Back in the 70's, when there was no MTV, real music fans went 'underground' digging for gold, and found bands like String Driven Thing. Fronted by Glaswegians Chris & Pauline Adams, they were part of the famed Charisma stable, alongside Genesis, Lindisfarne & Van Der Graaf Generator and by the time they split in ‘74, they'd released three cult albums, the last of which, 'The Machine That Cried' was hailed at the time as a “staggering achievement” by the Guardian’s rock critic, Martin Walker.
The 90's saw occasional String Driven reunions, one of which was recorded for posterity ['$uicide Live in Berlin']. while Chris' rare German solo album ['The Damage'] also surfaced on the esoteric Ozit label. But behind the scenes, his sons were growing up, infected by the same old music bug, and gradually he was drawn back into performing. Now comes the Thing's first studio album in 30 years. Entitled 'Moments of Truth', it features ex Zydeco Ceilidh Band rhythm section Andy Allan and Dick Drake, guitars from sons Robin and Mervyn and banjo mandolin and bottleneck from George Tucker of the Berlin lineup. During the pre-launch period, they did a series of warm up gigs, featuring material old and new. Anyone lucky enough to catch them soon realised that acoustic folk this is definitely not.
Travelling
String Driven Thing Lyrics
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Out across the evening sky
Leave a lonely vapour trail
Hanging there to say goodbye
Travellin'
Who needs to be free when you are travellin'
Travellin'
On the road like me
Spend your life in misery
Spend your life in chains
Would you like to fly with me
Even out the strain
Travellin'
Who needs to be free when you are travellin'
Travellin'
Who needs to be free when you are on the road
Like me
Travellin'
Who needs to be free when you are travellin'
Travellin'
It's easy to be free when you are
On the road like me
The song "Travelling" by String Driven Thing is an upbeat rock tune that speaks to the joys of travelling and not being tied down by the burdens of life. The lyrics paint a picture of wanting to escape the mundane routine of everyday life and instead soar through the evening sky. The invitation to "fly" and leave a "vapor trail" is a metaphor for leaving one's troubles behind and experiencing freedom. The repetition of "Travelling" throughout the song emphasizes the idea that being on the road and exploring new places is the ultimate form of freedom.
The chorus of the song suggests that being on the road is a liberating experience that allows you to break free from the chains of everyday existence. The line "Spend your life in chains" is a reference to the monotony of life and the feeling of being trapped in a routine that is unsatisfying. The song encourages the listener to embrace the experience of travelling and to revel in the sense of freedom that it provides.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you like to fly with me
Do you want to join me on an adventure?
Out across the evening sky
We will fly through the sunset sky.
Leave a lonely vapour trail
We will create a trail of exhaust behind us as we depart.
Hanging there to say goodbye
The trail will remain as a symbol of our departure.
Travellin'
Going on an adventure.
Who needs to be free when you are travellin'
When you're on an adventure, you're already experiencing freedom.
Travellin'
Going on an adventure.
Who needs to be free when you are on the road
Freedom is already achieved while on the road like myself.
On the road like me
Just like I am right now.
Spend your life in misery
Living a life of pain and suffering for an extended time.
Spend your life in chains
Being confined or restricted, unable to experience real freedom.
Would you like to fly with me
Do you want to join me on an adventure?
Even out the strain
Lessen the burden or stress that life may bring.
Travellin'
Going on an adventure.
Who needs to be free when you are travellin'
When you're on an adventure, you're already experiencing freedom.
Travellin'
Going on an adventure.
Who needs to be free when you are on the road
Freedom is already achieved while on the road like myself.
Like me
Just like the way I am.
Travellin'
Going on an adventure.
Who needs to be free when you are travellin'
When you're on an adventure, you're already experiencing freedom.
Travellin'
Going on an adventure.
It's easy to be free when you are
Freedom comes naturally when you're...
On the road like me
...on an adventure like myself.
Contributed by Gavin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.