Elbow - White Noise White Heat Lyrics

"The white heat of injustice has taken my eyes, I just wanna get high"
After the travesty of last week's UK election, rarely has a lyric resonated with me so powerfully 😢

Wow! Brilliant! I love it!

pure genius

59 Justin Bieber fans clicked on some real music by mistake......

Love Guy Garvey, clever clever lyricist. Can break your heart or catapult you into the stars with one song ❤️

Such a shame people doesn't make this kind of music anymore ;)

Just found this song today, probably listened to it about 20 or so times.

Together with neat Little rows, their worst song

Welcome to proper music people....There is so much shit in the charts these days as to explain the number of views for this.....As long as we know.....

can someone explain the lyrics? They have a really dark meaning

It's about Guy Garvey's feelings of anger, helplessness and guilt in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster. In case you're not from the UK, this was a devastating fire in a residential tower block in London that claimed the lives of 72 people. The widely-held view is that the rapid and devastating nature of the fire and huge loss of life was due to under-investment and corner-cutting in fire safety features, and that previous warnings and concerns were ignored as the majority of residents were from relatively deprived socio-economic backgrounds. By the time this song was being written, Elbow were well-established as the UK's leading purveyors of optimistic, emotionally-stirring tunes about love, friendship and family. But this is something Garvey and the band are clearly feeling less able and less inclined to do in current times - or as Garvey puts it in Dexter & Sinister " . . . these faith-free, hope-free, charity-free days". It's a very interesting tune, as it shows an artist being bluntly critical of his usual style and raison d'etre - he's essentially saying "Who am I to be telling people that the world is wonderful when shit like this can happen? I don't even really believe that myself anymore". This feeling is most explicitly (and powerfully) stated in the lyrics "But who am I some Blarney Mantovani
/ With a lullaby when the sky is falling in? / I believe I'm giving in".

For me this track sums up why I think this is their best album since The Seldom Seen Kid. Elbow had carved a nice little niche for themselves - they could have easily kept doing what they were comfortable doing, and doing it well. But artists start to stagnate when they do that, and eventually everyone gets bored and stops listening to what they have to say. This album, with it's darker tone and more experimental musical style, feels like a genuine progression for them. Although it's worth noting there's a couple of good old "come 'ere and give us a hug" Elbow tracks on it ('My Trouble' and 'Weightless'), which I am glad of (especially Weightless, it's beautiful). And they have never shied away from the odd angry political track in the past - 'Leaders OF The Free World' and the B-side 'Snowball' spring to mind (the latter is brutal!).

I feel that the title is a reference the Velvet Underground song White Light/White Heat which is drug cocktail of opiates and amphetamines. A favourite of Bowie's, I think. Then Bowie did a track much later called Black Tie White Noise about the LA riots. With that in mind the space suit could also be a reference to Major Tom. The middle verses sound like disillusionment with the power and reach of his art, perhaps a desire to reconnect with the giddy high of discovering the art rock for the first time.

Fucking Elbow does it again! I find so many of their songs "meh" on first listen and then they go on to be some of my favorite songs ever after a few listens!

This song is sooo good... can't wait to see you live next week!

I fuck the world

was ein drecks lied

A great song relevant to our times. Garvey is at his best when he's mad.

AWESOME, Garvey is God,..end of

This is Bowie. This is Lazarus. And I guess it's a hell of a compliment.

just love can't stop. this song

looooovvvveee this !,,,,,

This, and Rammstein's "Radio" and "Deutchland" are the best tracks of 2019

I agree.

its like bowie and Lou reed had a lovechild... wunderbar.

I just heard this song for the first time, wow! A new fav for me!

This is great.

Dark, grungy poetry. Guitar riffs from out of this world. A beat and melody that you won't hear anywhere else. This is why Elbow are head and shoulders above the rest. Outstanding!

Who the hell is Blarney Mantovani?

first heard thos on Graham Norton Show. Good song!

What kind of stupid dared to give this song a thumb down? Thank you Elbow, you made my day, my month and with this album.. my whole year!

Garvey's at his best when he's pissed off. This song is pure urgency, anger and despair. I love it.

Leaders of the Free World is a perfect example too!

I was going to post the exact same thing as LeighDegree!
Saw you on The Graham Norton Show last week and was totally blown away,terrific track,will definitely be checking more of your work out 'Magnificent' is....... well...Brilliant also!👍👌

Embarrassing phoney pricks. Comedy gold this one.

BOWIE LIVES ON!!!

I was born with a trust that didn`t survive !

Elbow are one of the few great rock bands left

sublime ... simply sublime and so eloquently phrased in describing the social state of current troubled times. Best track of 2019 without a doubt. Thanks as always Elbow!

Just immense
Heard it on radio 2 and have been looking for it since finally found it its incredible

Me, too! Are you from Slovenia? Val 202?

@Lucija Plavčak no I'm from darkest peru

Reminds of Bowie and Peter Gabriel.
Love it!!

Just finished my first listen of the new album, absolutely wonderful beautiful stuff...

Many thanks Guy, pete, Craig and Mark for beaming a ray of sunshine down on me during this grey autumnal morning.👍

Roll on the 2020 tour...

This is shaping up to be their best album since Leaders...
Awesome stuff!

What can I say but brilliant as always, can't wait for Manchester again!

Epic Song!!!

Just realised that photo is taken at west 12 centre , Shepherd’s Bush.

First time I heard this was a couple of days ago..fantastic song💯

Loved listening to this last Sunday at The Royal Albert Hall.

Just a thought from a 'Murican'...
I've read all the comments and will add my two cents. Elbow has delivered ANOTHER stunning track!!
But I read in comments about bad sound this weak track that? Elbow is a 'National Treasure' and should be treated as such! I've been on board since Asleep 😴! BFN. From, The Land of True Darkness!!

Got all of their albums and I totally agree with you! Love coming to Manchester to see them and can't wait to see them there again in April.

SO glad I started watching Graham Norton again!

So you're saying white people are the best humans and your angry that we're not recognised as so? Have I read that correctly? Turn up the #whitenoise

Just retrace you steps and you'll find your meds, dude.

Big tune. I don’t even know what type of music this is. I don’t know what I’ve been missing. Album time 😃. Just listened to it x times unbelievable track!!!!!!!

'kin hell. This. This is an epic.

Awesome hook.

Since 2014 i don't like Elbow's music. Stupid sound.

Me being a editors fan and now find elbow great band!

Splendid track

Saw Graham Norton. Never heard of the band. Liked the song. Thanks for the lyrics. Helped me understand the words for this native English speaker..

Trust
Injustice
Just

fordfalcongt check out the others songs as well ;) they’re exceptional

Disappointed at no Birmingham show's,why? 😊

Oh my goodness. Got me on the very first listen.

LOAD OF FUCKING CRAP !!!!!

Hahaha feel sorry for you. This is truly incredible!

First time I heard of you guys was on the Graham Norton show, I think that you are amazing I've just ordered your new album, looking forward to listening it. Love your music 🎶

Awesome. Reminds me of what could be a Morrissey song.

this is, i'm going to say great. i almost never say great. when the sky's falling in... that progression is really something.

I just discovered Elbow and Guy Garvey on the Graham Norton Show. Fantastic! Where have you been all my life?

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole....

Glad you finally got exposed to one of the greatest bands to ever record music. - Want to enjoy the hell out of yourself and treat your ears to some therapy? Do a youtube search for various live concerts of theirs. "Elbow | Live at Manchester Apollo" from 2015 is just one of myriad options. They are INCREDIBLE live.

@ExSapper MadMan I can assure you mate, there's absolutely nothing underrated about elbow, they're fucking huge, one of the most talented bands ever, seriously.

@Graeme Young They even played TWO songs in the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony, and composed the theme music for the games!

Listen to XS Manchester

Brilliant!!!!

Intruding in ghost metal and Gothic-classique mélody ? GREAT !

I was born with a trust that didn't survive!

Only heard this for the first time tonight and now can't stop!!!!!!

I’m obsessed with this after just 2 days it’s brilliant no question

Amen, there's so much going on - it's brilliant!

Velvet Underground - White Light White Heat
David Bowie - Black Tie White Noise
Elbow - White Noise White Heat

Love each and every one !

Not a bad club to be in!.....

You're really a music expert. Great! :)

Love the Elbow is back! Epic!

Yesssss elbow 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

did anyone else think of white light/white heat when hearing the song title?

Thank you Spotify recommendations.

I luv Elbow.

Thank the Gods this isn't more pablum from some freaking "diva" or boy band. Excellent job, Elbow!

👌🏻

Impressive... Truly back to their greatest work. This album has to be a contender for the next Mercury prize surely

Very morrissey

This is such a solid tune...AGAIN!

Back to their best......Awesome

All we need now is a Doves album

It's coming!

Elbow s one around the corner now and sounds magnificent but doves have theirs on the works too.

"Gotta get out of this black and white town"......

@Paul Hamilton That would be the 2nd best of my life. After my marriage... :) Love 'Doves'...

Heard of em years ago but thank you graham norton show

which was a fantastic performance and sound, then I hear this version, no bottom end

I've read about Guy's motivations for this song and his opinions on Brexit. I just discovered Elbow today (Graham Norton) but I would one day like to meet him and have a debate with him about Brexit because I disagree with him on several things. He seems like someone who actually is interested in debate, not someone who just wants an excuse to seem better than other people.

The best song I have heard in some time

Is this about Grenfell Tower??

Apparently, not sure how tho

Kind of 80s. Reminds me of Heaven 17's 'Come Live With Me' for some reason. Probably why I like it.

Beautiful northern dulcet tones, elbow are a fucking class act. Always have been. Always will be

This is great, can hear David Bowie vibes.

And echo and the bunnymen

Thought that too. :)

You know when you hear a chorus for the first time and you adjust your seating position and think OK you've got my attention. Yeah that just happened.

I totally agree.

Spot on AldGregg.

Seen you just do this on the Graham Norton show. Never heard of you before but this is incredible, looking forward to the album and checking out more of the band.

@mrjaffa1013 One Day Like This has sadly been killed by how over used it has been.

Jonathon Yates not for me. I still love hearing it. And playing it myself on guitar 👍

Same here never herd of the band after watching it on Graham Norton I am hooked just can't believe I never heard of this band 😀

@SonomaBill1 Grounds For Divorce will always be my favorite

Me too. must have been the same night obviously.now I have this album asleep in the back and working on more .

Listening to this, on repeat, forever!

Come to Brazil!!!

fuck yes

Fantastic Elbow! Can't wait for your new album and thank you for writing about the truth with such genius. X

Absolute QUALITY once again! See you guys in Bournemouth! x

Got mine too!!

Missed the show in P-Town...dangnabbit...Love these guys.

Oh, that guitar’s last note made be want to go back and start it over again. You guys really are sublime!

Awesome! It's like their early stage music, but neater.

This is one of my favourites

Can't wait for new album!!!