On Deronda Road

Album: Giants Of All Sizes (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "On Deronda Road" finds Guy Garvey chronicling the simple pleasure of taking a bus journey with his son Jack near his South London home. The Elbow frontman originally wrote the song about a fisherman he had observed in India on a rubber ring, using ping pong bats to steer around the lake. He told Apple Music, "ultimately it sounded like, 'I've been to India, me!'" So he scrubbed the lyrics but kept the music.

    One day Garvey and Jack went on a bus trip. When their transport stopped at Deronda Road in Brixton, Garvey started singing to his son, "We're on Deronda Road." He realized it fitted the music for his "India" song and penned more lyrics about being on the bus with Jack.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.