Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British singer/songwriter and guitarist. Highly regarded for his guitar techniques, Thompson was awarded the Orville H. Gibson award for best acoustic guitar player in 1991. Similarly, his songwriting has earned him an Ivor Novello Award and, in 2006, a lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio. Thompson made his debut as a recording artist as a member of Fairport Convention in September 1967. He left the group in 1971 and began recording with his wife as Richard & Linda Thompson, before their marriage dissolved in 1983. Since then, Thompson has maintained a critically-acclaimed solo career.

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.

Watch Me Go
Richard Thompson Lyrics

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One day the monkey jumps aboard, one day the black dog gets you
One Day the demons write your name in blood upon a ledger
But see the sun is shining as I step down on the pike
So pretty in my uniform of anti-look-alike
And goodbye halls of academe, I never could respect you
And loved ones, I'll say fare you well, I surely will neglect you.

Watch Me Go

Into the wide blue yonder
Watch Me Go
Like a human cannonball
Watch Me Go
With a mighty peal of thunder
And I'll keep shouting till they lay me low

If it wasn't for Dalwhinnie and all his reckless crew
I never would have learned to shake my fist and hullabaloo
If it wasn't for the company I'd be talking to myself
Inside a padded 8 by 12, all on the National Health
And friends and kind relations, I'll be writing very soon
The next time that you see me I'll be halfway to the moon

Thank you dear Professor, for refocusing our eyes
And thank you Captain Sensible, so eloquent and wise
And Fotherington-Thomas, now you're singing with the choir
But you gave us beef when we had none, of wood and string and wire

And for those who choose the twisty road, prefer it to the straight
Let joy beat out old misery, as love will conquer hate

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Richard Thompson's song Watch Me Go depict the rebellion of the singer against societal norms and expectations. The lines "One day the monkey jumps aboard, one day the black dog gets you, one day the demons write your name in blood upon a ledger" serve as a reminder that death is inevitable and can come in unexpected ways. Despite this, the singer embraces their individuality and rejects traditional concepts of conformity, as highlighted by "So pretty in my uniform of anti-look-alike" and "And goodbye halls of academe, I never could respect you, and loved ones, I'll say fare you well, I surely will neglect you."

The chorus encourages the listener to watch the singer go as they blaze a trail of unconventional behavior, likening themselves to a human cannonball with a mighty peal of thunder. The singer acknowledges their journey towards rebellion and how it was influenced by those around them, particularly Dalwhinnie and their crew who taught them to "shake my fist and hullabaloo". They also acknowledge the power of music, as "(Fotherington-)Thomas" gave them "beef when we had none, of wood and string and wire", highlighting music's ability to evoke emotions and inspire action.

Overall, Watch Me Go encourages the listener to embrace their individuality and challenge societal expectations, while also acknowledging the inevitability of death and the importance of those who have influenced and supported us along the way.

Line by Line Meaning

One day the monkey jumps aboard, one day the black dog gets you
Life is unpredictable, and you never know when something bad may happen to you.

One Day the demons write your name in blood upon a ledger
At some point, you will be faced with evil or harmful people who will cause you harm or mark you in some way.

But see the sun is shining as I step down on the pike
Despite the negativity and challenges in life, there are still beautiful moments, and the world can be a beautiful place.

So pretty in my uniform of anti-look-alike
Individuality and uniqueness are important and should be celebrated, as they make us who we are.

And goodbye halls of academe, I never could respect you
Education isn't for everyone, and some people may not value it highly.

And loved ones, I'll say fare you well, I surely will neglect you.
It's possible to become so wrapped up in one's own life and pursuits that they may forget about their loved ones.

Watch Me Go Into the wide blue yonder Watch Me Go Like a human cannonball Watch Me Go With a mighty peal of thunder And I'll keep shouting till they lay me low
The singer is charging ahead in life, going where they please and doing what they want, despite what others may say or think.

If it wasn't for Dalwhinnie and all his reckless crew I never would have learned to shake my fist and hullabaloo
The people one meets in life can have a significant impact on who they become and how they view the world.

If it wasn't for the company I'd be talking to myself Inside a padded 8 by 12, all on the National Health
Without the people in the artist's life, they may have ended up in some sort of institution, mentally unwell and unable to cope on their own.

And friends and kind relations, I'll be writing very soon The next time that you see me I'll be halfway to the moon
The artist may want to reconnect with old friends and family at some point, but they are unafraid of pursuing their own interests and dreams in the meantime.

Thank you dear Professor, for refocusing our eyes And thank you Captain Sensible, so eloquent and wise
Acknowledging those who have inspired or helped one along the way is important.

And Fotherington-Thomas, now you're singing with the choir But you gave us beef when we had none, of wood and string and wire
Even those who don't seem to have much to offer may surprise everyone with what they can do or contribute to a situation.

And for those who choose the twisty road, prefer it to the straight Let joy beat out old misery, as love will conquer hate
Life is full of different paths, and it's okay to choose what works best for oneself, as long as one prioritizes joy and love over negativity and hate.

Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Ken Soehn

on Love in a Faithless Country

32w

At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.