Front man Danny McTague and Elbow guitarist Mark Potter have been good friends for years, bonding over sixties blues explosion bands and folk music. In 2011 the pair started writing original material and recording rough demos in Mark’s home studio. Lead guitarist Dean Casement was asked to join following a chance meeting at a local underground blues club, completing the original line-up in 2013.
After a successful U.K. support tour with Guy Garvey, The Plumedores went on to support Mercury Music Prize nominees I Am Kloot as they performed their 'Sky At Night' album in its entirety at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall London.
A return to writing soon proved that The Plumes had outgrown the original three piece line up. New influence, encouraged new sounds, new material of which they didn't want to compromise. So, songwriter and multi instrumentalist Mat Skinner came into the fold. Adding a whole new dynamic to the band bringing lap steel guitar, bass and an additional vocal line to The Plumedores sound. The sound was not complete and with a heavy heart it was time to ditch the drum machine. It was clear that there was only one person who could open up the band to explore beyond the norm. With his 'outside the box', somewhat unorthodox, percussive approach to the song, I Am Kloots Andy Hargreaves joined the band.
2018 and The Plumedores are back with new material, a new line up and an album in the none too distant future.
Top Of The World
The Plumedores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above the marred earth, beyond repair
I can breathe and be free where
No harm may befall and the Sun shines on all
What we do is the best we can do, and no worse
But what I manage to do inadvertently is like a curse
With no harm meant, the bubble’s burst
Good intent is really the worst
With no harm meant, the bubble’s burst
Disaster follows not quietly
You don’t want to get close to me
Down where your dead eyes stare
We’re the last, lost light to be snuffed from the air
Yeah, we ain’t dead like you
There’s time to be saved to repair and make new
What we do is the best we can do, and no worse
But what I manage to do inadvertently is like a curse
With no harm meant, the bubble’s burst
Good intent is really the worst
You don’t want to get close to me
With no harm meant, the bubble’s burst
Disaster follows not quietly
You don’t want to get close to me
She don’t know I’m king of the road
She don’t know about me
She don’t know I’m top of the world
There ain’t no scene without me
She don’t know I’m king of the road
She don’t know about me
She don’t know I’m top of the world
There ain’t no scene without me
Don’t lose a hand to the machine
Watch those fingers keep it clean
I place my bets and never hedge
I like to live close to the edge
She don’t know I’m king of the road
She don’t know about me
She don’t know I’m top of the world
There ain’t no scene without me
The Plumedores's song "Top of the World" depicts the feelings of an individual who feels alienated from society due to unintentionally causing harm to those around them despite having good intentions. The song begins with the singer describing their vantage point from the sky, above a damaged earth, where they can be free from causing harm. However, as the song progresses, the singer confesses that they unintentionally cause harm to those around them, making them feel like a curse. They warn others not to get too close to them as disasters are bound to follow. Despite their inner turmoil, the singer still sees themselves as the "king of the road" and the "top of the world," stating that there isn't a scene without them.
Throughout the song, the singer grapples with feelings of both power and isolation. They view themselves as superior to those around them, yet their good intentions lead to disastrous consequences. The tone of the song is melancholic, and the lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of their flaws and is struggling to reconcile these with their power and sense of importance.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in the unharmed air
I am in a place where I can breathe easily without any worry.
Above the marred earth, beyond repair
The place where I am located is far from the damage and destruction of the world which is beyond repair.
I can breathe and be free where
In this place of peace, I can breathe deeply and be free from all the troubles around me.
No harm may befall and the Sun shines on all
Nothing bad can happen to me in this peaceful place, and the sun shines on everyone without discrimination.
What we do is the best we can do, and no worse
We always try to do our best and nothing less.
But what I manage to do inadvertently is like a curse
Sometimes even with good intentions, I end up causing harm to others.
With no harm meant, the bubble’s burst
Even though I didn't mean to cause harm, the damage has already been done.
Good intent is really the worst
Even our good intentions sometimes lead to negative consequences.
You don’t want to get close to me
People should stay away from me to avoid any unexpected harm.
Disaster follows not quietly
If something bad happens, it will be very loud and noticed by everyone around.
Down where your dead eyes stare
There are places where people are hopeless and struggling to survive.
We’re the last, lost light to be snuffed from the air
In such hopeless situations, we are the only hope left but may eventually lose our last bit of light.
Yeah, we ain’t dead like you
Although we are struggling, we haven't lost all hope like those who have given up.
There’s time to be saved to repair and make new
We can still save ourselves and start over again to fix what's broken.
She don’t know I’m king of the road
The girl I'm with doesn't know that I'm a leader and can guide us to the right path.
She don’t know about me
The girl I'm with doesn't know anything about my true self and what I'm capable of doing.
She don’t know I’m top of the world
The girl I'm with doesn't know that I'm at the top of my game and can achieve anything that I want.
There ain’t no scene without me
Without me, none of this would be possible, and I am an integral part of the environment around me.
Don’t lose a hand to the machine
Be careful and don't let the machine harm you in any way.
Watch those fingers keep it clean
Pay attention to your fingers and keep them clean to avoid any damage or infection.
I place my bets and never hedge
I take risks, and I never hesitate to take a chance.
I like to live close to the edge
I enjoy living dangerously and taking risks, being close to the edge.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Andrew Hargreaves, Daniel McTague, Dean Casement, Mark Potter, Matthew Skinner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Erin Sutcliffe
Great track!!!
Joanie Simon
How lovely 😊
Frankie George
Brilliant!
DannyCollinsMCR
Quality!!