In 2002, Halstead released his debut solo album, Sleeping on Roads. A second solo album, Oh! Mighty Engine was released on July 29, 2008. Halstead's third solo album, 'Palindrome Hunches', was released on September 11, 2012.
Elevenses
Neil Halstead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Running for the coast
Running from those ghosts
Running away, girl
With one eye to your past
I see you took the stance
That now you've got the chance
Go skies and thrones and wings
And poetry and things
I think you're doing fine
Don't offer me a line
I only want a cup of tea
Go on then, just one
But I really can't stay long
I love the way you shake
But you've lost a little weight
Yeah, you've lost a little weight
See you tomorrow, same time, same place
Mother's little helper is running for her shelter
And no one wants to know
Love dead as doornail, patient unstirred
At least that's what they said
She's gone away for good
She's really made a meal
And blown the record deal
She's blown the record deal
What are we to do?
See you tomorrow, same time, same place
I?ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place
I?ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place
I?ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place
Neil Halstead's song "Elevenses" is a beautiful and melancholic tune that explores themes of running away from one's past, self-medication, and loss. The opening verse describes a girl who is drinking alone and running away from her ghosts. She has one eye on her past but is trying to move forward with the chance she's been given to dance and appreciate the beauty in life. The chorus is an invitation for her to let loose and enjoy herself, though there is a sense of sadness attached to it, as the singer acknowledges that she has lost some weight and is struggling with something. In the second verse, we learn that the girl is possibly self-medicating with "mother's little helper" and has "blown the record deal" - she's hit rock bottom. Yet, the singer remains hopeful and shows up for her every day, promising to see her "tomorrow, same time, same place."
Overall, the lyrics suggest that the girl is struggling with addiction and perhaps depression, and the singer is there to offer support and companionship, even if it's just for a cup of tea. There is a sense of resignation but also hope in the repeated promise to see her again tomorrow. The song's gently strummed acoustic guitars, delicate electric guitar flourishes, and Halstead's soft, wistful vocals create a dreamy and bittersweet atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
You're drinking on your own
You are alone and drinking.
Running for the coast
You are running towards the coast.
Running from those ghosts
You are running away from your ghosts.
Running away, girl
You are running away, girl.
With one eye to your past
You are conscious about your past.
I see you took the stance
I see you took a stand.
That now you've got the chance
Now you've got a chance.
You might as well just dance
You should dance.
Go skies and thrones and wings
Travel to beautiful places with beautiful things.
And poetry and things.
Experience poetry and beautiful things.
I think you're doing fine
I think you're doing okay.
Don't offer me a line
Don't give a false story.
I only want a cup of tea
I just want a cup of tea.
Go on then, just one
Go on, just one cup of tea.
But I really can't stay long
I can't stay long.
I love the way you shake
I love the way you move/dance.
But you've lost a little weight
You've lost a bit of weight.
Yeah, you've lost a little weight
Yes, you've lost a bit of weight.
See you tomorrow, same time, same place.
I'll see you tomorrow, at the same time and place.
Mother's little helper is running for her shelter
You're running to a safe place.
And no one wants to know
No one cares about your situation.
Love dead as doornail, patient unstirred
Love is dead for you and you're not interested in anything anymore.
At least that's what they said
That's what people say about you.
She's gone away for good
You're gone permanently.
She's really made a meal
You're really successful now.
And blown the record deal
But you lost your record deal.
What are we to do?
What are we supposed to do now?
See you tomorrow, same time, same place
I'll see you tomorrow, at the same time and place.
I’ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place
I'll see you tomorrow, at the same time and place.
I’ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place
I'll see you tomorrow, at the same time and place.
I’ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place
I'll see you tomorrow, at the same time and place.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL HALSTEAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lazyitus
I discovered Slowdive in 1997 and have been a fan of Neil's ever since. He's great! Love this song.
bigpete72000
don't even know how i found the song but wow man. good song neil, makes me think of the romance i used to have with my ex
GHOSTGANG with Randy Goyard
realy good song !! love it !
Morgan Twiston Davies
absolutely loved that
snowgarden15
It's such a simple sweet song and that poor ghost
VALENTINEproductions
That was a god one. Nice song, cool concept, not too long. I enjoyed it.
StandUP Productions
Pure ROCKIN man!!!!!!!!
panopticonnyc
It's just a split screen. We locked the camera off and shot it once with the girl and the ghost, and then we had her do the same dance steps without the ghost. So we use the foreground from one shot, and the reflection from another, and then combine them with a split screen. It's a pretty lo-fi trick!
Skeeter McGoo
woww...Neil Halstead ,featured . there is hope . long live Slowdive
Gemma G.
The video is great!