Forget Myself is the single greatest example of Guy Garvey's lyrical genius. Discuss.

hmm. good example, but...

Powder blue is a far better example.

forget Myself is TUUUUUNE ;]

Wrong.

The imagery in verse two, about the doorman? Genius.

Guy Gavey wrote:

The man on the door has a head like Mars Like a baby born to the doors of the bars And surrounded by steam with his folded arms He’s got that urban genie thing going on He’s so mercifully free of the pressures of grace Saint Peter in satin he’s like Buddha with mace

... and then there's...

Quote:

Do you move through the room with a glass in your hand Thinking too hard about the way you stand Are you watching them pair off and drinking them long Are you falling in love every second song

There are no better lyrics in the World. Fact!

Great Expectations has Guy's best work, says I. "You were the sun in my sunday morning, telling me never to go." Gets me every time!

sorry mispelt youth. i read your original post incorrectly; i thought you meant vocal talent.

if its lyrics you want then forget myself, great expectations, scattered black and whites, the everthere andfugitive motel are all amazing!!

All Garvey lyrics are wonderful, eh! I am a big fan of the urban genie thing.

likewise Jonny

and just reading the lyrics, they would fit perfectly in any anthology; from carol anne duffy, to tennison

But we know where they truly belong...

Garvey's lyrics are generally excellent, not only has Guy got a talent for a striking turn of phrase, but he manages to construct lyrical passages that manage to be poignant without being sentimental, provocative but not pretentious.

There are other great lyricist's out there - and I wouldn't care to compare, but few manage to write songs like Scattered Black & Whites, for example, which manage to convey real feeling without resorting to linguistic gymnastics.

Many Elbow songs have the feel of a private conversation between the band and the listener, I feel, and this is due in part to the songwriting, and of course, Guy's fantastic voice.

The rest of the band are fantastic too of course.

yeh

...for me the lyrics paint such an intense picture of the situations.
You can almost see what he's describing, and definatley feel it.. especially after a drink or two when your more emotionally responsive.
They are clever and witty, but real and dark and deep. They can also be gentle and uplifting depending on the track.
For anyone whos been around the block a bit, you know the lost love, desperation, hopelesness, jealousy, drunkeness etc he portrays

For me personally, Guy Garvey's lyrics have spoken more to me than any other songwriter I can think of.

I have never experienced the continual emotional response to anyone else's music as I have to Elbow's. Even after many repeated listenings the emotion still flows through the songs.

Sorry to gush. It's just how it is for me.

I particularly like the lyrics of Mexican Standoff:

Your sweet reassurances don't change the fact
that he's better looking than me.
Yet he'd look ideal 'neath the wheels of a car...

Love it, love it, love it!
Absolute genius!!!!