Rambling Man

Album: I Speak Because I Can (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In 2009 English folk band Noah and the Whale released The First Days of Spring, a concept album based on main man Charlie Fink's relationship and break-up with Marling. Some of the tracks on I Speak Because I Can appear to have been influenced by the affair, though not to the same extent as The First Days of Spring, and Marling veils her emotions more. This track's couplet, "It's hard to accept yourself as someone you don't desire / As someone you don't want to be," backed by members of Noah and the Whale as well as Mumford & Sons, shows an uneasy sense of self in the wake of events.
  • When asked about the lyrics, "It's funny how the first chords you come to are minor notes that come to serenade you," Marling told interviewer Daniel Rachel (The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters): "Once you do indulge in melancholy it's addictive. It's much easier to be unhappy than happy. But that lyric, I wasn't consciously talking about myself. I project a lot of the confusion of songwriting and who I am into other people and characters."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."