Richard Lloyd is an American guitarist, best known as a member of Televisio… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Lloyd is an American guitarist, best known as a member of Television. Despite Television's position in the foreground of the New York punk scene of the late 70s, Lloyd (and Television guitarist/vocalist Tom Verlaine) was technically quite proficient, and the band's sound was defined by the dueling guitars of the two men. Following the band's breakup in 1978, Lloyd released a solo album, Alchemy and then went largely underground until the mid-80s, when he released Field of Fire and began a successful career as a sideman for Matthew Sweet and John Doe. A reformed Television released an album and toured in 1992-1993, and has since toured sporadically. Lloyd subsequently released two more solo albums and teaches guitar and music theory in New York City. His website is http://www.richardlloyd.com.

Alchemy
Richard Lloyd Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lloyd

I've been watching a river
I've seen it dressed in a breeze
So I wanted to get closer
I find I'm sinking to my knees.

And I'm sinking in mysteries that I can’t quite unfold

I'm talking about alchemy and things that explode.

I was a young boy
When I was thrown in the world
My hands were made out of silver
You see they're looking for gold.

And to find a solution of value intrinsically
And they're playing with dreams that they call alchemy.

Hu-huh ...

Tell me. Whisper everything
And I'll put it all to good use
When you took my hand to grab me away
That's when l held it all out to you.

And I'm watching everything that you do so don't be impatient
Turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy

Turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy
...

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Richard Lloyd's song "Alchemy" present the image of a river dressed in a breeze, immediately drawing attention to the paradoxical nature of the elements he describes. This first verse sets the tone for the entire song, which is full of complex and multi-layered imagery that seems to defy easy explanation. The singer is drawn to the river, but finds himself sinking to his knees as he tries to make sense of the mysteries he encounters. The second verse introduces a new set of contradictions, as the singer describes his hands as being made of silver but explains that others are "looking for gold." This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the search for meaning and value in life, and the tension between what we have and what we desire.

The chorus of the song is where the title "Alchemy" comes into play. Lloyd sings that he is "talking about alchemy and things that explode." Alchemy is traditionally associated with the search for a way to turn base metals into gold, but it also has a wider connotation of transformation and change. The explosions mentioned in the lyrics could refer to either the literal explosions that were often the result of early alchemical experiments or to the explosive power of transformation and growth. The singer seems to be turning to alchemy as a way of finding answers to the mysteries he has encountered, but the repetition of the phrase suggests that he is still seeking, still turning to alchemy as a means of understanding.

Overall, "Alchemy" is a song that is rich in symbolism and metaphor. It speaks to the human desire for transformation and understanding, while acknowledging that these things are often elusive and difficult to achieve.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been watching a river
I have been observing the flow of events in life

I've seen it dressed in a breeze
I have seen how life events are affected by external influences

So I wanted to get closer
Thus, I strive to better understand the mysteries of life

I find I'm sinking to my knees.
However, the more I learn about life's mysteries, the more I find it challenging to comprehend

And I'm sinking in mysteries that I can’t quite unfold
I struggle to decode the complexities of life's mysteries

I'm talking about alchemy and things that explode.
I am referring to the transformative process of alchemy and the unpredictable outcomes it produces

I was a young boy
As a young child

When I was thrown in the world
As I entered this world

My hands were made out of silver
I possessed innate abilities and potential as a young child

You see they're looking for gold.
People around me expected me to achieve greatness as I grew up

And to find a solution of value intrinsically
Thus, I seek to discover a solution that has value in and of itself

And they're playing with dreams that they call alchemy.
However, those around me are preoccupied with their own ambitions and pursuits, which they call alchemy

Tell me. Whisper everything
Please confide everything to me

And I'll put it all to good use
I will make good use of the information provided

When you took my hand to grab me away
When you tried to persuade me to abandon my pursuits

That's when l held it all out to you.
That is when I revealed my true intentions to you

And I'm watching everything that you do so don't be impatient
I am monitoring your actions, so please be patient with me

Turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy, turning to alchemy
I am returning to the process of alchemy as a means of realizing my true potential

Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

NETOMAN47

Richard Lloyd (25 de octubre de 1951, Pittsburgh, Pensilvania) es un músico estadounidense, conocido por formar parte del grupo neoyorquino Television, en el que fue guitarrista.

Lloyd se unió al grupo en 1973, y formó parte esencial del sonido del mismo por su interacción con el otro guitarrista del grupo, Tom Verlaine. La banda editó dos álbumes, Marquee Moon (1977) y Adventure (1978), antes de separarse en 1979. El grupo se volvió a juntar en 1992 para grabar Television.

Tras la primera separación de Televisión, Lloyd editó un álbum solista titulado Alchemy. Lloyd editaría otro álbum solista en 1985, Field of Fire, tras el cual no editó ningún trabajo (a excepción de un álbum en vivo titulado Real Time, de 1987) hasta el año 2001, en el que editó Cover Doesn't Matter. The Radiant Monkey le siguió seis años después.

Lloyd también ha trabajado con artistas como Matthew Sweet, John Doe (del grupo X) y Stephan Eicher, y ha sido profesor de guitarra.

Actualmente, Lloyd toca con su excompañero de Televisión Bily Ficca (en batería) y con el bajista Keith Harshtel bajo el nombre de Richard Lloyd and the SufiMonkey Trio. Actualmente está trabajando en un álbum de covers de Jimi Hendrix que será titulado The Jamie Neverts Story.

All comments from YouTube:

Richard Lloyd

12y↑237

Hi and Hey and Thanks for the support. I can hear the old scratches and pop of the ancient vinyl... haven't actually heard this album in a couple of years. GOD, is Fred Smith great or what on Bass, and the power group vocals. WOW, I had forgotten how wonderful this record is. ---- Richard Lloyd

mussman717word

7y↑10

Richard Lloyd
Whoa, it's really you? Thank you so much for all the work you put in with TV. Marquee Moon, along with a select few other albums, resurged my devotion to music after playing out all those Zeppelin and Hendrix records. I never lost the love, but you're part and parcel of my realizing what more could be done with guitar, the "next step," if you will. I'm just now digging deeper into that CBGB scene (Heartbreakers, Voidoids) and the aftermath, which led me here for the first spin. Great stuff, man! Thanks again for all the inspiration.

Patrick Guitar

Richard Lloyd.
My guy...you...are a great guy ...am i also a great guy.great songs.lucky you could get some quality studio time.i was either too cheap.too meek.or preffered to do it on my four track.god was i cheap.lol.im 56 now😦nice to take a chance once in a while.gee Whos

Patrick Guitar

Richard Lloyd
Nice guit guy.hows married life

Patrick Guitar

Hi richard hows things?

Blake Whittington

Fred is one of my favorite bass players.
Everything he plays fits and this record is one of my favorites.
Thanks Mr. Lloyd

3 More Replies...

Richard Lloyd

12y↑51

I will certainly re-record "DYING WORDS". I put it on as the last song of Alchemy, just in case it because the last record I ever made. Those are the Horses of Death riding on the melody.All men must come to the end sooner than they think. Pretend you ARE DEAD, and live accordingly. --RL

Gwen Sciora

7y↑1

hey Mr Lloyd.. get in touch ! seriously , we met at the Gramercy in OCt 2016. you signed my book and kissed my left cheek :)

Blake Whittington

Richard Lloyd Thx for all the great stuff your playing has influenced me just as much as Chuck Berry and Jimi.
Maybe even more.

Lucien Edwards

i love you !

escaped vivesectionist

Tremendous man. Absolutely brilliant. I know this is an old post but kudos to you for all the outstanding music. Greetings from Dayton Ohio. Do your thing man. Always.

Logan Mohler

Yo it’s himself

craig caygle

7y↑5

One of the best albums EVER. I listen to it at least once or twice a week. It never gets old.

pavedoh

4y↑4

One of the greatest albums of all time. Gives me chills every time I listen to it.

Susan Klein

9y↑30

I love reading Richard Lloyd's comments on this thread. In fact, I just love Richard, a wizard. Along with his work, every one of the tighter and perfectly-executed solos on the worshipped 'Marque Moon' is his. He's a master.

dropagemonem

8y↑2

+Susan Klein What? Verlaine plays lot of solos in Marquee Moon.

ClueSign

8y↑1

+არასოდეს ვიქნებისხვა Undoubtably -- Tom plays long raga-like solos. All I'm saying is the tighter ones are Richard's -- which I prefer.

Nicholas Fanzo

8y↑1

+არასოდეს ვიქნებისხვა lloyd plays the better ones.

Robert McManus

2y↑3

I'm embarrassed to admit I'm just hearing this for the first time now. Marquee Moon is one of my fave LPs. Wish I'd have listened to this earlier. Wonderful guitar (of course) but I love the song writing and the vocals to boot. I'm passing this one along to a bunch of friends. Now I need to grab a copy of this LP!

Iranildo Ferreira

Álbum muito bom.Ouvindo-o pela primeira vez e gostei demais

Lucas Chili

6y↑2

Richard Lloyd é d+
Otimas cançoes, muito top de se ouvir, vibe da hora.

>BR< \o/

rainriders

12y↑23

the Artist himself leaves comments for the youtube video that basically violates his copyrights while every single Richard Meyer's songs have been deleted almost immediately. How cool RL really is! for the record, I used to have this one on LP.

Steven Streight

11y

I had this album on vinyl when it first came out. Brings back great memories. Thanks Richard Lloyd. Television is one of my favorite bands and your solo work is good too.

Milton .McMilton

11y↑1

hey Richard, I just started reading your guitar world column from a few years back. Great stuff, I've really been trying to write from a more "modal" perspective and your column has really helped with that, thanks a bunch

Lars Andreasson

11y↑2

Can't somebody please put Richard's version of "Get off of my cloud" on YouTube. That particular track can never be outdone-

Karin Anna Maria

This is a great album! My favourite song is Misty eyes! 💜🖤💜

Mary Behrens

Bought this album in '79 at the Electric Fetus in MNPLS. It was played at every party I had. Title track is still on my play list.

Al Vellanti

11y↑1

One of my all time favorite albums!!! Must have on a deserted island!

Victor Morgado

5y↑2

I remember when this album was released and Lloyd played live in some little clubs around the village, but I have to confess that I didn't listen to the album until tonight, 39 years later, wow, time is so ephemeral

Gayle Kendall

6y↑2

After falling in love with his painting, I came here to hear Alchemy again. Damn! What a great record!

rioescubelas

10y↑5

I remember reading a review of this album in Creem magazine in 1979 and I love the cover, but I had never heard it until last December 2013. I am gradually starting to love it, especially "Blue And Gray," "Pretend" and "Dying Words". There is a touching sensitivity and innocence in this work. Many thanks and hugs from Galicia, Spain, Richard Lloyd.

FritzIdler

8y↑3

+rioescubelas -I remember Creem panning this. Or at least not being thrilled with it. Dismissing it as mere English pop, because it was not Television.

doo rag

4y↑2

@FritzIdler i didn't like it much at the time either. hearing it again now i'm "well, i was wrong".

214porky

11y↑1

Great record! Always loved it.

pointiedog

10y↑2

I bought this when it came out, and it was a prized possession of a music obsessed 17 year old. Dragged a friend to see RL several times to his NYC gigs in support of the album release and enjoyed every minute. Years later, Mr. Lloyd gave me a guest list spot for the 'Mudd Club Reunion' fest. Still haven't met him. but I still love this album.

Badger Badger

37w

Absolutely top shelf stuff. Thank you!

Gypsy Roller

12y↑2

This whole record is Stellar ! Thank You !

maverickminstrel

4y↑7

RICHARD AND ROBERT QUINE SHOULD HAVE DONE AN ALBUM TOGETHER...THE CONTRAST IN STYLES WOULDVE BEEN AWESO9ME.

KazooPlayer3

38w↑1

They both played on Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet. I don't know if they played on the same songs though because I haven't listened to it yet

Lisa Lane

Love this album

Joe Tedd

I'm SOOO Happy to find this posted, I was a HUGE FAN back in the day of PIX-102 (during the New Wave era *Elvis To Elvis*) and remember hearing: Richard Lloyd - Alchemy first on that station, believe it was Meg Griffen who played it, and fell in love with the song, so it's nice to finally hear the full album from which the song comes from, and enjoy more of Richard Lloyd's music!

guyguyguyjean

5y↑2

I discovered this amazing and tastefull guitarist on the Mathew Sweet albums!!

BrownstoneKing.com

Blue & Grey is a great tune, first time hearing it, thanks!

Tommy Joe 90

12y↑1

Thank You Very Much. Great Album. The song "Alchemy" is a masterpiece

Jens Millgard

11y

One of my favourite LPs.

Richard Lloyd

12y↑12

Great oblique vocal/instrument lines in "IN THE NIGHT". I should re-right the liner notes. After the CBGB movie comes out perhaps I will really give it a new life. -RL

Mel Bernstine

11y

i had this record when it came out and it is still as nice today as then. anecdote: i thought Sechuan Fire would be a cool title for a song. i had a short acquaintance with RL at the time and mentioned it to him. i saw him the next day, and he had written a song, about a Chinese girl.

missmysuits

11y↑4

Mr Ricard Lloyd is beyond cool. I got to talk with him for about 5 minuts when they palyed in Oporto, Portugal in 2004, after the show. Of course what you hear in Television was where The Strokes got their "original" sound (though i never red enyone from Television commenting on that). The originals get all the pain, as they are too busy creating and being.. originals. Loving this album. Hey, Mr Richard Lloyd, you got to tour this stuff, your guitar playing and yourself :) Respect!! Cheers :)

Jan Nordelius

3y↑1

still feeling blue and grey....40 years later.....

Norman Charlesworth

10y↑2

First time hearing this , it is warm , wonderful , lovely vibe and songs........will check out more Mr Lloyd , gotta get some discs for the vehicle , take these out for a ride))))))))))

Bruno Panichi

masterpiece!

Victor Morgado

5y↑1

This album should had opened with the song Alchemy and there after, keeping that beat and rhythm

Festers Uncle

This is more solid than than the anvil that missed The Roadrunner and hit Wylie Coyote. Good stuff.

Tom Ashworth-Jones

11y↑1

Love the wonderful guitar work on Misty eyes, great music will last forever!

Pawn Hearts

4y↑5

Lloyd has a cuter and more youthful voice than Verlaine. His voice doesn’t really work with Television cause Verlaine’s lyrics are quite abstract and strange. But hey he’s pretty good here. Great guitar playing as always

Victor Morgado

Who was going to say after four decades, that Lloyd was truly the "Man" of Television

Rusty Tuney

Just got this album as a FREE throw-in for buying 3 Tom Verlaine LP's for just $25 on eBay. Sweet deal, sweet vinyl LP.!!

Patrick Guitar

This is a pretty good record 🍀👀🍀
👄

laotzu2u

10y

Yes! This is awesome. Who are the personnel on this recording?

Ed west

42w

First time to hear. I was impressed.

Adrian Lackey

9y↑8

Found this in a delete bin sometime in the mid 80's. Being a Television fan, I thought the $2 they were asking for it was a good gamble. I was totally fucking right. "I Should of Known Better" is the star of the album, IMO.

Mike Roby

8y↑2

+Adrian Lackey BINGO! Hurrah for the cut-out bin: I got mine for like a dollar.

Adrian Lackey

8y↑1

+Mike Roby GGGGGGGOOOOOOOAAALLL!!!!!

Mike Roby

8y↑1

+Adrian Lackey Thanks for the comment. I've got a few like that on the shelf.

Jim Rader

6y↑2

Hello, Richard. On its release, this LP annoyed me, seemed outa character. But compared to guitar pop bands of the last twenty-eight years or so, it sounds fabulous now. Even the one-shot dud '78 single by my first band sounds better. Viva the Zeros, the Marbles. / I caught your sixty-eight part interview and wish to clarify that M. Verlaine's "The Dream's Dream" has not eight words, as you'd claimed, but, I counted, forty-three./ Just having fun here./ Whatever happened to Strokes? Sounded to me like Television with trust funds.

Christopher Thomas

11y

Yeah, that was a great single!

NETOMAN47

Dog Squad India

Cool, my birthday is October 26

lowtit

cool - never heard before - thanks for posting -

Dave Short

So. Good.

Flieder31

12y

Hey, you made a big album. Sorry -- I didn`t know your name til today. Hope to hear more good music from ya! Greetings from Toronto

Bob Jones

Going to see him in October. Can't wait.

Guilherme Larangeira

10y

When did this come out? Sounds like the Cars! The bass,guitar and playmobile keyboards!

Benicetoallplease

Genius, pure genius

Benicetoallplease

That track around the 23 minute mark is awesome

ClueSign

8y↑3

The (boss) title track starts at 7:39

Gustavo De la Camara Montes

It's a fantastic album, but in some songs the mixing is not the professional it should have been be to be considered a masterpiece .The voice was recorded very low volume in two or three songs. Perhaps that's the reason why it's not considered as a total highlight, as it should be. Some solos are incredibly good, and I really like the bass lines of fred smith, as in television songs...

Richard Lloyd

12y↑32

The bottom end is almost useless though. Rumble rumble. The re-mastered CD is much closer to what we heard in the actual studio. Oh well...

Nigel Harsch

6y↑13

Man, the Cars really jacked a lot from the Television guys

Kludgy Brains

6y↑1

20:04 this part is so fucking cool.

Thomas Minarchick Jr.

I think Marshall Crenshaw heard this more than a few times

Lars Andreasson

11y↑1

You are obviously a man of (cultural) wealth and taste-

Patrick Guitar

Easy enough to comprehend🌵👀🌵

Tyler

12y

wait.... your the real guy....???? OMG Im a huge fan! lol im a vinyl collector and a huge television fan and at a record store they had this album and tom verlaine's first solo album (but no television stuff) I like this on ALOT more haha btw my album is a promo copy... the picture I put on the video I got from google images

MVC PASTK AMB

!
!
!

Gwen Sciora

7y↑3

guess who is calling in to my radio show today!!???????????????????????

fifastreet420

How'd it go

Jeanette Rivera

Yes I do love this where oh where is this guy?

Gwen Sciora

he was in NYC in OCt2016

Warrogue1

He was in Baltimore in June 2017

Gwen Sciora

7y↑3

if you are reading this Mr Lloyd... Please get in touch.. we met at the gramercy.. 10/2016 .. you kissed me and signed my book :)

Derry o

10y

Can someone put the song names up please?

Uisce Preston

9y↑1

If only you were connected to the internet where there is a giant searchable database of worldly information simply at your fingertips...oh wait.

Guilherme Larangeira

10y↑2

Not to mention deadpan delivery

Patrick Guitar

Im in another world now.i drank some cab and my wife is pissed at me

fifastreet420

4y↑1

You guys ever make up?

Patrick Guitar

@fifastreet420 yes

Strangersname

@Patrick Guitar But how was that Cab??

Patrick Guitar

2y↑1

@Strangersname it was good...raced it to bed...😄

Patrick Guitar

Hey hey richard is artie home?......🍀🍀🍀🍀

Raymantico

Mr Dream Boat 1979

Jay Scroggins

mas miz to by b in g

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