Hopes And Fears - Keane > Reviews > Bedshaped - The Saddest Song

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Great lyrics and music .  Tom's voice is gorgeous .
Disadvantages:	-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is Keanes debut album and was released in 2004. It became the biggest selling album in 2004 and continued to sell well in 2005. The members of Keane are:
Vocals: Tom Chaplin
Piano: Tim Rice-Oxley
Drums: Richard Hughes

Somewhere Only We Know - This song is about a special place. It could be to a couple or just to one person. "I'm getting old and I need something to rely on" suggests that this place is somewhere that comforted him when he was younger. He also says "is this the place we used to love?" I thing the song is about an old relationship and they had a special place. This song was written by Keane piano player Tim Rice-Oxley.

Bend And Break - I think this song is about his partner having problems, maybe emotional or physical. He says, "meet me in the morning when you wake up". This means he will help the partner and be there when they are better. "If only I don't bend and break" and "If only I don't suffocate" mean that he is having problems coping with the partner. As long as he can see it through, he will be there on the other side.

We Might As Well be Strangers - This song is about friends/partners growing apart. "I don't know your face no more" and "I don't understand your heart, it's easier to be apart" Suggest that it is a partner. Basically the two people might as well be strangers as they don't know anything about each other anymore.

Everybody's Changing - This song is about trying to carry on as normal while everyone around you is changing. This could be because all of the singer's friends are drifting away and getting married/ getting new jobs. He says, "Trying to make a move just to stay in the game". I think the singer is maybe jealous because he is staying the same while his friends are all moving on. I can relate to this game as all of my friends from school have gone different ways and now all of my college friends are off to different universities.

Your Eyes Open - This is about a lover or friend who has decided not to know the singer anymore. The reasons for this are bad as the singer says, "it's a lonely road you have chosen". Maybe the person needs help and refuses to agree to it. Eventually they will realise but it may be too late, "for a moment your eyes open and you know all the things I ever wanted you to know."

She Has No Time - This song is about being lonely after you have split up with your girlfriend/wife. I related to this song when I finished college and didn't hear from any of my friends for weeks. "She says she has no time for you now" suggests the girl didn't leave because she wanted to. The singer also says "she can hardly breathe without you".

Can't Stop Now - I think this song is about a relationship which is a waste of time. It could be a romantic relationship but I think it sounds like a friendship. The singer is feeling guilty for leaving their friend, "well I know I said I'd wait around till you need me but I have to go, I hate to let you down." He has been focusing all of his attention on his friends problems and not his own. He says "the world has been turning while i've been stood here dithering around."

Sunshine - I think this song is about finding the person you belong with. "can anybody find their home?" means can anybody find the person they belong with. The first verse is talking about being in love with somebody. It says that only an idiot would let the person go. Of course this meaning is not written anywhere in the song, it is just what I heard when I listened to the words. This song sounds beautiful.

This Is The Last Time - From the lyrics, I think that this song is about his girlfriend who has lied to him in some way and he is not ready to forgive her just yet. "The first of many lies, sweep it into the corner or hide it under the bed, say these things go away but they never do." He says, "This is the last time you fall on me for anything you like" i.e. the last time she lies to him as he is leaving. He does say though that years may make everything alright.

On A Day Like Today - I think this song is about the end of a relationship. He has realised that the lover is fed up of him. "I saw you were sick and tired of my wrong turns" suggests that he has done things wrong. He doesn't know how to make it right "I could never seem to say the things I needed to". He is not begging her to keep him but more explaining that he is sorry it couldn't work out.

Untitled 1 - I think this song is about a guy who fell in love with a girl but then found her different than he was expecting. "who ate your heart, you're cold inside, you're not the one I hoped for" suggests that the girl turned cold towards him.

Bedshaped - My favourite Keane song. This song is really sad. To me, it seems to be about a loved one being seriously ill in hospital. "Bedshaped and legs of stone" suggests that the person has been in a hospital bed for a while. The singer seems to think that the person is going to die as he says, "you'll knock on my door and up we'll go". I think this song may be about giving permission for euthanasia. The singer refuses to give permission. I got this from the line, "I know you think i'm holding you down." Also, the line "you'll knock on my door and up we'll go, in white light I don't think so, but what do I know?" The singer thinks it is wrong to switch off the machine but is not sure. This is a deep and mysterious song.