Can't Go Back

Album: Beautiful Future (2008)
Charted: 48
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was produced by Paul Epworth. Among his other production credits are "Foundations" by Kate Nash, which he also co-wrote, "Graffiti" for Maximo Park and "Helicopter," "So Here We Are" and "Banquet" for Bloc Party.
  • The video features a number of models including, Lily Cole, being dispatched by a cruel maniac. It was directed by Kim Gehrig who recalls on Promo News: "When I was researching this video I spent an entire weekend locked up in my flat watching Italian horror movies. I was home alone and by Sunday night I was so completely freaked out, I couldn't even go to the shop for milk, and had to drink black coffee.

    Bobby (Gillespie) was so great to work with. He really got into the idea - although he was pretty keen to be the one to kill the girls himself, and it took a little while to talk him round! Bobby is very original in the way he performs and incredibly compelling to watch. The idea of the colored light corridor was to give him an unusual stage on which to perform. I wanted him to be the central force in the video, and for it to feel like he was almost willing the deaths.
    Katy England styled the video and we went for a subtle '70s vibe. We managed to get great models to star in the deaths - Lily Cole, Alice Dellal, Rosemary Fergusson and Kiera Gormley. Very easy on the eye, and by the way big up the fabulous hair and make-up team of Petros Petrohilos and Eamonn Hughes.
    The final image of each death was really important. I wanted each one to be almost like the murderer was an artist creating images. I think Lily's chandelier hat is my favorite. (Director of Photography) Tom Townend and I got into the 'giallo' mood with the colourful lighting. We wanted to use strong colours, a bit psychedelic without it becoming too sickly. The art direction, by Gregg Shoulder, also had that retro feel. The most difficult thing was probably constructing the rig for the chandelier to land on Lily's head."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

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

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.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.