He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
A Solitary Life
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Parents long gone, no kids, no wife
Sister, somewhere in Australia
Never did keep in touch
Sex, no more than a, how do you do?
With a copy of Penthouse in the loo
Socially a bit of a failure
A solitary life
A life of small horizons
Dull as the pewter skies over North West Eleven
A solitary life
A life of small horizons
Dull as the governmental sky over North West Eleven
A serious hobby in the garden shed
Model trains or soldiers in lead
Join the suburban boffins of Britain
Experts on trivial things
And holidays in the Yorkshire Dales
Or cycling tours of the North of Wales
Unenvious of those flea bitten
On continental flings
A solitary life
A life of small horizons
Dull as the pewter skies over North West Eleven
Excitement comes by subtle means
The satisfaction of routines
Small revenges at the office
Smug little victories
You work on your pallor, complexion like paste
Like the gray defeat on an inmates face
A life spent adding losses and profits
Resigning by degrees
A solitary life
A life of small horizons
Dull as the pewter skies over North West Eleven
A solitary life
A life of small horizons
Dull as the governmental sky over North West Eleven
And come to the end, sad and alone
A steady reliable tumor you've grown
From selfish years, while all your peers
Have stressfully jogged to health
In life you always were quite numb
And foggier now, you soon succumb
In drab St. Barts on the new by-pass
Death overcomes by stealth
A solitary life
A life of small horizons
Dull as the pewter skies over North West Eleven
A solitary life
A life of small horizons
Dull as the governmental sky over North West Eleven
The song "A Solitary Life" by Richard Thompson paints a picture of a lonely existence, one without a spouse or children, and with no close relatives or friends. The lyrics suggest the singer has very little social interaction and is content with a mundane and routine existence. In fact, he seems to be almost anti-social and doesn't feel the need to actively seek out social connections or experiences. He finds pleasure in his hobbies, which are solitary in nature, and takes satisfaction in small accomplishments, even if they are not significant in the grand scheme of things.
The song is generally melancholic in tone and the lyrics suggest a life of small horizons -- one with no grand aspirations or lofty goals. The singer's focus is on the small and simple things in life, like hobbies, and he doesn't seem to have any real desire to change his situation. His satisfaction comes from routine, small victories, and activities that don't require much effort or interaction with others. Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that his existence may not be exciting, but it is the life he has chosen to lead, and he will stay on this path despite the potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I long for the solitary life
Sometimes I wish I didn't have to deal with the responsibilities and challenges that come with being connected to others.
Parents long gone, no kids, no wife
I have no immediate family and no significant relationships that require a lot of my time and attention.
Sister, somewhere in Australia
I have a sister who lives far away and with whom I haven't kept in touch.
Never did keep in touch
I haven't maintained any kind of regular communication with my sister despite the distance between us.
Sex, no more than a, how do you do?
Sex is a casual, almost perfunctory, activity for me with no deeper emotional connection or attachment.
With a copy of Penthouse in the loo
I consume pornographic materials as a substitute for genuine intimacy and engagement with others.
Socially a bit of a failure
I struggle to connect with others in meaningful ways and have difficulty forming social bonds and relationships.
Nice not to have to try too much
I'm content with my limited, solitary lifestyle and prefer not to put in extra effort to change it.
A serious hobby in the garden shed
I have a serious hobby that keeps me occupied and fulfilled but does not involve other people.
Model trains or soldiers in lead
My serious hobby involves collecting and building miniature models of trains or soldiers (or another equally obscure interest).
Join the suburban boffins of Britain
I associate with other suburban hobbyists who share my interests and enjoy discussing the minutiae of our hobbies.
Experts on trivial things
We have a wealth of knowledge about our hobbies but this knowledge is not of much significance or interest to anyone outside of our hobbyist group.
And holidays in the Yorkshire Dales
I take vacations in the Yorkshire Dales, a beautiful but unspectacular destination that is close enough to home to avoid any real adventure or risk.
Or cycling tours of the North of Wales
I also enjoy cycling tours of the North of Wales, another safe and predictable vacation activity that doesn't challenge me in any significant way.
Unenvious of those flea bitten
I don't envy those who travel to more exotic or unpredictable destinations even though I recognize that their experiences may be richer and more fulfilling than my own.
On continental flings
My preference for safe and predictable vacations means that I avoid venturing to other countries or continents for more daring adventures.
Excitement comes by subtle means
I find excitement and satisfaction in the predictable routines and small challenges of my daily life.
The satisfaction of routines
I take satisfaction in adhering to strict daily routines, knowing exactly what to expect and how to navigate each day's tasks and responsibilities.
Small revenges at the office
I enjoy getting back at my colleagues in small ways when they do something that annoys or offends me, though I don't have the courage or interest to confront them directly.
Smug little victories
These small revenges make me feel victorious and smug, even though they are not significant or meaningful in any real sense.
You work on your pallor, complexion like paste
I spend a lot of time alone indoors and this has had an impact on my physical appearance, leaving me pale and unwell-looking.
Like the gray defeat on an inmates face
My appearance and demeanor resemble that of a defeated and hopeless prisoner.
A life spent adding losses and profits
I spent my life working hard to attain financial success and stability, but this drive has left me unfulfilled and without any real passion or joy.
Resigning by degrees
I've gradually come to accept that this is the way my life will be and I don't have the energy or inclination to try to change it.
And come to the end, sad and alone
Eventually, I will die alone and without any meaningful connections to others.
A steady reliable tumor you've grown
The life I've led has been a steady and reliable but ultimately malignant growth that has left me unfulfilled and unconnected to others.
From selfish years, while all your peers
I've spent my adult years focused on my own selfish interests and have neglected the opportunities to form meaningful relationships with others that most people experience.
Have stressfully jogged to health
While my peers have been busy dealing with the challenges and stresses of life, I've remained in my comfort zone and avoided any real risk or growth.
In life you always were quite numb
I've lived my life without any real passion or engagement with the world around me.
And foggier now, you soon succumb
As I get older, I become more and more disconnected from reality and my own emotions, leading me to a sense of isolation and despair.
In drab St. Barts on the new by-pass
I will die in a drab and unremarkable location like St. Barts, having lived a life that is similarly unremarkable and forgettable.
Death overcomes by stealth
My death will be a quiet and understated affair, just like my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Judson Carroll
He walked into a little guitar shop in Athens, GA when I was working there, in college. I brought out our best old gear and just sat and listened while he jammed for an hour or so. He didn't buy anything, but I was elated! After he left, the owner asked, "Who was that guy? He was really good!" I answered, "THAT was Richard Thompson!" "Never heard of him," he said. GREAT memory!
Sharon Hearne
I discovered Richard and Linda through my niece Tara and then began to go farther back into history exploring his musical history and fell in love with it. To me he is one of the finest guitarists alive with an unforgettable voice. To me Linda added a dimension that was unforgettable just as Sandy Denny’s had earlier. He is a bard in the true tradition and I am glad to have seen him live twice in Austin which was once reputed as Musical Capitol of The World. Having discovered my Scottish ancestry even though part of his is British, I relate to him as my Scottish soulmate♥️.
Tom Shepherd
I’ve always loved that first album! Not saying the ones that followed were disappointing, they were just different is all. It was a phase, I guess. I liked each proceeding album better than the last. Richard was like Lennon / McCartney - always improving, reinventing himself. His songs reflect even these current times we’re living in, especially End of the Rainbow. It really pays to rely on God to help sort it out.
I love Richard’s recordings. He remains my favorite guitar player and his songwriting skills rival the best of them.
paul levine
Awesome little documentary & anyone that knows of him knows despite the little quirks he's a musical genius . I wish they had a wee bit more of his thoughts on the time he spent playing with Sandy Deny as that had to be a highlight of a small portion of his career but holy moly they made some fine music with that band . One of the finest players around then & now & Sandy was like the female version of himself . pure talent & genius.
David Burne
Saw his electric trio some years back and I swear it sounded like there were 3 guitars. Mighty, mighty sound, and so melodic. Not to mention the depth in the songwriting.
Robin Stafford
Went to see his 70th birthday gig at the Albert Hall. The huge range of artists who turned up to play with him was a tribute to how much he is loved and respected. One of the greatest but so like him to play it down.
TheSpidey1969
Wow! Thanks for the posting! So blessed to have had a chance to see him in concert!
Dead Poet
What a great Docu, I saw fairport in the 70’s, absolutely brilliant. Richard is one Britains last standing most talented guitarists. Such a modest bloke too when he has every right not to be, as he is up there with the best past & present.
A Face in the Crowd
RT left so much of this stuff out of his memoir, which dealt with his life through the mid-70s. This is a terrific documentary largely thanks to Linda and Nancy’s participation.
bluesman172
First saw RT in the original Fairport Convention (Judy Dyble) in London about 67/68 and followed him closely ever since, seeing him live in many different settings. His songwriting and guitar playing are wonderful and his catalogue is amazing. He has been a constant soundtrack to my life. Loved this documentary.