Album: Word Gets Around (1997)

Charted: 14

License This Song 

• There's no mistake
  I smell that smell
  It's that time of year again
  I can taste the air
  The clocks go back, railway track
  Something blocks the line again
  And the train runs late for the first time
  
  A pebble beach, we're underneath a pier
  Just been painted red
  Where I hear the news for the first time
  And all the friends lay down the flowers
  Sit on the banks and drink for hours
  Talk of the way they saw him last
  Local boy in the photograph today
  He'll always be twenty-three
  Yet the train runs on and on
  Past the place they found his clothing
  
  There's no mistake
  I smell that smell
  It's that time of year again
  I can taste the air
  The clocks go back railway track
  Something blocks the line again
  And the train runs late for the first time today
  
  And all the friends lay down the flowers
  Sit on the banks and drink for hours
  Talk of the way they saw him last
  Local boy in the photograph today
  He's gone away Writer/s: Kelly Jones, Richard Mark Jones, Stuart Cable
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

• Paul from Aberdare, United KingdomPaul was in fact my best friend. He lived with myself and my mum for months although we had drifted apart. That day I was in a queue for dole, I turned to leave and there was bunter (that's my pet name for him) "Beam", he says,"Can you wait for me?". I said "no probs bud" deep down it was great to see him. Long story short he had to go to police station, a certain person playing mind games with him and we had a chat and I went to police station and promised I'd wait til he came out. After arguing with police officers who said they weren't going to leave him out I left after a couple of hours. Later finding out he was left out 10 minutes after I left. That night a friend told me Boggis had been hit by a train and the irony is, it was the train my mother was on coming home from Cardiff. I miss him.
• Sarah from Aberdare, United Kingdomthat song fact is wrong this song was written about my cousin paul boggis who was killed by a train between aberdare and cwmbach in south wales and was not suicide.
• Karl from Ingatestone, United KingdomI'm pleased that Kelly Jones turned that story into a song, i mean that'll be like Zach De La Rocha turning the Teletubbies song into a political rock anthem
• Becky from Coventry, EnglandActually this song was written about a friend of the bands who killed himself on a train track. we were at the V Festival on the 10th anniversary of the guys death and the 'phonics played this track and announced the anniversary. it was so moving!
• Derek from Bridgeport, WvThe thing I really like about this song is the narrative of the boy's friends' memorials and actions in regards to him. It's what gives the song depth, and I still think it's one of their very best.
• Mia from Wellston, MiThat is so sad. i am i love with this song . and when i hear it i cry.

More Songfacts:

Return To SenderElvis Presley

When the Elvis stamps came out in 1993, lots of folks used them to mail letters with bad addresses so they would be Returned To Sender.

Auld Lang SyneTraditional

The New Year's Eve favorite "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish song that roughly translates to "Days Of Long Ago."

Space OddityDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Space Oddity" tells the story of an astronaut who cuts off communication and floats into space. The BBC used it extensively in their coverage of the 1969 moon landing - an odd choice considering the lyrics.

Friends In Low PlacesGarth Brooks

"Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks was written by two Nashville songwriters after a meal in a local restaurant. One of them forgot his money, but said not to worry, "I have friends in low places. I know the cook."

YYZRush

The instrumental "YYZ" by Rush got its title from the transmitter code for Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, near where the band is from.

RhiannonFleetwood Mac

"Rhiannon" is a Welch goddess. Stevie Nicks wrote the song, and it was a huge influence on her image, inspiring her flowing shawls and black outfits she began wearing on stage.

Editor's Picks

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.