Local Boy In The Photograph
Stereophonic Lyrics
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I smell that smell
It's that time of year again
I can taste the air
Clocks go back railway track
Something blocks the line again
And the train runs late for the first time
Where I hear the news for the first time
And all the friends lay down the flowers
Sit on the banks and drink for hours
Talk of the way they saw him last
Local boy in the photograph
He'll always be twenty three
Yet the train runs on and on
Past the place they found his clothing
There's no mistake
I smell that smell
It's that time of year again
I can taste the air
The clocks go back railway track
Something blocks the line again
And the train runs late for the first time
And all the friends lay down the flowers
Sit on the banks and drink for hours
Talk of the way they saw him last
Local boy in the photograph
Today, is gone away
The Stereophonicsβ βLocal Boy in the Photographβ is a melancholic song that tells the story of a tragic event that took place years ago. The opening line βthereβs no mistake, I smell that smellβ sets the tone of the song, indicating that the singer knows whatβs coming. The song is about a local boy who died in a freak accident at a young age. The smell of autumn in the air, the railway tracks blocked and the clocks going back are all reminders of the tragic incident that took place. As the train goes on past where his clothing was found, the lyrics mournfully singer concludes that even though he will always be 23, today is gone away.
The second verse paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of the accident. The singer relays a memory of being on a pebble beach beneath a newly refurbished pier where they heard the news for the first time. The singerβs friends gathered together, laid down flowers and sat by the banks, drinking and reminiscing about the times they spent with the local boy in the photograph.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no mistake
I am sure of what I am smelling and sensing
I smell that smell
The familiar scent indicates that the season has arrived
It's that time of year again
The time of year is significant and meaningful
I can taste the air
I am so in tune with my surroundings that I can even perceive the atmosphere
Clocks go back railway track
The time change affects train schedules
Something blocks the line again
There is a recurring issue with obstacles interrupting the train's path
And the train runs late for the first time
Despite the issue being anticipated, the train is still delayed unexpectedly
A pebble beach, we're underneath a pier, just been painted red
The scene is set, a specific location with a recent change, adding depth to the imagery
Where I hear the news for the first time
The setting becomes important as it is where the artist receives unexpected news
And all the friends lay down the flowers
The community comes together to show love and respect for the departed
Sit on the banks and drink for hours
In the face of tragedy, the community processes their grief while reminiscing and finding solace with each other
Talk of the way they saw him last
Memories shared, adding to the sense of community despite the individual's tragic loss
Local boy in the photograph
The individual is immortalized in a photo, becoming part of the collective memory of the community
He'll always be twenty three
The individual is forever captured at a specific age, frozen in time
Yet the train runs on and on
Life goes on despite the tragedy and the passage of time
Past the place they found his clothing
The train passes through the same area where the individual's belongings were found, adding a haunting sense of continuity
Today, is gone away
The present moment has passed, but the memory of the individual remains
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kelly Jones, Richard Mark Jones, Stuart Cable
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ferdychannel828
There's no mistake
I smell that smell
It's that time of year again
I can taste the air
Clocks go back railway track
Something blocks the line again
And the train runs late for the first time
A pebble beach, we're underneath a pier, just been painted red
Where I hear the news for the first time
And all the friends lay down the flowers
Sit on the banks and drink for hours
Talk of the way they saw him last
Local boy in the photograph
He'll always be twenty three
Yet the train runs on and on
Past the place they found his clothing
There's no mistake
I smell that smell
It's that time of year again
I can taste the air
The clocks go back railway track
Something blocks the line again
And the train runs late for the first time
And all the friends lay down the flowers
Sit on the banks and drink for hours
Talk of the way they saw him last
Local boy in the photograph
Today, is gone away
@joewalker643
I'm a train driver who has had to deal with more than my fair share of fatal incidents (was previously in BTP) and after my last one my brother who loves his music and is also a driver shared this with me.
Ive never felt angry towards the people who take their lives on the railway. You have to be pretty desperate to go out that way. I have my own little reminders now and then, you pass that spot, same time of day, similar weather and it creeps back in. I usually give this a listen when i get home and think about the families who have to carry that pain around with them. The song captures all those "first" moments and the pain of memory so well. Helps me not feel so alone in it.
@mkrbrtsn1
kind words my friend!
@gravey07
Stay strong, Keep going ππΌ
@adonismontero1030
I believe this is one of the most underrated songs in the history...
@ram-gc5io
Hell fucking yeah
@DaveTaste
I believe the "underrated" comment is on pretty much every video and is pretty much a meme now.
@Owen-hg3cu
β@@DaveTasteI've seen it on Beatles videos π
@nicolapowney9262
If anyone ever gets a chance to see these guys live, just go. They are incredible live. Love them.
@TheSeanm102
i was lucky enough to see them live in a small club in boston great gig
@mkjones7603
Iβm going in March 18. Can not wait π