is a critique of societal norms that prioritize money and power over the joys of youth and simple pleasures. The title "Miles Away" suggests that the divide between generations is not just a physical distance, but a gap in understanding and priorities.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you ever think that we might be the same
Do you ever consider that we share commonalities, or do you perceive the world as vastly different?
Or do you see the world in such a different way?
Do your perceptions of the world differ from mine to such a degree?
It seems that parties, raves and lazy summer days
Have now all gone
Hedonistic events like parties, raves and idling in the sun no longer exist, as the carefree days of youth are gone.
And if you're old or young
Just wanna have a little fun
Then you're outta line
If you're either a youth or an old person trying to enjoy, it's deemed inappropriate.
So tell me once again the real cause of all this pain
Weren't you once young before?
Didn't you try to change the score?
I can't believe it was so many years ago
Can you please tell me the root cause of this agony? You used to be young and attempted to initiate enhancements, didn't you? It's challenging to fathom that it occurred so long ago.
Have you forgotten how it feels
To run naked in the field?
I hope it's not so
Have you neglected a time when you once enjoyed freedom by running naked in fields? I'm optimistic that this isn't the case.
I always hope this place might stay the same
But you reached the point of no return again
Another face is being burnt and raped
For a moment away
I always hoped this area remained unaltered, but you've exceeded the irreparable point. A different face is being assaulted and violated for momentary gratification.
Well, it's the price you say
That we all have to pay
For a minute's say
You imply that everyone must endure the cost of immoral actions, if only for a moment of satisfaction.
I just can't believe
It's really worth the bloody grief
With the money that you save
You just take a life away
I find it difficult to accept that it is worthwhile to cause bloodshed and agony, solely to save money. By doing so, you steal lives away.
The blood you steal
From all the people that you fear
I know that it's so
I acknowledge that you derive the blood you steal from individuals you perceive as a threat.
Contributed by Molly N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shaunslirobberF6944
love this so much still#
@kevanbrown7620
I love this song. It's brilliant. We used to travel about in trailers, working the farms, picking Strawberries, Apples, Daffodils. The government called us 'New Age Travellers, ha. It was great. Spiral Tribe were on one of our sites, they used to hold raves. Good times
@retriever19golden55
I love these guys!
@danileethegreat
the greatest moment of my life was seeing these guys live back in 2007. had grew up my entire life listening to them from the age of 5 because of my parents, finally seeing them on stage i was in awe and amazement.... such an amazing band
@DanceBeforeTheStorm_
♥ Simon's voice - it tells all the stories......
@paulcooper3859
Brings back so many memories :-)
@amerissa09
i absolutely love this song so much its hard to understand! gives me butterflies!! :P
@mooseven
I love Simon Friend's voice
@maq535
Great song, one of the Levs favourite.
@EmpireSong
They didn't sell out, they got old. When u r young good time=excitement. When u r old good time=peace + steady income. U cant do free gigs forever + u cant be on the front line of every demo when u got kids. What is sad is that the generations after us did nothing – even the occupy movement, which is the most unified thing for a long time is nothing compared to what we got up to. My 18 yr-old son is jealous of late 70s, 80s + early 90s youth culture. U r right in 1 way – too many sheep.