Porcupine Tree - Mellotron Scratch Lyrics






A tiny flame inside my hand
A compromise I never planned
Unravel out the finer strands

And I'm looking at a blank page now
Should I fill it up with words somehow?

I whispered something in her ear
I bare my soul but she don't hear

The scratching of a mellotron
It always seemed to make her cry
Well maybe she remembers us
Collecting space up in the sky

Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK
Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips

I lay her gently on my clothes
She will leave me yes I know

And I'm looking at a blank page now
Should I fill it up with words somehow?

The scratching of a mellotron
It always seemed to make her cry
Well maybe she remembers us
Collecting space up in the sky

Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK
Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips

Don't look at me with your mother's eyes or your killer smile
Sing a lullaby

Don't look back into black
Don't let the memory of sound drag you down
To end as friends so painful
Don't look down
Shut it down





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Porcupine Tree Mellotron Scratch Comments
  1. R.... D....

    why is nobody here this year ffs?

  2. M.... I....

    First I thought Syd Barrett was playing here! First part was very similar to Syd's Wined and Dined

  3. A.... J....

    This band is the best of the best and Steve Wilson is a genius musically.

  4. h.... m....

    in the end they become the backstris boys or what the fuck

  5. k.... b....

    I always have to rewind and give the chorus and the end a few listens just to focus on the different vocal lines. I love when they overlap three at a time, like here or in heartattack in a lay-by

  6. D.... A....

    Interesting fact: The drums in that part is playing a steady 4/4 beat even though the guitar is playing in 6/8. 6/8 is basicly 3/4, but in a fast tempo. Another band that used this in the idea was for example "Led Zeppelin with "Kasmir".

  7. M.... C....

    one of my favorite Porcupine songs

  8. P.... ....

    This should be the anthem of all humanity

  9. N.... M....

    I can't really tell...does this song actually have a mellotron in it?

  10. A.... J....

    I don't know what this is called in music theory terms, but I love this roll thingy they do at 6:27 with the overlapping melodies. Well, I love all that they do, but this is extra sweet on the ears :)

    A.... J....

    i think its a canon

  11. r.... t....

    A strange low volume background chorus is a trademark wilson.. Isnt it?

  12. T.... C....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_erUirOC0lk Just listen to this song !!

  13. E.... ....

    4:41 Clipping galore. Steven Wilson himself mentioned disliking loud/squashed mastering in an article about this very album. Apparently the DVD-A version is fine. Who butchered the CD?

  14. b.... ....

    My favorite tune on the album

  15. R.... ....

    The acoustic guitar @1:05 sounds very familiar to Wined and Dined by Syd Barrett!

  16. D.... ....

    #რესფექთ, რესფექთ, რესფექთ ფრომ სამვეა <3 <3 <3

    D.... ....

    ჩვენიანი ✌

    D.... ....

    ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

  17. s.... f....

    It's like The Beatles, Radiohead and Pink Floyd had a baby and this emerged.. haha love it. It's other worldly awesome sauce 😀

  18. M.... W....

    Poor Chopin lost the beat.

  19. C.... O....

    5:06 is a dream

  20. A.... A....

    I whispered something in her rear

  21. M.... 9....

    A tiny flame inside my hand
    A compromise I never planned
    Unravel out the finer strands

    And I'm looking at a blank page now
    Should I fill it up with words somehow?

    I whispered something in her ear
    I bare my soul but she don't hear

    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    Well maybe she remembers us
    Collecting space up in the sky

    Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK
    Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips

    I lay her gently on my clothes
    She will leave me yes I know

    And I'm looking at a blank page now
    Should I fill it up with words somehow?

    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    Well maybe she remembers us
    Collecting space up in the sky

    Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK
    Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips

    Don't look at me with your mother's eyes or your killer smile
    Sing a lullaby

    Don't look back into black
    Don't let the memory of sound drag you down
    To end as friends so painful
    Don't look down
    Shut it down

  22. R.... R....

    First Porcupine tree album I bought - fantastic take on prog without trying to hard I grew up on Genesis , Yes and Jethro tull - Lazarus was a song that captured my heart and soul - I have since listened to everything Steven Wilson has done - Fantastic composer - musician - very progressive on all levels.

  23. D.... F....

    QUE TERRIBLE!

  24. 1.... ....

    One of their best in my opinion

  25. D.... A....

    From 5:06 on the guitar gives a feeling of counting in 3 while the drums plays a simple 4. Almost every time whenever the drums goes into a new 4 the guitar will change the chord slightly even though it will keep it's counting of 3. To make this easier to understand I will put it down like this (Every "///" is a completed 4 on the drums.): 12312312///31231231///23123123///12312312. Let me know if you have any questions, because I saw that some people talking about this.

  26. N.... G....

    გამარჯობა ლუკა

  27. K.... M....

    Sorry, I DO know what it’s like losing a band!, Boo Hoo!.

  28. K.... M....

    I don’t only miss PTree But also two other bands that will never exist or be as good anymore!...one of them still exists but never as it did around the year 2000 or so!.........oh well,........

  29. M.... K....

    I somehow. Somehow, always find my way back to PT.

  30. F.... 6....

    If they ever do a Reunion Tour I will get the best seats in the house. Spare no expense.

    F.... 6....

    Not if I beat you to them. Ha!

  31. F.... n....

    I specifically love the part from 0:00 to 7:00.
    Edit: yes, originality. XD

  32. F.... n....

    1:10 Writing an essay

    F.... n....

    LBP2's one and only Kitten. Nice😂

    F.... n....

    Thank you. :D

  33. C.... B....

    Steven Wilson is a musical genius

  34. m.... g....

    Sou good sou good

  35. D.... H....

    Nice I like that.

  36. F.... C....

    At 5:06 Gavin Harrison’s ghost notes sound like a cat purring.

  37. u.... ....

    Here is one thing I love about PT....... THEY don't have ONE song that is not PHENOMENAL!!! Best band of ALL time!!!!

  38. E.... P....

    This and glass arm shattering is my break up songs.. so fucking depressing its addicting.

  39. M.... R....

    i can listen to PT million times also

  40. M.... L....

    Even their slow songs are master pieces

  41. S.... ....

    God bless Radio Paradise and their music choice that brought me here

    S.... ....

    Radio paradise turned me onto porcupine tree with the Sound of Muzak in 2005.....ish.
    Hooked immediately got lucky and saw them at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Amazing

    S.... ....

    God bless those wise radio stations who put Porcupine Tree songs

  42. J.... S....

    This song transports me in a different dimension. The imagination knows no bounds after 5:06. ❤

  43. J.... N....

    Published on my birthday. Couldn't have gotten a better present... beautiful song!

  44. e.... ....

    Hall of Fame stuff...👌👌

  45. C.... H....

    And youwillbeforeverloved by your fans. I am just one.

  46. C.... H....

    I'm just a simple girl from iow and I'm not really religious. But you get me closer to god. I'm not trying to be cryptic here or sinister!? But I can't let on all of me here bc of your position. Wld you consider living by the sea in loverly CT? Hotel room first. Yes I have already given up things for you but I can only let you go if you let me show you how much I love you. She said she said. Don't make me think I'm deluded still as now I'm pretty sure of your position as stated in interview and not all song lyrics. Please know I have no sinister intentions!!!

  47. C.... H....

    Don't let the memory of the sound drag you down ..

  48. M.... ....

    I still can't believe how good these guys are.

  49. K.... C....

    holy crap, I love this song. Great job.

  50. H.... V....

    5:06 onward - you could just tell that Gavin Harrison is a gentle lover in bed

    H.... V....

    Is he married or single? Lol

  51. M.... p....

    Such an underrated band!

    M.... p....

    Marshallman83 pfeiffer It isn't underrated...people find punk rock better than this type of music so some other rock bands are more famous...but in case of this style or genre...PT is quite famous...at least for those who listen to rock

  52. C.... C....

    Best song on the album

  53. D.... S....

    i whispered something in her rear

    D.... S....

    you mean ear?

  54. n.... ....


    A tiny flame inside my head
    A compromise I never planned
    Unravel out the finest trends

    And I'm looking at a blank page now
    Should have filled it up with words somehow

    I whispered something in her ear
    I'd bear my soul but she don't hear
    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    Well maybe she remembers us collecting space up in the sky
    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    (Nothing rises from ? fingertips, heart it slips)

    I lay her gently on my clove
    She will leave me, yes I know

    And I'm looking at a blank page now
    Should have filled it up with words somehow

    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    Well maybe she remembers us collecting space up in the sky

    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    (Nothing rises from ? fingertips, heart it slips)
    Well maybe she remembers us collecting space up in the sky
    (Nothing rises from ? fingertips, heart it slips)

    Don't look back into
    Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down
    Don't look back into
    Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down
    Don't look back into
    Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down
    Don't look back into
    Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down
    Don't look back into
    Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down
    Don't look back into
    Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down
    Don't look back into
    Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down

    Written by Colin Edwin Balch, Gavin Richard Harrison, Richard Barbieri, Steven Wilson • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

  55. M.... K....

    the whole song is great but the ending takes it to a totally new level

  56. A.... R....

    I miss porcupine tree

    A.... R....

    Me too :)

    A.... R....

    Nothing lasts forever...

    A.... R....

    it's right here bruh

  57. P.... J....

    {{{ }}}

  58. O.... M....

    1:30 "I whispered something in her rear."

    Sorry I ruined this song for you :/

    O.... M....

    Nah you didn't......I guess that blows a hole in your theory.

    O.... M....

    Your talking through your rear

    O.... M....

    you mean "I wishpered somthing in her ear", isn't it?

    O.... M....

    I, too, am a rear whisperer.

  59. V.... .....

    One of PT's best songs!

  60. M.... K....

    helal porcupine bey

  61. M.... K....

    I knew I loved this right at the moment I saw the progressive title

  62. S.... ....

    Porcupine Tree is fucking timeless.

  63. g.... w....

    9 people finger slipped

  64. H.... ....

    dream eater

  65. a.... ....

    beautiful music

  66. N.... A....

    [5:05-!5:52!-7:00] Awesomeness

  67. X.... Y....

    5:53 A piece of strong evidence that Gavin Harrison is totally phenomenal. The melody on guitar stayed the same, but Gavin changed time signature from 8/8 to 6/8 with such a smooth transition, so smooth that you probably would not notice if you don't listen closely. This transition really shone.

    X.... Y....

    OfficerMarmalade It makes no sense to change the counting bpm on the middle of the song, unless it moves from a x/4 to a x/8, etc. what I mean is if you think like that you’re counting it wrong, just on the way you’re inventing.

    X.... Y....

    @Caio Andrade I'm referring to after the transition, I have no idea what's going on during the transition

    X.... Y....

    how can any fan miss that? its such a groovy transition and the whole run leading to the outro is bliss. Good point though! gavin is awesome.

    X.... Y....

    Like Der Joe said, it's just groupings of 3 vs 6/8. They both fit because they're technically the same

  68. M.... S....

    ruido de magia

    M.... S....

    Pooosta

  69. s.... p....

    i reckon the only reason this band weren't absolutely mega famous and as big as radiohead or nirvana was simply down to the terribly silly name, honestly the ingredients are there for worldwide acclaim but as soon a s I tell people I like a band called Porcupine tree their eyes glaze over....the band are suberb the name is possibly the lamest I have ever heard.

    s.... p....

    +John K Personally I think it's to do with Nirvana, Radiohead and other bands having shorter and more accessible songs particularly for radio play. Potentially this song would have to be cut in half to be acceptable for radio and that just wouldn't do the song justice.

    s.... p....

    +Apparently great musicians dont need the mega famousness you talk about. Just attend one of Steven Wilsons concerts and you will be amazed at the different age range in the crowd. All the musicians are top notch and its all about the music not being super famous or getting onto the radio. Just look at King Crimson and how long they have been around

    s.... p....

    Radiohead songs are short but very complex especially from Kid A on. Of course they don't get much radio play on rock stations.

    s.... p....

    And yet steven wilson sells out nearly all his concerts and is involved with producing 4 other music projects and he is remixing many of prog rocks stellar bands albums like yes and gentle giant.

  70. C.... A....

    Sublime.

  71. e.... ....

    is therea live version?

    e.... ....

    +eatmeatleet There is one on the Rockpalast recording, which can be downloaded on the PT website.

  72. P.... I....

    My favorite part (like a lot of people here) is the one starting at 5:06 but I think the best part is the one starting at 4:30 because it gives the next part all its meaning

    P.... I....

    I agree.. without the build-up, it wouldn't be as powerful. SW and PT are simply amazing and very talented artists. I wish more people were exposed to him. The world needs more of this right now.

  73. I.... ....

    ლუკა მადლობა.

    I.... ....

    +Installerrev ;)

    I.... ....

    +Installerrev
    That is easy for you to say.

    I.... ....

    +waveoflight
    lol glad you've noticed :D

    I.... ....

    dzalian Donnie darkoulia

  74. d.... ....

    4:30 gets kind of Geddy Lee Rush sound

  75. l.... ....

    Misunderstood, Dream Theater, at the beginning..

    l.... ....

    @Rezz Atrana Yeah, for the reason that they're similar.. It's just that, not big deal...

    l.... ....

    +Pablo Pallares The only difference being that they're not the same...

    l.... ....

    @Pika InParis Nope.. They're similar.. Very similar.. Obviously not the same..

    l.... ....

    Why say no when we're saying the same thing?

    l.... ....

    @Pika InParis Hahaha, your profile picture matches perfectly with your last comment.. Yeah, no... I thought you thought I was saying they're the same.. 'Misunderstanding'.. ;)

  76. A.... B....

    beautiful lyrics !

  77. P.... G....

    it reminds me Ten Years Gone by Zeppelin! Great song!

    P.... G....

    That, and listen to the opening of Believe by Lenny Kravitz

    P.... G....

    Sounds like PT to me!

  78. A.... G....

    Don't look back into black
    Don't let the memory of the sound
    Drag you down....

    A.... G....

    To end as friends so painful...

    A.... G....

    Don't look down
    Shut it down

    A.... G....

    Great. Let's make a choir!

    A.... G....

    Picking up the fallen pieces...taking a last look before I drown...🙏🙏

  79. A.... R....

    Definitely in my top 5 from PT. Nothing beats the slow-growers like this track and Arriving Somewhere But Not Here... 

  80. T.... H....

    A tiny flame inside my hand
    A compromise I never planned
    Unravel out the finer strands

    And I'm looking at a blank page now
    Should I fill it up with words somehow?

    I whispered something in her ear
    I bare my soul but she don't hear

    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    Well maybe she remembers us
    Collecting space up in the sky

    Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK
    Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips

    I lay her gently on my clothes
    She will leave me yes I know

    And I'm looking at a blank page now
    Should I fill it up with words somehow?

    The scratching of a mellotron
    It always seemed to make her cry
    Well maybe she remembers us
    Collecting space up in the sky

    Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK
    Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips

    Don't look at me with your mother's eyes or your killer smile
    Sing a lullaby

    Don't look back into black
    Don't let the memory of sound drag you down
    To end as friends so painful
    Don't look down
    Shut it down

    T.... H....

    Tomas Horn awesome lyrics.

    T.... H....

    oh man, ty

  81. Y.... ....

    Favorite song from Deadwing. Gavin Harrison is the shit. Magnificent.

    Y.... ....

    @shady4091 Gavin Harrison is hands down thee shit.

    Y.... ....

    Glass Arm Shattering.

    Y.... ....

    @manco82 Honorable mention to Glass Arm Shattering, for sure. And Arriving Somewhere. I'm coming to find, lately, that I like this album a lot more than I initially did. In my opinion, it still doesn't quite beat the Signify, Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun trio but I'd wager to say that it's just as good as In Absentia.

  82. M.... ....

    Damnit this is so fucking beautiful... I don't even know what to say

  83. M.... ....

    Best part starts at 5:06

    M.... ....

    Wrong, it's starts at 4:30...a perfect buildup.

    M.... ....

    Best part starts @ 0:00

    M.... ....

    Moofda never fails to give the shivers during this part...just -- God!

    M.... ....

    @Jizus not all is guitar.. the entire song is incredible

    M.... ....

    The whole song is the best part!

  84. M.... ....

    probably my second favorite song from this album, arriving somewhere is my favorite though. 

  85. P.... S....

    This song is out of this World .................

    P.... S....

    +Parthiban Sekar yeah bro...let's let them know that they have a huge following in India. I wanna hear this at a live concert

    P.... S....

    +a.srivastava This is one of my fav Prog bands. I hope so much to see them in BOA last year. Lets see in the future!