Tell Me What It's Worth

Album: Falling Off The Lavender Bridge (2008)
Charted: 72
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the peculiar verbal abuse that Lightspeed Champion (Dev Hynes) receives from other black people. On his record label's website he says: "The only racial hatred I ever get walking down the street in Dalston is from rude boys. It's really weird. I listen to Hip Hop the most: I actually wrote the majority of the Wikipedia entry on Hip Hop rivalries!"
  • Hynes wrote all the album's tales of dislocation and heartache in one sitting: He explained to Mojo magazine February 2008: "I love when albums aren't just songs thrown together randomly, when they have a sense of continuity. I wrote all the lyrics in one go, on a long plane journey, suffering from insomnia and having just broken up with my girlfriend. My stream of consciousness was just flying wild."
  • Falling Off The Lavender Bridge was recorded at ARC Studios, Omaho, Nebraska. Hynes also lived at the studio during recordings. Among his neighbors were Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes frontman) and Hynes' producer and co-writer Mike Mogis, who is also a member of Bright Eyes.
  • Hynes lost his voice for 4 days during the recording of the album. As a result he had to record all his vocals in one day.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.