Originally coming to fame in the mid-1960s singing orchestral pop ballads as the frontman of The Walker Brothers, Walker went on to a solo career balancing a light entertainment/MOR ballad approach with increasing artistic innovations in arrangement and writing. Despite a series of acclaimed albums, a disastrous drop in sales forced him back into straight Middle of the road recordings with little of his own artistic input. This in turn eventually led to a Walker Brothers reunion in the mid-1970s (although the latter eventually moved, by mutual consent, into more avant-garde areas).
From the mid-1980s, Walker revived his solo career while drastically reinventing his artistic and compositional methods, via a series of acclaimed and vividly avant-garde albums. These combined his iconic voice with an unsettling avant-garde approach which owed more to modernist and post-modernist classical composition than to his pop singer past. This change in approach has been compared to "Andy Williams reinventing himself as Stockhausen".
Walker has been a continuing influence on other artists, in particular The Last Shadow Puppets, Marc Almond, Goldfrapp, Douglas Pearce of the band Death in June, Billy MacKenzie of The Associates, David Sylvian, Julian Cope, Antony Hegarty, Thom Yorke, Steven Wilson, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Trey Spruance, Perry Blake, Radiohead, Noah Lennox, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and the Divine Comedy/Neil Hannon.
Walker continued to release solo material until his death, and was signed to 4AD Records. As a record producer or guest performer he worked with a number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper, Bat For Lashes and Sunn O))).
Tilt
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was so bold
When they made him
They broke the mold
If he heads this way
When the moon is slow
Come over and pray
They'll turn the buffalo
There's a need to sleep
In the shag of his stomach
Slide around his eye
With your love in tow
If he heads this way
Don't you say hello
Get out of the way
They'll turn the buffalo
They'll turn the buffalo
Our town
Our town
Do love a stampede
Stampede by my old jacket in the park
Someday I'll pick it up
Look for the label and whisper
Tilt
Ain't got no no no
Tilt
Got none at all
Tilt
Ain't got no no no
A mother waits
As still as the moon light
Standing in long grass
With her cold cold nose
What she feels so deep
She will never show
Baby don't you weep
They'll turn the buffalo
They'll turn the buffalo
Our town
Our town
Do love a stampede
Stampede by my old jacket in the park
Someday I'll pick it up
Look for the maker and whisper
Tilt
Ain't got no no no
Tilt
Got none at all
Tilt
Ain't got no no no
Not at all
The lyrics in Scott Walker's song "Tilt" depict a scene of strength, mystery, and danger. The character being described is strong and bold, unlike anyone else ("When they made him, they broke the mold"). The lyrics also reference the moon, indicating that this character might possess some supernatural power. However, the chorus warns the listener to stay away from this character's path because it can lead to danger ("If he heads this way, don't you say hello, get out of the way, they'll turn the buffalo"). The repeated "tilt" refrain adds to the ominous tone of the song, suggesting that something is off-kilter and unstable.
The lyrics also make reference to a stampede, which seems to be a common occurrence in "our town." The stampede seems to be related to the buffalo imagery in the song, and creates a sense of chaos and unpredictability. The final verse depicts a mother waiting in the grass with her child, possibly also trying to avoid the stampede. The song ends with a repetition of the "tilt" refrain, suggesting that the danger is still present.
Line by Line Meaning
He was so strong
He possessed great physical strength
He was so bold
He had a fearless personality
When they made him
Referring to his creation or birth
They broke the mold
He was a unique individual, unlike any other
If he heads this way
If he comes towards this direction
When the moon is slow
During a time when the moon appears to move slowly in the sky
Come over and pray
Seek divine intervention or guidance
They'll turn the buffalo
Referring to a powerful and transformative force
There's a need to sleep
A requirement or desire to rest
In the shag of his stomach
Possibly suggesting a physical or emotional discomfort or distress
Slide around his eye
An act of affection, perhaps symbolizing love and protection
With your love in tow
Referring to bringing love or care along
Don't you say hello
A warning to avoid contact or interference
Get out of the way
An urgent command to move aside
Our town
Referring to a specific locality or community
Do love a stampede
The community enjoys the excitement and energy of a stampede
Stampede by my old jacket in the park
Possibly a nostalgic memory or a personal experience involving a stampede
Someday I'll pick it up
A plan or intention to retrieve something in the future
Look for the label and whisper
An expression of reverence or respect for a cherished object
Tilt
A concise, yet enigmatic phrase that possibly references instability or disruption
Ain't got no no no
Emphasizes the lack or absence of something
Got none at all
Further underscores the absence or negation
A mother waits
A mother is waiting
As still as the moon light
Describing a state of motionlessness or calmness
Standing in long grass
A physical location or environment
With her cold cold nose
Possibly referencing an animal or indicating the mother's physical state
What she feels so deep
An allusion to deep emotions or internal struggles
She will never show
Her feelings or struggles will remain hidden
Baby don't you weep
Reassurances to a crying child
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nova aschere
His Voice`s like a knife - it cuts right through my soul. Maybe the most perfect singer I`ve ever known. Listen to Bowie`s last album, Black Star. Scotts influence on Bowie is undeniable.
Vasilii
In an interview David stated that Scott was indeed his biggest influence. There was no lack of respect between the two. I remember that an interviewer had Scott call Dave on his 50th birthday after the Garden concert. David was deeply touched. Scott was a master. We've lost a some towering giants in the last few years.
John Luneau
Exactly, even lyrically. Just listen to the last track on Bowie's last album. (Bowie's parting words, as it were.) He's singing, "I can't give everything away." It's a double entendre, of course, but my preferred meaning is, "I can't / won't explain everything in my work. It's there for you to figure out." Much like Scott.
Nina Rizzo
His voice was unique. He could sing any kind is song, any way! He always wrote good words and his message was there. May this great man be RIP 💔🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹
Peter Tholen
His voice became a musical instrument.
Régissou Jacquet
oh! that voice of him...
Gwen Ever
When I first met Scott Walker during the recording of "Tilt" my only knowledge of his work was the Walker Brothers era tunes, which my mum played a lot. Talking with him daily for almost a month over dinner was a pleasure and a learning experience I will always treasure. He could see sound as colours and regarded his music as a work of art where all the colours come together to create something magical. To be fair this was not without problems, for those working with him to put in to practise, I remember vividly a studio engineer who I wont name come up to the studio bar and bash his head into it a few times, complaining "he wants the cymbals to sound more orange..... wtf. A surreal learning curve :) It was only after the album was released I appreciated him as an artist as well as a being the decent guy I had spent time with.
Scott Walker RIP xx
juliomid
So he was a synaesthete, that would help to explain his vivid audiovisual style. Thanks for sharing. Fascinating!
Music Stewart
Gwen Ever oh pray tell how did this happen? Were you a recording engineer who happened to find yourself in the unique situation of working with Mr. Walker?
Christine Scott
how lucky you were to work with such a marvel of creative sound and vision. How I envy your privilege. how much he is going to missed ... no one will be able to follow his imagination and perfection. RIP beautiful man xx