1. The UK g… Read Full Bio ↴There are several bands that have recorded as The Smoke.
1. The UK group The Smoke consisted of Mick Rowley on vocals, Mal Luker on guitar, Zeke Lund on bass and Geoff Gill on drums. They released a handful of singles from 1967 - 1970, with their biggest hit 'My Friend Jack' reaching no. 2 in Germany and no. 45 in the UK. See The Smoke (UK).
2. The Smoke was a one-off baroque-psyche studio project headed by Los Angeles producer/musician Michael Lloyd (vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, horn and string arrangements). The other two members were Stan Ayeroff (guitars) and Steve Baim (drums). Their sole album was The Smoke (1968). http://thealwaysbluesociety.blogspot.jp/2008/03/smoke-us-1968.html
3. The singles 'Sweet Spanish' and 'Defeat Retreat' are by the Australian band The Smoke, taken from the 2009 album 'Blood Orange'. See: The Smoke (Oz)
4. The Smoke is a Finnish Depressive Black Meta/Noise-band.
You Can't Catch Me
The Smoke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's that standing in her window
The most beautiful flower that you've seen
What's that standing in her window
And the leaves are a brilliant green
But there's something you don't see
You won't catch me
You won't catch me
You won't catch me
No not me
Though you're searchin' everywhere
I'm not there
All the people pass the window
And their eyes admiring the view
And they know that the flower couldn't hurt them
But there's no one that believes in you
And there's something you don't see
And there's someone you will never find
You won't catch me
You won't catch me
You won't catch me
No not me
Though you're searchin' everywhere
I'm not there
You can't catch me
You can't catch me
You can't catch me
All the people pass the window
And their eyes admiring the view
And you know that the flower couldn't hurt you
But there's no one that believes in you
But there's someone you don't see
And there's someone you will never find
You won't catch me
You won't catch me
You won't catch me
No not me
Though you're searchin' everywhere
I'm not there
What's that growin' in the window?
(You can't catch me)
What's that growin' in the window?
(You can't catch me)
What's that growin' in the window?
(You can't catch me)
The Smoke's song You Can't Catch Me is a melancholic and enigmatic tune that speaks about being uncatchable, insubstantial, unidentifiable, or even invisible. The lyrics follow a flower that stands in someone's window, attracting people's attention and admiration for its beauty and the brilliance of its green leaves. Although there's nothing inherently menacing about the flower or the person behind the window, the observer somehow feels threatened by their presence, as if they possessed some secret knowledge or inaccessible quality that the observer doesn't. The repetition of the refrain "you won't catch me" emphasizes this elusive quality and hints at the contrast between the visible appearance of things and what lies beneath the surface.
As the song progresses, the flower and the person behind the window acquire a metaphorical resonance, as if they represented an abstract idea or state of mind that the observer cannot grasp. The image of the flower can suggest the fleetingness of beauty and happiness or the inherent power of nature, which cannot be controlled or possessed. The person behind the window, on the other hand, may stand for the mystery of human consciousness or the hidden depths of one's inner self that elude objective understanding.
The overall effect of the song is haunting and unsettling, as if it speaks to some deep-seated anxiety or longing that transcends ordinary experience. The melody and instrumentation, with their minor key and sparse arrangement, add to the mood of wistfulness and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that standing in her window
The singer sees something interesting in someone's window and wants to investigate further.
The most beautiful flower that you've seen
The object in the window is incredibly beautiful, like a flower.
And the leaves are a brilliant green
The object has foliage that is vibrant and vivid in color.
You won't catch me
The singer is confident that they cannot be caught, whoever is looking for them.
Though you're searchin' everywhere
Someone is actively trying to find the singer, but to no avail.
All the people pass the window
Many people walk by and see the object in the window, but do not fully understand it.
And their eyes admiring the view
People are drawn to the beauty of the object but do not look any further beyond the surface level.
But there's no one that believes in you
The singer feels like no one is on their side or supports their journey.
You can't catch me
The singer reiterates their confidence that they can't be caught.
What's that growing' in the window?
The singer asks again what the intriguing object in the window is.
Contributed by Miles F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.